It’s wonderful when a photographer sends me a submission out of the blue. Cassi Claire was one of those photographers. Cassi, who is also the co-founder and CEO of ICDV, is based in the US. However she travels (Irish brides take note). Even has some Irish blood.
Allison’s wedding report to David was engaging and funny. I struggled to get it down so I am posting it in full. Many Irish brides will relate to her weather woes.
My dreams of an outdoor ceremony were gradually diminishing as I watched the red radar “splotch” move across my Blackberry’s screen. After a year planning an outdoor wedding, the thought of getting married indoors sent me into a panic attack. However, this could also have been due to the 3 gallons coffee I had that morning. My bridesmaids, who are some of the most incredible women I know, calmed my nerves and we went on with our beauty treatments while listening to Justin Timberlake in the salon.
“The wedding day went exactly as planned, except for the weather emergencies. A quick Starbucks run in morning, then makeup and hair in afternoon and finally, the marriage of my best friend in evening. The nerves began to strike as we left the salon. I should add that it was under an umbrella. The more nervous and hyper I became, the more I acted. After hair and makeup, the afternoon was spent in the bridal suite, getting fueled up with latte’s, steaming the bridesmaids’ dresses, and having fun with my favorite people.
“When I relive the wedding, I try and pinpoint that one moment when the world stopped and that made me realize how important that day was. It was that moment when I felt like an adult and couldn’t believe that I had finally found the person I love. It was the most memorable decision of the wedding. The excitement over seeing David at that moment was more important than the emotion. It was so much fun and so “us”. It was short, sweet, and sincere. It was everything I wanted and more. While I was emotional during the vows, and seeing David’s “almost” tears while I walked down my aisle, don’t get me wrong. It was hard to feel that moment of “world-stopping” in front of 110 close family members and friends.
After much thought, I finally realized it a week later. Reality set in after the wedding, honeymoon, and subsequent divorce. When I heard our wedding song on the radio, the day after we returned from our honeymoon I realized what was happening and got very emotional.
“And I still get emotional. Every. Single. Time. How could I forget? I think that was my moment. The world seemed to stop for a split second. Standing in front, the double doors opened and we ran into a room with many people who were smiling from ear to ear. Our incredible maitre de’ said, “Hey guys, congratulations!” and the world stopped. We were married.
“We met each other and we became the luckiest people on the planet. The door opened up to the ballroom, but I was finally able to see what my life would look like with this man who is truly amazing. Our lives together will be filled with laughter, joy, love, and lots of dancing. That was the moment. I was struck by that moment when a stranger said good-bye to me. It will be forever etched in my brain. I finally understood how emotional that day was and let the emotion overflow each time we sing our entrance song. I wish I could replay it all over again, even in torrential rain. Talking about which, the weather miraculously cleared and brought tons of sunshine into our sweet little New Jersey town!