Let's face it...when I started this blog more than 7 years ago I never thought I would be entering a blog post about my wedding day. (I write this almost 2 months later...sorry for the delay...life happened.)
When I started blogging back then it was as a cynical single girl who couldn't say she'd been jaded by love by any means, but she couldn't have said she'd been knocked over by its force in the way that songs seem to speak of. No one had entered my life in a way that made me shed that cynical layer... that is, until I met Patrick.
On August 22nd I married the man who changed my life and the day passed by in a flash. At least, in hindsight it seems that's how fast the day way went by. I was definitely forewarned by many brides who knew the drill. For a day you spend so much time planning, it sure has a way of flying by when it finally arrives.
I will never forget how blessed I felt on that day. Happy tears and so many memories with so many wonderful family and friends who joined us.
Something old- The handkerchief I carried was trimmed with lace my great grandmother (a lacemaker in Belgium) made.
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| Photo by Steve Craddock - Preferred Photography |
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| Photo by Steve Craddock - Preferred Photography |
Something new- I felt blessed in so many ways that day, but especially with regard to something fresh and new. My flowers were a gift from a family friend, Dawn who is an incredibly talented florist. When she heard I was cutting corners in my flowers and planning with a small budget she told me that she wanted to give me a special gift -my flowers. It's a gift I can't begin to ever thank her adequately enough for.
Something borrowed- I am lucky to have many friends with great taste. I borrowed my veil from my friend Jennifer. As it so happens, Jennifer is also the friend who introduced me to Patrick. It saved me some serious cash and it matched really well with my dress- lace trim and all!
Something blue- This was my wedding gift from Patrick, a blue topaz necklace. Not bad, for a girl who before her engagement ring still saw Claire's Accessories in the mall as her go-to jewelry stop!
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| Photo by Steve Craddock - Preferred Photography |
I was so excited when I opened the necklace and put it on for the first time. Actually, the gift was not a surprise...and neither was the watch I gave Patrick. Truth be told, I had to tell Patrick a couple times to put his gift back in the box until he wore it on our wedding day.
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Photo by Steve Craddock - Preferred Photography
Photo by Steve Craddock - Preferred Photography
All my ladies got ready at my sister's house...Do not be fooled- we were only this put-together for all of 15 minutes before leaving for the church! |
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| Photo by Steve Craddock - Preferred Photography |
And I couldn't forget a picture with my favorite girl, Lucy...the dog who got me through my second bout with cancer.
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Photo by Steve Craddock - Preferred Photography
My dad has been asking me for weeks to write this blog- to describe what I was feeling that day. He's of course one of my blog's most devoted readers.
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When I look back on this picture I can't help but think of what I felt in that moment. I could only try to absorb what my parents were feeling as we readied for that day- my dad particularly. As my dad linked my arm, I could feel somehow that this long walk (yet all-too quick) down the aisle was as surreal as any moment I'd known before. Yet, at the same time I felt complete clarity with all of the emotions that had been swirling up until that point. All the nerves I had been running around with all day settled.
All that time worrying and scurrying shifted into a clearer vision. I looked down at the pews ahead filled with some of the most important people in my life and the end of them was the man about to become my husband.
I can't say that I'd ever been sure I would experience this moment until I was there, in my own skin. Looking out and realizing that this day was really here, I couldn't help but squeeze my dad's arm and smile at him.
There aren't many moments like that so you have to just pray it will all stay locked in memory forever.
So many memories to lock into my mental scapbook. I'm thankful that there we have some incredible images to help keep those memories. Here are just a few of the wonderful pictures captured by the amazing team of Steve and Mick at Preferred Photography. We just loved having them with us every step of the way!
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Photo by Steve Craddock - Preferred Photography
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| Photo by Steve Craddock - Preferred Photography |
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| Photo by Steve Craddock - Preferred Photography |
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| Photo by Steve Craddock - Preferred Photography |
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| Photo by Steve Craddock - Preferred Photography |
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| Photo by Steve Craddock - Preferred Photography |
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| Photo by Steve Craddock - Preferred Photography |
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| Photo by Steve Craddock - Preferred Photography |
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Photo by Steve Craddock - Preferred Photography
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| Photo by Steve Craddock - Preferred Photography |
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| Photo by Steve Craddock - Preferred Photography |
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| Photo by Steve Craddock - Preferred Photography |
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| Photo by Steve Craddock - Preferred Photography |
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Photo by Steve Craddock - Preferred Photography
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| Photo by Steve Craddock - Preferred Photography |
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| Photo by Steve Craddock - Preferred Photography |
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| Photo by Steve Craddock - Preferred Photography |
2 comments:
Beautiful, Leah!
Reading your postings makes me feel very good, glad, sometimes sad, but most of all appreciative for who you are, and what you will be to others. Thank you. One of your most devoted readers, :)
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