ECD Bride Sarah

Sarah was enchanting in a Pandora gown and cape, proving that modest wedding gowns are anything but boring! 

Where did you and your fiancé meet?
Volunteering


How did he propose?
At the end of a hike, overlooking the valley and the Bountiful Temple. He'd brought a backpack with him and I was sure he was going to propose but then, at the end, he pulled out his scriptures (it was a Sunday) and said, "I thought we could have a hike and a study together." I sighed a little bit internally but I was still happy. What a special idea. He opened to 1 Corinthians 13 and read the verses to me. He talked about what he thought love really was and all the things we'd learned together, difficult and fun. He then turned to, what I thought would be another scripture along the same lines, where actually the ring was tied in to the scriptures. He talked about how meaningful our relationship was and how much joy and growth it brought to his life and then he asked me to be his wife.


Describe your wedding in 4 words:
Special, joyful, memorable and peace-filled


Why did you choose to wear a modest wedding dress for your big day?
I have struggled with body image my whole life. I had been through some traumatic events as a child and had never felt comfortable in my own skin. Over the years, I improved and healed a little bit at a time but still struggled. I felt so gross and disgusting in my body for so long and didn't want anyone to see or notice it... but then I began to realize what a sacred and special thing it really was. It enables me to walk, to run, to hike and to dance. My body enables me to hug loved ones, to hold others' hands. My body enables me to sing and laugh and cry and feel so many things. My body is a very valuable thing, I realized, and I want to treat it with respect and dignity. Over the past year I had begun feeling like I wanted to treat my body with the same respect I treat the earth or God's other creatures. I began telling my body how grateful I am for it and how much I love it. I began thinking often of what I'm happy my body CAN do and it filled me with joy. Above all -- my body has the ability to heal and that is what it has done over the past several years. I was afraid to get married because I was afraid of being the center of attention... but in this modest and beautiful dress, I felt respected, I felt dignified and I felt safe. I chose a modest dress as a sign of respect for my body and a sign of gratitude to God for giving it to me. 


What was your favorite part of the day?
The temple. I didn't get to wear my ECD dress in the temple, I got to change into it after, but even that was meaningful. I had been an ordinance worker in the Bountiful Temple for over a year and to get married in the dress I had volunteered in for so long was very meaningful to me. I love God -- we tried to dedicate the day to Him in ways that were significant to us and how we felt He had led and directed us to each other. We tried to highlight the ways in which he'd been generous to us... so, the temple (the religious place we were married) was the most special part for us as it was all about the creator and us and the sentiment that: with Him and in His hands, all things are possible. God is good and while we felt that all day, that feeling was strongest in the temple.


What did you splurge or save on?
I saved money on hair and makeup -- I did my makeup myself and a friend did my hair. My aunt is a hairstylist and did my hair for engagement photos but the day of, she was out of town, so I found a simple hairdo that a friend helped me put together. Truly, it enabled me to enjoy the day more. I splurged on things that would have caused contention between family members and that enabled everyone to focus on the day. Flowers, the gown, decoration -- all were delegated to other people to figure out so that no opinions or hurt feelings became the focal point. 


Credit your vendors:
Gown: Pandora gown by Elizabeth Cooper Design

The Manor at Eldredge Square 
564 W 400 N, Bountiful, UT 84010, United States
+1 801 292 5501

Willow Specialty Florist
371 N 200 W, Bountiful, UT 84010, United States
+1 801 397 0536

Megan Snell Photography
https://www.instagram.com/megansnellphoto/
+1 801 891 4826


Additional comments or advice for other brides:
If you want your day to be peaceful rather than frenzied -- DELEGATE what you care less about to family and friends and delegate to professionals what you care more about. It is worth the money to be able to feel the joy and peace of your wedding day. The marriage is the most important part, the wedding only lasts a day, but it IS a special day that you wouldn't want to miss by being worried about a detail that you will forget. Splurge on things you will hold onto and pass down and let go of the things that will only last the day. You will be glad you did. I am already.