Gwen and Jonas' Wedding

POSTED BY Gwen, 13 August 2007

It's so cool to get this chance to re-live the “big day.” Especially since it’s such a whirlwind at the time. As a good friend said, “it’s all spin and kiss and spin and kiss.” Which is quite true. But I do have these very strong visual memories: like walking down the aisle and seeing Jonas there waiting for me, as well as a hundred smiling faces cheering us on. It was one of the most lovely and overwhelming moments of my life; to get to share my love for Jonas with all the people who mean most to us. And to see people from our youth getting to meet each other and become fast friends.

I remember we decided to hold a huddle/circle before we left for the ceremony site. Our bridal party was there, which included my sister and good friends and Jonas’ sisters and best man, and Jonas (who I was technically not supposed to see, but who cares) along with our families. We all took some deep breaths together, and wise and grounding words were spoken. It was such a supportive and encouraging send-off into a new phase of life. Then I got into a car with just my parents and sister and we drove to the ceremony site (a beautiful, peaceful section of Lithia Park in Ashland, Oregon). I could feel the transition from the roots of one family to beginning my own new one. Very sweet.

Often when I think of my wedding, or even when my friends do, we remember our daily mantra: “Good, Fast and Cheap.” The equation works this way: You get to have two out of three. If you want good and fast, then you’re going to have to spend a lot to make it happen. If you want fast and cheap, then you are going to probably sacrifice quality. And if you want good
and cheap, then it’s really going to take some time to do. We wanted good and cheap (or at least cheaper). And we really dug our hands in and did a lot on our own (along with many friends and family members) to help put on an affordable but beautiful event for less: we got wholesale flowers and assembled our own bouquets, made our own invitations, self-catered, had a friend officiate, decorated ourselves, etc… Though it was a lot of work, it was also really rewarding to create the wedding we wanted, and not make easy “cookie-cutter” choices.

Friends of mine who have gotten married since say they swear by the good, fast, and cheap rule. It also helps to clear up your priorities with your partner and with their family. That’s the interesting thing about weddings, everyone has a different idea of exactly what they should be, but ultimately, it’s for you and your future spouse to decide what best represents, and is most meaningful, to you. I guess it’s just a big balancing act between family needs and your personal vision for the day. And if you can achieve that balancing act, then the rest of your life should be cake, right? Three-tier cake with flowers and fondant!