This past weekend my husband and I couldn’t drag ourselves away from the beach. It was a clear and cool Sunday evening and the last thing
we wanted to do was sit in Parkway traffic-so we opted to stay another night.  As we were getting ready to head into the house for dinner
though, we saw a cluster of people start to collect near the entrance to the beach.

They were all well-dressed and barefoot and the lingering smells of their colognes and perfumes wafted down to us. I noticed white bows
hung on the bench near the entrance and realized a wedding was about to happen!  We propped ourselves up on a nearby bench and settled in to watch.

Despite being more than a football field away, you could tell it was a simple and intimate ceremony. One man with a guitar was flanked by a minister and a nervous looking groom.  You could hear little notes of music coming from the guitar but couldn’t quite make out the song.

Then the bridesmaids processional started and the girls looked relaxed and cool, with a kind of lavendar beach elegance. The crowd parted again just in time to see the beautiful barefoot Bride walk in, arm in arm with an older man who I presumed was her Father.

Its been nearly two years since the boy and I said “I Do” and it all came flooding back to me.  I was struck by the elegant simplicity of this lovely little beach wedding and was moved to tears despite not knowing anyone in the wedding. I can remember geting hung up in all the tiny details that got in the way of our big day, and I think this couple just got it right.

Friends, family, loved ones all standing around them closely to hear their vows-and at the end of the day, the wedding was about the Bride
and Groom and their love one another and of the beach.  We heard a low cheer and applause and knew they selaed their vows with a kiss and then it was off to the water for pictures. “I’m a Believer” was the song the guitarist played as they walked back down the makeshift aisle.  And I became a believer in this kind of wedding ceremony.  There was something so intimate about seeing them exchange vows and while we weren’t guests, and neither was half the other people in swim suits watching, we felt like we were.

Congratulations to that beautiful beach couple. I wish you years of happiness!

Next week, I’ll post a blog on some of the simple elements of their wedding as well as the best places for pictures!