12 years ago

12 years ago

12 years ago today, I married the man that at first I deemed unattainable. Too good to be true. Way out of my league.
It was the perfect day. Nothing went wrong, all smooth sailing. If I could go back…I might have changed some insignificant things. Like putting on lipstick before the reception, or wearing my hair all up, choosing different wedding colors/dresses, or searched around for a younger/hipper photographer (there weren’t websites/blogs like they do now). But I can get a good laugh now, and realize all of that doesn’t matter. I had just finished my last final of college at BYU the day before we got married, and my man still had a semester left. I was from Texas, he from California, but so many family and friends were in Utah, we decided to marry there. Unlike my hubby, I remember the little details of that day. All the friends and family that flew in.Those that came in the evening to our reception. Feelings of pure joy surrounded that day. The picture above is the image I chose for an enlargement for my home.

Then I changed it out for this one:

I love that you can see the temple behind us, but mostly that we look genuinely happy. A lot of our other pics are more posed…if only I knew then what I know now. 2 years ago, I contacted our photographer, and was so happy that after 10 years, they still had the negatives! They scanned them on a disc for me for $150. I love having them.

It was December, but beautiful blue skies (and kinda ugly grass). I pictured lots of snow on that day, and there wasn’t much. It was warm for December in Utah.

My mom made this cape for me, I love it.

I chose the photographer because he was married to the lady who ran the reception hall and I got a discount. My big thing going into my wedding was the reception spot. I DID NOT want basketball lines in my pictures. Meaning, I did not want my reception to be at the church. I looked at a lot of places, but I was frugal. This was an old church converted to a reception hall, it worked perfectly. Looking back, I might have had some input on the decor, but I didn’t care then.

I am SO grateful that my friend Laurie followed us around with her film camera, loaded with black and white film and snapped 4 rolls of what are some my favorite images from that day. The moments captured, that I strive to capture with each client I photograph now. The real moments. The candid moments.

I love this man. My hubby leads our family with a firm yet loving hand. He sees me as his equal, and loves me through my weaknesses. He knows how to make me laugh, and know how to support me when I cry. We are on the same page with so many things. He knows me–and who I want to be. Now if only he would let me be a back seat driver… We do differ on some things, but we work on how to compromise on those differences.

I’m trying to get our wedding video up, so maybe you’ll see it soon. My parents just arrived from out of town and hubby and I are taking off for the rest of the day.

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Kristen Duke

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Comments

1

Marcia (123 blog) says:

December 17, 2011 at 3:14 pm

Congratulations to the two of you – here’s to the next 12

And you look just the same – can’t believe that was 12 years ago!

2

Lindsay says:

December 17, 2011 at 3:47 pm

Aw, Happy Anniversary! Hope you get to have a wonderful day celebrating!

3

Coley says:

December 17, 2011 at 4:07 pm

Happy Anniversary Kristen! Enjoy some time with your hubby!!

4

Margaret says:

December 17, 2011 at 5:50 pm

Congratulations! I love that picture where your hubby is holding your face. Happy anniversary.

5

Michelle says:

December 17, 2011 at 8:14 pm

Happy Anniversary! Love the black and white candid shots Hope you’ve had a wonderful day

6

ellen patton says:

December 17, 2011 at 9:22 pm

Your dress is beautiful (and I love that it’s long sleeved since it was winter).

7

Roxanna says:

December 17, 2011 at 9:44 pm

Happy Anniversary!

8

amanda says:

December 17, 2011 at 11:20 pm

Happy Anniversary!
Isn’t is wild how photography has changed in what feels such a short, short, short time? Your wedding photos are lovely though, wonderful images of young love.

9

Janet says:

December 18, 2011 at 10:58 am

Happy Anniversary! You two make a beautiful couple — your joy shines through!

10

heather says:

December 18, 2011 at 11:58 pm

you two are adorable! love seeing these! Happy Anniversary!

11

Jacqueline says:

December 19, 2011 at 5:27 am

Happy Anniversary!

12

Emily says:

December 19, 2011 at 8:00 am

What a happy day, where was I and how did I miss that?! You guys are amazing and I love your pictures, posed and candid.

13

Rachel says:

December 19, 2011 at 9:43 am

Happy anniversary Kristen!

14

Karen says:

December 19, 2011 at 1:10 pm

Happy anniversary! So happy you are part of our family!