While wandering around Cape May on Saturday with my mom (more on this adventure on Friday!), I happened to see a bride. I immediately wanted to catch up with her just to catch a glimpse of her dress and, of course, her new groom. Sadly, they crossed the street well before us, but their wedding was held at a really pretty hotel nearby that we decided to visit.
When I walked into the hotel, I heard the live band playing and people chatting. I peeked into the ballroom because the doors were wide open, and I could see in from my spot across the hall. I was struck by the gorgeous black and white checkered floor and the turquoise walls. I could just tell it was a beautifully designed reception. Then my mom and I climbed a set of stairs in the lobby in order to look out at the view, and there was the bride, groom, and wedding party excitedly getting ready to be introduced for the first time.
This is what struck me the most: the bride and groom weren’t interacting with each other. They were chatting with friends. The bride was practicing her dance moves in her beautiful tulle gown complete with flowers and looking around. These two never kissed. They never locked eyes. They never held hands. They didn’t look like a couple who had just gotten married.
And I couldn’t stop thinking about this…
String lights make me stop in my tracks, and bright colors and beautiful flowers are the best. I love a great party filled with dancing. But a wedding is about more than pretty details and a packed dance floor. Weddings filled with joy light my heart on fire because it’s the start of your new life together. You will experience the greatest joys and navigate the lowest of lows. You’ll go on adventures together that you will talk about for years. You will see your family grow and change. And, hopefully, one day 30, 40, 50, maybe even 70 years from now, you will reminisce about the day that started it all – your wedding day.
My grandparents have been married for over 70 years, and this video I found on Southern Weddings of Fred and his Sweet Lorraine sums up the meaning of marriage to me. In the end, it’s about building a beautiful life filled with love. (Warning: Brace yourself, because this will make you cry. I bawled.)
Photo by Trent Bailey Photography on Style Me Pretty
I do hope the couple I spotted in Cape May had a wonderful wedding. I hope they danced with their friends and family, so the bride could show off her moves (she did seem like fun!). But I hope they enjoyed their time together, and I really hope they kissed just like that couple above. One day in the future, I want to have a marriage more beautiful than my wedding day, just like my grandparents, parents, and Fred and Sweet Lorraine. And I truly want the same for my Cape May couple too.
That was the most beautiful song. You are right, I’m still sniffling.
Absolutely beautiful blog! I SOBBED through the entire video. Oh Fred, I am so, so sorry for your loss; and yes, the 75 years you spent with your sweet Lorraine were real.
A very wise sentiment. I wouldn’t change a thing about my low budget, somewhat impromptu wedding, because every day of this marriage is better than the last! Xoxo
Thank you, Sarah! And your small, somewhat impromptu wedding was beautifully captured by Sea Star Arts. : )
I am constantly AMAZED at your writing skills!!! How you bring everything full circle is just unbelievable. You have a knack of drawing the reader in and having them become immersed in the article wondering how it will end. Again, UNBELIEVABLE!
You are so right–that couple was doing the big beautiful wedding for everyone else–they were so caught up in what everyone else thought that they didn’t stop to enjoy each moment together…hand in hand…Wow, Carly–whoever gets you is one lucky man!
Amy! You are the sweetest! Thank you so much for reading and posting such a nice comment. I’m ready for when my day happens. : )
Quite possibly my most favorite quote ever. Love this, Carly, love all of it!!