With this ring.

So it's been 3 years, 1 month, and 5 days since Scott and I were wed on the altar of a beautiful New England church.  [I remember being convinced that something catastrophic would happen and we'd never make it to our wedding way.  But, we did]  And I'd have to say that our wedding planning was almost too easy. 
Sometimes I think back and wonder, how was it all such a piece of cake?

Let me start off by saying yes, my parents paid for the entire wedding.  That relieved Scott and I of any financial burden that could have complicated things.  So I recognize how blessed we were in not having to budget or cut corners.  The interesting thing though, is that as much of a textbook "girly girl" I truly am, I never once truly envisioned my wedding prior to the occasion.  As a 5 year old, I never danced around the living room pretending to be a beautiful bride.  I never visualized my wedding cake in all its fifty flavors, nor did I conspire to have white doves in ornate bird cages.  Simply, I knew I wanted to be married in a church wearing a white dress.  That's really as far as I had gotten by the time Scott got on his knee to ask for my hand in marriage. 

And I think the fact that I hadn't put much stock in how it should all look really made for a smooth ride.  Sure, I knew I didn't want my wedding to take place on a muddy soccer field with "all you can eat!" finger foods, but I was pretty flexible outside the nice church and white dress.  Even the "nice church" idea was nonessential, given the right circumstances. 
So ok, I was committed to a white dress. 

Living in Vermont really limited my options as far as dress boutiques, florists, reception locales, etc.  I didn't mind, though.  It actually made the process a whole lot less complicated.  Within an hour's drive, there was really only one all-purpose wedding store, so that's where we committed to.  At this one particular boutique, I ended up finding my wedding dress & veil [on the first day of shopping], our wedding invitations & "thank you" cards, Scott's tuxedo, the bridesmaids' dresses, and the wedding party's tuxes.  That was almost everything we could have needed in one-stop shopping.  We went to one reception locale, which turned out to be great because they also catered and provided an open bar.  We found a talented NYC baker ten minutes south of us who practically paid US for our wedding cake and cupcakes.  My parents chose the three entree choices for the buffet, and it only took two phone calls to find the DJ.  My mom took over the amazing floral arrangements, and made each and every wedding favor by hand.  [Thank you, Mom]

Really, all there was for Scott and I to do was to look forward to a beautiful honeymoon made possible by Scott's parents.  [Thank you, Lisa & Manny]  Oh, and I forgot to mention that when Scott and I viewed the reception hall for the first time, it was already decked out for a wedding taking place that very evening.  I fell in love with the decor and colors [black, white, and red] and simply asked if it could be redone..  

Not my proudest moment, but why reinvent the wheel? 

Looking back, our 6-month engagement was a beautiful time.  I had two amazing bridal showers, and the very engagement ring I had set my heart on.  Not to mention, the man I fawned over for years.  It was such an exciting time, and I never once had a bridezilla moment.  I can't believe how richly God blessed Scott and I in our engagement, and how perfect our wedding day was.  

It saddens me to the deepest part of my heart when people view marriage as antiquated and dispensable.  It's such an incredible time of preparation and newness, and I will do my part to share its importance and uphold the institution of marriage.  

That, and I will continue to watch "Say Yes to the Dress".  Every bride should feel like a princess on her wedding day, and the right dress is partially responsible for that.  Just remember not to break the bank on the dress.  Mine is currently, and has been for the last 3 years, folded away and preserved in a box under our bed. 
Keep that in mind when you want a dress that costs a year's rent.