Well, Saturday evening marked the wedding of the century! Well, at least the highlight of my century.
It was a gorgeous day (by gorgeous, I mean the mood, not the dawn-of-the-apocalypse-type weather). Other than a teeny hitch or two, the day was wonderful and absolutely memorable. Yesterday was spent opening gifts and trying to get things in order. (J and I were absolutely awestruck by people’s generosity. I’m actually eager to write thank you notes. Although, I’m sure we will also host a thank you dinner or two.) Today I will be doing some last-minute errands to get us ready for our honeymoon!
I guess I wanted to take a few minutes to reflect on the day and share just a few of the things that made my day.
Getting ready with the girls.
I shared an incredibly decadent morning with two of my bridesmaids, snacking on fresh fruits and bagels while getting our hair and makeup done. We felt like celebrities. I felt so relaxed and glamorous as they pasted on my oh-so-over-the-top fake lashes. I felt flattered when someone said I looked like Audrey Hepburn, all be it a nearly six foot tall slightly pudgier version.
Walking down the aisle with dad.
Yes, it sounds cliché but it was incredible taking those steps with him and getting a kiss on the cheek before he took his seat. That was the exact moment when I let the tears flow. And, it was one of the first times I’ve actually seen dad get a little worked up. I can’t write about this anymore or I’ll be sobbing all over my little Gateway laptop.
J’s vows.
J and I are both pretty verbal, so we wanted to personalize the ceremony a bit with special words we wrote for each other. The Msgr. was rather taken aback as he said it was the first time he heard the request in his 30 years as a Catholic priest. I always knew J was an excellent writer, but I was still floored by the sweet and beautiful words he spoke and the emotion with which he delivered them. I saved a copy of his little, wrinkled cheat sheet and will cherish it forever.
The look on my mom’s face when I surprised her with a dance.
My mom is never surprised by anything, as she always seems to know every darn thing that is going on. I had the d.j. play one of her favorite Peter Allen tunes, “Everything Old is New Again,” and coaxed her out on the floor. I haven’t seen her that surprised in a very long time.
The toasts and my first look out at the room.
Weddings can be a rather heady experience. One of the first times J and I got to sit and absorb the atmosphere was when the Best Man and Maid of Honor offered their excellent toasts. As we listened to their words, I took the opportunity to gaze around the room. I looked out at all the smiling faces and – it hit me – they were all here for us, because they love us. Being surrounded by so much good will and joy is such an incredible experience, a moment each person should have at least once in his/her life.
Dancing the night away.
After I get a drink or two in me, I immediately hit the dance floor. It appeared that most of our guests enjoy quite the same thing. It was great to see so many guests out there shaking their proverbial “groove thangs” – young and old. I think I danced with everyone out there.
There is so much more to say but I am absolutely exhausted. Also, I think I’m getting a little bit of J’s nasty cold. So, off to bed I go for a wee nap.
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