By: Preston Young
Lately, whenever someone asks about the wedding, the conversation goes the exact same way every single time:
“Do you have a date?”
June 5.
“Where is it?”
Newport.
“Nice.”
…and that’s the end of it.
But there’s a whole world that happens between when we got engaged and “I do.”
The short version?
We’re having a lot of fun with it.
The long version?
Well, here ya go!
Planning a wedding with someone who actually understands events is… an experience. Rachel speaks fluent designer and planner, tossing around phrases like “textured linen” and “layered tablescape,” while I’m quietly wondering whether “textured” means bumpy or just expensive. She’ll be deep in conversation about chargers and chair styles, and I’m over here thinking, “why would we pay for a plate that won’t be used?”
But watching her in her element has been fun. She has great taste, great instincts, and a whole process I didn’t even know existed. Linens, plates, silverware, chairs… I didn’t realize any of these were things people actively decide, but she’s made great choices (with my input, of course).
We’ve driven to Newport more times than I can count. At this point, I probably know how the afternoon light hits our ceremony space better than I know when Mason needs to go out. We’ve visited in sun, clouds, hot days, and even at night, all to try and see the space the way it’ll look on the actual day. And honestly, I get it now.
We found a linen at the rental showroom that we loved, the kind you hold up and immediately picture on a table. They sent a sample to the venue, and somehow the color that looked champagne and peach suddenly looked like we were planning a St. Patrick’s Day brunch. So yes… we now understand why people spend way too much time debating linen and napkin colors. Lighting can turn your “favorite” into “absolutely not” in a single second.
Vendors have been their own adventure. We’ve interviewed more photographers, florists, bands, and DJs than I ever expected. Some nights we’re finally sitting down at 9 p.m. just to hop on a Zoom with someone who specializes in something like “romantic editorial photojournalism with a modern edge.” Whatever that means. But the interesting part is that you learn pretty quickly that it’s not just about the portfolios or the sample videos, it’s about the people. The ones who you connect with well, and who understand how to make your dream into reality.
Recently we went to look at wedding bands — the ring kind, not the kind that show up with saxophones and setlists. My process took about 7 minutes. I tried on three rings, picked the one that felt the least weird, and that was the end of it. Rachel, on the other hand, well, she’s still choosing wisely.
The best part of everything, though?
How much fun we’ve had along the way.
People talk about wedding planning and immediately relate it to stress, and sure, there are decisions on decisions on decisions. But it’s also this tiny window of life you only get once. These little moments: the drives to Newport, the endless linen debates, the vendor calls, the quiet nights laughing through decisions no one else will ever know we made, they’re what we’re going to remember years from now.
Someday we’ll look back and wish we could relive this whole stretch of time.
Right now, we’re just trying to enjoy every part of it.
It’s all part of this process called life.
Tracking: 828172-1