Last October I shared our wedding photos from the church + ceremony and promised the rest soon... I never got around to it but thought today was an appropriate day to finally share the rest! Today marks 365 days of wedded bliss to my Mr! I cannot BELIEVE that an entire year has passed - it's been a hell of year and I can't believe how much has changed. For the first time in five years, Chris and I live and work in the same place and I can't tell you how happy we are. ((Fun fact: at any given point, at least one of us was commuting upward of 2 hours each way every day to get to work or each other)). In the last year, we relocated (twice, + lived in a hotel for a month with all of our stuff in storage :-D), both accepted new jobs, and finally feel like all of our hard work was worth it. Honestly I'm sort of waiting for the other shoe to drop as I can't believe we're finally HERE but instead I'm going to focus on enjoying the moment.
To keep it real, we also lost a very special family member this year and I've weathered a pretty serious storm in my family relationships as well. Neither was fun but I feel more fortunate than ever to have the support system that we do. The idea of "marriage" and "family" beyond the legal + biological boundaries we all know has really hit home this year.
Last Thursday Chris and I were toying with the idea of a weekend getaway for our anniversary and then I looked at him and said that the best part of our wedding day was being surrounded by everyone we love and loves us. Why do we feel like we can only do that once in our life? A new tradition was born that each and every year on our anniversary weekend, we will throw a party and invite as many people as we can possibly hold in our home (or in our backyard ;) that know and love us. We imagine that some years it will be small, as our friends grow and spread throughout the country and have families of their own, and other years, it will be a giant celebration beyond our expectations. Both of those, and every version in between, will be perfect, as it gives us an opportunity to reflect and enjoy those whose love and support make our marriage even that much more special. Many thanks to all of our friends that came over to celebrate year one with us this weekend!
C and I were sitting by the pool yesterday enjoying the quiet and a glass of wine and I asked him if he ever thought a year ago that this is where we are. Both of us agreed that we never imagined in a million years throughout the chaos of the last year that things would work out the way they have. Oddly enough we were laughing that contrary to the stereotype of marriage, we're more relaxed now then we've been in years. There will be good times and there will be bad - and I think the most important thing is to be able to realize and appreciate each. Right now, things are really, really good and I couldn't feel more appreciative of my loving husband and his unwavering partnership and support as we've navigated not only the last year, but also the last nine (!!).
Happy anniversary darling - I love you!
Photographer: Logan Cole & Thomas Gardella
Event Planner: Lovely Day Events
Venue: Mystic Yachting Center
Flowers: Jakkelyn Iris
Church: St. Mark's + Father Adam
Girl's Hotel: The Whaler's Inn
Guy's Hotel: Mystic Marriott
Dress: Custom by Modern Trousseau & White Dress by the Shore
Hair & Makeup: Naomi Martinez Salon
Veil: Modern Trousseau, borrowed from my dear friend Sarah
Earrings: Vintage
Bridesmaids Dresses: Jenny Yoo & White Dress by the Shore
C's Tux: JCrew (groomsmen wore their own & JCrew bowties)
Calligraphy: Prairie Letter Shop
Vintage Land Rover Defender: KJP & Sarah Vickers, driven by Sean Gale Burke