Savoring the Small Moments

So many advised me that the emotional, gorgeous, and action-packed moments of a wedding weekend would feel surreal and blurred around the edges. Although we arrived in California several days early and stayed an extra day after the wedding, the time whizzed by and before I could take it all in, the celebrations were over. Thankfully, there are hundreds of photographs, specific memories, and feelings to process.

In the midst of the experience, I consciously tried to pull myself into the moment to see, hear, and feel details that might have otherwise passed me by. This was no easy task but in the hour or so I spent in the "Sweet Room" with the bridesmaids, the bride, and the mother of the bride as we readied for the photo shoot planned for early afternoon and later the wedding, I felt very much in the present. We all were bundles of emotion. For me joy, excitement, bittersweet, and jitters coexisted all at once. Once the make-up and hair stylist left, the photographers arrived and the suite became a bevy of activity as gowns left their hangers behind and cradled us in fabric, textures, and colors. Gorgeous moments to savor.

The flowers arrived around the same time; wonderful bouquets of red and salmon colored roses for the bridesmaids, nosegays of orchid and roses for the mothers of the bride and groom and of course, the gorgeous white roses for the bride. What I noticed and savored were the tiny droplets of moisture on the rose petals in my nosegay. Beautiful.

The floor and every other flat surface of the suite bore signs of activity. Coffee, water bottles, snacks, make up brushes, hairpins, jewelry, clothing, and shoes of all types (flip flops next to 3 inch heels) interspersed with all the women who were breathing the anticipation of the day. I made myself stop, breathe, and look out on all the wonder. And, it was fun; so much fun.





















Amidst the frenzy there was much joy and a sense of connectedness one to another. I'm sure we all carry our own specific memories and tidbits of focus. For me, those beautifully perfect dewdrops on the rose petals of my bouquet captured perfectly the value of slowing down to witness the intricacy hidden in the momentum of that most treasured hour spent in the "Sweet Room".