It is so cliche to write this, but two years ago was one of the happiest days of my life. I was never the girl that dreamed about her wedding day. In fact, I honestly had no desire to even get married. I knew I found the man I wanted to be with for the rest of my life, and that was more than enough for me. However, after being together for nearly five years, B decided to pop the question, which set in motion planning for our special day. B & I cared very little about the details of our wedding day, except for three things: 1) We wanted it to be extremely small…as in immediate family with a handful of our best friends. 2) We wanted it to be somewhere beautiful. 3) We wanted someone else to figure everything else out.
We spent a day scouring the internet for destination wedding spots including sandy beaches, romantic vineyards, and mountain ranges, but we kept coming back to the idea of a wedding on the beach. We came up with a list of 4-5 venues in the Sandestin, Florida area and then booked a trip to check them out. Once we arrived, it was such an easy decision. We decided to go with a little art studio located just a few steps from Santa Rosa Beach. It was a wedding planning duo. The husband was the artist, and the wife was the main wedding planner. I cannot emphasize enough how amazing our experience at Weatherall Fine Art Wedding was. It included a suite for four days that was located above the venue, Heather, the wedding planner, was so organized and not a single detail was spared. The package included a flower budget (I chose peonies), delicious food, alcohol with a bartender, gorgeous simple decor, and the orchestration of every other vendor we might want involved. It was the least stressful experience I could have imagined.
Most of our friends and family turned it into a week-long vacation, some even opted to book a house together. We went parasailing together and they spent time hanging together on the beach.
Our actual wedding day called for rain.
As we were set to take “first look” pictures the humidity was so thick that the short stroll outside to meet had left me drenched in sweat with hair that hung limp, but I didn’t care. We got in a few sweaty pictures before making a bee-line for the venue before it began to pour…. and did it ever pour. Time ticked by as the guests arrived. B & I greeted everyone and we unconventionally all sat together hoping for the rain to clear. It was getting later and later, and we needed to make the call. One of the reasons that we specifically chose this spot was because the art studio was very quaint and beautiful and was a perfect backup spot. Heather asked what I wanted to do, and I said, Lets just get married inside, it’s really ok, and it genuinely was, but almost as soon as the words left my lips the skies cleared. Heather made a quick bolt to the beach to set things up, and the guests were hustling after her. With everyone in their place, I walked towards B as a rainbow filled the sky. It was beyond picture perfect.
I had wanted to share hand written vows, and B agreed to write personalized vows as well. I dislike standing in front of large crowds, especially if speaking is required, but this was so different. I was so proud to express to B everything that I felt for him, and it felt amazing to share that moment with the people we loved the most. When B shared his hand written vows I’m not sure if there was a dry eye on the beach. My eyes were far from dry, I literally sobbed throughout the entire ceremony.
Our ceremony began with these words…
This beautiful setting should remind us that, like the ocean, human life is ebb and flow- The life of the spirit and emotions- moves in cycles. To be in a relationship does not guarantee an eternal summer. To make a sincere and honest commitment does not promise, an end to all struggle. What a good relationship does offer, much like this ocean, is the opportunity for renewal. It recognizes the abiding, shared hope that after every fall and winter, spring and summer will come again.
Happy Anniversary.
We decided to follow the traditional anniversary gift guide. For our first anniversary, We exchanged “paper” by celebrating with airline tickets for our delayed European honeymoon. This year is cotton. I found the perfect wedding gift for B, and I absolutely love it. I had a custom cotton push-pin travel map made from the JWDesignStudio Etsy Shop:
I procrastinated ordering it (big surprise), so it hasn’t yet arrived. When it does arrive, it will include my favorite quote from our ceremony script:
“Despite the vastness of this earth, despite the chaotic details that make up our lives, despite the hundreds of people we will meet in our travels, you are mine and I am yours forever.”
Sappy enough for a Saturday?
I write you from a hotel room in the DC area where B and I have been hunting for our new home, and are getting so excited for the start of this new adventure!
herbearings 
