This Couple Gave Handwritten Letters of Love to Each of Their 50 Wedding Guests

Rebecca and Henry wanted to center their wedding celebration on their closest loved ones—so much so, that they wrote a letter by hand to each and every one of their 50 wedding guests.

“It was a lot of work, but it was the most magical moment of my life,” says Rebecca. “I can’t tell you how much love I felt in the room when everyone was reading them at the same time. We knew that we might not get to spend enough time talking with each person, so this was a good way to connect. It was definitely a lot of work, and we were finishing them right down to the wire, but it was so worth it.”

Some of the guests reading their letters:

The moment was a highlight of a three-day celebration that began with a Thursday-night chili and cornbread dinner, accompanied by a ceremony in which each of the guests brought a special item to share with the couple.

“Having all of our favorite people around us, sharing very meaningfully prepared thoughts … we can’t even express how special that was,” says Rebecca, who met Henry while they were both students at Reed College. “One friend shared some advice that her recently departed great-grandmother had given her about love. Our friend who we met through wrote a whole story about our relationship. One friend gave us seeds she’d collected from marigolds she planted at her house that had special significance for her.”

The following night featured a “La Dolce Vita” themed party Rebecca wore a fancy emerald dress and Henry wore a sixties-style skinny tie black suit.

“It was really fun, and accomplished our goal of getting everyone nice and loose and friendly before the wedding,” says Rebecca.

For the big day itself, the couple was inspired by Texas’ Hill Country, frontier life, fall colors and Joanna Newsom’s “Have One on Me” album cover. Rebecca and her bridal party created their own arrangements and bouquets with amaranthus and peach Juliet roses. Their venue, Moriah, located in Marble Falls, Texas, was constructed from 19th-century log cabins and provided an ideal backdrop. Photography was provided by Creatrix Photography.

While the entire day was an incredible experience from start to finish, a few moments in particular for the couple: the speeches by the best man, maid of honor, and Rebecca’s dad; the bluegrass band’s rendition of Harvest Moon by Neil Young; and a hula dance performed by Emme, Henry’s childhood friend and a native of Hawaii.

“We can’t overstate how special it is to have all the important people in your life get to meet each other,” says Rebecca. “All of our friends and family made the weekend so spectacular. We’re so grateful to have them in our lives. It’s so grounding and reassuring as we move through life together to be able to reflect back on the feeling of being held in community so intensely by so many people.”

Rebecca and Henry, thank you for sharing with us the love you have for your family, friends, and each other by letting us be part of your beautiful wedding day!