On a recent July morning I woke up to a beautiful balmy, sunny day. As I walked out onto my deck to greet the day I closed my eyes and stuck my nose up to take a sniff. A memory washed over me from 7 weeks ago when my eldest daughter, Sarah, said her ‘I do’s’ to her beloved. That day, too, had dawned warm and calm with blue skies. Frequently checking the forecast for weeks ahead of time was reassuring as only clear weather was on the way. Eventually I stopped looking and kept focusing on how everything would be all right. The day truly was one of the most magical experiences of my life.
The event started over a year and a half ago when the future “hubs” (as Sarah calls him) popped the question in true romantic fashion, flowers, candles, the works. Venue shopping began soon afterward with visits to several popular local places. But after a tour of the grounds of Stone Manor Country Club in Middletown the decision was made. They set in motion one of the “most beautiful weddings I have ever been to in my life” events (quote from family friend). Every detail was mindfully chosen, using local vendors whenever possible.
Invitation and dress shopping came soon after with trips to TLC Bridal Boutique and The Organized Bride in Frederick. Officiant (Rev Bill Freeman) and Photographer (Nat Wongsaroj) seeking were next along with long hours purusing Pinterest for unique wedding ideas. The bridal showers began in Pittsburgh (groom’s hometown) to meet his large extended family. A few weeks later the bride’s family gathered to celebrate. Ordering of final items, boxes for the cookie table (a Pittsburgh tradition), galvanized pails for the table center pieces, chalkboards for guest information, lots of mason jars either from local stores or internet searches from the comfort of home.
The weather forecasters got it right as the wedding week arrived with clear, blue skies and luscious weather. Our florist (Candlelight Florists) let us participate in arranging our own table settings. So bride, mother, mother in law, bridesmaids and friends gathered around a wooden table surrounded by pails of gorgeous flowers to begin to let our creative juices flow. Although we all used the same flowers each pail was unique and different. Loved seeing our handiwork on the reception tables. The “hubs” parents sponsored a lovely rehearsal dinner and happy hour (Brewers Alley) the night before the big day to launch the long awaited festivities. I had spent hours preparing a video (from my Mac computer) for Sarah & her beau to track their journey from childhood to this moment. I was able to display this gift from my heart to theirs during the evening.
The morning of the big day the bridal party met as scheduled at Structures salon in downtown Frederick for hair and makeup. We had lots of company since we were competing with First Saturday and The Frederick Arts Festival. All went without a hitch. A yummy pre-wedding lunch purchased from The Juice Plate nourished us as we waited our ”ride” a white limo to chariot us out to Middletown. Everything began to fall into place as the time came for the bridal party to get dressed and take a run through before the boys arrived.
Nothing but perfection from there as my husband and I walked our daughter into the next phase of her life journey. Tears, vows, pictures, eating (Carriage House Caterers) toasts, more pictures, dancing (Elan DJs), celebrating, cupcaking (Angelcakes), more dancing and picture taking (wedpics for uploading Iphone pics) until it was time to shut the doors on the evening, clean up and go home. I have read that ‘everyone renews their vows at a wedding’ and that rang true for me as I watched my husband dance with and toast to our first born and her now husband. Take some time this season of weddings and unions to ponder your own relationship vows, refresh ones that are stale and discard ones that are no longer useful.
