This blog post is a follow-up to the blog article, Our Pandemic Wedding. The article explained what our plans had been for a wedding in Austin, Texas, and the subsequent planning of an elopement wedding. This article shares the details of our wedding day, which took place on Oct. 10, 2020.

The day of our wedding, Cole and I were home together. My unofficial best gal/ maiden of honor Jan came over just before noon to keep me company and help me get ready to tie the knot. We withdrew into the master bedroom where she pumped delicious smelling essential oils into the air for de-stressing and relaxation. I set about doing my hair and makeup as we talked, laughed and reminisced about all of the events (and misadventures) that led me to the happy day. 

Wedding Day DIY Hair and Makeup

For makeup, I chose natural, peachy tones and used the Urban Decay Naked 3 eyeshadow pallet. For my hair, I dried by hair in sections and immediately set them with large Velcro rollers and let them cool off. Next, I wrapped one-inch sections of hair around the Bed Head Curlipops curling wand for added volume and texture. 

While I was ultimately happy with the results, the only thing I would have loved to have done differently was to have my hair professionally styled. It would have saved a lot of time and effort! 

Whirlwind Wedding Day Details

In the midst of my makeover, our good friend Brian arrived. We always joke that he’s my brother from another mother. Truly, Jan and Brain are my best friends who feel like family. It was extra special to have them both there on my big day.

Not long after Brian arrived, Cole’s parents, my Mom and her husband Sheldon arrived. Everyone chatted while Jan helped me to put the finishing touches on. I stepped into my heels that were completely studded with small rhinestones. Then, Jan pinned a beautiful rhinestone belt at the empire waist of my dress, she helped to adorn my hair with a rhinestone headpiece and zipped me into the lace sheath dress. It was at that very moment, in front of the mirror, that I truly felt like a bride. 

I stepped out into the family room to find my Mom and Cole’s mother wrapping remnant lace from my altered wedding gown around the stems of the most beautiful bouquet I could have imagined, though holding it felt like carrying a giant 10-pound football. My hands could hardly get around it! 

Everyone bustled to get out the door and soon we were on our way toward Mt. Bonnell. It was an unseasonably hot October day, and we arrived to find our friends, family and photographer there waiting for us as we walked up the steps to the landing. We found just the right place on the “mountain” with a perfect view of the Colorado River.

Non-Traditional Wedding Vows

Our officiant, DeAnne, read a beautiful preamble to our vows. Months earlier she had interviewed Cole and I separately about ourselves and our relationship. What she did with the information we shared was perfect. It included quotes from Rumi and Courtney Love. If you know me well, you would say that’s the beginning of a slam dunk. Here is what she said: 

We are all gathered here today to witness the marriage of Cole and Monica. 

Marriage is an Enduring and public statement of our love and commitment. It is the foundation of stability and a touch point to reach out for in the challenging moments that arise in every committed relationship …

One of the things I enjoy most about performing marriage ceremonies is getting to know the couple. In preparation for this day, I asked Cole and Monica a few questions …

I am just getting to know Cole, but I had some time to talk to him over the phone. I asked him when he knew that Monica was “the one”. Cole was quiet for a moment, or two. Then, he said that it wasn’t some grand moment but lots of little moments. It was ordinary moments, standing in line to hear some music, sitting on the porch, running errands, sharing an umbrella in the rain… She made every moment special, better, happier. She took the ordinary and made it extraordinary. That is when he knew. 

I have known Monica for several years, maybe 10 and when I asked her, “When did you know Cole was the one?” She had a lot to say, in case you are wondering what is in the rest of this book I hold here, but don’t worry, I will have edited it down a bit. Monica listed many things, she said that he was honorable, trustworthy, principled, level headed, and humorous, and downright goofy. She described to me the work he does and the intelligence he displays, then the uncontrollable laughter and joy he brings to her life, especially in those downright goofy moments. 

My hope For all of us – as we climbed the 102 stairs to the top of Mt. Bonnell, to meet these two people, Monica and Cole, in the joy of committing to share the climbs and views of life together as one. As you climbed the stairs today, I hope you remembered moments of joy in your own lives. May these moments of happiness shared here on this hill be a sign for many happy moments ahead for us all. 

Hopes for our couple, Monica and Cole:

As the sun met your face at the top and the water and the valley came into view, we were reminded that there is beauty in the highs and the lows of life. Cole and Monica are committing to the journey together to share both. 

Mount Bonnell was named after George Bonnell. George Bonnell referred to this place as a refuge for wildlife and people from the busyness and noise of Austin over 200 years ago. I wonder what he would think of the traffic on Mopac today? Mt. Bonnell is still known for its sheltering habitat of birds like the ones we hear today and other native animals like squirrels, deer, and a rarely seen fox or two. Like the shelter of this special place, may you, Cole and Monica, find shelter together, may you be shelter for each other. 

From this place we can see the 360 or Pennybacker Bridge above the waters of Lake Austin on the Colorado River. Just like this bridge joins the opposite shores of the same body of water, may this bridge be a reminder to you, Cole and Monica, that in marriage you may have different ways of doing, being, feeling, thinking at times. You may even disagree and find yourself on different shores but remember that the love that brought you together today can build any bridge needed and that you can always come back together if your heart is open, even if it takes 102 steps. 

Today we have felt the heat on our faces, watched the clouds drift by, the sun start to set, and heard many birds sing their songs. I urge you, Monica and Cole, that as each bird has its own song, that you support each other’s uniqueness and value and hold space for those aspects of your personality, character, and talent that make you each uniquely you. I also encourage you to own what you are as a couple, grab it, let it be fuel to each other’s dreams and possibilities as a committed couple. May the beauty of this place remind you there is a place for you in this world to freely grow. May the rock that we stand on today remind you that you deserve to be supported in your time of need and times of joy. May you grow together, may you be both a shelter and a daring adventure to each other.

Pandemic Wedding Reception

With the prelude and vows complete, we popped champagne and raised fluted glasses with family and friends. For the reception, we enjoyed a private room at Chez Zee. The restaurant decorated the tables for us with candles and mirrored centerpieces, which was such a nice touch, since I hadn’t requested it. A pianist played on a Baby Grand in the next room and it added to the ambience of the cozy room with twinkle lights. Our guests ordered dinner, drinks and dessert from the full menu and everyone walked away full and happy by the end of the night.

Final Thoughts

Due to the pandemic, our wedding wasn’t what we had originally imagined. It wasn’t as grand or flashy. It didn’t have all of the pomp and circumstance, but neither of us have regrets. It was a beautiful day with friends and family; we enjoyed it so much we chose to not have a bigger event the following year.

You don’t have to spend a fortune to have a beautiful, memorable wedding. If you’re thinking of choosing an elopement over a lavish wedding, it’s a perfect way to focus on what matters most: love shared with your partner, family and friends.

The post Our Pandemic Wedding: Part Two, The Elopement appeared first on A True North Life.