Chaska, Minnesota Vow Renewal by Ashley Fox Designs + Red Bird Hills

This next little number captured by Red Bird Hills just warmed my heart right up this morning. It never fails, Vow Renewals make me gush every time. Maybe it’s this couple’s tutu-wearing little girl and sweater vest-wearing little boy or maybe it’s the homemade pie the Mister baked with love or perhaps it’s the gorgeous florals by Ashley Fox Designs - but I am pretty sure it’s the way you can tell this family could not be more thrilled to be in this life together. How can you not gush a little bit when you see that? Click here for more!

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From the bride… We were married at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in 2001 in front of 150 friends and family but chose to have a vow renewal at our home in our gardens. The ceremony and celebration was small and very personal. Our best man 10 years ago, Brian C.P. Harvey, who is now Evelyn’s godfather, created and officiated a heartwarming, nostalgic and emotional ceremony. We could not imagine celebrating that day without him. Leah Vestermark, my creative, beautiful and funny college buddy, designed a ‘commemorate the day’ program. It captured the spirit of our family and the home, gardens and backyard chicken coop (complete with five laying hens) Tom and I have built together. She also videotaped the event for our later amusement and posterity.

My husband Tom, an excellent baker, made the “Perfect 10” apple pie and everyone said it was the best apple pie ever. He also built the arbor from branches sourced from his parent’s 40-acre woods in Wisconsin. Our children, 5-year-old Evelyn and 4-year-old Lucas, had a great time running around and enjoying the beautiful autumn day, and they couldn’t wait to eat the pie, of course. Also, I grew the echuveria/succulent in my own garden this summer and sprayed it a gold metallic for the bouquet to echo the metallic theme of the event. Tom surprised me earlier in August with a diamond anniversary band to celebrate our 10 years of marriage — “I couldn’t wait,” he said. We used our cake cutter, server and the crystal champagne glasses from our first wedding day, but this time with a much more toned-down drink of cider instead of champagne. Our wedding was beautiful and special 10 years ago, but the vows we spoke at our renewal meant so much more, and we had fun with them too. “Ashley, I promise to love you even though you drive too fast,” and “Tom, I promise to love you even though you could not point the direction North if your life depended on it.”

Photography: Tasha of Red Bird Hills / Venue: The Couple’s Home in Chaska, Minnesota / Flowers: Ashley Fox Designs / Bride’s Dress: Alexia Admor / Garden Arbor + Pie: Tom Fox, The Groom / Coat + Boots: Local Thrift Shops / Groom’s Suit: Joseph Abboud / Program Design + Cinematography: Leah Vestermark, Friend of the Couple / Flower Girl’s (Daughter’s) Skirt: DIY / Officiant: Brian C.P. Harvey, Friend of the Couple