As we approach the long Valentine’s/President’s Day Weekend, I figured there was no better time than now to commemorate October 19, 2019. A week from tomorrow, Aaron and I will have been married for four months. It has been filled with love, laughs, and perfect happiness.
Let’s start about a month prior — Labor Day Weekend, to be exact. My bridesmaids flew into Miami for our ill-fated bachelorette weekend, as a devastating hurricane stayed flourishing off the coast. Aside from a few bouts of rain (which, truthfully, is par for the course for any day in Florida), everyone enjoyed themselves until the flight home on Sunday, only for the storm to barely impact the city.
Fast-forward to the wedding weekend and, naturally, one of the biggest nor’easters is slated to hit the northeast that weekend. Kick the prayers in motion! Aaron and I touched down on a blustery, cool Wednesday, rendezvousing with my mother to get downtown to sign our marriage license. After a glass (or two… three?) of champagne, Aaron and I parted ways for me to spend time with my mom whilst Aaron went on his bachelor party in Montreal.
Mom and I stayed in Burlington that Wednesday night, but drove out to Waitsfield the next day, surrounded by clouds and rain. Prior to our departure, however, we went to a salon to get our hair and nails done before the big day. My hair looked great, but it stayed concealed in a hood the entire day as a deluge hit the town. Meanwhile, though my manicurist was sweet and great to chat with, the polish she had used was old and had bubbled on each finger within an hour of me leaving the salon. I was disappointed, but figured that if I could find a salon closer to the venue that could fit me in between then and the next day, I would; if not, only *I* would know my nails were less than perfect.
Meanwhile, halfway through my blowout, my friends Mishy and Kylie came to pick me up for a quickie lunch at UVM, our alma mater. I had suggested we go to Brennan’s, the student union diner, for old time’s sake. We grabbed the corner couches and a bag of complimentary popcorn. I promptly dropped the popcorn everywhere, and helplessly turned to my friends (who didn’t hold back their mocking laughter) and said “I can’t wait to graduate.”
Eating a quesadilla and a maple milkshake, with my two closest friends since freshman year at UVM, seven years after meeting on my wedding weekend, was truly a full circle moment. Those would continue throughout the weekend, including a brief stop into the new Hillel building (Jewish student union, for those not in the know) to see how the new space looked and grabbing hugs from the staff (both of whom were elated to see me, which only made it harder to leave).
I bid my friends farewell until the next day as my mom and I headed out of Burlington. Rainy days at UVM are a memory I keep close to my chest. I may have graduated by that point, but I wouldn’t trade those two-ish hours on campus for anything.
The rain kept trickling on and off the rest of the afternoon, as my mom and I dropped off goodie bags for her family and friends at the bed-and-breakfasts along the way. Halfway through the trip, my sister called to say her flight with my brother had been cancelled. My mom quickly finessed them another flight that would stop in New York, so they could get sleep at my grandparents’ house.
Eventually we arrived at The Inn at Round Barn Farm, our home for the next four days. We walked the property with Becky, the incredible wedding coordinator, going over final details. We were shown our rooms; my mom had the suite upstairs while I had the bridal suite on the bottom floor.
Let me be clear: BRIDAL SUITE. TO MYSELF. FOR TWO NIGHTS.
That alone was worth the trip. Huge canopy bed, separate sitting room with a jetted tub and fireplace (my. own. fireplace.), and full ensuite bathroom. Heaven. Heaven. Heaven.
My mom and I wound up driving through the town briefly, stopping at a well-reviewed pizza place for dinner. We shared a charcuterie plate, a pizza, and more champagne (just assume I had champagne on me at almost all times).
We ended up meeting up with my family from Chicago at a nearby restaurant for them to grab a few burgers at last call. I collapsed into bed not long after getting home, I was too sleepy! What a day!
The next morning, we had fresh breakfast and apple cider before I found a nail salon within a twenty minute drive of our venue. My mom and I began the drive, rolling down an interstate highway with brief glimpses of sun, and even a rainbow. A glimmer of hope. At this point, we knew the nor’easter was dissolving and there would be no more flight trouble; all that remained was the question of whether or not it would be too cold and muddy for us to hold the ceremony outside in the trees like I had wanted. Granted, an indoor ceremony would have been beautiful, but not “Vermont in fall, rustic colors and mountains” beautiful. We got to the salon, where I got the quickest and most perfect french manicure. I mean it. It took the manicurist maybe ten minutes to get that done.
I sat down to let them dry and happened to strike up a conversation with the woman next to me. Of all places, she was from Long Island, not far from where my mom grew up, and had retired to Vermont. She had had this beautiful life that was filled with love (naturally, her husband was a doctor– Long Island doctor, like both my parents). She gave me a big hug and congratulated me as my mom and I headed back to the Inn, where my brother and sister had finally arrived and were sleeping after a long, LONG day of traveling.
More and more family arrived as the afternoon went on, and soon it was time for the festivities to officially, unofficially, begin. Aaron and his groomsmen arrived for the rehearsal, as did our rabbi and select family members. Prior to the rehearsal, Aaron and I signed our ketubah, with Kylie and Aaron’s friend Jesse as our witnesses. We both also included our friends Mishy and Travis as witnesses; they both were unofficial members of our wedding party, having been out of the country when the time came to build the wedding party (Mishy in Scotland, Travis in Africa). It was a GREAT way to include them for a day so special to us.
Becky walked us through the rehearsal quickly, and soon it was off to the rehearsal dinner! More charcuterie, champagne, and laughs as both Aaron’s father and mine toasted to our happiness. Aaron’s father gave a loving, “Star Wars” themed speech, and my dad presented us both with coin sets from the year we were born (my dad’s a rare coins guy).
We all drove back to the venue, where Aaron and I quickly practiced our first dance routine one last time before he returned to the groomsmen AirBnB for the weekend. It was the last time I saw him before the altar.
A giggly night with the girls and a night with heightened awareness sleep later, it was the big morning. Another breakfast with the family, and the bridesmaids. It was a cold, sunny morning. If things weren’t too muddy or too cold by noon, we would be able to have the ceremony outdoors. After breakfast, the girls and I all walked the property, taking goofy photos and hugging to keep warm. I was in my burgundy leisure suit (it’s a suit for leisuring) and my big jacket. I must have been quite the sight, but dangit, did I feel happy.
Soon, it was time for us to start getting ready. I managed to only cry once the entire “getting ready” process, when I heard a certain song playing from my playlist (I was also getting eyelashes glued on, which stung).
Everything was slowly beginning to hit me when Becky walked in to give us an update.
“Mallory, I just talked to the team… we’re good for the outdoor ceremony.”
My heart froze. It was happening. I was getting my sun-kissed ceremony.
Listen, make fun of me all you want, but hear me out: I knew I had the perfect husband. No offense to all the other husbands out there, mine is the best. I wanted a perfect wedding to go with my perfect guy. Sunset in Vermont on a cool autumn evening. Imagine.
Photos flashed and hands were fanned to keep mascara from running until it was time. THE time.
I asked my mom, sister, and bridesmaids to leave the room and give me a moment to myself. I listened to “Tiny Dancer” by Elton John, and prayed. I thanked whatever higher power was out there, looking out for me, giving me my health, my family, my friends, that day, that weather, my whole life. Every bad day led to that great one. I was so, so ready.
Becky came to get me. I met my mom by the entrance to the ceremony area. It was our last moment together. I thanked her and told her I loved her. Then Becky signaled us, and the walk began.
My mom walked with me the first half of the aisle, and my father joined for the second half. Both were quietly whispering praises, telling me how beautiful I looked, how proud they were of me. We turned the corner to walk down the aisle and I saw my friends, family… and him. Waiting for me.
The ceremony was twenty minutes of blessings, love, and yeah, there was a Beatles quote thrown in there for good measure. We didn’t write our own vows, but instead chose to repeat the standard blessings and vows about honor, health, and happiness. We sipped wine, smashed a glass, and… okay, Aaron is not the “let’s make out all over the line for It’s a Small World” kind of guy, at all. I’m similar; there is a TIME and PLACE for a big romantic kiss in front of people.
“You may now kiss the bride” is THE time and THE place. Wowwie wowwie wow, still get goosebumps thinking about that kiss.
We spent an hour taking photos, where my feet got so cold from the ground that I couldn’t feel them by the time we got inside the reception venue. We took photos with the cows on the property. Amidst golden trees. Along the verdant farmland as geese flew overhead (I’m not joking. Straight out of “The Notebook,” “if you’re a bird, I’m a bird” kind of moment).
By the time we got to the family portraits, I was ready to just sit and enjoy our catered cocktail hour. Grilled cheese and tomato soup shooters were one of the items awaiting me, as just a tidbit.
One thing I’ll note: all music played at the ceremony was our choice. I created a playlist for the cocktail hour and reception, and they didn’t just take my ideas and work off them, they just straight up used them! During the cocktail hour I heard the soundtrack from “La La Land” and “The Incredibles,” both of which I put on my playlist. I heard those songs and I thought “Aw, they used my whole playlist.” A really sweet touch (and a massive compliment when, towards the end of the night, the DJ said it was the best playlist he’d ever used during a reception and wanted to use it at other weddings in the future. I have impeccable taste, MOM)!
As the reception began, Aaron and I did our first dance to “Happily Ever After,” the song that plays during the fireworks show at Magic Kingdom. We crushed it, thanks to lessons my mom had given us as a gift the year earlier!
My father-daughter dance was set to “Butterfly Fly Away” by Miley and Billy Ray Cyrus. It was a real full circle moment; growing up I always thought Miley Stewart and Robbie Ray Stewart (Miley and her dad’s characters on “Hannah Montana”) were like my dad and I. For a while there, he was my best friend. We had danced to their first duet, “I Learned From You” at my Bat Mitzvah. This was a great nod to that!
Aaron then danced with his mom to “You’ll Be in My Heart” from Tarzan. I bawled the entire time.
By that point it was time for toasts! My aunt Terri and uncle Marc blessed wine and the bread of the table (Aaron and I got a whole loaf of challah to ourselves… a blessing indeed). My sister made a touching speech as my maid of honor, throwing in a few digs about my flights of fancy and joking how she bonded with Aaron while watching “Riverdale”. Aaron’s best man (and oldest friend) Levi gave an equally lovely speech where he revealed that Aaron had a female alter ego named Angela. I don’t know how much of it was shaped by the character from “The Office,” if at all, but think about it: Levi loves “The Office” almost as much as I do, and Aaron is a bit grumpy, very neat, and loves cats. So.
The rest of the night was a blur of dancing, cake, and laughing. Here’s a few things I do remember:
1. I don’t care how many Jewish weddings/Bat Mitzvah parties you’ve been to, the Horah is chaotic and no one knows what’s happening when it happens. Which way do we step? Who’s going up in the chair? What are we doing? It’s insane, in the best sense of the word.
2. To start up the dancing of the night, the DJ played “I’ll Be” by Edwin McCain, during which Aaron and I (and a few other couples) slow danced and I felt at peace with my entire existence.
3. I tossed my bouquet and danced with my girls to “Dancing Queen” by Abba. “Dancing Queen” was my thing before David Dobrik made it a thing, okay? ABBA EXISTED BEFORE VLOGS. MAMMA MIA.
4. Our last song of the night was a cover of “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” by Sleeping at Last. It was perfect, sweet and soft.
5. I made a commitment to Aaron that day… but also my shoes. I didn’t take my shoes off the entire night. I said to my shoes as I put them on “Till home do we part, okay? It’s you and me tonight.” I needed help walking the 500 feet from the venue to the inn, they hurt so much after seven hours. Worth it.
Aaron and I promptly changed and went to the mini-after party in the Inn’s rec room, where the young’ins played pool, ate flatbreads, and drunkenly sang “Total Eclipse of the Heart” with the STRONGEST conviction.
The next day was a calm walk among the clouds. My updo had transformed into the gentlest of curls. My high school friends and bridesmaids all had a touristy afternoon in the mountains, going to the Ben and Jerry’s Factory, the Cabot Cheddar tasting store, and a general store where I was gifted a sign that read “Happy girls are the prettiest.” I must have been the most beautiful girl in the world that weekend (and that’s saying something. My makeup artist was a literal pageant queen).
After my friends dropped us off to head back to reality, Aaron and I ate burritos in our suite, and I enjoyed the hot tub next to a roaring fire. Aaron brought me one of the many desserts in our room. Have you ever been handed chocolate by your soulmate, while sitting in a jacuzzi next to your personal fireplace? Highly recommend it.
The next morning, we woke up at the crack of dawn to catch an Uber back to reality… for six days… before we left for our honeymoon.
To say the weekend was perfect is an understatement. To call a man as smart, compassionate, loving and kind as Aaron my husband, my partner-in-crime for life, is a true blessing. To have had those moments with my friends at UVM, at Ben and Jerrys, “shaking it off” on the dance floor, is a true blessing. I’ve always been able to recognize the little things about life that make it beautiful. This weekend, it really was a combination of the big and little things: Sunshine. Champagne. Friends. Family. Love.
Thank you to everyone who made this weekend so special. Aaron and I will remember it all, forever.
Special thanks to my mom, who planned this like it was an Olympic sport. Par for the course for her, to be honest.
A final thank you, of course, to Aaron. I love you and I like you. Happy Valentine’s Day.
