Blown Away
Mr. Luke Poling was such a pleasure! He is open to hearing about you as a couple AND as individuals. We did not get to meet Luke in person, as we had a destination wedding but felt as if we knew him and had solely based on emails back and forth with him throughout our planning processes. He is so very open minded to all types of ceremonies. He asked us to share with him our story to get to know each of us better, where we come from, what our personalities are together and separately, etc. We provided that PLUS some ( And I would suggest to all brides and grooms to be wordy. It is better to say more than less when it comes to wedding planning and the people you hire!) Luke sent us what he called a "start" or rough draft to vows for us he had written. Upon receiving that email and the first read, the second read and yep the third too! I cried.. AND the fiance cried. It could be said that we were partial, but they are the BEST vows I have ever heard, and I have been to MANYYYY weddings. Luke took our story and who we are and wrote a masterpiece. It was REAL, RAW, HONEST, MEANINFUL AND FUNNY! Not one thing consisted of the "typical" vows you so often hear, but everyword drenched in more reality and substance. So original, different and deep. My fiance (now husband) and I couldn't believe it was just "The rough draft." And, honestly both of us said with what Luke wrote we did NOT need to say anymore to each other. He magically made our vows into what we WOULD have said, personally. There were NO changes needed at all to this "rough draft" although Luke was more than willing to take on suggestions, add in's or cut outs as we both might have saw fit. None needed. Utter perfection. A couple of weeks before our wedding my fiance and I decided we would say just a couple of "personal" vows/ kind words to each other. Fiance was super nervous. I was not. Fiance showed Luke his vows to make sure the flow was ok and the length went well with the rest of the ceremony that Luke put together for us. Luke gave his approval. Amidst all the things that happens with a Bride the day of, I was unable to show Luke my own personal words. In the end, it didn't matter- I had to wing it. I had forgotten my vow book in the dressing suite. (Oops. I did well though. The fiance had magically written just about the same things I had and thankfully he went first- did SO WELL considering how nervous he had been and his words helped me to remember my own.) Luke is lighthearted, laid back, humorous, professional, kind, open-minded and such an ease to be around. His presence calming and his direction on things, stellar. He had given Scott and I one suggestion before our ceremony. That there are many moments when the ceremony can become very emotional, even if you don't or have never planned on it, aren't the "type." It is JUST FINE that emotions take over. IF we felt when speaking to each other that those emotions were stirring to try and remember to start to speak LOWER, for when (and if) those natural emotions start, trying to control your volume helps to maintain them. Speaking louder (speaking OVER your emotions) can sometimes make it all worse. In my pre- ceremony bliss, I somehow hung onto his words, honestly feeling that would not happen to me. I was wrong. LOL. When the tears started to make themselves known, the one thing I remembered were his smart and kind words of advice before our ceremony, and I did what he said. It sure did help stop the flow of tears. Luke, if you read this, thank you for the words of advice on that. We are forever grateful for your talent, your writing, the way you make OUR day OURS. No textbook readings, so real, raw and honest. We can only promise each other certain things in life and in marriage, you took our views and our beliefs and made magic. You are creative, kind, considerate and so open minded. We are lucky to have had you be a part of our day, and forever a huge part of our lives.
Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts. Apologies for the high humidity that day as well. The rain stopped, but the aftermath was that heat! Just like marriage, there will good with the bad. That's life. :-)
So much love,
Lara and Scott
Just Hitched (!) on: June 24th, 2023 @ The Black Bass Hotel in Lumberville, PA