Bob's Blog
Thoughts From an Island Photographer

True Love

 While we enjoy photographing weddings of all kinds, we really cherish the opportunity to capture a couple’s vow renewal. Weddings are all about romance, new beginnings and the promise of a lifetime of love and togetherness. It’s an honor to be a part of that very special moment in a couple’s life.  But, vow renewals  – after the realities of life have made their mark on a marriage – that is a celebration of a truly deep and enduring love. 

Some couples choose a major wedding anniversary for a re-commitment ceremony while others do it every year.  The birth of a first child, recovery from a life threatening illness or another milestone may spur a couple to celebrate publicly. Whatever the circumstances, vow renewals are a time for celebrating the family unit and the life journey it encompasses.   

 Children and other immediate family and close friends may be invited to actively participate, or the couple may choose to make their ceremony an intimate one with just each other.  There are no rules and every vow renewal is a unique experience.

Hand Tying with Officiate

Most couples write their own vows to each other, yet some speak from the heart spontaneously. Sometimes an officiate participates but none is necessary. It is a time to remember and acknowledge the past and re-pledge the future with all its hope and promise. Often, the couple adds some meaningful ritual or gift exchange to the ceremony.  Here are some of our favorites: 

Sand Blending: Different colored sands – one color to represent him, one for her, poured in turns into a large clear (plastic if on the beach) vase to blend into a beautiful pattern visible to all. 

Family heart: a heart shaped piece of jewelry that has been split into separate pieces – one for each member of the family to keep and cherish. A hole in each piece allows each sectioned piece to be affixed to a chain for wearing. Family members put the heart together, then don their piece to keep it close to their own heart.

A Sand Blending

Hand tying: To symbolize strength in unity as a family unit, togetherness of the ring hands of the couple are tied together with a rope or cloth before vows are spoken. If there are children, they may do the tying, or they may have their own hand tied on top of their parents. Untying is done together. 

Water pouring: Pouring of fresh water and salt water together into an indent or an outline of a heart drawn in the sand. This symbolizes that differences are invisible in the liquidity of life and that life itself is fleeting and should be valued.

Exchange of new rings:  either replacing wedding bands with new rings to symbolize a new beginning or milestone or accomplishment. Sometimes a new ring to be worn on the other hand is added. 

 The family circle: the family including dear friends, form a circle and hold hands. The circle has no beginning and no end, just like the wedding rings and the circle of life. Each member exchanges a commitment to the others to reaffirm a lifetime of support, respect, caring, nurturing and love.

Anne Marie Officiates 2010 Group Vow Renewal At Trunk Bay

True love is rare and remarkable to see. We’ve been honored to photograph vow renewals of all kinds – ornate public displays and surprise intimate ceremonies – on beaches, hiking trails, boats, remote islands, at fine resorts, and even at a local bar. Every one has touched us deeply and in unexpected ways. We have been blessed to be a part of these ceremonies and know they have made a difference in our own marriage.  

Bob Working The Crowd

 We renewed our own vows recently after 22 years of marriage at the annual Valentines Day St. John Group Vow Renewal Event at Trunk Bay. Approximately 100 couples joined in at the free event this year. Truthfully, we were both there photographing the event (Bob, for St. John Tradewinds and Karin, for fun and friends. We had also planned ahead of time for a way to actively participate and renew our own vows at the same time. 

In Each Others Hearts Wherever We Are

 Along with all the other couples, we publicly announced that despite each others faults and annoyances, we are deeply committed to each other. We were hundreds of feet away from each other and talking past our camera lenses while we snapped photos of others taking the pledge. There was not a dry eye on the beach.  

Vow renewals are so underrated!

Until next time,

  Bob and Karin Schlesinger
  Your Island Photographers

 p.s. – thanks to Cathy and Bill Dove, Ann Marie Porter and all the others that make this annual St. John Valentine’s Day Group Vow Renewal event possible.