Anniversary Session by Ilene Squires Photography: LouAnn and Roland

What do you think is the key to a lasting marriage? Honesty and trust are the values that LouAnn and Roland have built their relationship on.  This fun loving couple has known each other for 15 years, and they were wed in an intimate and lighthearted destination wedding four years ago. They decided to celebrate their continued commitment to each other with a fabulous anniversary session, captured by Ilene Squires Photography. Their affection for each other shows in every picture, and is even more evident in their words and actions. Make sure to read their advice on how to have a great wedding and an awesome marriage.

• LouAnn Cassar-Lawrence and Roland Lawrence Jr.

Our wedding was an intimate destination wedding. We had close friends and family on the beach, at a beach house we rented for the week. Fun loving people at heart our ceremony and reception reflected who we were. Our vows were honest and funny yet symbolized the magnitude of love we have for each other. Though it was such a serious event we laughed freely and openly even our officiant and photographers mentioned that they’ve never been to a wedding that was so peaceful and relaxed. I loved that we all had a great time and we still joke about the “tiki torch”.

We love random and spontaneous things like getting up on weekends or days off, hopping in the car and just driving. It gives us time to catch up on the past week. We would drive to shopping malls, events or attractions hours away just so we’d be in the car together just to talk. Daily life is always a distraction so that gives us a way to have time for each other.

The one piece of advice would be that you should plan it for you. No one remembers the flowers you had as a center piece, the flavor of the cake you cut or who your best man was. They would remember, however, how happy you looked and how happy they are for you as a couple. Let your wedding be a reflection of you and of course don’t break the bank!

Honesty and trust. Those two has been the center or our friendship for 15 years and our marriage for the past 4. We are always honest with each other no matter how upsetting it maybe at times, if your best friend can’t say it then who would? Sometimes the truth hurts but it must be done in a manner that is meant to help the other person, that’s where the trust comes along. You have to trust that your partner is being honest not to sabotage you but to help uplift you and make you a better person. After that everything else falls into place; communication, deeper love, fulfillment etc.