The Big Day Your Way: Four Real Wedding Stories

"Meet me in the altar in your white dress 
We ain't getting no younger, we might as well do it 
Been feeling all the while girl I must confess 
Girl let's just get married" - Jagged Edge

If there is one thing I love more than seeing captures from someone's wedding it's hearing the story behind the big day. The Good. The Bad. The Chaos. The Calm. As many of you may know I'm quickly counting down the days from Miss to Mrs and I find comfort in hearing others stories. Being able to hear first hand from other Brides makes this crazy road down the aisle seem not so crazy. I've collaborated with a few of my favorite mommas from Instagram to bring you all the tales of their Big Day and how they did it their way. 

MEET MRS. WILKINSON

My husband and I are high school sweethearts, we were together for 11 years before we got married. I always envision we would have a big fairytale wedding; so once we were engaged I immediately started planning the wedding of our dreams. Now one thing they don’t tell little girls is that your “dream wedding” is expensive! Really expensive! Especially in New York City where we’re both originally from. After pricing out the biggest cost such as the venue, food and drinks I knew we wouldn’t be able to afford our dream wedding. I wasn’t completely opposed to a small wedding. I actually preferred it but even a small wedding would cost well over ten thousand dollars. We decided that even that was too expensive. After much consideration we decided to elope was the best decision for us. Eloping can be a bit controversial with friends and family but we did what we felt was best for us, and you know what? It was the best decision ever! Not only did we save a ton of money but we also had a relaxed, stress-free day. We only worried about us and what made us happy. What is a wedding day about after all? We went to the courthouse with a photographer (who happened to be a close friend) we had a spectacular dinner at a fancy restaurant, we even cut small wedding cake that I ordered from a local bakery. All and all I am so pleased when I look back at our special

day it was perfect for us and I wouldn’t change a thing. 

Concepcion is a mom to one precious little girl and a very talented cookie designer you can find her on Instagram @ one_fancy_cookie

MEET MRS. THOMPSON

I'm a southern momma from North Carolina, my husband and I got married Nov 5, 2016, at a rustic barn in my hometown. The theme was rustic plaid and my bridesmaids and I made my decorations as well as decorated the barn the day before after the rehearsal dinner. We went against our families wishes and decided to have a first look and I'm so glad we did! it was an amazing and intimate moment between him and me with no one around but the photographer. We also decided to do a tree planting ceremony where we got soil from his side of the family and my side and replanted a tree to symbolize two families coming together into one and it became our Family Tree. Not everything went as planned but it was perfect, went by too fast but we loved our day and had a blast!

Telisha is a mother of two sets of twins, be on the lookout for her blog coming soon... you can follow her on Instagram @ doublethedoubles

MEET MR. WALLS

"A soulmate is someone who has locks that fit our keys, and keys to fit our locks. When we feel safe enough to open the locks, our truest selves step out and we can be completely and honestly who we are". To some, the thought of being married may seem scary, or exciting, or just plain crazy, for me it was exciting because I knew who I was marrying, and all I could think about was the wonderful life we would have together. Aiesha and I had been together for a long time, and with our daughter being here, it was only a matter of time before we would decide to totally unify our families through marriage. It was a small, private ceremony, and although I always expected to have a big huge event for my Wedding day, I came to the realization that's it not about the size of the guest list that makes it special, it's the size of the commitment you have in your heart to share your life with your special partner to make your lives greater. To this day that sentiment still holds true, but I may have a few tricks up my sleeve in the future when we renew our vows.

Aiesha is a soon to be mother of three, photographer, and fellow mom blogger. You learn more about her and her growing family on Instagram @ these.4walls or the blog @ these4wallsblog 

MEET MRS. AGER

 

My husband and I met when we were 17 years old. We got engaged a few weeks before our high school graduation. He had sworn into the Army a few months before graduating high school, so in June 2012, he went off to basic training. I enrolled in college and patiently waited for his return from basic training. While he was away, I began planning our wedding for April of 2013. I bought a dress, booked a venue, and began to pull the wedding together. Then, in September of 2012, our plans hit a wall. My husband found out he was going to be stationed in Hawaii. That meant that he would not be able to come home for the wedding we had planned. So, we brainstormed a bit and decided to cancel the wedding. Instead, I hopped on a plane in January of 2013 to go to Hawaii. We eloped, just the two of us, on Waikiki Beach in Honolulu, Hawaii. He wore a plain white t-shirt and khaki shorts. I wore a $10 sundress with a light blue belt around the waist for my “something blue”. It was sweet, simple, and quick. I was back on a plane the day after we eloped (because with the military, after you get married you have to do a lot of paperwork in order for your spouse to be able to live with you). Part of me wishes we’d gotten to have that big, dream wedding.....but in the end, we have each other, and that is enough. We have been married for almost 6 years now and I couldn’t ask for a better husband. It just goes to show that the extravagance of the wedding isn’t a testament to how long the love will last. Sometimes all you need is each other. 

Ashley is a lifestyle blogger and girl mom strong. If you want to know more about her and her family you can check out her blog mamastateofmind or follow her on Instagram @ mamastateofmind

Thank you to each of these beautiful ladies and you too Erik (lol) for sharing your stories. If there is one thing I've learned throughout this journey its when it comes to the Big Day you have to do it Your Way. While the wedding day is special it's the marriage that is really important. I look forward to being able to share my story with you all soon!