It wasn’t how she planned it. The weather was supposed to be bright, sunny & inviting. She was supposed to feel the flood of warmth on her back as she walked down the aisle, see the trees dancing in the summer breeze. His eyes were supposed to reflect the blue cloudless sky as she met his gaze. A gaze that would be held for the moments to come. This is what she had had in mind. This is what their day should look like. She had knit every detail, woven every strand together to create the image of a perfect wedding. Rain was not included, and it was certainly not on the invite list. And yet, it seemed it would make an appearance anyway.

The morning of her long-awaited wedding: the skies were gray. She had prayed and prayed for rain to stay at home. She couldn’t bear the thought of her beautiful outdoor wedding getting drenched on; not today. Any day but today. As she stepped into her gown, slipped on her suede pumps and straightened her veil, she drew a deep, desperate breath and headed off to meet her forever.

As she made her way down that grassy aisle, not one rain drop fell. The uninvited guest was nowhere to be seen. She smiled, as if to thank the clouds for containing their friend. There was no golden warmth on her back, no dancing trees and no sun. But there were his eyes. They did not reflect the cloudless sky: they reflected something much more beautiful. As she met his gaze she could see an eternity. She could see the love, the care and the friendship they had built over the years. She could see a collection of moments that brought them to this one. And there, gazes locked, she saw a home. One she would return to over & over again.

The rain did fall, as the forecast said it would. But not before they exchanged their vows, said their “I do’s” and locked lips for the first time as husband and wife. She smiled, for their love and resilience was worth far more than any perfect summer day. Besides, the rain brought with it renewal and rebirth. A celebration of their new way of life as One.

Makeup Artist: Looks by China
Hairstylist: Nicole Adams at Genevieve a Salon and Boutique 
Florist: Confetti 
Cake: Wildflour Confections 
Cupcakes: NoRA Cupcake Company 
Venue: Barns at Wesleyan Hills 
Photographer: Alicia Ann Photographers
Photo Booth: Music in Motion