For the last 12 months, I have been helping my best friend plan her wedding. As an event planning gradute/aspiring wedding planner, you would think that this would be an easy task for me. Definitely not the case.
Helping my friend plan her wedding was quite challenging. She changed her mind about every decision she had previously made, regarding the dress, the venue, the flowers, the colour scheme, etc. She then realized how expensive everything was, so she decided that she would create her own stuff. She decided to do her own invitation, her own wedding programs, her guest book, the seating chart... everything! I never knew how crafty she could be! And I never knew how un-crafty I was. Everything worked out though... We spent many nights cutting paper, taping things together and I was also the lucky one, elected to write on the invitations. Apparently, I have good handwriting. Safe to say, we put in lots of hours to get everything ready for her big day. As much work as it was, the benefit was that we spend time together every week, preparing for her wedding but also enjoying each other's company. We saw each other more this year than ever before. I liked that planning her wedding because the "excuse" we needed to spend more time together.
This was my first time being a Maid of Honour and I did not realize how much responsibilities that title entailed. I knew that I had to organize a Bachelorette party, but I have completely forgotten about organizing a Bridal Shower. Luckily, the mother of the Groom was very willing to get involved and help me with the organizing. This, I was thankful for. Regardless, the few weeks leading up to the wedding day were hectic and stressful.
Another responsibility of the Maid of Honour is writing a speech for the wedding reception. I worked on my speech for a few days, and I kept stressing about it. I did a lot of research online to get inspiration, but I couldn't find anything that seemed suitable. I practiced my speech once or twice before the actual wedding. I did not feel prepared at all.
Saturday, the big day finally arrived. My best friend looked absolutely stunning. The weather was gorgeous. Every little detail was perfect. I could not have asked for a better day.
My speech went well. I managed to get through the whole things with some laughs, some applause and I did not cry (which was my fear). Later that evening, the bride's grandmother came to talk to me and said that she really liked my speech. That's how I knew I had done a good job. That's definitely what I needed to know that I had really succeeded at my task.
Although the last few months have been very stressful due to the wedding planning, right now I am feeling quite nostalgic. I cannot believe that after all that planning, everything is over. It seemed that the day went by in a flash.
My best friend of 15 years is now a married woman. She is leaving for her honeymoon in 2 days; she will be away for two and a half weeks in Europe. Then she starts a new job, where she will be gone to Jamaica for 3 months. Although I'm happy for her, I'm a bit sad that she is starting this brand new life, where I won't get to see her as much.
When did we become grown-ups? It seems like just yesterday, we were 18 and we just moved together in residence at U of O. Now, we are both married women in our late twenties.
It's moments like these that make me nostalgic.
