As a wedding photographer, I love love stories. I love to hear about them and the excitement of it all. So often I’m asked about me and Steven and our story (it was quite the fast whirlwind!), so here I am, sharing our story from the moment I actually noticed him, to when we said “I do!”
“You’re going to show up, right?” Steven’s not really big on weddings and we always joked about he didn’t even want to come to our own, but I think he was probably secretly really excited, and he reassured me that he’d in the garden waiting for me tomorrow.
We had just said goodbye, and after he left my childhood bedroom, I buried my face in my hands and started to cry. I don’t really know why I was crying. Maybe it was a mix of nerves, excitement, or just plain not wanting to be without him. We had moved into our first apartment together a couple of weeks before the wedding, so I was used to having him around, haha.
We had just had a wonderful rehearsal that morning and a fun BBQ “rehearsal dinner” at my parents house. Everything was getting REALLY real! Before he left, I tucked a note in his suit jacket, knowing that he’d read it the next morning as he was getting ready to be married!
Oh gosh, the morning of the wedding… there was a threat of rain and we were getting married barefoot in a local garden. I decided that if push came to shove we’d get umbrellas for everyone and we’d rock the rain boots! Nothing was going to literally rain on my parade that day!
Our wedding wouldn’t have happened without the help of my family and friends! I’m SOOOO thankful to them! One of my girlfriends from college made our cake AND did my hair and make-up. My sister and friends helped me go to Wal-Mart, buy 40 goldfish, and then bring them to the Ramada Inn to use as our centerpieces. My friends significant others’ brought the chairs from my parents house to the garden for the ceremony. It was very much a DIY wedding that we paid for entirely out of pocket and I loved everything about our wedding day. Looking back now there may have been a few things I’d do differently if we ever got married again, haha, but our wedding was so so special and it still brings tears to my eyes to think about that day.
I could hear the chords from the string quartet playing at the ceremony and my dad and I were waiting to walk down the “aisle” and I was shaking so hard. He put his hand on my arm and told me everything was going to be okay, and then (bless his freaking heart) gave me his handkerchief so I could wipe the sweat that was pouring down my arms. Y’all I was nervous. Why do weddings make us so nervous?!
But then we walked down that grassy aisle and I saw him for the first time. It was like I had tunnel vision. I was so so excited and still in a little disbelief that I was getting MARRIED!! One of my girlfriends (Brittany) got notarized so that she could perform the wedding ceremony and let me tell you, there is nothing cooler than having someone marry you who has seen your relationship from the VERY beginning! It was awesome!
We had an awesome photographer (who we really lucked out with, haha) who captured some of my most favorite photos I’ve ever owned. Our reception was kick-ass and we (read: I) danced the night away with our friends and family. The whole day was an absolute whirlwind and one of the best days of my life. Though this is the final chapter in “The Story of Us,” it was the beginning of something even bigger – the life that we would start and create together (starting with a honeymoon to Disney World!)! And friends, it’s been a good life we’ve made.
Thank you so much for following along on this series as I recount the start of mine and Steven’s relationship! I’m so grateful you’ve all been here 🙂 If you liked this series, then I think you’ll like another new series I’m starting called The Barry Files….
Linda is a Boston-based photographer specializing in weddings and creating family legacies. You can see more of her work online at lindabarryphotography.com, on Instagram, or on Facebook. If you want to reach out directly: linda@lindabarryphotography.com. To sign up for the monthly newsletter full of encouragement and real life, click here!
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