The Wedding: From Bride-to-Be to Bride!

Jess and Seth's whirlwind wedding weekend arrives!

By Jessica Solloway

I am still in a state of shock as I sit here writing this blog entry that my wedding weekend already happened. Who pushed the fast forward button on my life? It seems like I was just boarding the flight to Cleveland last Wednesday, bursting with excitement about what the weekend would bring. When the flight attendant saw our garment bags, she asked if we were going to a wedding. When we told her it was our wedding, within seconds, the pilots were announcing to the entire flight that "the couple in seats 8B and 8C" were on their way to get married.


Once we arrived home, we were busy literally every single second prepping for the big day. From assembling gift bags and programs, to mani and pedi appointments, picking up, dropping off, and seeing family, there was not a minute to spare. But it was SO much fun. My best friend Avi came in early from Amsterdam and was the biggest help ever. I don't know how we would have gotten all the ribbons on our programs tied without her ... or how I would have stayed calm and sane!

The wedding was absolutely perfect and a day I will always treasure. I had no idea what to expect and was absolutely blown away when I stepped into the room where the ceremony was to take place and saw my chuppah. The gold dusted leaves, the soft colors of the roses, and little candles and crystals hanging down created such a warm, romantic space for our ceremony. And the Rabbi has known me my whole life, so it all felt very personal which I loved.

Luckily I have a few more weeks to blog, so I don't have to cram everything into just one post, so make sure you keep reading in the next couple weeks. I will fill you in on the rehearsal dinner, our 20 hour dance-a-thon on the wedding day (no joke!), and our amazing "mini-moon". We are going on our real honeymoon in December which is nice to have something to look forward to.

But I can't express enough that it wasn't only the wedding that made this experience so memorable and special. It was the entire weekend. The little things meant just as much as the big things. From seeing my family members arrive at the hotel for the first time, to hearing the heartfelt speeches from our friends at the rehearsal dinner, and Seth reading his vows (I don't think there was a dry eye in the place!), there are so many elements that combined together to create a truly one of a kind weekend. There really is nothing better than having a room full of people that you love, and that love you back, all together, celebrating. I wish it could have lasted forever. 

I am still waiting for some of my friends to upload their pictures, but I am posting one for now so you can see the dress. I also have a link to a video that my little cousin put on You Tube, of Seth breaking the glass (a Jewish wedding tradition). It's my favorite, because I was so excited that I jumped up and down without even realizing it.

Best. Weekend. Ever.