Andie took a few minutes out of her day to fill out my post wedding survey. I always love reading these from my clients. I also love this photo of them below. It so captures the absolute happiness that a couple feels when they walk down the aisle as husband and wife!
Q. What was the best part of your wedding day?
A. I’m from the east coast and my husband is from Australia. 90% of the people who attended our wedding were from out of town. It meant so much to us to have everyone we loved travel so far to celebrate with us. And we loved that we only had 100 people, so we were able to spend time and visit with everyone.
The day was just perfect in every way!
Q. What do you feel was totally unnecessary?
A. Nothing
Q. What would you change, if anything?
A. I wish I had taken the time to walk over to the venue before the ceremony so I could see everything set up. I just knew we were running short on time and guests were beginning to arrive. That and my feet hurt and I just wanted to sit down for 10 minutes! But I know there were so many details I missed seeing. But thank goodness I have such amazing photographers because I feel confident they were able to capture everything.
Q. What was unexpected that you loved?
A. The last song of the night. My husband is Australian, so we chose “Down Under” as our last song. Never in a million years could I have anticipated what happened. It started small with Doug and me and a few of his aussie friends in a small circle, then more and more people joined until EVERYONE was on the dance floor spinning around in a circle with Doug and me in the center. The energy was like nothing I’d ever experienced before. I loved having this memory with us on our Italian honeymoon…we even had the song stuck in our heads for 2 weeks!!
Q. What are your fondest memories of your wedding day?
A. I’m not sure I could only list one thing. Whenever I think back on the day, there are a few things that always jump out at me – in addition, of course, to the unexpected Australian anthem I mentioned above!
The first thing has to be our first look. I knew the photographers were there snapping pictures of us, but I didn’t even notice. I was just focused on my husband to be’s face and the big crocodile tears in the corner of his eye!
The second thing would have to be walking into the ceremony site. I’d seen it so many times before but the way the light was filtering through the trees coupled with everyone I loved all in one place, it was magical.
The third was singing happy birthday to my dear friend who shared her birthday with our wedding night. We lit candles and brought her a cupcake – she was so touched.
And last but not least, our venue has a duck pond. In preparation, we brought stale bread to feed the ducks after the ceremony as a photo op. My husband went to rouse them up and they came BOLTING after him! We were hysterical and the pictures are priceless!
Q. Is there anything you wish you had spent more time or money on?
A. Nothing
Q. Is there anything you wish you had spent less time or money on?
A. Nothing
Q. Were there any unexpected surprises or issues?
A. We had a flower girl and a “junior bridesmaid” – the flower girl was only barely 3 and her mother was a bridesmaid. When the processional started, she didn’t want her mom to leave her and got really upset, so we had to pull her out of the ceremony at the last minute – but the 8 year old junior bridesmaid was able to handle the job by herself ;)
Q. What's your number #1 tip for future engaged couples?
A. Make the day your own. Even if you’re not a do it yourself kind of bride, at least help make the creative decisions. The day really felt like ours and I took pride in all the things I contributed.
Also, don’t sweat the small stuff. I was worried I would, but letting things go and not having to “handle” everything myself really made my day that much more enjoyable. But I’m not sure that would have been possible without Amber ;)
Q. How did you feel after the wedding?
A. Exactly the same! Except with an even deeper feeling of love for my new husband. We’ve been together for 4 ½ years, and living together for most of that time, so not that much really changed for us – which I’m happy about! We’re still the same people, after all, but now I get to call him “husband” !
