As most of you know, Leo and I got married on May 20, 2017th. I debated writing a full blog post on this incredible day, because our incredibly talented wedding photog (Enna Jade Photography) posted about it already! http://www.ennajade.com/blog/?offset=1498081236021
But, this day was ours and mine and I think it needs to be written about so I can share and reminisce a little. Some of it has faded already over time (in only 3 months!), but every time I go through the photographs I get to see and feel everything all over again.
To begin, let's just start off by saying THANK YOU to my amazing friends (and family obviously) that flew from the West coast to be there for me on that important day, as well as Holly who drove from downstate. The night before my wedding was spent with a house full of my best friends from all over the country (Washington, Detroit, Duluth, North Carolina). We giggled, played games, and ate a bunch of food.
Then, the craziest thing happened where I couldn't sleep at ALL that night! After tossing and turning all night, I took a Nyquil around 4am to get me to sleep a little. NOTHING. In fact, in just made me feel reallyyy loopy. I was upset, rightfully, but my mom hugged me and told me that all I had to do was relax, and that everything would be fine even if I didn't sleep.
SO, running on 0 hours of sleep, my friends and I hit up Cafe Rosetta at around 11am. The caffeine and the drug wearing off finally allowed me to feel semi-normal, so we started getting ready.
Chugging that coffee, making an attempt to feel normal again ;)
I had a houseful of sisters all running around, trying things on, making sure everything was going smoothly. Two beds were set up for my friends (yes, we had a girl-only sleepover at my parent's house the night before my wedding!), and we used that as our base to hangout and get ready. My girlfriend Lacy started working on my hair, and I sipped rose lemonade and we chatted in my parent's basement until it was time to "actually" get ready: meaning get my wedding dress on.
I LOVED my wedding dress. Still do. The best part was I got it for $120 at a secondhand shop, and got it tailored to fit me quite perfectly. They say you feel like a princess on your wedding day, and I never, ever feel fancy. Ever. But that day, I actually felt insanely beautiful (despite those sleep-deprived eyes ;). My advice for brides? Your dress is important, but it doesn't have to be what is trending on Pinterest, what is in the expensive bridal stores, what is flattering but not comfortable. Pick something you feel incredible in.
My mom helped zip me up, and I swear she had watery eyes, which is crazy because our family doesn't show emotion ;)
Then I got to see Leo. We did the whole first look thing, which I HIGHLY suggest. I think it's tradition to wait until the aisle (which is okay!), but in my single experience, getting to see my fiance made me feel SO calm and happy. There was the feeling that "okay, this is what it is about. It's not about the food, or family portraits, or any other detail. It's about me and him, and that's really all that needs to matter right now."
We did some portraits in my parent's backyard, and hats off to Jenna for making the area look decent, because let me tell you, Upper Peninsula in May is not always pretty!
Afterwards we got to hang out with our friends and family some more. We ate snacks and visited, and then finally at about 5pm we headed to Buckies to get our family photos taken. It was SOOO cold, and our family had gotten full-family portraits the week before, so this wasn't a huge priority for us. Still, these photos are some of my favorite. Can you see how INSANELY HUGE my family is?! When I talk about chaos, I am not joking ;) But it is happy chaos. Chaos I wouldn't change for anything.
Then we headed to the church. We were there about an hour before, so we had plenty of time to visit with people. I can't count the little girls that came up just to stare at me in my dress, haha!
The setup was done that day before, so by the time we got there there was nothing to be concerned with. My sister who had made the cake had come that morning to perfect it, and it looked perfectly perfect. In fact, all of it did. I feel like it was a good replica of my overall "style." My friend Holly said "I feel like this wedding is going to be so Steffy in all of the details." Haha!
I wish I could tell get it through to all the brides out there planning their weddings that it is NOT WORTH STRESSING OUT OVER. Seriously. Once the day comes, you simply do not care anymore. I remember discussing which way the napkins should be folded with one of my sisters. I ASSURE you, nobody cared which way the napkins were folded, especially me. Let those details go. Chose the details and move on, second guessing none of it. And then get yourself a massage.
The ceremony was simple and perfect, and I remember Leo shaking a bit as he put the wedding band on my hand. He hates grinning in public, but I'm pretty sure he had a hard time trying not to smile as we walked back down that aisle.
And the people!! I cannot begin to comment on how surprised we were at how many people had attended this day. We had planned for 850, and all of the plates (which they used to count the attendance) were gone. Then, during the reception, even MORE people showed up.
The rest of the night was a blur. I was soo excited to see all of my photog friends had showed up for the reception! We had so many relatives of Leo come up and introduce themselves (most of whom I had never met). We had such good food, and I felt like I was on a high from all of the love and people around me. We opened gifts from the people who had attended (thanks to Max and Lucia for bringing those back to NC for us!), and then started to say our goodbyes.
The goodbye was the HARDEST part. I knew it would be difficult, but I did NOT realize it would be that hard. The hardest part was knowing that even though I was starting a "new" life with the man I loved so, so much, I would be leaving a part of my life behind. The last 3 years were dedicated to school and work. I traveled with friends every summer. I lived with gals in various different houses. I lived with my parents again, and loved every second of it. My mom and I had gotten so, so close. My sisters and I had gotten together every week for as long as I could remember, to do anything from playing soccer to just visiting at moms. And then my dad. He was always quiet and hardworking, but he cared SO much for all of us. Saying goodbye to him was probably one of the most difficult.
My good friend Kaylee told me that you go through "growing pains" throughout life. You go through times in your life where EVERYTHING changes. You don't fit in with your old life anymore, because you and the relationships around you have grown and changed. And it is sometimes really hard at the SAME TIME that it is incredible and beautiful.
My wedding day was really, really special. Leo and I kept talking about the love we felt on that day, over and over again. We reread our wedding cards many times, taking the special messages to our heart.
It has been three months since this day, and I can say that those growing pains have come and gone. It was difficult to say goodbye to the only life I had known, but there is nothing like living side-by-side with your best friend. Doing things together, loving each other, forgiving each other. There is nothing quite like a tickle fight over the last piece of dessert, or finding new activities to enjoy because HOLY CRAP, there's two of us now! Or picking him up at 3am after a 6 week separation (thanks USMC).
I found a quote I love: "bloom where you are planted." As much as I am not a quote person, this one spoke to my heart when I was having a tough time dealing with homesickness. I'm planning on getting it printed and put on my wall, just as a little reminder that I have a choice, and darn it I am going to THRIVE here in North Carolina.
Thanks to all of you who continue to read my blog, and I sincerely appreciate the comments, likes, shares, and any support given.
“When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to begin as soon as possible.”