tasting.

Walking into the room, I’m amazed even though I’ve been here before. I take in a deep breath and settle in the idea that the next time I’m in this room, I’ll be in a white dress, mere moments after becoming a wife. 

The thought is both daunting and exciting. The flutter of table linens being fanned out across the table fills my heart as the picture of what our wedding day will look like becomes that much more in focus. The tables are nearly complete and I have to choose which one I like. They are all beautiful – how am I supposed to choose?

“I like the navy runner with the white tablecloths and navy napkins.”

Pens flurry across paper with my decisions. I look at Carl for validation but he is not impressed when it comes to linens. He’s ready for the food. 

**
I woke up Saturday morning, bleary eyed with sunshine peeking through the curtains. I immediately regretted that last glass of wine I chose to have the night before, as getting up was not going to be fun.

As I showered and joked along with Carl throughout our morning routine, I realized that I could not be further from nervous about marrying this man. Before, in past relationships, my mind was riddled with doubts about future marriages. I don’t take it lightly. I want to get married and have that be the only time that happens. I know it’s going to be hard.

Now that I am with the right person, “It all just seems…easy.” I thought to myself as I blowdried my hair. We’ve been a team the entire way, so wedding planning hasn’t been the least bit stressful. I might even go out on a limb and call it fun.

I cleaned the house up a bit between sips of iced coffee. Our house. The house that we will first enter as a married couple. The house that we will bring our baby home to. The house of many firsts.

We hopped in the car with Ruby and took off to my parents house. The morning was cold and I knew it would be even colder on the cape. Once my sister arrived, we were off.

I grew excited as we approached the venue. The trip down had been more enjoyable than I anticipated, filled with laughs and jokes that put me at ease about the events of the day.

the cocktail patio with views of the ceremony lawn

I took photo after photo of the venue for our florist, as this will be her first wedding at this place. Each time the shutter clicked, I felt like I could envision myself more and more on THE day.

We all purposely skipped breakfast in anticipation of the feast we knew was coming. 5 hors d'oeuvres, 2 salads, 2 entrees…and cake. Glorious, glorious cake.

The hors d'oeuvres were amazing and we ended up choosing almost everything we tried. I’m still thinking about mini crab cakes. Between the salads, more requests for champagne, and my Dad joking about bribing the chef to serve me a peanut butter and jelly, we were all in good spirits.

As we finished up the last entree, we were all looking at each other wondering how we were even going to attempt having dessert. Turns out, we could each move at our own pace, because every single person at the table received a plate with slabs of moist, decadent cake.

We left that day with full bellies and even fuller hearts about this wedding that is happening this summer. 

Growing up, whenever I had a reason to drive off cape, I would always make sure I had a good song cued up to return over the bridge back home. Seeing the water lapping against the canal borders, the boats whipping in the wind, and tasting the smell of salt in the air never ceased to make me smile. To make me hunker down in my seat while stealing glances at the sunset.

I learned to drive on that bridge. I’ve taken many trips over that bridge. I learned to drive in the middle lane with ease even though they seem so much tinier on that bridge. It always maintains significance as a means of homecoming to me.

Which is why it’s only fitting that I am getting married where I feel most at home.

**

Sarah over at An Inkling Design has a blog post up about our invitations. What she made us is so special, especially because the venue loved them so much they want to showcase her work! Be sure to head over and check them out!