Wedding Reflections – Andrea and Sean
Gratitude //
Andrea and Sean were married on May 9, 2015 at the Chesapeake Bay Beach Club. Here are a few of their reflections from the beginning of their lives together!
1. When reflecting on your wedding, what is it that you remember most?
The feeling of having everyone we love in the world in one place was magical. It was one of the most surreal feelings I have ever experienced. From our rehearsal dinner Friday evening to brunch on Sunday, I was consumed by the most overwhelming sense of happiness. It surpassed anything I could have imagined and helped to keep me calm during a time that could have been stressful. Also, seeing Sean for the first time on our wedding day. I was starting to come undone a little due to all of the craziness surrounding the accident [there was an accident on the Bay Bridge that shut down the bridge and caused major delays for the guests], and I remember thinking that I knew if I saw him, it would all be okay. As I walked up to him on the sunset deck and he turned around, his face said it all. I will never forget that feeling. It was a mix of excitement, relief, happiness, love. After that moment, I knew everything was going to be perfect…and it was!
2. If you could plan your wedding again, would you do anything differently?
Hang a sign on the bay bridge Saturday morning telling everyone to “please drive safely.” Kidding. I’ve thought about this so much following our wedding, especially in the wake of everything that happened. But honestly, there is nothing I would have changed. I had this little mantra I repeated to myself on our wedding day, “remember why you’re here.” Which was to marry the love of my life and make a promise of forever in front of our friends and family. There was nothing that could have happened (within reason) that could have made that moment any less special or perfect. And despite our wedding timeline getting completely rearranged, remembering why I was there helped me keep perspective.
3. What, if anything, did you do before your wedding that helped prepare you most for life after saying “I Do.”
Our AMAZING cantor that married us had us meet with her about four or five times before we walked down the aisle. During these meetings we not only planned out our ceremony (arguably the most important part of the day), but we also talked about our future and discussed some of the more serious topics – such as finances, children, religion, communication, etc. It was incredibly beneficial and helped us feel that much more secure about our decision and our future.
4. What is it that you LOVE most about being married that all of those engaged couples can look forward to?
It’s so nice once the wedding is over to finally get to just focus on each other. While weddings are amazing and exciting, they also can be stressful. Once the wedding is over, then you get to really start your lives together, plan for your future, become a family. It’s a feeling of comfort and love and togetherness.
5. What advice would you give to an engaged couple who is currently planning their own wedding?
Focus more on the ceremony than the reception. Ask for help if you need it. Take frequent breaks from planning to remember why you’re planning a wedding in the first place. Have deep and frequent conversations about important and potentially unpleasant topics (finances, religion, family, etc). Practice your first dance several times. Talk to other couples who have been married for a long time. ENJOY THIS TIME. It goes by SO fast (everyone says this, but it is so true).
6. Is there anything else that you would like to share with other engaged/newly married couples?
People always tell you to “enjoy this time” but they never tell you how. I don’t necessarily have the answer, but I would recommend trying to do things throughout your engagement that allow you to take time and reflect on the significance of the journey you’re about to embark on.
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We are so excited to start this year off with a Wedding Reflections Series on our blog from our 2015 Liz and Ryan couples! We understand that wedding planning can be hard and overwhelming… but we hope you never forget that all that really matters is that you are getting MARRIED! ;) That is so exciting! When wedding planning becomes stressful, please know that you are not alone and there are a lot of people out there (including us and our 2015 couples ;) ) who are cheering you on and want your marriage to start off on the right track! Please let us know how we can help make the start of your marriage AMAZING! ;)
