//: THE "Day"

My photographer (Three Nails Photography) told me to do a summary of my day for any blogs that ask for the pictures; what a daunting task! Here is my unedited (basically just more personal) version of my wedding day;

There is this day; it is a day that is meant to be consumed in love, purity, peace, and a great hope for the future. I can say that my day was all of those things. Our wedding was one of the most beautiful days of my life. From the moment I woke up, I was at peace. I knew that this was right and I didn't feel weary about a single detail. We tried to make the wedding a close representation of who we are, as individuals and as a couple, so I knew if no one else liked it at least we would look back and know that it really was "us." That trust is what made every detail fall into place, absolutely nothing went wrong.
I felt love around me with my bridesmaids in the morning, to the end dance with all my friends and family. The decor and details went up and our vision came together.
The night before the wedding I started feeling a bit nervous, those butterflies came rushing and I knew I just needed to pray. My mom, bridesmaids and I climbed into the hotel bed and just took some moments to pray. I instantly felt the rest of that moment take over and I slept.
The next morning we just had fun, there was not a single thing that could bother me.
On the way to the venue I drove with LeeAnna and Meredith and we just prayed again;
I remember just thanking the Divine and saying "If anything, just be present, and allow me to feel you."

That is what felt so different and special that day. He sat with me, He laughed with me, He cried with me, and He told me this was right.

We took most of our pictures before the ceremony. Which gave us time to relax and have fun as a group. I loved that time. There was actually almost an hour of us sitting around and just being present and laughing with each other; it was so beautiful and calming.
Though there are many moments I could easily deem my favourite; my favourite moment of the day would have to be when I walked down the aisle.
We had our friends playing for us; Gareth, Robinson, and Corey. I had grown up on the Beatles (thank you Greg and thank you Pastor Bob), so we had them play "All you need is love." As I was half way down the aisle they broke into "all you need is love..." and people just joined in. The wedding party was belting it out; I felt overwhelmed by the sense of community in that moment and couldn't help tearing up as I saw my husband-to-be and all of our support around us singing out about love. We had decided to bring our passions into the ceremony, and combine the things we love to show our "unity" with each other; instead of the traditional lighting of the candles. I finished a painting while he sang to me. It was a really cool moment that allowed us to be "us" on our wedding day.
Everything was wonderful at the reception, the speeches left everyone with tears, of either laughter or out of sentimentality. We ended the night, right before the dance, the same way I started it, with a prayer. Ben Gagne prayed over us and it was such a powerful and personal and a moment; one I will always cherish. Afterwards, I got to dance with my new husband, under the lights in the tent, and then the party began!

One of the best moments was during Viva La Vida when all hands and voices went up as the song broke into "WOAHHHH," I thought during that moment that I could never be happier.

After it was all over I had to take some personal time afterwards to just thank God; the thing I can so often forget to do. For the day, for being present with me, for the community he has brought Ben and I and especially for bringing me the most incredible, beautiful man to call my husband.

If I was to give any advice to other brides it would be this; just embrace peace from the beginning of the day. Feel confident in where you are; knowing that it is right that you are to marry this man. That is what the day is about, if everything else goes wrong you will still walk away with a partner and a witness to your life, and there is nothing greater than that. So just embrace it all and rest in the moments you are given that day.

I am left with only beautiful memories. Oh, and some great pictures which I will share!