A week before the wedding we sat at the kitchen table munching on some doughnuts and talking about the timeline for the big day. Maureen was going through the 'what if's' list as most brides do.
What if it rains, what if the dress doesn't fit, what if the cake doesn't look right...what if the flowers are wrong?
What if it rains, what if the dress doesn't fit, what if the cake doesn't look right...what if the flowers are wrong?
Maureen's Mom, Mary (aka: best friend), said: "When it comes down to the day of your wedding, it doesn't matter if things are not perfect...you have to let it all go and enjoy the day as best you can."
I smiled on the inside knowing that I would have given that advice to my own daughter.
There is certainly no way to change the inevitable, but we do have the ability to change our outlook.
I smiled on the inside knowing that I would have given that advice to my own daughter.
There is certainly no way to change the inevitable, but we do have the ability to change our outlook.
Maureen nodded and took a deep breath to calm her nerves.
***
The day was picturesque.
The weather was beautiful and the sky was bright swirls of blue.
Maureen's Dad joined me in the yard to hang the wedding dress for some detail shots.
We talked about the Rolls Royce they were going to be riding in...antique cars and the first car he ever owned. He put on his derby hat (the very one he wore when he married Mary) and he joined his bride and his little girl to take the formal pictures. He beamed with pride from the house to the church, and they shared glances with one another as he guided her out of the car when they arrived.
The weather was beautiful and the sky was bright swirls of blue.
Maureen's Dad joined me in the yard to hang the wedding dress for some detail shots.
We talked about the Rolls Royce they were going to be riding in...antique cars and the first car he ever owned. He put on his derby hat (the very one he wore when he married Mary) and he joined his bride and his little girl to take the formal pictures. He beamed with pride from the house to the church, and they shared glances with one another as he guided her out of the car when they arrived.
The excitement was almost tangible.
***
I think every parent thinks about what attributes their child will have.
We worry. We hope and we dream for them.
We pray for their health, we pray for their safety, and we pray for them to outgrow certain haircuts.
There is one characteristic though that I think we all wish to instill in our children.
Resilience.
The ability to bounce back. To adapt to situations. To overcome adversity.
We don't know how one will react until faced with unimaginable circumstances,
but we pray they find the strength.
If this day had one theme in particular, it was just that.
We pray for their health, we pray for their safety, and we pray for them to outgrow certain haircuts.
There is one characteristic though that I think we all wish to instill in our children.
Resilience.
The ability to bounce back. To adapt to situations. To overcome adversity.
We don't know how one will react until faced with unimaginable circumstances,
but we pray they find the strength.
If this day had one theme in particular, it was just that.
***
The mass was coming to a close when I was tapped on the shoulder and asked to step into the lobby. Something was amiss.
Maureen's father had suffered a heart attack in the lobby of the church 3/4's through the ceremony.
I remember trying to steady my shaking legs.
It was a blow that was utterly gut wrenching.
I remember trying to steady my shaking legs.
It was a blow that was utterly gut wrenching.
The day had the opportunity to fall apart from that moment on.
Family, friends, doctors, EMT's, and strangers would not let that happen though.
In between the church and the reception, Maureen and Matt stopped by the hospital to get a full report.
In between the church and the reception, Maureen and Matt stopped by the hospital to get a full report.
With her mother's persuasion and insistence, Maureen and Matt headed to the venue (albeit with heavy hearts) to greet their guests with all the grace and dignity one could muster.
***
***
We marry not just to love, but to share moments and experiences.
To grow from each other, and to help pull each other through the rough times we are sometimes dealt with.
We are stronger and more resilient not only because of what we have learned from our parents,
but also because of our other half.
but also because of our other half.
A white picket fence...
and all that it symbolizes.
It's all in the details...
Mirror, mirror on the wall...
There's one in every group! ; )
Lovely...
Just smashing!!
Their first look...
Husband and Wife
1968 Phantom Rolls Royce
Oh...and Matt and Maureen I think are in the picture too ; )
Triple 'R's in this case...
The Bayview House is part of 'Captain Bill's'.
Doesn't a 'Rolls' make everything look dreamy?
It brings glamour back I think.
It brings glamour back I think.
The beautiful thing about the Bayhouse is the large windows that flank each side of the spacious room.
I love the light and airy feel they give.
Not only that, but there is a huge outdoor covered deck over looking the water.
It's a gorgeous way to enjoy some cocktails.
I love the light and airy feel they give.
Not only that, but there is a huge outdoor covered deck over looking the water.
It's a gorgeous way to enjoy some cocktails.
So...I added a few more detail shots then other wedding blog posts, because I wanted Maureen's
Mom and Dad to experience even the small parts of the reception.
I love how the cake topper was personalized.
Maureen's Aunt Kathy put together the lovely seating cards.
They came out stunning.
Just look at that handwriting.
Perfection!
Mmmmmm...
The turquoise theme was tied in so nicely to all of the details...
Their envelope holder will also serve now as their mailbox.
Gotta love that!
even the shoes...incorporated the something 'blue'.
Hey! There's that bird again from Jill and Cam's beach session ; )
The first dance...
The ebb and the flow...
there were of coarse moments of reflection, mixed with moments of pure happiness.
Ice cream has a way of bringing out the kid in all of us.
Something a bit sweeter than the ice cream...
I love a good nuzzle...
am I the only one who uses that word?
That's just a fabulous word...c'mon!
Moments in between...are my favorite.
Mr. and Mrs. Makowski,
You did a fabulous job with helping Maureen put together all of the details of her day.
A wedding is not just the day of...but the days leading up to.
It's something I talk about often on this blog.
The anticipation. The excitement. The planning.
The moments that were created while putting together the details.
Seeing your daughter try on her wedding gown, picking the venue, choosing the band,
picking out the linens, and even the late night conversations about what filling would be best for the cake.
While that may all sound trivial to some, it's all about the journey as trite as that may sound.
Just like a wedding is not really about the day itself but the marriage commitment.
The wedding day goes by in the blink of an eye.
The marriage is what lasts a lifetime.
While we missed you both terribly at the reception...you were indeed there in every detail.
Mostly though in Maureen's spirit and her amazing disposition and grace.
***
I usually end my blog posts with a thank you, but this time there are way too many people to thank.
My heart is overflowing with gratitude for the many people who held the day together.
I do also want to mention that before posting this blog - Maureen and I spoke about what we thought would be appropriate to post. We agreed the situation would have been impossible to ignore.
While it was traumatic...it does not define or sum up the day.
The day was filled with so much love, support and the most amazing people one could ever imagine.
We celebrated the beginning of your story. As did your Mom and Dad, Maureen.
A story though has many chapters.
And I believe the best is yet to come.
My Top Five
Favorite Part: When Maureen danced the Irish Jig.
Okay...I know I'm not a videographer and this is just a silly, quick, not in focus capture...but I thought Mr. and Mrs. Makowski would enjoy it just the same.
Sometimes it's not about a perfect picture, but the perfect moment.
Coolest: Would have to be the Rolls Royce. Well, the ice cream bar was pretty darn neat too.
Sentimental: When the band played their song 'Grow Old Along With Me'...
you could have heard a pin drop.
Unique: It would have to be the grooms cake.
It was a hunting cake that read 'This buck, found his doe'.
Funniest: When the ring bearer was being thrown in the air (like waaay high in the air) and the Dad yelled...'hey...that's my kid'.
Wait...is that only funny to me? ; )
***
Much love and happiness Matt and Maureen...
your story has only just begun.
P.S
Mr. Makowski is in stable condition and we are praying fervently for a quick recovery.
Just today we received a very happy prognosis.
It goes without saying we have much to be thankful for.
A wedding is not just the day of...but the days leading up to.
It's something I talk about often on this blog.
The anticipation. The excitement. The planning.
The moments that were created while putting together the details.
Seeing your daughter try on her wedding gown, picking the venue, choosing the band,
picking out the linens, and even the late night conversations about what filling would be best for the cake.
While that may all sound trivial to some, it's all about the journey as trite as that may sound.
Just like a wedding is not really about the day itself but the marriage commitment.
The wedding day goes by in the blink of an eye.
The marriage is what lasts a lifetime.
While we missed you both terribly at the reception...you were indeed there in every detail.
Mostly though in Maureen's spirit and her amazing disposition and grace.
***
I usually end my blog posts with a thank you, but this time there are way too many people to thank.
My heart is overflowing with gratitude for the many people who held the day together.
I do also want to mention that before posting this blog - Maureen and I spoke about what we thought would be appropriate to post. We agreed the situation would have been impossible to ignore.
While it was traumatic...it does not define or sum up the day.
The day was filled with so much love, support and the most amazing people one could ever imagine.
We celebrated the beginning of your story. As did your Mom and Dad, Maureen.
A story though has many chapters.
And I believe the best is yet to come.
My Top Five
Favorite Part: When Maureen danced the Irish Jig.
Okay...I know I'm not a videographer and this is just a silly, quick, not in focus capture...but I thought Mr. and Mrs. Makowski would enjoy it just the same.
Sometimes it's not about a perfect picture, but the perfect moment.
Coolest: Would have to be the Rolls Royce. Well, the ice cream bar was pretty darn neat too.
Sentimental: When the band played their song 'Grow Old Along With Me'...
you could have heard a pin drop.
Unique: It would have to be the grooms cake.
It was a hunting cake that read 'This buck, found his doe'.
Funniest: When the ring bearer was being thrown in the air (like waaay high in the air) and the Dad yelled...'hey...that's my kid'.
Wait...is that only funny to me? ; )
***
Much love and happiness Matt and Maureen...
your story has only just begun.
P.S
Mr. Makowski is in stable condition and we are praying fervently for a quick recovery.
Just today we received a very happy prognosis.
It goes without saying we have much to be thankful for.
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9 comments:
Your pictures are beautiful, Matt and Maureen! So glad you're Dad is doing well! Great job again, Stacey!!!
Love the pictures. Maureen, you look beautiful in them and Matt very handsome, as always. I'm glad your dad is doing much better - at least these pictures capture the great moments you had that day!! Love you guys!
I of course cried when I read this and saw the photos of my Dad and I but he's doing well and you're right the event did not sum up the day...LOVE summed up the day...LOVE of the friends who saved my Dad's life...LOVE of the people who made the wedding spectacular anyway and LOVE of my groom and husband and best friend Matt who held the day together and made it spectacular for me anyway! LOVE. Thanks Stacey as always brilliant work!
Love,
Maureen
Stacey, you did such an outstanding job on this blog! I am so impressed and delighted that Maureen and Matt were blessed with such an extraordinary photographer! August 13, 2011 was truly a "Power of Love" day that you captured so beautifully. Thank you.
Kathy Murphy
Oh my, these pictures could not be more beautiful and the story more touching.
I just love coming to your blog.
You inspire me each time!
So glad there was a happy ending indeed.
Blessings♥
Stacey,
How can I thank you for your beautiful work -- you captured the love between Maureen and Matt and all the love that surrounded our family on a very special wedding day!
Thank you for the beautiful photos that Dan and I will tresure always,
Love,
Mary Makowski
Matt and Maureen- you both looked stunning and so happy! Beautiful pictures! Stacey- your work is truly amazing and the way you tell the story is priceless!
Beth Scheibe
Thank you everyone for taking a minute to write. It was nice to hear your sentiments about the day.
I'm thrilled to hear Mr. Makowski is resting now at home. What a huge relief.
Who knew a new beginning could already have a happy ending already?! ; )
Would you believe I was married at Captain Bill's 9 years ago and also had to be rushed to the hospital. Missed most of my wedding reception, but thankfully everything turned out fine. Beautiful pictures. Happy to hear the father of the bride is doing well.
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