No Friday

[Continued from earlier in the day.]

I knew that the hour was drawing near when our photographers Daria and Andy showed up around 2 pm. We met Daria a few months earlier during our “engagement session”, and we couldn’t have been more thrilled with her - Andy was just as much fun - we’re looking forward to a return trip to Vermont so we can hang out without the wedding stress and maybe go for a mountain bike ride.

I was starting to feel hopeful that the injured foot wasn’t going to be as crippling as I thought. A few hours of rest and habitual pill-popping had brought me to the point where I could walk around pretty easily without pain, without crutches, and with only a slight limp, a major improvement from the morning.

Around three or so, I was getting the hint that I should start making myself scarce around Meagan, as it was time for her to get ready. I grabbed my clothes and headed to my brother’s room in the other building, and then proceeded to hang out in the living room of the Inn. Soon, my groomsmen began to show up one by one, and we relaxed for a while with Andy, and he took some pre-wedding casual shots.

We decided to do some of the formal photos before the wedding, in order to accelerate our arrival at cocktail hour post-wedding. A few of those (courtesy of my mom - the offical ones are still being processed) are below. Daria and Andy had me facing away from Meagan as she and her bride’s maids proceeded to join us. I’ll never forget seeing for the first time my beautiful wife-to-be in her wedding dress. It was the start of a wonderful and emotional afternoon.

The barn and old farm equipment provided ample colorful photographic possibilities, and we had a lot of fun prancing around the barn, being silly. The highlight was Meagan’s young cousin Olivia, who was absolutely adorable as the flower girl.

While we were posing for Daria and Andy, guests began arriving en masse. Many I had seen the night before, but there were still quite a few who couldn’t arrive until Saturday and who I was excited to see. When the hour closed in on five, we began to make our way to the hillside. Walking out there would be one of two main challenges for the injured foot - the other being the first dance.

Fortunately, the foot complied, as did the weather. We were a bit worried about the forecast, and considered using one of our backup locations, but we decided to go for it, and the slight cloud cover provided some cool relief without diminishing the beauty of our mountain location.

The ceremony itself was as perfect as I could imagine. Words can’t really describe the love, happiness, and other emotions I felt in being able to promise myself to Meagan, such a beautiful girl in so many ways, forever. To do in such an amazing place, with so many loved ones, I really find myself lucky and in awe. We were honored that so many traveled so far to join us.

There are too many people to thank for their contributions, without whom we wouldn’t have been able to have such a special day. A few deserve special mention. My parents: for everything. Meagan’s parents: for welcoming me into the family wholeheartedly. My brother: for being there for me in ways he doesn’t realize. JJ, John, Will, and Bill: for being great friends (and of course looking magnificent). Susan, Maryleen, Angela, Lisa, Heather, and Lindsey, for looking almost as beautiful as Meagan. Olivia: for being the best flower girl ever! Aunt Marie and Auntie Sue: For reading with such gusto. Grandpop: for rocking the bagpipes. Reverend Michael: For understanding us and creating a ceremony that meant so much to both of us. Daria and Andy: For taking such great photos and for being even more amazing people. And to everyone else who helped in ways I can’t imagine - thank you.

And then it was off to the reception!

This entry was posted Sunday, September 7th, 2008 at 5:51 pm and is filed under wedding. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.