For those who followed my wedding week on social media, it’s only fitting that you hear how the wedding went! I have been a Mrs. for four full days now and let me tell you, there’s something to this marriage stuff. My fiancé and I dated for 11 1/2 years before getting married so we were certain nothing would be different post-wedding, but boy were we wrong. There is a closeness that comes with being married that is indescribable and totally magical; it is what makes up the post-wedding bliss.
While I do not feel like you have to be married to be a wedding planner, I now have a new respect for the idea of having first-hand experience. Being in the role of a bride gave me an entirely different outlook on what is important and what really doesn’t matter as much.
Have a first look…
When my husband and I (whoa, first time typing that gem!) first started planning out the details of our big day, we were 100% committed to the traditional – no first look for us. As time passed, however, we realized that in order to get the maximum amount of pictures, we’d need to have that time before the ceremony to do so. On Saturday, though, we truly felt the impact of how amazing first looks really are. We had our first look on a small bridge spanning a trickling stream amidst the lush greenery at our venue. Even though we were surrounded by our photographers, videographer, and wedding and venue coordinator, that seemed small potatoes to being surrounded by 125 guests. The intimacy that came with having a first look is impossible to put into words. Not only were we able to have a moment, just taking in each other’s presence, but those first, tearful looks were captured so perfectly on camera. That, along with having ample time to take pictures before the ceremony, solidified the decision to have our first look. As always, to each his own, but I have an entirely new perspective on the benefits of seeing each other before the ceremony.
Cherish your ceremony…
Ten minutes before our ceremony began, our guests were settled nicely into the chairs in the garden next to the house at our venue, our bridal party was lined up beneath the porch ready to walk down the aisle, and it was at that moment that the skies decided to open up. As it began to downpour, our guests were ushered to the porch to stay dry while decisions were made about relocating the ceremony. Much to our disappointment, we decided to have the ceremony in the tent. As we tried to reassure one another that we’d still be married at the end of the day, we still felt let down that we wouldn’t get married on the beautiful grounds. When it came time to walk down the aisle (read: two rows of chairs), however, seeing my groom at the alter made every bit of sadness disappear. We may have been beneath the big, white tent, surrounded by guest tables and BBQ, but the idea that we were getting married trumped everything. I’m not sure I can tell you what our officiant actually said throughout the ceremony because we spent the entirety of it staring at one another and trying to hold back the tears (it didn’t work). The one thing I do remember, however, is putting the ring on my husband’s finger and saying, “You are my beloved. You are my best friend.” Those words will stick with me forever because they are such a perfect reminder of the meaning of Saturday. While it didn’t work out the way we planned, our ceremony was so perfectly intimate, so tender, and so filled with love, that it didn’t matter for a second that we were beneath the tent instead of in the garden.
Enjoy every moment…
This is something we tell our brides ALL. THE. TIME. and it is something, as a bride, that you hear more than anything else. After Saturday, I cannot even begin to tell you how important this is. Since then, I’ve tried to recall the little details of the night (What did the bar set-up look like? Did the florals turn out okay?) and they are super fuzzy. As a bride and groom, you are pulled in so many directions the night of your wedding – between greeting your tables, hopping in the photo booth with your college roomies, and trying to get at least one bite of your delicious food, you’re spent! You can’t avoid the chaos, but just take a moment to step back and look at your venue, your guests, your bar! Take a moment to revel in all of the hard work you’ve put into your wedding. Did you make all of your decorations? Take time to look at all of them; there is nothing more gratifying than seeing your work on display. Enjoy your guests on the dance floor (and those who prefer to watch!) and remember that it goes by so quickly. In a blink of an eye, your big day will be over, so make every single moment worth it.