Our Wedding

 I initially wrote this in April 2021...

Nicolas and I were married exactly 243 days ago.

I decided it’s about time to write about it in a location other than my journal. I have always loved weddings and enjoyed reading about real weddings on Vogue. There are so many wonderful ways to record the memories, but for the wedding, I am fashioning the writing after the Vogue articles.

Without further ado, here is the wedding chapter of our love story…

Nicolas and I were friends first. After a slightly tumultuous few months of erroneously believing that he was a player, combined with misunderstandings on who asked who out first, we finally started dating over the app Marco Polo.

I had just moved back home from interning in Washington, DC and Nick was still working in event management at the St. Regis, DC. Our very first conversation was about how much I admired Nick’s job, which involved wedding planning. The first text I sent him, I signed with my full name and sent him my wedding vision board. Talk about meant to be!

After a dreamy few months of dating, plus a cross-country road trip, job switch, and move, Nick and I got engaged. We had originally planned to do a ceremony and big dinner party in Maryland a week following a religious sealing in Utah. Nick had a family friend who owned a gorgeous large barn on a sprawling plot of green land near Sugarloaf Mountain. We were planning an outdoor ceremony and then a dance floor and seated dinner inside the barn. On a trip to DC to visit Nick’s family, Nick told me that there was a St. Regis brunch we were invited to. He talked about it for several weeks. On the drive there, his past co-worker called him and informed us that the brunch had been cancelled. I was bummed because I know how much Nick loves being in a hotel, and I had never been inside the St. Regis. I suggested we eat brunch somewhere else, but Nick insisted we go straight to our future wedding venue to check it out. (I should have known something was up the minute Nick rejected food)

When we arrived, there was a car parked out front. I was under the impression that it was a maintenance worker there to fix the barn’s AC unit. I got out of the car and started to say hello to the “maintenance girl.” Then the girl was holding a camera and I was very confused. I looked at Nick right as he opened the barn door and smiled, revealing candles and petals inside. Suddenly everything made sense. I had never been so surprised!

Nick and I had designed the ring together months prior, at a cute little ring shop in Provo, Utah. I had researched different jewelers and liked them the most because of their ethical sourcing, tailoring options, and the fact that there was only one. Nick and I only visited one shop, one time, and found the perfect ring. We tailored it to fit my exact vision: a 2 carat blue moissanite with a single halo of diamonds and an ultra thin 14k gold band. The proposal was the first time I saw the ring in person.

After saying YES, Nick and I had a little photoshoot in the barn, surrounding fields, and a nearby vineyard. I loved that time of just us two, taking in the moment and enjoying the landscape. And now we have all of those moments in beautiful photos to remind us of the exact feeling. Once the photographer was gone, Nick played music from the car and we slow danced in the sunshine and I cried. Listening to This Kiss by Faith Hill and Grow As We Go by Ben Platt will probably make me emotional the rest of my life.

As with all 2020 brides, the pandemic drastically changed our wedding plans. We switched our date from October 2 to August 1, after it was clear that a big DC celebration would not be possible. We chose to have a civil ceremony in my grandparents’ backyard, with a simple dinner in their long driveway, and micro dancefloor on their front patio.

My grandparents’ home is where I was living while Nick and I dated, and during the quarantine we spent a lot of time there. It is basically where we fell in love.

My grandma, who we call Coco, spent all summer planting, watering, landscaping, and beautifying the yard. Everything was in perfect bloom by August 1. I am so grateful for her attention to detail and dedication to making the scene so stunning. It was the best wedding gift.

I was in the middle of graduating, job hunting, and then beginning a brand new dream job during the wedding planning. The wedding dress was one of the first items we checked off the list. I went to The Brides’ Shop in downtown Salt Lake City, the same shop my mother had purchased her gown 25 years before. I was limited to two guests, so my sisters Ruby and Xanthe accompanied me. I tried on a fitted sequin, A-line, satin embroidered, beaded body and flowy skirt, and a 1920s-inspired gown.

I started to fall in love with the 20s-style gown, so I scheduled another appointment for 30 minutes after and called my mom and sister, telling them to hurry down to the Shop.

They arrived and I tried on the dress. Since Nick really wanted to come to the appointment, we compromised on me Facetiming him from the Shop. Let’s just say he did not adore the 20s gown. I showed him a second gown, picked by myself and my younger sister Araceli (whom everyone thinks is older than I due to her height and mature gorgeousness). Nick immediately said “That’s the dress.”

And that was that!

Looking in the mirror wearing that dress, I started crying as I pictured the actual wedding day. It was the dress that I would marry the love of my life in.

My dress was the only one the Shop ordered because the maker stopped producing the dress since the lace was too costly for the retail price. Ironically, it had several elements that were the exact opposite of what I said I wanted. It had cap sleeves, a sweetheart neckline with sheer overlay, Venetian lace throughout, and beaded lines that accentuated my body’s curves. Some of my favorite parts of the dress are the tiny row of buttons down the back, the modest train, and the way it elongated my figure. I am forever grateful for my parents gifting me that beautiful dress. It is timeless.

My good friend Haleigh took a first look video for us at Big Cottonwood Canyon. The leaves were getting ready to change and we shot at dusk. Nick looked amazing in his black suit and I just could not believe I was lucky enough to be his bride. Ruby and my mom, Circe, were there to watch and help carry my train. I made the bouquet myself for that shoot out of grocery store flowers.

The next Saturday was the big day. I woke up feeling peaceful and grateful. We had brunch with Nick’s family at my parents’ home. It was quiet and happy. Nick’s family drove all the way from Maryland in a rented Jeep to be there with us. I was so excited for my family to finally meet his! We missed Nick’s oldest sister, Judith and her family, who weren’t able to come from California.

My dad and I made a quick trip to Smith’s Marketplace to purchase last minute wedding things, like roses and baby’s breath for the table centerpieces and to decorate the classic car that served as a photo opt. The car is an orange BMW convertible that Coco and Bill had shipped to Europe after they eloped to Switzerland. I love Bill and Coco’s love story and their novel-worthy stories.

I started getting ready as my bridesmaids arrived. The only friends in attendance were in the bridal party. Emily, a longtime friend from childhood ballet classes and musicals was there providing her usual sparkle. Lexie, my talented cousin whom I’ve become really close with in our adult years. Anna and Sarah, my twin friends from 5th grade. My sisters of course - Ruby and Araceli were my maids of honor. Xanthe was my junior maid of honor, and Tizzy was my flower girl. Emily, my Sister-In-Law was so welcoming and kind to me the moment we first met. Now I finally have older sisters! Emily was and is such a wonderful friend and support. Becca and Deseret, eternal friends from my religious service in Hong Kong. Nick’s (and my) friend Lauren painted my nails a pale pink. I did my own hair and makeup, with a little help from Lauren and Lexie. My mom and sisters and I had gotten blowouts at Pink Sky Bar the day before, so I had an easy curling job.

My mom zipped up my dress as my besties looked on. They are the best hype girls ever. I love them so much.

My dad came and saw me as I put my shoes and earrings on. As my something borrowed, I wore Coco’s pearl and crystal drop earrings. My something blue was my exquisite ring, and my something new was my dress. I suppose my something old was my shoes, which I had initially bought for my cousin’s wedding. I wanted to keep my look as simple, and as “me” as possible. My friend from ballet, Bailey, created my bouquet. It was colorful, unique, and vibrant, and everything I wanted it to be. Years prior when she opened her floral business, I told her she had to do my flowers. I was so grateful she did. They were so me!

We created a standing ceremony, with our immediate family and grandparents seated in mismatched black furniture in the front. Ruby played the classical guitar as Tizzy and Tolly walked down the aisle. I waited in the living room with my dad for our turn. I looked at the seating, the stained glass window, and the big fireplace in the living room. Memories of Christmas Eve, with Bill reading Luke 2 entered my mind. I thought of someday holding my own children in that room. I thought of my childhood and all the people that made me who I was. My eyes blurred a little, but I avoided waterworks. My dad had already cried seeing me get ready. I had gotten ready with my friends in the room I had been living in, which was also my mom’s teenage bedroom.

Finally it was time to have my dad walk me down the aisle. The double doors were open and we walked down the two steps and I saw my family and friends beaming. The flowers and greenery were so beautiful. My bridal party were in colorful dresses, and many of our loved ones were already teary-eyed. Nick’s father Francisco married us. Nick and I wrote our own vows. I panicked a little and hoped someone had grabbed our vows! Of course, Nick had them in his jacket pocket. The hours leading up to the wedding, he was delegating and coordinating every last detail. His event management definitely came in handy. He got ready in the library with his mom, and those photos of him are some of my old-time favorites.

I cried A LOT during my vows. Not a surprise to anyone who knows me. Nick shed a tear or two as well. I laughed and cried as he read them to me.

We walked down the aisle onto the front patio where we had a few minutes just us two. The photographer recommended we take a moment right after to enjoy being husband and wife alone. I’m so glad we did! She was in the background documenting it. We just held each other and tried to believe how good life was in that exact minute. Araceli was the first to come in and wish us congratulations.

Then we loaded up a little red wagon with ice and popsicles and went back out to talk with everyone and cool down.

For dinner, we had my very favorite pizza - David’s Pizza in Kaysville. For drinks we had glass bottles of Coke and sparkling water. It was simple and perfect.

Celi started the toasts, and my dad, and Nick’s mom Sara also made a speech. I am so lucky to have them.

The two-tier cake was made by our outrageously talented family friend Ellison. She made a delicious chocolate cake with vanilla frosting, and lemon cake with vanilla frosting on the top tier. Honestly, I still crave that cake. As toppers, another friend Tiffany made handmade peg dolls painted our exact wedding attire. We now have them on our nightstand in our little apartment. When we cut the cake and fed it to each other, Nick accidentally bit my hand. I laughed so hard, even though it slightly hurt.

I danced with my dad to What A Wonderful World, then Nick danced with his mom.

Our first dance was to Grow As We Go. The love I felt for Nick, and gratitude for the day, was overwhelming. We danced to some upbeat Latin music for a while until it was time for the sendoff.

I changed into the cream knit short dress that Coco married when she eloped with Bill. I love that dress and the connection to my family. I wore it as we signed the wedding certificate, with Nick’s dad and my mom witnessing. If I could change one thing about the wedding, it would be to not feel hurried. I think I was thinking about the ending time on the invitation and the hours we paid our photographer. I could have just enjoyed every second and not worried about other people.

We walked outside up the driveway, lined with everyone holding sparklers. We kissed as we approached the car, then I threw my bouquet. It was actually a bouquet I just made, since I wanted to keep my bridal bouquet to press later. Becca caught it — We’re waiting for an announcement anytime Becca!

We got into Nick’s black Honda civic, which Lexie had led the decorating project on and did a wonderful job. We had to stop at the local elementary school parking lot so we could untie the balloons and safely get on the highway to our hotel in Salt Lake City. We spent two amazing days honeymooning in the hotel, then went back to our apartment and began the work week.

243 days later, I still feel like the luckiest person alive. I am deeply in love with Nick. With the way he treats me and makes me feel.  With the way he smiles and laughs. Sometimes even with the way he snores — which is loudly.

He challenges me to be better and sees me how Heavenly Father and our Savior see me. Every day feels like our happily ever after.