Posted by Grace Bonney, of Design*Sponge
Our wedding is 24 days away, so I thought I’d take a little time out today to slow down, put away my crafting supplies, and reflect on what is about to happen, and how my, and Aaron’s, life is about to change.
My last few posts have been a little less than cheery because well, it’s been a little stressful dealing with a few aspects of the planning. But today I wanted to stop and think about the things that I’m looking forward to, happy about, and thrilled to have just around the corner.
So I thought I’d take a queue from one of my favorite guilty-pleasure movies, 10 Things I Hate About You, and switch it up and share something more personal: 10 Things I Love About Getting Married.
These are my top ten things about getting married that I’m looking forward to. I hope to update this post after we’re married next month to let you know if these things were and are all that I hoped for.
10. Getting to dress up. Ok, so underneath my lack of desire for many of the wedding traditions is a girl who loves to get dolled up for a special occasion. I can’t wait to wear my fancy new shoes, have my hair done in pretty braids, and celebrate. Aaron and I are rarely dressed to the nines anymore, so it will be nice to feel fancy together.
9. Seeing Aaron with his ring. It may sound silly, but I’ve felt slightly alone being the only one wearing a ring for the past year and two months. For me it’s not about ownership or some sense of possession, but rather feeling like we’re a married couple, and not just an engaged girl.
8. Our first morning as husband and wife. We’re taking a 2 day mini-honeymoon in Charleston after the wedding (since we decided to put off our honeymoon for a bit), and I’ve been dreaming about our first morning together. Sitting at a breakfast table somewhere near the water and quietly sipping coffee while holding hands—hands with wedding rings on them. Uh oh, watch it—it’s about to get a whole lot sappier. Sorry.
7. Getting to call Aaron my husband. Boyfriend hasn’t felt sufficiently important for a few years and “Fiancé” always felt so stuffy and formal to me. Husband sounds just right.
6. Joining the world of people who’ve decided to commit their lives to someone else. Whether that’s through a marriage, a commitment ceremony, or some other form of celebration, I feel an impending sense of kinship with other committed couples. I guess I’ve never really thought about it much, but I feel like I’m joining a club that I didn’t even know I wanted to join—but I’m glad I am.
5. Looking around the reception and seeing all of the people who are most important to us. We’re from different parts of the country and our friends are, too. It’s going to be totally surreal, and totally wonderful, to see them all next to each other in one space—in Savannah. I can’t believe they’re all traveling this far in this economy just for our big day.
4. Having my friends from almost every stage of my life next to me while I start a new phase of my life. I’m so honored to have kept a few friends from my childhood and I’m so glad they’ll be with me, along with friends I’ve made over the past few years, and of course, my future sister-in-law.
3. Looking at my mom during the ceremony. If there’s one thing that will really get me started (crying, that is), it will be looking at my mom and sharing a smile and a knowing look with her. She’s always been so much more than a Mom to me and I’m already tearing up just thinking about that moment. Oh, here I go…
2. Walking down the aisle with my dad. I think a lot of little girls dream of wedding days and white dresses, but that’s never been me. What I look forward to is that special moment when I hold his arm, smile and walk down the aisle.
1. Just being married to Aaron. I’ve spent almost all of my time with this wonderful person over the past five years and I can’t wait to spend the next 65 or 75 as his wife. I feel so very lucky.
From: Darci | 4/2/09 at 11:41 am
So well said, Grace. I can almost guarantee that those will be the things you remember - not the flowers or the chairs, but the people there with you and the moments you share.
And - we've been married for about 6 months and I still haven't gotten over his ring. I still look at it and think, "that is my husband!"
From: Katie-Beth | 4/2/09 at 11:43 am
You just made me cry. Those are wonderful things to look forward to. I wish you all the best!
From: abby | 4/2/09 at 1:23 pm
I love this post! Your list really takes me back to my favorite memories from the wedding events.
During our ceremony (almost exactly one year ago) my mom played Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah on the piano. When she finished her lovely and perfect performance, I turned toward her and she and I made eye contact--she smiled proudly and gave me this little nod. I will always treasure that moment.
From: Helen | 4/2/09 at 1:28 pm
I'm tearing up, too ...
I don't even know you, but I'm so very happy for you and Aaron.
From: Deirdre Ingram | 4/2/09 at 1:37 pm
P.S. Michael and I got engaged in Savannah and you could not have picked a more wonderful place to get married. Did you know that Savannah and Charleston (and New Orleans) are called the sister cities of the South?
From: Deirdre Ingram | 4/2/09 at 1:40 pm
Grace. Thank you for this post. I am planning my January 2010 wedding right now, and while I love my dress and veil and am imagining how beautiful the flowers and lighting will be, I am most looking forward to being Michael's wife. I am glad I am not the only one that can't wait to see a ring on her guy's finger too!
From: AmyJean @RelentlessBride | 4/2/09 at 2:02 pm
What a sweet post! I love it!
From: Carrie S. | 4/2/09 at 2:09 pm
This post totally made me tear up. My hubs and I have been married for over 4 years, but I'm still pretty emotional about it. I LOVE looking at our wedding rings; it's an immediate symbol that we're part of a team. Like a team jersey! That you wear every day!
From: Nicole | 4/2/09 at 4:04 pm
Amen to #9! I was wondering if I was the only one...
From: Grace | 4/2/09 at 5:01 pm
Thanks guys- it was fun (and much needed) to take a time out and focus on the positives
Grace
From: Ana | 4/2/09 at 7:45 pm
#9 is one of my favorite things about being married, after 4 years I still love seeing it.
and #8 as well, that's the best morning you could ask for.
Big or small weddings are hectic, take this time to enjoy it all, the day goes by so fast and remember it's not the veil or the shoes or anything else it's him and you.
From: jessamyn | 4/2/09 at 9:19 pm
#8 was my very, very, very favorite thing about the weekend we got married
. Just sitting with coffee and brunch, looking at each other in our new rings. Enjoy!
From: Ana | 4/3/09 at 12:22 am
My boyfriend (fiance, if you're being official) is named Aaron as well. I really felt like I was reading my own list as I read through your beautiful post. We have another year and a few months until our big day and I just know my excitement for all ten of these things is just going to grow and grow.
From: Dani | 4/3/09 at 1:47 am
7 & 5 -- totally agree
wish I had thought to do something like this!
From: jen p-c | 4/3/09 at 10:07 am
so true! i married my cute hubs last fall (with a two day mini-moon in charleston as well!) and all of these things are near and dear sentiments that I've found true to my own wedding and marriage. it was amazing to look around the room and just feel the love and support of everyone who's had a place in our lives, knowing it was bc of all of them that we were able to find each other. enjoy it from start to (an as-late-into-the-night-as-you-can) finish, i have no doubt that the list will grow to a top 100 as you look back on it. cheers!
From: Kate F. | 4/3/09 at 10:52 am
You nailed many of the best parts of a wedding/being married. I had been together with my husband for 7 years by the time we got married (we met when I was 19!) and I totally agree about boyfriend being too casual and fiancé being lame.
By the way, I didn't think things would be different once we were married because we were so settled together already. They are. It's different, it's stronger, it's better. Crazily mushily better. (We will hit 3 years in August.)
From: shaye | 4/3/09 at 1:20 pm
I loved the "fiance" stage- it is like spring- it only lasts for a few minutes! Calling my guy my husband is wonderful but I get so happy when I hear someone say Fiance
From: carla | 4/6/09 at 1:31 pm
this is about the cheesiest list of bullshi* ideas on marriage and weddings i have ever seen. i want to vomit. blehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
From: joe groom | 4/6/09 at 5:18 pm
Try going to http://www.NaplesWeddingCatering.com
From: robin | 4/6/09 at 10:08 pm
yikes carla, get off a wedding blog if you don't like weddings! lol
this is so up my alley... i hate the word fiance and rarely use it myself. i can't wait to use the word HUSBAND! why wouldn't I? he's my best friend and such a great guy, i'm really proud of him and proud to be his! is that the kind of cheesiness you were talking about carla? HAHA
good for you Grace, this was lovely!
From: sue | 4/9/09 at 12:53 pm
we are the king and queen of echo, oregon and finally getting married! how do i change his will before his daughters find out?
sue winter