We’re Married: An {ontherun} Wedding!
| June 26, 2012 | Posted by Lauren under LifeontheRun |
{I honestly can’t believe that it’s been over a month since I’ve last posted. The last 4 weeks have not only been the best of my life, but they’ve also passed by in a bit of a blur. And although this is a running and (sometimes) public health blog, it would feel weird to jump back into blogging without taking some time to talk about the biggest day of my entire life (so far). So if you don’t like weddings, feel free to skip right over this post. I promise that HOTR will be updated more regularly now that life is settling down.}
Over the past 6 months, whenever I talked to anyone about the stresses of wedding planning, their answers were always the same: “Don’t worry about the details. At the end of the day, the details don’t matter. All that matters is that you’re married to the right person.”
While I do agree that in essence, this statement is true, I would argue that it’s a lot more complex than that.
My wedding day was everything that I’d hoped it would be and more. I think it was pretty evident to everyone who attended that both Evan and I were blissfully happy to be marrying each other. I knew that no matter what ended up happening that day, as long as I got married to him things would be okay.
But besides all that, when I think back on the wedding, all I think about are the details.
{All photos — besides the cheeseboards — were taken by the wonderfully talented Christina Bernales}
Because it was the details that exemplified the love we felt for each other as well as the love our families had for the two of us. Those wonderful details had the marks of our two families all over them.
What made our wedding so special (to us) was not necessarily the location (though I loved it) or the weather (although perfect) or even the dress I wore. It was the fact that so many people from both of our families chipped in to make the wedding a reality.
Some of my absolute favorite details?
On the Friday night before the wedding, we threw a huge bonfire for all the wedding guests. There we served homemade pies that had been baked by my mom and members of Evan’s family.
My dad spent months before the wedding handcrafting cheeseboards that we gave to all the guests as wedding favors. Because you can’t get married in a village known for its amazing cheddar cheese without incorporating that into your wedding somehow…
(Yes, that is my new last name — clearly I am very concerned with internet privacy. And yes, I am still learning to embrace it…)
He also made the birch arbor that Evan and I stood under during the ceremony. He spent an entire day gathering wood and putting it together in our new backyard in preparation for the wedding.
Where he saw logs that weren’t straight enough or white enough, I saw perfection. I saw my dad’s handiwork and all the love he poured into making it just so.
Evan’s grandmother picked out all the cut flowers. Evan and his brother gathered ferns from the woods. My father and I went together to a local flower and garden shop to pick out huge hanging baskets. And my mom, his mother, and several other women from his family worked together to put everything together – the aisle flowers, the centerpieces, the cocktail hour tables…everything was done by someone in our family. Besides a general “vision” for how I wanted things to look, I really had nothing to do with the way everything turned out. And after it was done, everything looked even better than I had imagined it in my head. Especially because everywhere I looked, I could see my family.
My aunt and godmother gave me the pearl necklace I wore as a wedding gift — a gift I will treasure my entire life.
The speeches given by our family and friends were touching, thoughtful, and (of course) made me cry….
…and made me laugh like I never had before.
This photos wins the award for the most attractive wedding photo taken
And Evan and I worked together with our pastor to carefully handcraft the ceremony, which somewhat surprisingly, ended up being my favorite part of the entire wedding. With the exception of the fact that I had both my mother and my father walk me down the aisle, our ceremony was fairly traditional. But each part of it had been put together by Evan and I for a specific reason. With the help of our pastor, it became the most personal, incredible part of the entire day.
So, yes, while some of the details — like the fact that I forgot to give the chef the ribbon for the wedding cake and the succulents we ordered for the topper turned out to be these ugly, weird, alien-looking plants leaving us with a strange, plain looking cake — turned out to be minor things that no one cared about or noticed, others completely made the weekend.
When Evan and I started wedding planning, we only knew two things: 1.) We wanted to get married in Vermont, and 2.) We wanted to have an entire wedding weekend instead of just a few hours; to get married in a place where all our family and friends could come and stay. Seeing our tiny town fill up with the people that we love the most in this world was the best part of the experience for me. I am blessed to not only come from a family who I love very much, but also to be marrying into one who accepted me as their own right from the start.
I have never felt so loved as I did during that weekend. And I’ve been riding in the “bubble of love” ever since.
But that’s the way I believe weddings should be.
Oh and in case you were wondering – I got my wish. My wedding day started out with 4 glorious (slightly hungover) miles as the sun rose. My knee felt amazing, and I didn’t have to walk once. It was the perfect start to the perfect day.
Running ever since has been pretty minimal, but that’s okay. Good things are happening. I’m so excited to see what the future holds.
I was reading this with baited breath, hoping you would mention that you were able to run. You made a beautiful bride Lauren – I’m so glad your wedding day was everything you had hoped it would be! Mazel tov!
Kate (Embarrassment of Riches)´s last post ..Blast from the past
Congratulations! It looks like a beautiful wedding =) enjoy your new name and new husband! I’m so excited for you.
Lizzie´s last post ..Exciting!
Congrats!! The pictures are amazing and the story is so perfect! Enjoy married life – it’s the best!! Your new last name isn’t bad! When I got married, my name changed to DOODY.
I love your dress!
What a beautiful day! Congratulations on your marriage!
Christy´s last post ..Another DC Weekend
What a beautiful wedding! Just beautiful!! I especially love the last pic of the two of you sitting on the steps!
Congratulations, Lauren! You look so beautiful, and I can see the happiness shining on your face. Best wishes for a wonderful life for you and Evan
Such a beautiful day! I do agree it is about the details, but it’s the best parts that you will remember 10, 20, 30+ years later.
Congrats to such a lovely couple! I wish you many, many years of health, love, and happiness.
(And yay! for getting to run on your wedding day!)
Michelle´s last post ..Weekly Menu & Workouts – Birthday Edition
Without meaning to be an internet stalker, I’ve been so excited about seeing these photos. Congratulations to you both – and what a gorgeous wedding!!! You looked wonderful!
And when my mum married my dad, she took on the surname ‘Boast’. I was SO glad to get married!!
I am so happy about your bubble of love. I’m also happy you posted that laughing photo on the Internet. Congratulations to you and that charming husband of yours. So so happy for you both! NYC celebration time, please! You bring the cheese.
Ali´s last post ..New Goal: More Sleep
Congratulations, Lauren!
Evan Thomas´s last post ..Peanut Butter And Barbeque
Congratulations! It looks like you had an amazing and beautiful day! Many many years of health and happiness! I loved all your pics! Post more!
Congratulations! Everything looks beautiful and you look so happy!!
Celia´s last post ..san francisco aftermath
Congratulations Lauren! What a beautiful wedding! Wishing you and your husband healthy and happiness, always!
Bianca @ Confessions of a Chocoholic´s last post ..Red Wine Pasta with Shrimp and Tarragon
congrats lauren! i have been waiting for you to post about the wedding. it sounded amazing…and you’re right, just the way weddings are supposed to be
Yes yes YES!! Everything you say about details being important and your favorite memories because they MEANT something to you- THAT is how a wedding should be! A personal, unique reflection of you and your husband!
It’s what I talk about every single day, and it’s so refreshing to see someone really grasp that! Congratulations! 
Lauren @ Every Last Detail´s last post ..{Tuesday Tips} Six Reasons to Hire a Wedding Planner
Congratulations! Absolutely amazing photos and video. You guys are one of the happiest couples I have ever met. I wish all the best to both of you. So glad to hear you got to run on your wedding day.
Beautiful, just beautiful. I’m so happy for you both, and that it turned out as you’d wished. Congratulations on the start of the next phase of your life together!
Congrats, Lauren!! You are a beautiful, happy bride, and I’m so excited for you and Evan!
And running on your wedding day…glad that knee cooperated.
Susan´s last post ..burlington in a whirlwind
CONGRATULATIONS!!! I absolutely love your wedding dress!
Jocelyn´s last post ..NUUN Giveaway
Congratulations! You look beautiful.
Lee´s last post ..Two
your wedding was absolutely gorgeous!! loved the personal touch-and LOVE the pic of you laughing. looks genuine and happy.
Congratulations!! Your wedding pictures are WONDERFUL! They really seem to capture the moment. I loved seeing all the different emotions jump out in each picture. Also, the setting was breathtaking!! Makes me wish I would have had an outdoor wedding!
Tia @ Arkansas Runner Mom´s last post ..My first brick
congratulations, Lauren!! You looked gorgeous and your wedding looks like it was a fairytale, perfect day. So happy for you!!
Kelly´s last post ..and on to the next
Congrats girl!! What a beautiful day! That top picture made me choke up a little!
TeriLyn [a foodie stays fit]´s last post ..Chocolate Cayenne Protein Snack Bites
Maybe I’m still a little sentimental from the wedding I was in the past weekend, but this brought a few tears to my eyes. It sounds like such a wonderful day and I couldn’t be happier. Congratulations!
Alex´s last post ..A New Chapter
What a beautiful wedding! Your dad is SO talented–really impressed! Congrats on everything!
Congratulations!!
YEAH! Congrats! Such great pictures!
Katie @momslrb´s last post ..Look Before You Leap
Ah Lauren! This recap was so beautiful. It literally gave me goosebumps! You looked absolutely stunning and your wedding sounds like it was a real dream come true! I’m so happy for you and Evan <3
Jen´s last post ..Five
This post is beautiful! I got a little teared up reading it – Congratulations!!!
Oh Lauren, what a breathtaking wedding. Everything looked so perfect and you can see the pure love and happiness in your faces. Congratulations.
Bekah´s last post ..A Pip and Myrrh Adventure: Newport, RI
Youre remembering the awesome important details that made your day so special not dumb things like the color of your flowers not being exactly perfect. Sounds like your day was absolutely fabulous and I’m so happy for you and coach conkey. Ps autocorrect wanted to change conkey to donkey. Haha. Congrats LC! Xo
haha! Thanks so much Lizzy. I knew I could count on you to make me feel better about it…
Congrats Lauren and EC!! (which makes you LC now?!)
Posts like these make me so so excited for my own wedding next year and just so happy for you and the love that you’ve found. You look amazing, even while crying! 
Erin´s last post ..Love List: Summer Edition.
Congratulations on a beautiful wedding and moment you will not forget. Lovely pictures!! Also congrats on the 4 mile run!!
Being a twentysomething, I’ve seen a lot of weddings lately, and I absolutely love that you did as much as you could yourself. Personally, I’ve always thought that it makes way more sense financially, but its amazing that your entire family helped out. A wedding should be more than a marriage of two people, it’s the whole family. What a beautiful celebration. Congrats! Also, how have you been doing getting back into running on those crazy Vermont hills?
Lauren´s last post ..BOGO makes me Happy
Thank you very much Lauren! That means a lot.
I actually haven’t run much in Vermont yet! I haven’t really been home since the wedding (pretty much went straight from my honeymoon to PA to see the family). I’m looking forward to it though. It’ll be a challenge for sure, but hopefully I’ll be in good shape after training on those hills. And at the very least, the views will be pretty!
You’re not kidding. I ran this race last year, and man was I happy I did the marathon relay: http://madmarathon.com/ but it was incredible. I know this year’s is a little soon, but I highly recommend it!
Congrats!!!!! I absolutely LOVE the last photo of the two of you!! We also personalized our ceremony, and you’re right…it really makes the entire event more special when everything happens for a reason. You look so beautiful and I’m glad it was such an amazing day for you!
And PS after almost 2 months of marriage, I still say the wrong last name (it will definitely take time to adjust!)
.
Amanda @ Running On Waffles´s last post ..Marathon Monday: Philly Week 2
I can imagine! It’s tough to take on a new name after 20-some years!!
Your pictures are absolutely beautiful. I love, love, love all of the personalized touches and little details. It sounds like it was an amazing day! I know how much you wish you could just relive it over and over again though
I felt the same way! Congratulations!
Corey´s last post ..2012 Half-Way Goal Check