A renewal vows ceremony that was also a surprise party for the wife, the Blair / Huminiak renewal ceremony for Ashley and Nick was a uniquely French Quarter event. Ashley had no idea when she walked out of Irene’s Restaurant that her friends and family, a brass band, and a reverend with a pulpit on wheels were waiting for her out front. A short second line to the riverfront followed led by Ashley and Nick and the deal was resealed shortly after.
Photo by Sarah Jean
“Have Love, Will Travel” was the phrase Nick and Ashley chose to have etched into their stacked lath heart and it represents the many cities and destinations Nick and Ashley have traveled to and lived in over the course of their relationship, and marriage. Coast to coast and across the ocean, Nick and Ashley have certainly had love and did travel with a sustaining bond, adoration and steady attraction to each other.
It was a great looking and fun loving crowd out on the river that April afternoon. All ages and styles celebrated their love. A spirited reception at everyone’s favorite Lower Decatur street bar followed and continued into the night.
Renewal vow ceremonies are always such warm and pleasing affairs. Couples who have been married long enough to propose a renewal always have a chilled and mellow approach to the ceremony. The interview comes easy and all the friends and family have been through it all together as well. It’s a different vibe than a standard wedding, long loves and long lives abound.
Congratulations on 20 years together Nick and Ashley. We look forward to your future ventures and adventures
————————————————— Ceremony
Brothers and sisters, we gather here today on the bank of this mighty, muddy, magnificent river, to reconsecrate, reaffirm and retestify to, the marriage, union, and bond of Nick and Ashley.
And as we consecrate the love of Nick and Ashley together, we are all also giving consent to that love and showing support for that love. And if one of us so loves Nick,now they so love Ashley. And if one of us so loves Ashley, now they so love Nick. Through their union, their families are one, their friendships are all intertwined and their experiences ever the same. Nick, your wife will always be your witness. Ashley, your spouse will be your perennial spectator.
Brothers and sisters, Ashley and Nick have love, will travel. As they indeed already have, great distances over the last 20 years, around our country and one day hopefully, around the world. But right down the line it’s been Nick and Ashley and their love, together and one.
Back in the day, Nick loved Ashley for being smoking hot, among other things of course. And Ashley loved Nick for the way he looked in his tight pants, among other things of course. And from those early and from those reptile brain beginnings their love has blossomed and sustained itself over the years as they shared a personal intimacy with each other’s souls and their personal histories and how each of them exist in our unfolding Universe as individuals and as a couple.
Brothers and sisters, Ashley and Nick are choosing to be married, to stay married, and to continue living out their lives day to day, moment to moment, city to city, state to state, country to country, married. Ashley and Nick have chosen to double down on their partnership and that is indeed a wonderful thing, to be heralded and celebrated. Because brothers and sisters, getting married is easy, but staying married is a motherfucker!
Nick and Ashley, cherish each other and your love. In the great drudgery and chore of life, it is an iridescent shine across the surface of your souls. When you are close to one another it is a deep, dense and strong vortex whirling around you both. When you are far away it is a loose, languid, and swirling ribbon connecting you together. And it will remain, as it has remained, as you both remain.
Nick, do you stand here today, a different man than 10 years ago, but with the same love in your heart, and do you pledge to continue growing, flourishing and gazing at our Universe with Ashley, from this day forward?
Nick: I do
Ashley, do you stand here today, a different woman than 10 years ago, but with the same love in your heart, and do you pledge to continue growing, flourishing and gazing at our Universe with Nick, from this day forward?
Ashley: I do
As much as Nick and Ashley have rededicated themselves to each other and vowed to remain, let us ask them to celebrate their renewal with a kiss.
