The
planning process was fun and I enjoyed every minute of pulling together the
wedding we envisioned. We had lots of
valuable help from family and close friends.
I wanted to make as many of the decorations as possible and was
therefore able to really incorporate my fall-theme and colours into the design
(Martha Stewart glitter pumpkins and all!).
Thankfully, I had a very talented event designer help pull it all together
the day of when my focus was, as it should be, elsewhere. The hardest part, and my biggest worry
leading up to the day, design-wise, was whether I was going to be able to
purchase the 40 real pumpkins I wanted to complete the look at the venue...thankfully,
the crops pulled through and we had the truck full of pumpkins I coveted. That said our number one rule related to the
wedding was to let things happen -
the unplanned would provide the character and uniqueness we wanted for the day!
The
day-of was crazy with a last minute cancellation by my hairdresser the night
before and the logistics of getting a bridal party from Calgary to
Cochrane. But what I remember most is
the excitement of the arrival of the day (finally!), enjoying the company of my
Mom and ‘girls’ leading up to the ceremony and the anticipation of getting down
that aisle to my husband (again, finally!).
While some aspects of the wedding were fairly traditional, we did forgo
many of the standard wedding components.
Our guests enjoyed a buffet-style turkey dinner followed by, instead of
cake for dessert, an ice-cream buffet that included pumpkin ice cream! Our guests were entertained by a troupe of
celtic dancers who put on an amazing performance that was full of energy - we
also had the opportunity to participate in a traditional Irish ceili dance that
primed everyone to round out the night rockin’ on the dance floor!
There
are definitely a few things I learned through the process that surely seemed so
far away at the time but in hindsight, really did ring true. #1 - everything works out as it should and
sometimes, it’s best to let things happen as they will! A last minute change in hairdresser and a
scramble to find a new one resulted in a hair style I loved. A late DJ isn’t of concern when your father
and his friends have every country CD ever produced! My advice let it happen and try not to
control it. #2 – if your friends and
family offer their help in the planning process take advantage of it! These folks can add the right, loving touch to
components of your day if they are clearly presented your vision. #3 – the day-of should be all about you, your
groom, and your families. Where
possible, seek additional help to orchestrate your vision on the wedding day so
you can enjoy the event without worry; it’s worth every penny. With the right attitude and help surrounding
you, things DO always work out as they should.
In
the year and a half since the wedding, my husband and I have fondly looked back
on our wedding day and would not change a thing. It was such a beautiful day (really, +25
degree in October!) and we enjoyed every part of it - even the parts that
didn’t go as planned. We would do it all
over again in a heartbeat! I guess it
was worth the 10 year wait...and a great start to the next 50 years!
~Randi and Bill
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