My sister and her husband celebrated their first anniversary this week.
Simone asked me to be her Matron of Honor and for my daughters to be her flower girls. I was honored to be part of her special day, but I was truly touched that she wanted to include my girls.
Weeks before the ceremony, I had some very intimate conversations with my sister due to her cold feet. Although I never experienced cold feet before my wedding day, I tried my best to understand her anxiousness. In a feeble attempt to comfort Simone, I reminded that her Matt was a perfect match for her. I told her that a wedding is simply a dog-and-pony show. It’s the people that make the marriage and from the unconditional love I saw displayed so often, I knew they could go the distance to endure all the ups and downs of marriage.
On the way to the church, I snapped a photo of Simone in the limo. She threatened begged me not to post it on Facebook and I had to promise to only post it after the ceremony. I upheld my end of the deal. I love this picture because it shows her death threat look how nervous and anxious she felt before the “I Do’s”.
Simone has always been beautiful inside and out and her wedding was no exception. From the feathers in hair to the retro art deco style of the wedding to the stunning bridesmaids’ dresses to the accessories she chose for each of us, her flare for fashion was evident in every little detail.
Since I remember crying like a faucet on my wedding day, I wanted to prevent our beautiful bride from looking like Tammy Faye Baker. With a stroke of genius, her bridesmaids and I decided to pack some tissues in our handbags, but then it dawned on us that we wouldn’t be carrying our handbags down the aisle. Thinking quick on our feet, we began stuffing tissues down our tops. This would be one day were we would be proud to stuff our bras! Of course during the ceremony, the tears began flowing but thankfully, I had my tissue to save my damsel in distress a bride’s dress.
I believe Simone’s cold feet were simply a case of performance anxiety or more likely a fear of the unknown. Once the formality of the ceremony was behind her, she could really let her hair down, so to speak.
The wedding party entered the hall to Bittersweet Symphony. At this point, my feet were killing me. Simone may have always had a flare for fashion, but not for comfort and like an idiot a serious fashion faux pas, I bought shoes the wrong size. Since my feet were so sore, the best man and I sprinted into the hall. You can take the runner out the running shoes, but you can’t take the running out of the runner. I also cleverly stashed a pair of flip-flops under the banquet table for later.
The newly wedded couple first danced to Lay, Lady, Lay, which was followed by a father-daughter dance to Landslide . Then, Matt danced with his mother. Unfortunately, no one remembers the song a year later.
After all the dances, the Best Man and I played Rock-Paper-Scissors to determine who would give their toast first. I lost and had to do the deed first, but then he regretted following me. At least I warmed up the crowd for him.
The wedding reception was a blast and a non-stop party thanks to a fun bunch of friends and family, an open bar and a fantastic local band, Stick Martin.
And Simone’s marital fears slipped away once she slipped into a more comfortable dress.
Even the old folks parents couldn’t stay off the dance floor…
…but watching my dad rap and dance to Ludacris’ Move Bitch had me in stitches.
The party continued until late into the night.
And a year later, we are still celebrating this fun, beautiful, loving couple.
Happy First Anniversary, Simone and Matt!
xox
Hosted by Cecily
