When I think of my wedding day there are so many amazing memories…..
….but one is my favorite.
I remember sitting on the floor of the kitchen in hot rollers and red lipstick and a monogrammed train….refusing to budge…..
….because I had just read Dear Abbey.
I remember the smell of Christmas trees and the flicker of the candlelight and the smile on my mother’s face and the receiving line and the topiary fruit trees that the caterer made because I had seen them in a movie.
I remember the sailor dress I wore when we left the reception and the car we drove away in decorated courtesy of my brothers…..covered with cans and streamers and shoe polished windows and a sign tied to the back.
All that was amazing.
Truly.
But that wasn’t my favorite part.
Not even close.
I got married in a church with a center aisle covered in a monogrammed white runner. And right at the entrance to the aisle were a set of double doors.
Everyone in the wedding party walked through those doors.
First the flower girls.
Then the bridesmaids.
Then the maid of honor.
One by one they slowly walked down that monogrammed runner.
Until I was alone at the back of the church….
….arm in arm with my father.
After the bridal party entered…..there was a moment of silence as the congregation stood slowly to their feet.
We stood solemnly….my father and I….simply waiting….
….waiting for it all to begin.
And then the organist started playing “Here Comes the Bride” and the double doors opened and 350 people turned to watch me walk down that monogrammed runner.
I hesitated ever so slightly.
You see….I was worried.
Worried that I’d trip.
Worried that my veil was caught on the earring.
Worried that the train would catch on the runner and I’d carry it down the aisle with me.
Hesitation and worry and nerves all wrapped up into a knot…..
…..wearing bright red lipstick and AquaNet.
And when I hesitated…..
…..my father took that first step.
Wearing a black tuxedo with a bow tie and a beaming smile….he held my arm proudly and guided me down the center aisle of that Christmas-tree scented, candle-lit church full of people.
I know it seems like such a small, insignificant thing to remember about a wedding day.
But for me…..it was everything.
And so much more.
Because in that moment…..when I needed him the most….when I faced a monogrammed runner and a center aisle and room full of people and a new life….
….he showed every step of the way. 🙂
PS Here’s an easy gift idea for the bride in your life.
Make a stamped spoon picture holder.
All you need is one of these.
And two of these.
Flatten the spoons and stamp them with your bride and groom’s names.
Here’s a quick tutorial on stamping and other stamped spoon projects.
Then glue the spoons to a picture frame holder from the dollar store with a strong craft adhesive.
You might even frame a copy of the wedding invitation and wrap it up with the picture frame holder.
Perfect gift for happily-ever-afters…..
….and the trip down that monogrammed runner. 🙂
Oh I love this! I want to make something special for my hubby, we don't really have anything from our wedding and this year is our tenth wedding anniversary, I think something like this would be lovely...and besides last time you did a spoon project I went and found some vintage silver plated spoons! :) You write such beautiful stories you really do make them feel like they're my own!
Isn't it amazing all the little things we remember from the biggest events in our lives, only to have it feel so brief.
We will always have a special place in our heart for our daddies. We were so very blessed to have such wonderful men in our lives.
With an "e" or without? Lovely story.
I love your stamped spoon projects and I love your photos but most of all I love your stories. KariAnne, the stories make me laugh, they make me cry, but most of all they make me feel very deep emotions. You are so right about sometimes it's the little things that stick in our minds and not the big overall picture. Those are the precious moments of life. Big hugs to you! Have a marvelous day.
Hi Karianne could you tell me what size stamps you use please, just love your necklaces, thanks so much Amanda
No one can tell a story like you .what a real talent you have. Love the stamped spoon picture holder. Thanks for always giving us great projects to work on.
Love your stories! I just adore the stamped spoon projects.One of these days I will try making some, but until then I will just admire yours :)
I just caught up on all your love stories from the post about your mothers day gift. Your son is awesome by the way. I laughed and cried. You are an amazing story teller. I love this idea for a wedding gift too! Blessings, Deborah
I always have to speed read your posts as fast as I can because I always end up sniffling and crying and then of course laughing, but I have to be careful of where I am because I always end up in an emotional state...in a GOOD way of course...but it's messy!! You know, my father did the very same thing....thanks for the memory KariAnne~
Love this DIY (and the great story that goes along with it)!
Love your story.
What type of stamper do you use on metal spoons and where do you get one? I love your blog today. It reminds me that I should be more romantic.....:) Plus I've always wanted to stamp spoons but haven't taken the first step to learn how.
what a beautiful project, tied to an even more beautiful story! A girl's Dad is her forever rock, right? One of my most cherished wedding memories was my Dad looking me right in the eye before he walked me down the aisle and telling me how proud he was of me. sigh. gotta go call my Dad :-)
I am not one to ever leave a comment, but this story was so very touching, and for those of us that were fortunate enough to hold onto our father's arm for that long walk, it takes us back to that very special moment. Thank you for sharing your moment, and DIY with us!
another tear jerker! Love spoons.. going to have my friend help me take one spoon from my Granny's and another one from Terry's grandmother. beautiful idea and keeper of memories! Thank you!
I love the stamped spoons. I have been trying to do some stamping too but it is much harder than it looks. Yours look fabulous.
My daughter was married two weeks ago. I am still on cloud nine! My husband is remembered for walking Jessica down the isle and his wonderful speech at the reception, but hands down he is remembered for reading Cor. 13 love is kind....he really didn't read it, he memorized it so the whole time he looked at Jessica and Jon when he said it. We all watched him looking at them and wow, that was emotional! Jessica will always remember that moment The spoons stand will be a great project for me to make them. Thank you for the best ideas and stories
It's memories like these that carry one through life, life's small memories tucked away in our heart. I loved the simple things that touched your senses like the smell of Christmas trees, and your train or veil hanging up on the runner. It's such a message of how a fathers love is so important beyond giving you away at ones wedding day. I love the sentiment framed along with the stamped spoon holder, I cannot wait for the day I will be planning my daughters wedding with her and all the little creativeness that will be added to her day. Beautiful share, you had me thinking back on my wedding day :)) Will visit soon Xx Dore
Brilliance!! And that picture looks familiar ;) xoxo
You, dear friend, are an amazing storyteller. You need to write books for children--whimsical stories with fairies and unicorns and princesses and princes and the moral of the story kind of stories and stories about what special little human beings they are and unique and wonderful! Then I will buy them for my grandchildren! Oh and I love the spoons too!
This gave me a lump in my throat because I totally get it and your father sounds like everything my father was not. Love that man ~ he deserves it! <3