Michigan Wedding Ceremony
We got married on the Summer Solstice, although the sun did not hear about our celebration until I was walking down the aisle. When I look back on our wedding at Douglas Valley Winery, love and nostalgia skip across my arms and down my back, holding hands and spiraling out of control. I had been dreaming of my wedding ever since I met Sean, and yes, years before that, too. As a young girl, I would flip through wedding magazines and dream. But I’ve never been after a “wedding” with Sean; I’ve always just wanted a “marriage”. Looking back I realize this difference is probably why planning our wedding was never an overwhelming experience for me. In the end, all I wanted was Sean.
When I recall our wedding now, I think immediately of our ceremony, which exceeded my expectations in every way possible. I remember feeling nervous and anxious before the wedding. I remember wanting to get down the aisle and get it all over with. I remember my mom telling me to calm down and breathe. I remember my dad walking down the hill, telling us it was time to get the show on the road. I remember Crissy handing me my bouquet and my parents gathering my dress to keep it from tearing on crab grass. I remember coming from behind the orchard to see our venue for the first time. I remember the sun gathering all of its strength to light my path. And I remember seeing Sean, who looked the happiest I’ve ever seen him.
I was antsy as my parents gave me away, and the both whispered for me stand still. My knees were bouncing sporadically, like my puppeteers strings had broken. Natural impulses consumed my body. The ardor of the day was too much for me to remember poise.
Before we had married, our pastor asked us to write a list of ten reasons why we wanted to marry one another. Initially, we weren’t sure about this task, but as delved into the responsibility, we were overcome with an intense gratefulness for our relationship. Then during our ceremony, our pastor read parts from our list. Sean and I were thrilled to hear our own words consume so much of our ceremony. It was such a personal touch. Our wedding felt like “ours” and no one else’s. And we’ve made a promise to heed our pastor’s advice and continue writing our list each year as we grow and our relationship changes.
On a creator’s note, I was excited walking down the aisle to see my “vision” for the day! The rag rugs my mom and I had been so fervently collecting added a warmth of home to the natural setting of our venue. And the pinwheels spun slowly, making the pathway to Sean playful. People, I noticed, were holding the handmade programs I had thrown together three days before. The handmade jewelry my older had created was hanging from the necks of my sisters and two girlfriends. And my handmade flower crown was tightly secured to my head, bringing all of the colors of the day together.
Every hour I had worked on this wedding was now revealing itself to me. And, it all looked simply perfect as I made my way to Sean, who made me happier than I’ve been before.
(And as a little side note, if you live in Michigan and you’re looking for a photographer, you should contact Shawn. He’s easy to work with, quick to get back to you, and oh so very talented!)