Wedding Shenanigans

(Photo Credit: Carla and Katie)

For the past week I have been in Maple Ridge, BC helping my brother and sister-in-law plan their wedding. Let's just say, it was a lot different and crazier than expected.

Firstly, none of us had really been to a wedding before. Thus, planning was stressful because no one really knew exactly what was supposed to be happening. On top of that, since Jason and Caitlin live in Ottawa and were having their wedding in BC, basically 80% of the planning was left for the last week.

But, crazy thing - all these reasons to be stressed out, yet the two of them were the calmest people around!! So why was I stressing about their wedding more than they were!?! I guess that's just me though, I tend to worry about unnecessary things. But after a few breakdowns (from me, not the bride) and with lots of help from family and friends the wedding came together. And it was beautiful.

I was running around helping out with random things when I was called into the change room to help Caitlin tie her dress. I walked in, and oh my goodness. She was just so beautiful. The dress was perfect on her, and she just had a glow about her that made her look happy. Nervous, and happy. As the minutes were counting down, Laura and I pulled and pulled on her dress to ensure it was as tight as could be. Finally, finished getting her dress on (which took almost an hour), we both stripped and changed in 5 minutes. Funny how that works. And then, we were ready.

I walk out into the hall and her dad is waiting there, and you can just see his face light up when he sees Caitlin. He shares the awe of her incredible beauty. And I dunno, there is just something different about a bride's beauty. You look at magazines, models with their perfect bodies and perfect faces. But Caitlin was different. She was radiating beauty through her smile, and the dress/hair/makeup just made it all that much more real.

I walk to the front arm and arm with Jay (my brother's other groomsman) as the audience awaits Caitlin. The minute she starts walking down that aisle I start crying! I can't even contain myself, and I'm trying to smile, but my mouth is shaking uncontrollably. After having gotten to know Caitlin over the last week, and knowing my brother, I was just so happy for them. Happy that through all the worry, stress and anxiety of the prior week, none of it mattered anymore. Because they were here, they were together, and they were so happy. Caitlin herself could barely hold it together. She was also crying, and shaking so badly she could barely stay balanced. The ceremony was beautiful. The weather was perfect. Their vows were incredible (who knew my brother was so thoughtful).

The rest of the evening went on and just kept getting better. We took some beautiful pictures. We had a wonderful dinner. Parents shared embarrassing stories. Parents shared how proud they were of their children. Everyone was happy to just be together, and to be there to witness two people in love, unified.

I helped out a lot with the planning, and I was running around on Sunday looking like I was in charge. Thus, people kept coming up to me and thanking me for putting together such a beautiful wedding. And I felt a little uncomfortable accepting these thanks, but I just smiled and nodded and said I had fun doing it. I wish I had stepped up and spoken to everyone. Said something along the lines of: "I keep getting thanked for this wedding, but there are many people that put a lot of hours into planning today. Yes, I was there with Caitlin and Jason all week keeping them on track, but I couldn't have done it without your assistance. So, I appreciate your thanks very much and I have greatly enjoyed myself. But please, stop thanking me and start thanking yourselves for helping out, and just for being here today to celebrate this wonderful union."

This last week I have learned a lot. I have learned a little bit about love, and how strong it can be. But mostly, I have learned a lot about family. That no matter the differences, no matter the disputes, when two families are brought together through marriage none of that matters. Everyone gets along, and everyone is happy. I love my family, and I think one aspect of myself that I am not proud of is that I am not good at keeping in touch with them. But family is the most important thing. Friends come and go, but family will always be there. So I guess I am lucky for the family that I have. Because even when I haven't spoken to a relative for a long while, they love me just the same. And as my trip to Europe approaches, this odd connection that family has will come in handy for me. My grandpa has given me a list of contacts in Europe. These are people I have never met, never even spoken to. Yet just the fact that they are family means their doors are open to me. It really is quite amazing. And now my family, through Caitlin, has expanded greatly.

The next thing about this last week is it made me think a lot about my own wedding. I was never the type of girl that dreamed about weddings, or even really ever thought about it at all. And I now know two things about myself when it comes to my wedding. Firstly, I am going to be a bridezilla. I think even this last week I was more of a bridezilla than Caitlin was!! And secondly, I am not going to be able to hold it together on my wedding day. Seriously, I teared up so many times on Sunday, and it will be even worse for my own. But I guess before I start thinking about it, I have to find a guy first. Ah well, sigh.

Lastly, I just want to say congrats to Caitlin and Jason! I am very happy for you, and I wish you all the best in the future. :)

(Photo Credit: Marty Paul)