It’s a great way to end the night and relax before what I’m sure will be a crazy day tomorrow. I’m thrilled to start this new chapter in my life.
* * *
Today is December twenty-eighth.It was my grandparents’ wedding anniversary, and now, it will be the day I celebrate a new start to my life and marry the men of my dreams. Maw-Maw bursts into the room first thing in the morning, kicking all the guys other than Callum out. He was allowed to stay long enough to give me an IV and some anti-nausea medication to hopefully ward off the morning sickness. He shows her how to remove it before he’s rushed off to eat breakfast.
I’m then ushered to her wing of the house where Chris and Nathan are waiting with my breakfast. We decided to let the kids sleep for as long as possible since they won’t take long to get ready, and we don’t want them to be whiny and tired.
By the time I finish eating, the hair stylist and make-up artist are walking in. It’s a forty-five minute drive to where the wedding is, although my grandmother still hasn’t told me where it’s being held. She was kind enough to let me know how far away we would be going, so I wouldn’t get anxious during the drive. I’m excited to see what she came up with.
Chris is standing next to me, holding my tumbler of sweet tea for me to get a sip. “You are going to look so beautiful. I’m so freaking happy for you. In the short amount of time I’ve known you, I’ve seen you open up. You are an amazing mother, a freaking bomb ass teacher, and you will be a wonderful wife. I’m so grateful to get to be on the journey with you.”
I dab at my eyes, trying not to mess up the makeup that they had just started. “I’m so very thankful for you and Nathan coming into my life. I never really had friends before, but y’all have shown me true friendship, and I’m so excited for you to be on this journey as well.”
He leans over and gently kisses my cheek. “Now let’s stop with the mushy stuff so we don’t ruin your make-up before it’s even finished.”
Nathan pulls his husband down beside him. “Yes, dear, let’s not make the pregnant bride cry. Isla, has your grandmother told you anything about your wedding?”
“Ugh, no. She has asked me questions for small details, but I don’t even know where it is. I gave her my pinterest dream board and told her to have at it, which honestly is the best decision I made. I absolutelyhatedplanning my first wedding. Most of that was due to my insane controlling mother-in-law, though. She made it miserable, so it’s been great not having to worry about everything." Both of them give me a sympathetic look.
They know all about the crazy Stefanie bullshit, and I’m thrilled about the fact I don’t have a monster-in-law this time.
Isla
Once my hair and make-up are finished, I get Vivian dressed while Maw-Maw gets her hair and make-up done, then the guys help me into my dress, and I’m absolutely blown away when I look in the mirror.
“Oh my, Isla Claire, you look absolutely stunning. I can't believe you’re the same itty bitty, six pound, black haired, baby girl I watched being born all those years ago. I’m so proud of the woman and mother you’ve grown up to be. I love you so much. Of course, I wish your parents could have been around to raise you and your sister, but I’m thankful I was given the opportunity to be in your life.” She pulls me into a hug, and we are both fighting back tears.
She takes a step back, and I get a really good look at myself, and I’m honestly speechless. My hair is curled and pulled back in a viking inspired style, the sides are braided out of my face and there is an intricate braid going into the ponytail. She added dark green and orange flowers. My make-up is full face but elegantly done so you can’t tell other than the eyes, where she has done a smoky eye with the same colors of the flowers. It really makes my eyes pop.
My tattoos look amazing in contrast to my black dress. I was not even going to try to wear heels, so I’m wearing forest green high tops instead. What really gets me is how much different I look, stronger, fuller. My skin is clear, my hair is shiny and thicker, and I don’t think I’ve ever looked so healthy.
At three o’clock on the dot, we are herded into a limo. Chris and Nathan are wearing forest green tuxes, burnt orange vests with black bow ties, and burnt orange high tops. My grandmother’s dress is maroon and looks stunning on her; it’s a long sleeve, floor length, silk dress, and it’s modestly cut in the front and gathers right under the bodice with a beautiful gold accent. Vivian’s dress is the mini version of my dress, and it looks so adorable on her.
After a very antsy forty-five minute drive, we pull up to a heavily wooded area; there are a ton of cars parked along the gravel road, and I can barely see the top of a building off in the distance. I glance over at my grandmother. “I hope we didn’t all get dressed up for you to try and off us in the woods.”
“Isla, hush and get out.” She rolls her eyes and opens the door, stepping out of the limo. The guys follow and help Vivian out of the back. Chris holds his hand out to help me out.
“Are you ready, darling?” Maw-Maw asks as she fixes everyone's clothes.
The wedding planner walks out of a trail head I didn’t see until now. “Hey, there! You are absolutely stunning!” she gushes.
“Ida, these are my bridesmen, Chris and Nathan. Guys, this is my wonderful wedding planner, Ida.” They all shake hands. Ida reminds me of a young Betty White; she has the funniest personality and has been great to work with.
“Okay, peeps, this is the plan. Guys, y’all will escort Emma down the aisle, then go stand in y’all’s spots. Vivian, sweetie, here is your basket; you’ll walk in front of mommy and toss the wildflowers out when I tell you to go, okay? Isla, here is your bouquet. When you hear the start of ‘I’ll follow you into the dark,’ you’ll head down the aisle. That sound good to everyone?” We all nod our heads, and she gets everyone in position.
I can’t see the end from the start of the trail, but the photographer and videographer have been following me around so I won’t be alone. I can hear talking, so I know there are people around.
Chris, Nathan, and Maw-Maw start down the path. About two minutes later, Ida ushers Vivian down and walks parallel to her to make sure she makes it to the end. My hands are getting sweaty, and I’m suddenly nervous. I’m trying not to mess up my beautiful bouquet. It’s an assortment of black, maroon, forest green, and orange flowers, wrapped in tan lace.
I hear the music start up, take a deep breath, and walk towards my future. The pathway is lined with black cloth that the flowers pop against and there are medieval looking lanterns lining the side with battery operated tea lights. There are also fairy lights strung up in the trees. It looks perfect and I’m blown away.
When I round a small curve, I’m rendered speechless. There is a circular wooden arch that has black, cream, and maroon flowers, resting on either side diagonally from each other with a black drape filling in the space.
Lanterns and candles are spread out in the whole area, lighting it up. It may only be four-thirty in the afternoon, but the sun sets in an hour, so the lowering of the sun in the sky and the contrast of the lights has everything glowing beautifully. There are around forty white fold up chairs draped in either black or maroon blankets that the guests seem to be enjoying.
Thankfully, it got up to fifty degrees today, so it’s not unbearably chilly to me right now.
The trees seem to bend in just the right way to make it look like I’m walking down a tunnel, and there are string lights hanging down. It looks like my dream gothic fairy tale.
