A Tiny Wedding with Big Love
When Andras and I bought our tickets to France, reality hit quickly. We had only seven months before departure, and the paperwork alone was daunting. We'd always planned to get married, maybe early in the year or in the spring, but suddenly time wasn't on our side.
I needed to change my name back to my maiden name, update my passport, handle social security paperwork, and navigate all the little administrative tasks that come with a name change. Plus, I wanted my degree to be in my actual name. The timeline was tight.
We looked at each other and decided: we're doing this anyway. Why make it complicated? We didn't want a big production. Since we were already planning a reception and going away party before leaving for France, we could keep the actual ceremony small and meaningful. Just my children, my mom, my best friend, and a few special people we wanted with us for this moment.
Finding the Perfect Dress
I had a blast shopping with Jodi for my dress. I knew I wanted something I could wear again, but I also wanted to feel beautiful in it. We stopped at a couple of stores in Gig Harbor and found plenty of options, but nothing that felt quite right.
Then we went to Macy's in Tacoma. After about 45 minutes of browsing, I wandered over to the clearance rack. That's when I saw it: a light rose gold dress with silver sequins. It practically jumped out at me. I fell in love with it instantly. I tried it on, and it was perfect.
Next came the search for silver shoes, which I finally found at Nordstrom Rack. I'd originally imagined wearing burgundy, so I decided to make rose gold and burgundy my color scheme. Eventually, I found Andras a shirt that coordinated beautifully. Mind you, we pulled all of this together in only a couple of weeks.
The People Who Made It Special
I messaged my dear friend Monique and asked if she would be our ordained minister. She'd married several people I knew, and I couldn't imagine anyone else doing it. She was happy to say yes.
Then I reached out to my longtime friend Carri, an amazing floral designer, and asked her to create a bouquet, a floral crown, and a small boutonnière for Andras. She came through with the most stunning flowers. Not only did she design those beautiful pieces for me, she also created a gorgeous centerpiece and several other arrangements. I'm so grateful for my friends and everything they did to help make this day special.
Monique and I met one weeknight before the wedding to go over what I wanted for the ceremony. She performed it beautifully. Standing there with my sweetheart, telling our family and friends what we meant to one another, I felt so loved.
The Details
I ordered a pink champagne cake for our wedding cake. We prepared charcuterie boards and made egg salad sandwiches on croissants. Much of the food was French-themed, because, well, why not? We all sat around sipping champagne, eating good food, and simply enjoying being together.
We did have one little mishap during the ceremony that still makes me laugh. I'd asked Andras to bring down the paperwork and rings and give them to Monique when she arrived. I was busy getting ready, and Carri was helping with my hair so it would look perfect with the incredible floral crown. Since Monique hadn't arrived yet, Andras left the paperwork and rings on the stairwell landing.
What we didn't realize was that when Monique asked us to exchange rings, he'd never actually given them to her. My son Noah had to run and grab them before Andras could dash off leaving me at the altar, to retrieve them himself. We were all laughing when Andras said he'd go get them. It was such a sweet, perfectly imperfect moment.
Making It Memorable
We'd planned to leave the next day for a short honeymoon, a quiet escape from all the hustle and bustle of home. Amazon got quite a workout with all the decorations and supplies I ordered to make our small wedding memorable: plates, champagne flutes, napkins, silverware, a cake topper, a rose gold tablecloth with a burgundy runner. I was quite pleased with how my little wedding turned out.
All in all, it was a sweet and beautiful day. I missed having my youngest daughter there to celebrate with us, but she promised she'll be here in April for our reception and going away party.
What Matters Most
These are the moments I find most important to share with the people I love. I hope we'll see many of our friends and family again soon as we finish our last six months here in the United States. Our door and home will always be open to friends and family when we arrive in France, and I truly hope many will take us up on that offer.
Sometimes the smallest celebrations hold the biggest meaning. This wasn't a grand wedding, but it was ours, filled with laughter, love, and the people who matter most. And really, that's all we ever wanted.
