Couple Recreate Their Wedding Photos to Celebrate 59 Years of Marriage

July 2024 · 4 minute read

Gleaming in white, 79-year-old Karen stood with her husband Gary Ryan as their deep and ageless love exuded from the photos, almost as if they were in a fairytale.

For their 59th anniversary, an adorable couple posted a series of black and white images recreating their wedding day. These snaps were shared by their 26-year-old grandaughter McCall Ryan on Instagram.

The series of photos included, for the most part, a picture from the original wedding of Karen and Gary. This snap would then be followed by a similar image of them duplicating that particular moment in time.

A picture from 79-year-old Karen Ryan and 79-year-old Gary Ryan’s wedding. | Source: instagram.com/nikkiryanphotography

Taking to the description, McCall explained that this shoot was specifically special to herself and her family as her grandparents had both recently been suffering from health concerns. She expressed:

"We are so thankful they got to relive their wedding day all over again! 📷 "

McCall stated both had worn the same tuxedo and wedding dress; the 26-year-old excitedly stated that her grandmother could still fit into her bridal gown.

Individual commenting on an Instagram post by Destination Photo + Video Team. | Source: nikkiryanphotography

The pair's grandaughter explained that they recreated many well-known memorable moments typical to most Western weddings. These included their first dance, making a toast, and cutting the cake.

All 7 of their lives were taken via the electric chair.

The beauty of the shots themselves wasn't only what shone through for McCall but also the love captured between the spouses. She penned that her grandparents still exude the same affection for each other that they did on their wedding day.

A picture of 79-year-old Karen Ryan and 79-year-old Gary Ryan recreating the moment they cut their cake on their wedding day. | Source: instagram.com/nikkiryanphotography

This never-ending love was reflected by the couple's comments on the photoshoot, with Karen stating that the day didn't feel much different from the actual ceremony. Her husband expressed:

"It was awesome. She looked beautiful. It put tears to my eyes."

Both of them advised on how to have a robust marriage, Gary implying that both must be there for each other. His wife put forward an excellent adage, stating that spouses should never go to bed in anger.

Such a dazzling day stays in the hearts of lovers for the rest of their lives. It's no wonder then that 70-year-old Carolyn Gay and her husband, 76-year-old Kelly Gay took a note out of the Ryan family's book.

For their 50th anniversary, the two also chose to relive their special day with a photoshoot. They took pictures at the same church, which the bride was shocked to see looked exactly like it did when they first walked down its aisle.

Kelly's wife was motivated to do the shoot due to having a break from problems with her hair, always having to cut it off, which stemmed from breast cancer, among other issues.

This meant she could grow out her tresses for the first time in a long time. Carolyn opted to wear her original dress to feel even more beautiful, although she was initially scared it would not fit her.

A groom placing a wedding ring on his bride's finger. | Source: Shutterstock

Sadly, unlike Karen and Carolyn, 94-year-old African American Martha Mae Ophelia Moon Tucker was prohibited from entering bridal shops when she was younger due to nothing more than her skin color.

However, her granddaughters were determined to make her original desire for wearing a traditional white dress at her wedding come true, booking her a session at a bridal store. She put on a stunning dress.

Her grandchildren took a video of her in the ball gown; the clip has since gained popularity online. Tucker has said that she wanted to remain in the dress, never taking it off.

Tucker's experience reminds many of a sordid societal past, and yet her granddaughter's actions show what appears to be an overall attempt to heal wounds from this harrowing history.

One such case, yet still enormously tragic, is of 7 Black men who were executed for an alleged rape that has now been pardoned due to interrogation without due process. All 7 of their lives were taken via the electric chair.

Many thought it was not enough, stating that the families should receive compensation. Hopefully, as the world moves forward, beautiful dresses can be worn by all, and guilt is not synonymous with color.

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