The club has been closed to the public for a week and magically transformed into an elegant room full of white lights with reams of sheer white fabric that hang from the ceiling beams and large white balloons clustered and weighted in specific areas of the room. We covered all the tables in white linen tablecloths with simple white candles of various heights in the center and there are enormous bouquets of sunflowers interspersed throughout the room which add a pop of color and are also a part of the running private joke between us.
Getting married in a non-religious venue has been a sore spot between my parents and I, but honestly I don’t think any place else could rival the sublime beauty of this space. I think the wedding planner got exactly every detail right. The club looks like an elegant, ethereal, otherworldly place. A space befitting our union.It is non-traditional; it is unique, and it is all us.
The walk down the aisle, which is covered in golden sunflower petals, seems long and awkward as everyone’s eyes in the room are on me. It’s a bit unnerving to see almost everyone you’ve ever known stare at you with generous smiles and shiny eyes. As I continue down the aisle, I hear a few complimentary whispers from the crowd.
“You look beautiful, Elizabeth.”
“That dress is stunning.”
I stop at the front row where Knox is sitting in his baby tuxedo and I give him a quick peck on the lips. For a moment he reaches out his arms for me to pick him up, but then my mom redirects him with his favorite teething toy. Both he and I have come a long way. He’s becoming slightly more independent and I’m allowing him to be.
My father holds me steady as we continue to slowly walk to the front where I am now focused on the only person in the room who matters at this moment.
Roman.
He literally takes my breath away, looking hotter than I’ve ever seen him in his custom-made monochrome black tuxedo with the shirt slightly open and new leather boots on instead of shoes. I love the way his suit contrasts against the ink peeping from under his collar and from under his cuffs. His deep, intense, inky eyes hold mine in place as my father literally hands me over to him.
Is it irreverent to say in the middle of my wedding ceremony that I want to climb this man like a pole?
“Take care of her,” my father says.
“Always,” Roman assures him.
Roman clasps my hand and leans in to whisper in my ear before the officiant has time to start.
“I missed you like crazy.”
“I did too.”
“You look incredible.”
“You look hot.”
He smiles.
“I will make you happy, Duchess.”
I squeeze his hand tighter.
“You already do.”
My friend Zoe is not only a celebrated tattoo artist in the area, but she also is an ordained minister in the state of Pennsylvania (thanks to the Internet) and is officiating our wedding. The plan is that after the ceremony we’ll get wedding ring tattoos inked by her while our guests are at the cocktail hour.
“I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know this couple for a while and I think we can all agree that they are a unique pair,” Zoe begins.
The crowd nods and murmurs in agreement.
“So, I’m sure you’re not surprised that the bride and groom have decided to recite their own vows. Elizabeth, ladies first.”
I was nervous about saying my own words in front of a room full of people, but I knew that it wouldn’t be right to let this day go by without sharing with all the people who care about us why I have chosen to spend the rest of my life with this man.
Roman and I turn toward each other and hold hands. I stare deep into his eyes reminding me we are the only two people in this room, reminding me I have nothing to be frightened of or embarrassed about, and reminding me that with him by my side there is nothing I can’t do.
I gingerly clear my throat.
“Today, I am the most blessed woman in the world. I am marrying my best friend, the father of my child, my protector, and my lover. I promise to take care of the heart you have given to me so willingly. I promise to honor and respect you for the rest of our days. I love you, Roman.”
I cannot see Sloan or Tiny because they are standing behind me, but I can hear Sloan starting to sniffle. She promised me she wouldn’t fall apart today because if she starts the waterworks then I’m bound to lose it.
