Elation. When I think about my wedding day, that is the feeling I get. It was perfect. It was something abstractly planned via phone calls, emails, and web searches. You can only hope it goes right. And at some point you have to just let go. I did. And I'm so proud that I did. I let the day unfold for itself, and it was a work of art. So much joy and happiness. Relaxed. Smooth. I felt beautiful; I felt like I was in my own personal fairytale. Every girl/woman dreams of her wedding day being just this.
I couldn't have been happier. That day was an instant fond memory for me. I wish I could re-live it. It was simple in its own way, but I love that it was laid back. We all intermingled before the actual wedding (yes, even the groom and myself), which helped calm some nerves. I didn't want to be this hidden surprise all day long, waiting for this overwhelming catharsis. I wanted to be able to be present in the moments that we were being married, not all butterflies and nerves. Again, each woman has her own idea of what she wants, but I wanted a certain relaxed atmosphere. After all, we were all friends and family, and our friends who had just met each other became instant friends. Thus, no need for fuss (or pomp and circumstance). It was intimate and lovely. The weather could not have been more beautiful. It was a golden sunset with clear blue skies. It was warm with a perfectly light breeze. Perfection. The Juno Garden where we were married was so much more elegant looking in person than the pictures even depicted. Not at all reminiscent of a cheesy chapel wedding that is most often associated with Vegas. It was a destination wedding with elegance and style. The garden itelf was green and lush against the cream and ivory stone gazebo and benches. No need to spend thousands on piddly details (sorry, i love details but weddings are the highway robbery of piddly details) to decorate an area where many people may only casually glance at the flowers, etc. To prove my point, with every wedding I've attended, I can barely summon to mind any of the arrangements or decorations. Thus, we just opted for a naturally lovely garden to wed. (Again a lot of this is personal preference and opinion, and is said with respect and understanding that everyone has their own dream wedding in mind).
The energy of Las Vegas is amazing. I know for a lot of people, Vegas is "been there, done that." However, it was my first trip there, and I could feel the electricity in the air and everyone happily feasting on it. After all, everyone comes to Vegas for a good time... There was so much visual stimulation there, and I loved how even Caesar's had its own alluring scent throughout the hotel. I am so glad I picked this location. It fit Brian and I perfectly. We both are very social creatures and love city life, night life, dining out, fashion, etc... Vegas is certainly the culmination of all of this. My wedding day was certainly no ordinary Saturday in Cincinnati. It will forever stick out in my mind as this perfect time when we were able to more or less transplant 25 of our good friends and family to a completely different place, and to share our wedding with them. (I'm already plotting and planning when and how we could conceivably pull off another "forced destination family/friend gathering.") I hope that everyone that went out there could agree, that this mini vacation fulfilled some personal aspect of their lives. After all, if nothing else, at least it got us all out of dreary, cold Cinci for a few days. And I most certainly am deeply grateful to each person that took the time and money to come out with us.
All I know is, I wanna go back and soak every moment of it up again. I couldn't ask for a more perfect person to spend my life with than Brian. We complete each other so well, it still amazes me sometimes. And I adore his family; what wonderful people! I am so lucky to have such awesome in-laws. I swear Brian and his family are this superior species of kind and generous people. They could make the most cynical person believe in others again.
I cannot say enough how humbled and blessed I am that such a breath-takingly perfect experience was given to me, and that out of it I am now married to a man that is so amazing and beautiful inside and out
