Purple + Yellow Rustic Vintage Wedding from KimJMartin Photography

Do you all remember our adorable Golden Gate Bridge couple from a few weeks back? (That’s how I refer to them anyway…) Maybe this will jog your memory: they had their engagement photos taken on the Golden Gate Bridge – in the same spot that Phillip proposed!! Remember them now?

engagement shoot, engagement session, e shoot, golden gate bride engagement shoot, san francisco engagement shoot, KimJMartin Photography

I thought you might. :) In any case, when I featured their engagement shoot, I mentioned that I had it on very good authority (because it’s mine) that their wedding and full love story would be making an appearance one day soon. Well, that day is today! And like their engagement shoot, Phillip and Lindsay’s rustic vintage wedding does not disappoint. In fact, it elicits oohs and aahs and smiles of pure joy! Whenever I read their love story or look at the photos taken by the ever-amazing KimJMartin Photography, I am overcome with nothing but joy. You will be too. I’m sure of it.

real wedding, outdoor wedding, rustic vintage wedding, rustic wedding, vintage wedding, KimJMartin Photography

Phillip and Lindsay actually went to junior high and high school together. They knew of each other through friends of friends, but maybe only said one or two words to each other in that time. It wasn’t until years later that they connected via the wonderful world of social media, and a simple Myspace message saying “Hello. I think we went to high school together.” (Best. pickup. line. ever.)

That one simple message turned into many emails exchanged between the two, followed by many a phone call. When it finally came time to meet, Phillip and Lindsay decided to meet at their old high school and go for a jog together. (I love the sentimentality behind the meeting place.) It was strange at first, but the nerves quickly melted away, leaving them feeling as if they had been friends for years. They had such a good time that they agreed to meet up for coffee later to continue their conversations. The rest is history…

Over the next year, Phillip and Lindsay spent a lot of time together. They saw movies, went for sushi, and cuddled together on the couch in Phillip’s apartment (where they shared their first kiss). They went on many adventures together as well – sometimes near, other times far. It was on a trip to Disneyland that they realized their relationship had gone to the next level. It was on another trip to Disneyland some time later that Phillip let slip that he loved her. He tried to cover it up, but it had been so natural, he couldn’t help himself. (Disneyland… where love happens.)

After two and a half years of dating, Phillip knew he had found the one. No matter how much time they spent together, it never seemed to be enough. It took Lindsay a little bit longer to realize what he already knew. Then, Phillip was in a serious car accident upon returning from a trip they took together. He was gravely injured and almost didn’t make it. Faced with the possibility of losing him, Lindsay realized she didn’t want to share her life with anyone but him. (Anyone else get misty-eyed reading that?)

Phillip proposed on January 23, 2010 in the middle of the Golden Gate Bridge. They’d planned to spend the day in San Francisco to celebrate Lindsay’s birthday and Phillip recognized it as the perfect opportunity to pop the question. On the drive down, Phillip nervously checked the sky for signs of rain and tried to memorize something off a yellow piece of paper. Lindsay thought this was a bit odd, but didn’t question him.

They decided to walk the Golden Gate Bridge first when they arrived. It was a Saturday and the bridge was busier than Phillip had anticipated. But when they reached the middle of the bridge to look out over the bay, Phillip went on with his original plan. He told Lindsay that he had a poem he wanted to read to her. He then recited the words he had written on the yellow piece of paper. (My heart – it goes pitter patter.)

“We’ve combined our hearts, now let’s watch them fly.

As a pair of sparrows where they’ll dip and dive

Towards an autumn sunset along the clouds in the sky.

Placing a delicate peck to the cheek, they land on a bridge arched upon the bay.

Leading to this very moment, where I could spend day after day.

The love we share is forever strong and yet further it grows on that way.

Our hearts are our souls constantly playing their melody to a beautiful song.

To each other we sing, to embrace ourselves along.

For where you and I want to go alone, amongst our love in Babylon.

Moving our future, setting sail on a boat for two amid a great sea,

Allowing my dream to be with you. You grant them to be true and set free.”

At the end, Phillip got down on one knee, and asked “Lindsay Alicia Johnson, will you marry me?” Lindsay nearly burst with excitement, exclaiming “Oh my God” and “Are you serious?” Phillip asked her if that meant she was saying yes. It did. And she was. (Aww!)

{From the Bride} Our wedding day was spectacular. The weather was perfect. We were surrounded by all of our friends and family, and everyone was in a relaxed and celebratory mood. We had our wedding outside among the trees, out in the nature we both love. We decorated with birdcages and birds as a nod to Phillip’s proposal poem. And there were carnival lights strung from the trees across an open meadow above the guests.

The wedding party was made up of our five closest friends. I walked down the aisle with my dad to our friend Owen singing John Lennon’s “Grow Old With Me.” Our pastor led the ceremony as we exchanged the vows we had chosen, then the rings, and finally The Kiss. As we walked together down the aisle as husband and wife, Owen played the theme to Indiana Jones. We were off to begin our great adventure.

We had a local barbecue restaurant cater the dinner and a local cake artist created our 3-tiered cheesecake, along with a dessert bar of homemade treats. On the dance floor for our first dance, it started to rain. We waltzed in the rain to “The Aspidistra Flies” by our favorite band, STARS. The lyrics were perfect: “All the umbrellas in London couldn’t hide my love for you.” I danced with my dad to “Forever Young” and played air guitar with him during the guitar solo. Phillip and his mom danced to Louis Armstrong’s “Wonderful World.” The rest of the night was filled with dancing to a playlist that we had created. It was a blast. The day was perfect.”

{From the Couple} The advice the two of us would give any couple getting married, is to take your time and don’t rush. Relax and enjoy the day. Stop every once in a while to breathe it all in. It’s about the people who are there and the beginning of a new life, not about the details. It’s always beautiful.”

Did anyone else get the loveliest kind of chills when she described the reception and first dance? How perfect were those lyrics when it started to rain? Chills, I tell you, I had them. Then my stomach rumbled as I thought about their three-tiered cheesecake… I’m making a note to myself to consider that for my wedding someday. Yum! And they really are just the sweetest couple! She’s totally smitten and it’s clear he just adores her!

The warmest congratulations to Lindsay and Phillip! It was an honor and blessing to share both your engagement photos and wedding details along with your love story! Thank you for sharing it with all of us! We wish you nothing but luck, love, and laughter in the many years you’ll spend together! And the biggest of thank yous to the lovely Kim of KimJMartin Photography! Thank you for sharing with us the complete set (engagement shoot and wedding)! :)