Today’s wedding blog comes from Grand Canyon National Park. I am heading to Denver, Colorado for the Rocky Mountain Bridal Show, and I took a round-about way getting there so that I could explore some of the wild west.

Along with my fiance, and four other intrepid travel companions, we started our trip at the GORGEOUS Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain. (I will share those photos and ideas in an upcoming wedding blog.) Today we were at Grand Canyon National Park.

Let me start by saying, the view of the Grand Canyon is nothing that you can be prepared for. Standing on the rim, looking out over the ledges and ridges carved out by ice and water over millions of years takes one’s breath away. As the sun changes position, the colors of the rocks change. It is incredible.

The experience of seeing that view would have been reward enough for being crammed into a Pacifica with five other adults and a rediculous amount of luggage for six hours, but another inspiring event was about to unfold in front of me.

As my fiance and I were gingerly walking along the snow-covered rim, I noticed a couple slowly walking along… the poor woman was in a cast on crutches. I have no idea how she was managing to stay upright. Suddenly, I heard a scream. The man was on his knee with a beautiful engagement ring. They were both smiling so widely — she was crying saying, yes, yes.” It was such a pure and wonderful moment.

I felt badly for being so close to such an intimate event, but honestly, I don’t think that either of them noticed another soul even though the area was quite crowded. As my fiance and I continued walking along the rim, it occured to me how quickly that feeling of complete joy and excitement withers — it is too quickly replaced with the anxiety of planning a wedding and succumbing to the pressure of creating the event of a lifetime.

I know that those of you who have been planning for a while can identify with the wedding-planning blues. All brides experience that at one time or another. For those of you who just got engaged, congratulations! I hope that feeling has not yet started to fade.

I have a challenge for you new-comers as well as for those of you who are nearing your wedding day. Remember the day he proposed. Remeber that rush of excitement and happiness that enveloped you both. That is the experience you need to hold onto and share with your guests. A spectacular celebration has little to do with the number of flowers you use or the champagne that you pour; rather it is sharing that feeling that the two of you experienced on your engagement day with friends and family who you love. Don’t lose sight of that.

Throughout the next year and beyond, my wedding blog will be filled with advice and ideas on how to plan your wedding, but there is one bit of advice, above all the rest, that I would like you to take to heart. Hold onto the love that you share and savor the celebration that you create for your wedding day. Don’t get unnecessarily wrapped up in every detail so that you don’t enjoy it. Your engagement and wedding day pass so quickly. Don’t waste a moment on nerves and frustration.

If you have questions or comments on this wedding blog, or if you would like to share your engagement story with me, post a message for me here or send me an email to susan(dot)southerland(at)pwg(dot)com. You can see more photos of my trip by becoming a fan on Facebook and following me on Twitter.

Your partner in perfect planning,

Susan