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Gag*i and Wuu had a transcendent vow renewal in Vienna with pinks, flowers, and a dress-to-suit outfit change before a second ceremony. It was lovely, but the description we got from the couple said more than we ever could. Here's how their genderfluid cherry blossom vow renewal played out…
Our cherry blossom drooping garden wedding adorned with pastel hydrangea centerpieces that also doubled as guest bouquets, was a fairy tale come true. Our fairy tale is the story of a genderfluid princess, who was to turn into a prince at dawn and to spend their wedding day with the love of their life, in the landscape of their dreams, near the water of the “Alte Donau” in Vienna, underneath a sky full of shooting stars.
We self-installed hundreds of chandelier crystals, surrounding a rose chandelier, in the trees the day before the wedding and set up our wedding arch, embellished with sakura, hydrangea, and icicles.
This magical landscape watched over our emotional and highly personal ceremony with hand written vows in our own language, which we came up with when being faced with the boundaries of our mother tongue when it comes to various emotions that can't be put into words.
I had DIYed my bridal cape, weaving stars and hydrangeas into the delicate tulle and adding just a little bit of embroidery to the back of my dress to blend the detachable cape in with the dress seamlessly.
My handmade bouquet of ribbons perfectly blended in with the tulle of my dress as I took the first step towards the love of my life, passing by a sea of sparkling cherry blossoms. My groom was clad in fine black jacquard that gave off a starry silvery glow. I soon reached for his beautiful hands, touched his tender lips and felt truly at home; I had arrived at my place in this world, in the arms of the person with whom I wanted to grow old.
We held our reception, to which guests from two countries were invited, in Vienna, Austria, at a place called “Oase der Naturfreunde Alte Donau,” which is a huge garden located near the river Donau, with lots of old trees (one of them holding our DIY hydrangea swing) that contribute to its magical flair.
The years we've spent together have always been accompanied by a soft and dreamy feeling, a pastel colored spring breeze full of magic that wouldn't even cease to blow in winter. This is why we decided on a landscape right out of a summery spring day, with lots of pastel florals, mixed with some wintry icicle magic.
Our candy bar with handmade cupcakes featured a carousel, as well as the trademark of Vienna, the Riesenrad (ferris wheel).
We provided bouquets for everyone, regardless of their gender, and love how the pictures with all guests holding pastel bouquets, matching our dress code (genderfree pastel clothing), turned out.
This was only one of many symbols of gender equality, and support for all forms of love, that could be found at our celebration. As a couple with a genderfluid part, we created boutonnieres and bracelets for all guests and had signs pointing out that everyone could take either both or one of them or neither, whatever fit their identity and whatever they felt most comfortable with.
Our unicorn tree was a special place where every guest could free a unicorn and keep it if they wanted. We also had prepared a little game where our guests could go from table to table and from tree to tree, completing various activities such as taking pictures or shaking hands with a guest from abroad.
During our photo session near the river, a magical transformation occurred: the bride changed into their white suit which complemented their groom's black jacquard suit, in order to get married once more, as a delicate, yet boyish groom. Their pink hair was embellished with a DIY pastel flower crown, softly erasing all boundaries between what is defined as male or female, just like the boundaries between our countries, that had seemed to cease to exist nine years ago, when our relationship began. Our love has always and will always overcome all boundaries, be it physical distance, gender or age.
Vendors
Photographer: Maria Schnabl from Velvet Love • Venue: Naturfreunde Alte Donau • Dress: Watters • Bride’s suit: Valerie Suits • Bride’s shoes: DIY and Perfectweddingshoes • Earrings: momo maguro • Necklace: michi yuki • Garter: Gadabygrace • Cape + Veil: Richards Designs • Flower crown: DIY, flowers by eastmeetswest • Groom's suit: Baggi & Lorenz • Groom's shoes: Melvin & Hamilton • Rings: Design: by the couple | CAD: Dmytro Velenets | Print: Imaterialise • Ring pillow: La Vie En Rose • Tableware: Talking Tables
About the Author: Catherine Clark
Catherine Clark loiters at her local library, makes art, watches movies en masse, plays video and tabletop games, poorly cooks healthy things, cuddles with her feline fur babies, and blogs at BijouxandBits.com.
This is possibly the most beautiful wedding aesthetic I have ever seen!