64th Anniversary Photos | Spring wedding ideas

Cakies, we recently received the sweetest anniversary session in the 100LC inbox. Oklahoma based Kara of Joyous Blooms was inspired to celebrate all stages of marriage, not just that first year, and to show off a couple you wouldn’t typically see in a wedding editorial. Her hometown’s favorite couple, Carol and Charlie, instantly came to mind. Everything went down at Grassroots Vintage, where they got all dolled up and reveled in a design inspired by vintage Better Homes & Gardens magazines. Read their story as you scroll through the photos + film by Blu Knot Weddings:

Cutest wedding photo up on display!

Kara explains, Charlie (83) and Carol (85) Rutledge are pillars in the town I grew up in of Lone Grove, Oklahoma. Carol was the high school’s librarian assistant for 33 years and Charlie worked for Oklahoma Gas and Electric and was a colonel in the Oklahoma National Guard. They both know everyone in the town and everyone knows them. Anyone who grew up playing Lone Grove in High School football knew the man with the megaphone and cowbell in the bleachers. Every single person that knows the Rutledge’s absolutely adores them. They are nothing but genuine, kind, loving souls.

During the process of preparing for the 64th anniversary event, I learned that Carol and Charlie had a quaint wedding at their church on June 10, 1955. Carol wore a dress that her Aunt had sewn for her and wore a simple lapel corsage. Charlie was almost late because of work! The attendees included a best man, maid of honor, and close family. They went to Dallas, TX for a weekend honeymoon, because they both had to be at work on Monday. The simplicity of their beginning made it that much more exciting for me. They deserved to be pampered and showcased for a day.

The bridal bouquet included pink butterfly ranunculus, peach roses, coral ranunculus, Miyabi garden roses, peach stock, sprengeri fern, and huckleberry greens.

Carol and her sister-in-law shopped at Bella Rose Bridal to choose a dress for their anniversary shoot. It would be so fun to recreate your wedding experiences, like dress shopping, so many years later with your closest loved ones, don’t you think?

Carol told me afterwards that she felt like she was in a fairytale. Charlie didn’t hold back the day of the shoot either. He held Carol and constantly gave her compliments the entire time. It truly felt like watching newlyweds, but better, because you could see the love through the years. Charlie uses a cane to walk and Carol uses oxygen and a walker. They both wanted to walk down the aisle without the help of any equipment. It brought tears to my eyes. We took the day slow. We took as many breaks as needed. We soaked in all the love.

These two were then pampered with a darling sweets spread from Sugar High. Yum!

Carol’s advice for staying married for 64 years? She said you’ll have your ups and downs, but you should work through your problems together, that it’s all give and take. Viewing their marriage as a commitment and keeping the faith has always supported them.