Our Wedding Day

All Photo Credits: Chelsea Joy Photography

Here we are, friends! Andrew and I made it to 5 years! To celebrate, I am writing down the details of our special day. It’s been something I’ve been meaning to do for, well, five years - but let this be a reminder whether you aren’t married yet, or have been married five times as long as we have - it’s worth doing! You’ll be surprised how much you remember once you get started. I pray that this can inspire you to reflect on where God’s hand is in your love story, too.

Whenever I need to remember God’s love for me, my first thought I go to is our wedding. First of all, it was 2020, so Covid made wedding planning interesting, as anyone who got married during that time knows.

Originally, we had our wedding date set in June on the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. During April, only 10 people were allowed at weddings, and everyone was still so unsure of what was going on. This was also while my Dad was recovering from a major heart attack. Ultimately, we found peace in postponing until October. Many people I knew decided to keep to their original wedding dates that year, and I think that was a beautiful decision - each couple discerned deeply with one another and the Lord! The way our story unfolded is so sweet to me, because it tells of God’s personal love for Andrew and I.

One of the consolations that seems trivial, but was a truly meaningful gift for me, was that I’d always wanted a Fall wedding. Pumpkin Praline, Apple Crisp, colorful leaves, long sleeves - that’s what I wanted. Our reason for a summer wedding was because it was sooner, and I was a teacher; yet God lined it up just right so that my role was one they could do without for my wedding/honeymoon. Not only that, but we got married in a sweet spot where many restrictions were lifted on gathering sizes, and right before they were put in place again. My heart hurt at the thought of uninviting people I had already invited; but God let it happen in such a way that anyone who still felt comfortable coming could come. Praise Him! Praise Him! Praise Him! Everyone who attended our wedding stayed healthy, and were so hungry for celebration and community, that there was much rejoicing that day. God gave me my Fall wedding in a very unexpected way, and I got all those little details I desired, down to the desserts. It was a miracle in our lives.

Oh, and remember how we had wanted to married on the Feast of the Sacred Heart? Without realizing it, St. Margaret Mary’s Feast Day landed on the eve of our wedding. Those little moments seem to me like a little wink or nod from God, as if to say, “I see You - I’ve got a plan for you.”

The Day of Our Wedding

I woke up early that morning out of sheer excitement, just like I used to on my birthday when I was little. I got up and read the bible - from the Letter of St. John about how God is Love.

I showered and gathered my bridalwear. Then, as we were heading out the door, my maid-of-honor and I caught sight of snow!

Both lovers of snow, Bethany and I marveled at it as we drove to my friend’s house to get ready. I got Winter in the morning and Fall during the afternoon - another smile from God.

Once at my friend’s house, I was surrounded in love and care. I chatted happily with the family friend who did my hair and makeup. I couldn’t believe how well we were doing on time. I felt amazing, and the dress wasn’t even on yet!

Finding a spare moment, I crept downstairs to write a love-letter to Andrew. As I wrote, the snow floated by the window, reminding me of how God’s grace had washed our souls white. My personal attendant delivered my letter to Andrew, and another friend brought me his. This little moment of slowing down, reflecting my thoughts to my future spouse, really stands clearly in my mind - perhaps because I did truly pause and take it in.

All the bridesmaids arrived. My friend hosting us made a beautiful brunch with warm, cinnamon-y oatmeal. Another friend painted my toenails. One bridesmaid had a minor catastrophe at her hairdresser’s, quickly fixed by mine.

Photos started, dresses were put on. I’d worn mine for half a dozen fittings, but with the hair and makeup and veil, I felt completely bridal. I don’t know if I’ve ever felt so fully in my element as I did that day as a bride. Perhaps it was because my identity as a princess of God’s kingdom was on display. It was like I had been living in disguise my whole life, but now I was blowing my cover - and loving it.

I read my husband’s letter - also written that morning during the snow - and it definitely choked me up. Recently I revisited that letter and it got me all teary again. Re-reading it was like I had bottled up a little taste of the day, and popped it open again. He also gave me a sweet postcard with a passport holder - a symbol of starting our adventure together.

After reading that love-letter, I was beginning to feel quite impatient to see my groom! We rode in my friend’s Tesla - a new and exciting experience! At last, we were ready for the first look. I was practically running towards him in that giant gown.

It was sooo good to finally be with him and show him my pretty dress! I know he had to keep the ring a little bit secret, but I feel like this suspense was way worse because it lasted so long! Anyway, he loved it! Everything felt right with the world once we were together - it was uninhibited joy.

What was perhaps the most surprising moment of the day was my Dad’s first look. When I saw him and he saw me, a switch flipped inside. The full import of the heart-attack, along with all of his close calls throughout my life, collided with the reality that he was, in fact, standing before me on my wedding day in spite of it all! I found myself exclaiming, “I’m just so glad that you’re here!” And the waterworks came for both of us. It was pure joy.

As we headed to the Church (in separate cars - I can’t remember why!) I was stuck behind a train and kind of worried about our ushers being late; but they didn’t have trouble with said train, and everything went smoothly.

Our Holy Half Hour we had planned turned more into a Holy Ten Minutes in the Adoration Chapel, with me surrounded by personal attendants and bridesmaids using Tide sticks on my somewhat dirtied hem as I prayed. Still, it was good to be there, however brief!

The ceremony - at last! My Dad and I jumped the gun a little bit on the music and I made a funny face, but the organist quickly adjusted, and I made it safely to the sanctuary. We had a little laugh with a microphone issue during the readings, and a surprised look from the priest when he realized the rings had not been untied from the pillows, but that was the extent of any mishaps, and they only added to the joy.

The main thing I distinctly remember from the ceremony was the grace of peace and clarity. Ever scrupulous, I’d especially worried about the thought of getting married - what if I wasn’t in the state of grace? What if we had some reason for annulment? What if, what if, what if… but not with Andrew; our entire relationship had been shielded with peace; and on our wedding day, the peace and certainty were ringing in my mind. When it came to saying the vows, it was with my whole heart, with my whole being emphatically resonating, “This is right. I SO choose this.”

I didn’t stop smiling the entire time. I was bursting with joy. Andrew shed happy tears, which made me feel so special.

After the wedding was a bit surreal. We embraced some family and wedding party members, then scurried downstairs. I paused to listen to, “O God, Beyond All Praising.” A flurry of photo-taking, a bit of bustling my train, and at last Andrew and I were in the car together, alone at last.

We were grateful for the 40-minute drive to our reception venue to be alone and marvel at the fact we were married. Although I can’t remember any specific words that passed between us, we both remember the open fields with blue skies above them, and the billowy white clouds reminded Andrew of the billowy skirt that buried me in his passenger seat.

The reception - it was a masterpiece - that room! I’m not a cowgirl or anything, but a barn wedding reception was a dream for me!

I honestly was impatient to be done with dinner - I just wanted to greet my guests, and show them how much I appreciated their presence! We had a delightful taco bar, brownies, pumpkin praline, and apple crisp, of course! (although half of it was hidden away, and not everyone got some - probably the saddest part of our day). Fortunately we had soft-serve ice cream to spare, from a machine that nearly squished my brother, and caused all other sorts of mischief, unbeknownst to me at the time.

The speeches were perfect both in content and length. I was relieved once I finally got to start greeting people.

Pretty soon we were dancing. After agonizing over first dance options for far too long, Andrew recorded his own cover of the song, “The Book of Love,” by the Magnetic Fields. He had referenced it in the first letter he ever wrote to me, and played it on the guitar many times since then. Once again, I have no idea what we talked of, but just being together was the happiest feeling.

Another special moment with my Dad - dancing to, “My Girl,” by the Temptations. We had a stereotypical Daddy/Daughter slow dance song selected, but a few days before the wedding, I realized I just really wanted to swing dance like we always had. I think my gigantic gown swooshing - along with my Dad, the picture of health, tearing up the dance floor just eight months after a major heart attack - made that moment pretty special for everyone.

My in-laws happen to be a talented crew of musicians, so they rocked out for half the night on stage, with Andrew joining in for the first few songs; and people really danced! I had very much wanted a full dance floor.

Greeting guests, popping in and out of the dance floor - that part of the night was a blur. I do remember stepping out into the crisp night air and peaking at the stars with Andrew - another moment of pause.

Andrew and I danced to the final few songs together - with the crowd dwindled down. Suddenly, we went from slow dancing to being told,

“People have lit the sparklers for send-off — they’re about to burn out!”

And my Mom, “You never tossed the bouquet - I stayed up way to late making the extra one - you need to throw it!”

So we hurriedly got outside (with most sparklers still lit). I told the first single woman I saw (one of my bridesmaids) “Catch!” and tossed the bouquet directly to her.

We arrived in the vehicle giggly, with Andrew once again shoving my massive skirts inside. The drive was calm and happy - we even remembered to say our Rosary for the day. At the hotel, I remember when I got out of my dress it just stood there - all by itself! Also, I 10/10 recommend ordering takeout. I have no idea what Deek’s pizza normally tastes like, but that night, it seemed it was the best I’d ever had IN MY LIFE.

So there you have it! Thank you for reading our wedding day story - and really giving me the motivation to write it, too! I hope you are feeling inspired to record and reflect on your own wedding day memories, too. God bless you!

Your sister in Christ,

~ Michelle Marie