The story featured in today’s real wedding blog post comes to us from a couple living in Arizona whose destination wedding took place last April in California. Because the bride, Kindra, is a professional storyteller, I’m sure you will find her perspective on her wedding experience particularly fun and unique!
Thanks to photographer Melissa Jill (http://melissajill.com/) for these incredible images. Read on for the details surrounding Kindra and Michael’s special day.
Susan: How did you and your spouse meet?
Kindra: Michael and I met at work. I remember walking in for the interview and he was my favorite part of the tour. Unfortunately, he wouldn’t even talk to me for the first four days, despite the fact that our offices shared a wall. He decided to use the “Hard to Get” strategy. He was right. It worked. I was hooked within a week.
Susan: Tell us about the proposal.
Kindra: It was March 15, 2008 – exactly two years after my first day of work (though I don’t think Michael had even realized that until after I told him). Since I knew I would marry Michael within days of meeting him, waiting for him to propose was excruciating. Michael told me that he would propose on Saturday, but he never told me WHICH Saturday. Every Saturday morning I would wake up and remind him that it was Saturday – every Saturday morning he would remind me that it was only a week until Saturday. On Saturday, March 15th we were in California at his beach rental and before I could even THINK about what day it was, Michael suggested we go for a run on the beach. This was something we did regularly, so I didn’t think much of it. It wasn’t until I turned around on the beach to see him kneeling in the sand (after hearing him say he had a rock in his shoe). The ring was in his hand, a smile on his face, and I immediately said yes.
Susan: Why did you choose your particular wedding location?
Kindra: Michael grew up on Coronado Island, I grew up in Minnesota, and we live in Arizona. We originally were planning an Arizona wedding but couldn’t find a venue that fit all of our needs or that truly felt like “us.” We decided Coronado would be our best option. Needless to say, my family and friends were happy to make the trip. With the skyline of San Diego as the setting for both our ceremony AND reception on a perfect day, we were well-pleased with our decision.
Susan: What was it like for you on the morning of your wedding?
Kindra: My wedding morning is one of my favorite memories. I spent the night in our hotel room (at the Glorietta Bay Inn) by myself. That morning I woke early and took a walk on the beach at sunrise. It was a magical moment; the perfect way to reflect on my life thus far, and the excitement of the life to come. It was the only quiet moment of the whole day. I was later joined at the hotel by my mother with my favorite Starbucks, then my sister, then the rest of the bridesmaids. A limo picked us up to get our hair and makeup and the day went on from there!
Susan: What were your thoughts as you walked down the aisle?
Kindra: My father walked me down the aisle. I could tell he was as nervous as I was because he kept cracking jokes the whole walk. I remember thinking “Be present. Be present.” I knew this was the only time I would ever take this walk and I wanted to remember every moment. As we rounded the corner and Michael was in view my whole perspective changed. It wasn’t about the details, the coordinating, the months and months of planning. When I saw Michael, the only thought on my mind was “No man has ever looked at me like that before, and no man ever will again.” I was very aware that he was about to become my husband, and that he was aware that he was looking at the woman who was about to be his wife. It was a feeling from another world.
Susan: What was the most memorable part of the day for you and your spouse?
Kindra: There were many memorable moments — the entire day was a collection of memorable moments. But if I have to choose one, it would be during the ceremony when we had our story read instead of standard readings or verses. I have been a professional storyteller for years, and it seemed like the perfect way to personalize the ceremony. We still get comments about how unique and moving our ceremony was. In fact, we received so many comments, that I now offer my ceremony story writing services for hire (www.kindrahalltellsall.com).
Susan: Were there any particular elements of your wedding day that you considered unique or personal touches?
Kindra: Yes…the stories. Additionally, my father sang and played his guitar for us during the ceremony. Finally, we decided to use the Sand Symbol of unity. My mother brought the sand from the shore of the lake of my family’s cabin in Northern Minnesota, Michael’s mother brought sand from Coronado beach where Michael grew up. We poured these two meaningful sands together to create one.
Susan: Based off of your experience, would you share some advice for other brides and grooms who may still be planning their weddings?
Kindra: Worry about the details now – it would be foolish for me to tell you not to because I know you’re going to do it anyway. However, the day before the wedding, when your friends have arrived and your family is there and you’re preparing for the rehearsal, it’s time to let it all go. You’ve done what you needed to do; let your wedding team take care of the rest. You just need to sit back and enjoy the most wonderful day/weekend of your life (thus far).
Thank you, Kindra and Michael, for sharing the details of your wedding with all of us! Do you have a real wedding story you would like to share? If so, please email me at the address below with your experience and some photos. You might be the next bride featured in this wedding blog!
If you have questions on this or any other wedding planning related topic, please post for me here or send me an email to susan(dot)southerland(at)pwg.com. Also become a fan on Facebook by clicking here and follow me on Twitter by clicking here.
Your partner in perfect planning,
Susan
