After pressing immigration issues, my husband and I eloped 7 days after we decided to get married (which is the amount of time it takes to get approved for a marriage license in Minnesota). Please don't get me wrong, this is actually a love story!... but after being married before, we both really didn't believe that marriage was a necessity. In my experience, marriage, if it ends, ends up being more of a legal 'circumstance' that unfortunately has nothing to do with love. We didn't intend to invite anyone to the courthouse for the ceremony, but we are so very fortunate for friends that refused to miss the event. A few days later, as word spread, we received many congratulations which were always attached to friend's and family's disappointment for not being there to celebrate with us. With that, I decided to plan a celebration!
Being in the wedding industry, I was about to approach the busy season for work and I realized that I would have to plan a wedding celebration in only 3 weeks. Plus, we married so quickly that we didn't even have time to find wedding rings. Since Tradition was completely out the door already, a vows and ring exchange celebration would be the perfect forum for our multicultural fusion. I focused on a small gathering of friends and family that I could prepare food for, entertain and share in the celebration of love. In absence of my husband's family, I really wanted to make my husband feel welcome into my life and I wanted to prepare the ambiance and a menu that would remind him of home.
I didn't even think twice about the actual undertaking of doing all of this!! To me, it was a labor of love in all aspects. I love making beautiful things...from food to flowers and pretty much everything in between. In a matter of days, I dreamed up a magical plan that, with the help of my mom, included a homemade 5-course Pakistani-American fusion meal for 40 people. Invitations were sent out with a two week notice, henna artist was booked, I found a dress, my mom and I hand sewn a veil with imported trimmings and I arranged details that take most bride's months and months to handle. It was a busy time!
Maybe, I should have started this blog out with a warning, "Attempt at your own risk". I would absolutely NOT recommend this to anyone WITHOUT professional experience. This had definitely brought me to the edge of my abilities, but that is also something that I have professional experience with. We all do in the wedding industry! We often go to the brink of human abilities, WILLINGLY, for the couples that we work with. After all, this is what we do for love.
On that note, Happy Anniversary to my amazing husband! Let's continue to make every day a beautiful adventure!
Photography by Athena Pelton
Floral and Design by Grace Klein
Tables, chairs, pipe and drape, charger plates by Apres Party and Tent Rental
Linens, centerpiece risers, furniture rental, flatware by Linen Effects
Menu Card by Minted
