I'm back!
I'm sure you all can understand why I've been MIA for the past month and a half. Ya know, getting married and all...but as you can see from the title of this post, we'rree done!! Yayayaya!
It was a crazy last two weeks leading up to the wedding and then the several weeks after it, but let me try and recap - if not for you, then at least for me to remember all the feels.
Firstly, never in my life have I felt as much pressure to do good as I did in the days leading up to our wedding. All the preparation and planning boiling up to that one day. No take backs, no do-overs. And you all already know that I was, by no means, an expert on wedding planning or coordination. I'd never waded so deep into The Sea of Arts and Crafts before this.
But all the thrifting, DIY and sleepless nights weren't all for nothing because I'm so happy with how it all turned out in the end. It was more than we could ever have hoped for and better than any half-assed vision from my brain.
I have nothing else to compare my experience with so I don't know about other brides, but as I was planning and prepping through the whole of last year, the one moment that kept recurring in my head wasn't the moment that I walked down the aisle (that's the easy part), but the moment when I had to put everything I'd ever collected/coordinated/made into action.
From an incomplete mental image of all the "ideas" I'd ever had, to making sure I loaded each car at my disposal without forgetting anything, to checking every single place setting at the reception before going to bed much later than any bride should.
I was stressed and overwhelmed and there were things that were out of my control but if there's anything that I could pass on to future brides, it's to remember to:
1.) take deep breaths
2.) pick your battles wisely and
3.) know that it's okay to let some things go.
The morning of The Big Day was surreal. It was an out of body experience that was a blur of laughter, nerves and last minute decisions and it didn't end until I was at the edge of that pine forest waiting to walk down that aisle.
And the day? The day will forever be a series of flashes in my head.
Looking out the kitchen window and watching the rain fall, covering the valley in mist.
(Even grey and overcast the view overlooking the valley was hauntingly beautiful. The fog blanketed the trees mysteriously and there was nothing more fitting than to stand there for a minute and take it all in.)
(Even grey and overcast the view overlooking the valley was hauntingly beautiful. The fog blanketed the trees mysteriously and there was nothing more fitting than to stand there for a minute and take it all in.)
Feeling my heart sink a little because the rain wasn't stopping, even as I basked in the crispness of the air because it reminded me of living in London.
(The way the constant rain always kept everything from becoming completely dry. The lush green of foliage and how the air always smelled and felt so fresh.)
Stressing about the rain.
(The way the constant rain always kept everything from becoming completely dry. The lush green of foliage and how the air always smelled and felt so fresh.)
Stressing about the rain.
My bridesmaid telling me it's not going to rain.
Watching as my hair stylists and make up artist arrived for the day.
(Marvelling at their quick and purposeful movements as they expertly set up their stations.)
(Marvelling at their quick and purposeful movements as they expertly set up their stations.)
Still low-key stressing about the rain.
One of the coordinators standing in front of me at 11AM. "What do you want to do?"
Stressing about the rain.
Seeing the bridesmaids' hair and make up for the first time.
(Doubts easing faster and faster as I started seeing the visions become reality. Relief.)
(Doubts easing faster and faster as I started seeing the visions become reality. Relief.)
Stressing about the rain.
"Let's just do it." - deciding to go ahead with an outdoor ceremony despite the rain.
The arrival of my florist and the bridal bouquets. ^_^
The arrival of the photo and video team.
Laughing and gossiping with the hair and make up girls.
Eating an LCM bar while getting my hair did.
My videographer: "Ella, smile."
Getting into my dress wasn't as serene as we portrayed in the photos so I don't really remember that, but sitting down to read his card beforehand?
"You're my best friend, soul mate and my best companion for all our life adventures..."
- I hate the sound of my own voice (lol).
It skips a little after this. Guests were arriving and we were on a tight schedule. There were too many things going on in the last hour before the ceremony...
...until there wasn't anymore and I was watching the last bridesmaid begin her walk down the aisle.
"Finally on your own!" One of the coordinators, Amanda, standing ahead of me with her hands behind her back and a smile.
"You ready?"
Not really, but it's fine.
Attempting to walk down the aisle without holding up my skirt and failing.
Reminding myself to smile.
Being hyperaware of the weight of the bouquet in my hand.
"Do you promise to feed her so that she doesn't go---HANGRY?"
Greeting the ring bearer as he came down the aisle.
Hearing our family and friends do the "Woo!" as we kissed.
Coming out of the forest and seeing the heart shape already formed by our guests! <3
Everyone already had umbrellas up by then,
but I couldn't feel the rain.
I haven't experienced too many things that I could call magical, but our wedding was definitely one for the books. It wasn't a hundred percent perfect, but then again, nothing much ever is.
We'd always said that everything else didn't matter as long as all the people we loved were present, and nothing could have been closer to the truth. I've tried multiple times before, but there are no words to express the gratitude I have towards everyone who made that journey out into the mountains and into the forest, and gave their day up to celebrate with us.
It's hard to believe that we've almost reached the one month mark of being married, and do you guys want to know the question we're most asked these days?
"How does it feel?"
The answer - what is probably the best answer you could ever get for this question, in this context - is that it feels the same.
No change to report, no big dramas. Our fingers are a little heavier and we have some new, extra bling, but everything else is the same.
We are still together, we are still solid, and now, we're married.
Best. Human. Ever.
x
*Professional photos by Flinklupe Production
Getting into my dress wasn't as serene as we portrayed in the photos so I don't really remember that, but sitting down to read his card beforehand?
"You're my best friend, soul mate and my best companion for all our life adventures..."
- I hate the sound of my own voice (lol).
It skips a little after this. Guests were arriving and we were on a tight schedule. There were too many things going on in the last hour before the ceremony...
...until there wasn't anymore and I was watching the last bridesmaid begin her walk down the aisle.
"Finally on your own!" One of the coordinators, Amanda, standing ahead of me with her hands behind her back and a smile.
"You ready?"
Not really, but it's fine.
Attempting to walk down the aisle without holding up my skirt and failing.
Reminding myself to smile.
Being hyperaware of the weight of the bouquet in my hand.
"Do you promise to feed her so that she doesn't go---HANGRY?"
Greeting the ring bearer as he came down the aisle.
Hearing our family and friends do the "Woo!" as we kissed.
Coming out of the forest and seeing the heart shape already formed by our guests! <3
Everyone already had umbrellas up by then,
but I couldn't feel the rain.
I haven't experienced too many things that I could call magical, but our wedding was definitely one for the books. It wasn't a hundred percent perfect, but then again, nothing much ever is.
We'd always said that everything else didn't matter as long as all the people we loved were present, and nothing could have been closer to the truth. I've tried multiple times before, but there are no words to express the gratitude I have towards everyone who made that journey out into the mountains and into the forest, and gave their day up to celebrate with us.
It's hard to believe that we've almost reached the one month mark of being married, and do you guys want to know the question we're most asked these days?
"How does it feel?"
The answer - what is probably the best answer you could ever get for this question, in this context - is that it feels the same.
No change to report, no big dramas. Our fingers are a little heavier and we have some new, extra bling, but everything else is the same.
We are still together, we are still solid, and now, we're married.
 |
| Instagram: @lux3lla |
Best. Human. Ever.
x
*Professional photos by Flinklupe Production
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