What I Love Most About Weddings

I have ALWAYS loved weddings.

When I look back at the weddings I have been in or went to — all I can think of is how beautiful it was that all these people came together to celebrate two people vowing their love to each other forever. It might sound a bit weird that the weddings I have been to are some of the happiest moments in my life, but I am going to try and explain to you why.

At every single wedding I have attended, they have been undoubtedly the most positive, energizing, and fun atmospheres I have ever been in. The laughter, the crying, the smiling, and the love that fills the air at weddings makes me feel so whole, belonged, and grateful. When I see the couple lock eyes with each other the first time that day… I get shivers. Knowing that everyone at the wedding is there for the same reason — to watch someone they love get married — gives me a feeling of awe.

The atmosphere is why I love weddings. 

I was so honoured to be able to stand by one of my best friends weddings this weekend.

I’ve known Carley for about 27 years. She is my very first best friend. She isn’t just my first best friend — she was also the first friend that I would call to go a family gathering with me because I didn’t have siblings and she was like a sister to me. She is the first friend that went with me to get my first tattoo. She’s the first friend I would call to watch go see a scary movie with me. She is the first friend I talked about dream weddings with when we were teenagers. She is the first friend I’ve been a bridesmaid for, and now, the first friend that I’ve been able to witness marry their best friend, too.

Everything about this day was beautiful. I have been looking at pictures at random times during the day and smiling. The wedding is the only thing filling my mind right now so that’s why I am going to write some thoughts I’ve had while going through the pictures.

First: your tribe is your everything

The energy Carley’s wedding party had was like goosebump and hair standing up on your arms kind of energy. The positivity that these girls had all day to make sure Carley had a smile on her face (even behind the happy tears) was the most beautiful and selfless thing I’ve ever experienced. I think back to every single one of the ladies that not only helped make Carley’s wedding day so special — but also are the most amazing influences someone could have in their lives. There wasn’t one time I didn’t feel accepted for who I truly was around this group of people. Carley’s tribe (her husband, her friends, her family) reflects the happiness behind Carley’s eyes that I haven’t seen in the 26/27 years I have known her. By surrounding herself by such beautiful humans I have seen so much growth that inspires me to surround myself, too, with people that make me feel good. I believe that your tribe is your everything, so why not make it people that make me want to be a better human?

Second:I am so grateful

Being able to see my first best friend get married seems so surreal to me still (I can’t imagine how she is feeling). I think about how beyond grateful I am to have a friendship like mine and Carley’s. The thing I really appreciate about our friendship is that we can talk once every couple of months and still feel like we talk every day when we meet up again. We both accept each others love for wanting to be home with our loved ones more often than not. We know that the time in between us talking doesn’t make our friendship not real. What makes our friendship so real, and special to me is because we both accept each other as we both continue on our personal growth journeys. No matter what happens in either of our lives we know that we are both there for each other without judgement. We both support the roads we decide to go down and are there for each other if the road gets bumpy or if we make a wrong turn. I am so fortunate to have a friend like Carley. I am grateful that she asked me to stand beside her to support her marrying her best friend. These past couple days after the wedding have made me really realize how grateful I am for this experience, this friendship, and this lady.

Third: I am growing

With being surrounded by such positive folks all day, I was able to really be true to myself. I can remember the last 4 weddings I went to. I didn’t get off the dance floor all night long this past weekend. The other weddings I have gone to I would dance for a couple songs and then sit down because I felt embarrassed. I was worried people were going to judge me. At Carley’s wedding I didn’t care if I got judged. I was so in the moment with the wedding party. I was so in tuned with the positive energy that was filling the room. I was way too busy soaking up this special day that I didn’t care if I did get judged. It didn’t even cross my mind. I didn’t talk negative to myself at all about my made up dance moves and screaming the wrong lyrics. I just enjoyed myself and took in every single minute that I could on this beautiful day. It is so cool to see my growth showing in different parts of my life. I’m really proud of myself. 

Overall, these past few days have taught me so much. I’ve learned that there are people out there that will accept me for who I am. I’ve also learned that if I choose to surround myself with people that do accept me, I get to show my authentic self and accept their authenticity back. I’ve learned that showing a little bit of empathy and being selfless brings me the most amount of joy in my day. I’ve learned that I really enjoy feeling comfortable in my skin and not being scared to be my true self. 

I am so thankful for my first best friend, and her now husband. I’m grateful that I have their resiliency and authentic love for each other to look up to. I can’t wait to watch my best friend grow for another 27 years, only this time with her husband by her side. 

Cheers,

K

Also attaching some pictures me and the girls took during the day that I can’t stop looking at!