Wedding Anniversary – Debbie & Richard, Seattle USA

 

While a wedding celebration can be incredible in so many ways, it is the marriage that follows that can bring so much richness and bliss to everyday life. Debbie and Richard honoured their exquisite everyday with a stunning celebration of their love story on their 40th wedding anniversary.

Against a breathtaking waterfront vista near their home in Seattle, USA, Debbie and Richard made renewed promises to each other, captured in dreamy perfection by photographer Astrini Sie. She wears a simple sheath gown with pearl detail, a homage to her original wedding dress, and carries a bouquet of lilies; calla for their elegance and Asiatic for their sweet fragrance. Richard looks as dapper as he did 40 years ago in a suede jacket he’s owned since his wedding day. 

The finishing touch? A glow and delight that comes from deep familiarity and profound appreciation, respect, and love. Scroll on to see the magic in every frame.

 

 

40 years ago.

Our wedding in 1983 was a small one with family and closest friends in my aunt’s backyard on a small lake in northern California. I wore a white off-the-shoulder dress with a big floppy hat. 

We had met three years before when I called the wrong phone number, and Richard answered. On our wedding day, he was 45 and I was 25. No one expected us to be celebrating our love 40 years later.

 

Words of wisdom.

We all often think that our love leads to marriage, but real, lasting, deep love grows out of marriage. Grows out of the daily life of struggles and joys through raising a family and growing up and growing old together. It is a love based on grace and loving the person for who they are, not who you want them to be.

Richard’s thoughts are on the same line that we work because, through the years, we loved and supported each other even when it meant a sacrifice for the other. When Richard bought a big health club, we had to move, and I left my job; we moved and started anew as business owners. When Debbie decided to attend law school in her 40s, Richard didn’t hesitate to encourage and support her through the hectic three years while our children were teens. And these are just a few examples; there are so many more. 

Now, we practice law together out of our restored waterfront empty nest and look forward to working a bit less and enjoying the years left to us.

 

Intrigued by the idea of a sweet celebration for your special anniversary? Alex and Nicole chose to mark the occasion on their 10th anniversary with a stunning Red Hill soiree – low key but loved up to perfection.

 

 

Debbie & Richard’s vendors

Photographer: Astrini Sie

Transport: 20-year old Jaguar, cherished by Richard. Despite being twenty years old, it is as pristine as new, just like their twice-as-long marriage.