do you like history?I do. :)especially when it comes to traditions/origins as to why we do certain things as a culture that we do.have you ever wondered why we have wedding celebrations...or how they started originally?no? just me?well, in the off-chance that you're like me and wonder at the why when it comes to planning a wedding...google gave me a myriad of answers to how did wedding celebrations originate?my favorite historical fact in regards to the how weddings orginated was this one:"...up to and during the Middle Ages, weddings were considered family/community affairs.the only thing needed to create a marriage was for both partners to state their consent to take one another as spouses.and the "vows" could be a simple as, "will you marry me?" "I will."..."I love simplicity of that...will you marry me? I will. :)the couple in todays blog post brought a unique and sweet simplicity to their ceremony reminiscent of those early weddings.two people in love, standing in front of their closest family + friends with a friend asking them if they would marry each other.from the moment Elizabeth introduced me to Ben + Bonnie,I was struck with how kind, genuine, uncomplicated and welcoming they were.enjoying their family, their day and most importantly - each other, was at the forefront of their garden/farm wedding.to some, having an uncomplicated wedding could translate to indifferent or simplistic...but their day was far from that...it just was simply beautifully done.one other thing I'll tell you about this couple is a moment that I loved about Bonnie...Elizabeth told me a little bit of her back story and the story of her handwritten tattoo...a lot of people get tattoo's these days so I don't overly take note in asking about a specific tattoo...but hers was different.her tattoo simply reads "love you forever." in simple penmanship.the words made me think of my kids and the book I would read to them each night as they went to sleep.Elizabeth told me a little of Bonnie's story and let me know that her father had passed away somewhat recently,he was a good man and an entomologist by trade...well, before the day officially started,Bonnie and her mom took some time together in one of the rooms in the bridal cottage...I smiled as the sun streamed in peeking in from the clouds through the high old windows...Bonnie wore a beautiful sleeveless dress and the sunlight caught her tattooed arm for moment,the tattoo on the inside of her arm was written in her Father's handwriting and as the sun shone in those high windows,I couldn't help but notice behind Bonnie + her mom as her mom readied her for the day...the only artwork behind these two women were two beautifully hand drawn butterflies in frames.it was a sweet moment for her and her mom to get to have before the day started and I smiled andcouldn't help but think that her dad had his moment with Bonnie as well.needless to say, I loved getting to photograph this day with Elizabeth.the kindness + genuine celebration of these two makes my heart happy and I'm glad to have gotten totake part in a small way on their beautiful wedding day!congratulations again, Ben + Bonnie! :)p.s. to see/hear more of their day, you can head over to elizabeth's blog...it's was such a beautiful day! :)Elizabeth Ann Photography | kreatid photography and designvenue | Chatfield Botanic Gardensflorals | beautifully DIY'dbridal gown | BHLDN Wedding Dresses – Anthropologie Weddingsgroom and groomsmen attire | Men’s Wearhouse + calvin klein bowtiesDJ | DJ Drakecatering | Spice of Life Catering