Embrace the Moment

I had a fantastic groom this year (well, all of you are wonderful, but he really stood out) that taught me an important lesson…embrace the moment.  Now, Lucien was not a “typical” groom.  He was very involved in the wedding (oh, how I wish that this was what a “typical groom” was!) and organized.  He is a man of spread sheets, but also one that enjoys life.  For their engagement session we chatted over the champagne of beers, baby!  This guy is a blast! 

For how much time both he and his fiance put into the wedding, I was preparing myself for the fact I may have to deal with one or both of them stressing out.  How incredibly wrong I was.  Even though the wedding day included two ceremonies and a large reception complete with food stations and dragon dancers, Lucien was all smiles, and cool as a cucumber.  I was intrigued.  I had seen weddings that were much simpler still get a breakdown or two from someone…not this wedding, everyone was happy, joyous, smiling…and then I saw it. 

I saw Lucien, in a room full of people celebrating, hugging, laughing…and he is standing in the corner all alone, just observing.  At first, I thought something was wrong, so I went over to see if he needed something.  “No,” he said, “I’m just remembering this moment”  Throughout the day, I noticed him doing this.  Taking his time to share a drink with his closest friends, saying meaningful toasts, watching his gorgeous wife hug her sister, goofing off with the flower girls, and taking brief pauses throughout the day to just embrace the moment.

Now, how did he do this?  This part is just speculation because I’ve never asked, but I think it is pretty accurate.  I think he is the perfect type A.  He spent a lot of time before the wedding organizing, budgeting, hiring good vendors he could trust.  He knew all his vendors by name, and we had a lot of communication and clarification to make sure we were all on the same page.  He also gave his vendors freedom to do what they do best, the ultimate form of trust.  He knew the colors and basic design his floral designer would use, but certainly not the specific elements (and oh my gosh did Zinnia Design Floral go above and beyond and create gorgeous pieces!)  So he put in the time before hand, and then let go.  Trusted.  Had fun.  Enjoyed his day.  Savored every moment. 

More of us need to do that on the wedding day.  Hire vendors you trust completely, and then sit back and enjoy the day.  If you are the father of the bride, take a moment and watch your daughter.  Watch her smile, laugh, twirl in her dress.  If you are the bride, take a minute to breath, remember what this day is all about, whisper something in your fiance’s ear, write him a note to be delivered as he is getting ready.  Treat this day as the meaningful day it is.  Don’t run around in tears because the centerpieces aren’t perfectly in the middle of the table, or your flower girl isn’t cooperating.  Don’t let your wedding day be a blur in a negative way.  Breath.  Relax.  Savor.  Embrace the Moment.