Aleithia: We met online through a mutual love of books. Spencer sent me a message asking if I’d read Dakota by Kathleen Norris, which happens to be one of my favorites. I then looked at his profile and saw that he’d included a list of favorite poets. I don’t read much poetry myself, but I figured that anyone who would think of including poets on a dating profile would be interesting to talk to. And he was!
Aleithia: Spencer’s proposal was low-key, which was fitting since we’re both pretty low-key people. On New Year’s Eve we went to a gathering at his sister and brother-in-law’s house. Right after midnight, Spencer suggested we step out for a bit of air. I followed him out onto the front porch, and when he turned around he was holding a ring.
Aleithia: We were married at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Edmond, OK, which I’ve attended for a number of years. Having studied history of religion in grad school, I loved the idea of having a traditional ceremony. Saying the same words that people have said for hundreds of years made me feel like our wedding was connected to a broader human experience. Also, since our wedding was indoors the chamber choir I sing with was able to participate in the ceremony. Picking out music was definitely my favorite part of wedding planning.
Aleithia: My favorite part about the day was being able to share it with so many family and friends, who traveled to Oklahoma from all over the U.S. We spent most of the reception going from table to table to visit with people, which is exactly how we wanted it to be.
Aleithia: Our wedding didn’t have a theme, per se, but we I tried to incorporate things that were meaningful to us. For example, the books we used as centerpieces for the reception tables are all titles that one or both of us has read. The thistles in my bouquet were a nod to Scotland, where I went to grad school, as was our ring bearer’s “pillow”—an antique prayer book given to me by an elderly Scottish clergyman. Also, since I’ve moved a number of times and Spencer studied abroad in college, we had people sign postcards of places we’ve lived in lieu of a traditional guestbook. Also my Mother, who’s a trained floral designer, did all of the arrangements, including ribbon wrist corsages she designed for my Mother-in-law and herself.
Aleithia:Truthfully, I think my favorite photo is of my coworker’s daughter reaching for a treat from the pastries table. I love her sweet and slightly sneaky expression.
I also like the photo of us as we’re leaving the church. The exit happened sooner than we’d expected: Spencer and I went with the photographer to take a couple of outdoor shots, but when people saw that we were gone they assumed that we were about to leave, so everyone went outside and lined up. Almost before we knew what was happening, we were on our way! That night we stayed at a B&B that’s literally next to the church, so we just walked across the street.
Photography: Robert Posar
Bride’s shoes: thewhiteribbon
Pastries: Ingrid’s Kitchen
Flowers: Mother of the Bride