The Day(s) After

It's the post-wedding glow ... or the post wedding exhaustion depending on how you're feeling that day after the big day. You may have stressed yourself out those days leading up to your wedding day, lacking sleep and going full throttle, so that when it's all over, the next day could be like a hangover. Nothing left, depleted of energy with little desire to get out of bed. Although that last bit could be for a completely different reason, wink wink. Some couples leave their ceremony and head off straight on their honeymoon. And some hang around the morning after for a post-wedding brunch and gift opening with family and the bridal party.

That last one was what Daddy and I did. We spent our first night in a hotel, then headed back to my Mom's house to open wedding gifts. We spent sometime with our family, then began our journey toward our honeymoon destination. It was a great way to say our good-byes before we head off on our lift together.

But regardless of what you do the day after the wedding, there are a few things you need to complete after the special day.

1. If you plan on saving any of the flowers in your bouquet, you can dry them out and press them. If you are going out of town, perhaps put your bouquet stems in water or put the bouquet in the refrigerator to keep it fresh while you're gone.
2. Make sure the top layer of your cake is wrapped well and stored in the freezer to eat on your first anniversary.
3. Decide what to do with your wedding gown. Preserve it? Sell it? Regardless, you'll need to clean it. Also, don't forget to return rented tuxes.
4. See if you have doubles in the gift department and return/exchange what you need to. This is also a good time to have fun shopping with gift cards.
5. Write thank yous. This will take time, so pace yourself, but plan to have all of them sent out within 6-8 weeks of the wedding. Make sure you draw attention to your new address.
6. If you were impressed with how your venue worked out, florist, caterer or baker did, a thank you to them or a positive review on Yelp is a good thing. 
7. Kill the wedding website and remove your gift registry.
8. Finish your wedding photo album or scrap book and watch your wedding video.
9. Officially change your name. Some folks begin this process before the wedding, but if you haven't yet, you need to do that. Remember you'll need to change your driver's license, bank accounts, Social Security card, insurance and other places where you have your name. It can be a hassle, but once it's done, it's done.
10. Go through items used to decorate your wedding and decide what you want to save and what you want to recycle, sell or give away.
11. Combine checking accounts and get both your names on necessary paperwork, utilities, etc.
12. Enjoy your new life and Mr. and Mrs. and making your first home together! 

Discussion: What are your immediate post wedding plans? Do you have plans for the items above?

Prayers: Father, we pray after these weddings, our couples can relax and enjoy one another a midst all the next to-dos that need accomplished. We pray the transition to married life is smooth. And we pray their marriages are filled with blessings. In Jesus, Amen.

That Moment

"I had my moment." Those were Kayla's words when she found her wedding gown on Saturday. At the last stop of three scheduled appointments for the day, in a Birmingham bridal store that her friends prophesied she wouldn't leave without having selected her dress, she found success. Like Ayla, Kayla tried on many dresses. Also like Ayla she knew exactly what she wanted, she was just waiting to find the perfect example of it. And find it she did.

The "moment" she is talking about is when the bride-to-be feels it deep in her heart that this is it. This is what I am marrying the man of my dreams in. I saw when Ayla's had hers. You could just see it in her face. She was done. She knew she'd found the perfect gown. Matter of fact, her exact words when she saw herself in the mirror was, "This is what I'm marrying Rob Goggin in." For Kayla, she said it was when she put half her hair up and added a veil ... then the tears came. But it wouldn't be complete until she had her Daddy's approval. So her father drove from Prattville to Birmingham to see his daughter's dream dress .... and approved. Then we all got to see it and likewise approve. All, except for Anton, of course. It's funny cause Rob and Anton have very different reactions to the idea of their fiance's wedding dress. Rob not only doesn't want to see the dress until Ayla walks down the aisle, he doesn't want to see a picture of her in any wedding dress. Anton on the other hand wants to see Kayla in every wedding dress, including the one she selected.

I love the moment when the bride finds her dress any time time I watch "Say Yes To The Dress," "I Found The Gown" or any of the other many bridal gown shows. It is precious and special. She melts, the mom cries, the dad cries.

For Rob and Anton that moment will happen the minute they see their bride headed toward them down the aisle. They will looking at their future Mrs. dressed in one of the most beautiful ensembles of her life. The hair, makeup and dress will be the very best possible for the man she loves. I like to think of it as presenting our best selves to Jesus Christ as our groom, "without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless." (Ephesians 5:7)

The other day I shed a couple tears when watching Kayla's future maid-of-honor, Kim, walk down the aisle to her groom. I couldn't help but think about Ayla walking toward Rob and Anton waiting for Kayla at the front of the church. It won't just be a moment for them. It will be a moment for us ... one to cherish forever. 

Discussion: Do you think it's important for the groom to wait until the wedding day to see the bride in her dress for the first time? Why or why not? Tell about a moment you knew each other was "the one."

Prayer: Father, we thank you that we get to have these beautiful moments in time of beauty and sweetness. We pray, Father, the first time grooms see their future wives-to-be approach them the day of their weddings, that they will feel a warmth and joy in their hearts, and may these ladies take their breath away. In Jesus, Amen..