Our Fairytale Wedding on Nantucket (Chapter One)

During the early morning hours, I laid staring out my skylight watching rain sprinkle down and grey puffy clouds pass with some more ominous than others. Hearing my mother breathe in and out, I looked over at my phone to see if I had some time to drift back to sleep before my alarm went off. As I closed my eyes, thoughts of what this day would look like were far beyond my scope anymore. With planning a wedding, I envisioned the perfect situations and outcomes. Four days prior, we got the alternative plan which was having our wedding all indoors. The outside ceremony and cocktail hour to be moved from the lush green yard and apple tree overlooking the pond, to the barn and under the tent. Pushing off the thoughts of what that would look like, I slowly melted into the blackness of the back of my eyes until my alarm sounded and the day officially started.

The previous evening my mother asked if she could spend the night with me. I enjoyed spending my last evening with my mother cuddled beside me. As we woke up and put on the coffee pot to brew, we shared a precious moment, she handed me a card with a gift. As I opened the card and read, it shared sentimental words my mother had written. After an embrace, I continued to open her gift which was a pearl necklace and earrings to match. My father gave them to my mother to give to me before he passed from cancer 20 years ago as my wedding gift. A beautiful reminder that my father was and will always be with me, especially on my wedding day which brought tears to our eyes. At that moment Maverick, my golden retriever came up to me with his large lamb in his mouth, checking to make sure I was okay. Scratching him and giving him some kisses, I was thinking how this day would not be happening if it wasn’t for a cold October day 7 years ago, when I held this puppy and met his dad for the first time.

Things started to pick up in high gear as the hair and makeup artists showed up to help for the wedding. My twin sister/my matron of honor, Kristy, came into my studio from the main house and asked if I would like some coffee. The answer is always yes, and at that exact moment my sister in law (to be) came in with a large iced coffee for me. Perfect timing. I quickly jumped in the shower and got dressed in my matching pajamas I had gifted my bridesmaids and myself with. As I walked outside of my studio, it was misting rain and there was already a multitude of people running around getting the property ready for the wedding. It felt surreal for it to be the day, my wedding day. Eighteen months of planning that had brought us to this moment. Jay, my brother in law to be, took Maverick for a walk as I went into the main house to finish up some last minute projects for the wedding. Nothing like last minute projects for the Parhiala’s (my family is notorious for being last minute and being late). Kristy and I placed the table numbers in the metal frames and Jay came in from walking Maverick. He then helped with fixing a large mirror for the guests tables which came crashing down the day before from the wind. My cousin Breanne swept in and helped us with the table numbers. There were 6 table numbers which Kristy had painted beautiful watercolor Nantucket scenes for the long farmers tables. It was a beautiful showcase of her talent on my wedding day. Jay and Kristy took their time with the mirror making sure it was perfect. In the end, it turned out to be absolutely beautiful and far more creative than what it originally was. As I was running out to the tent to drop the table number frames and guest name tags that my mom was working on I got my first look of the tent. WOW, it was coming together absolutely beautiful. Jess, my florist, had put up greenery along the posts of the tent which gave it such a whimsical and enchanting feel. The table linens were being placed and tables were starting to get set. I helped place the table numbers on their correct table and felt at that moment this is my wedding. This is real!

Joanna, my matron of honor, and Sean, her husband, were exceptional with having food ready for me. As I walked inside they had prepared a breakfast sandwich which hit the spot and helped with the little anxiety that was building. As some of the bridesmaids and my mother were getting their hair done I was talking to my grammy and made sure all the little tasks were done. Then shortly it was my turn to do make up and hair. As I sat on the stool with my makeup artist, Joanna grabbed my coffee and placed it on top of a DVD case to not leave a ring on the wooden table. She looked down and got my attention knowing what she was looking at was very meaningful. The DVD that she placed my coffee on was my absolute favorite movie of all time, The Sound of Music. Taking in that sweet moment, I greatly appreciated Joanna pointing out the small things which made everything all the more special. She had asked if I was doing okay and I shared that I was having a little anxiety. She put on a meditation for brides. Listening to it for two minutes I started laughing and said, “I cannot listen to this… it’s causing me more anxiety please put on some Nicki Minaj or something.” We all laughed and she put on some more appropriate music that matched my heart beat, not some to slow it down. Half way through my makeup I switched to hair. Before my hair I asked if I could use the bathroom. I ran upstairs where my sister was and had a little moment with Kristy and Mack, my brother in law. I felt my anxiety bubbling up and didn’t want to feel that way. I asked Kristy to talk to me and she was able to give me some advice but also reassure me that everything I was feeling is valid but also to take it all in. Even though it was a rainy, windy, and a very grey day, everything will be okay. The wedding will still be as beautiful as if it was sunny and blue skies. The weather doesn’t dictate the wedding, it’s the meaning between the two people and the moments we share that make the wedding special. Also she pointed out that my flowers were vibrant and beautiful along with the fine details that I spent countless hours over. Reassuring me that everything will stick out and make the overall experience all the more special. I took a deep breath, and she gave me a large hug. I was able to go back downstairs and level out my heart rate and finally just relax and enjoy the process of becoming a bride.

My wonderful hair stylist, Meggen, asked what I would like to have done. I shared I would like my hair half up with curls and some braids and from there she had free reign. With that, she took off and ran with it. After some time, she shared for me to take a look in the mirror and it was absolutely perfect!!! I felt beautiful. Once she did the hairspray, I went back to my makeup artist, Aline, where she did her magic and made me into a gorgeous bride. My hair and makeup artists were absolutely incredible. They both were so sweet and kind. It leaves a lasting impression when you choose two wonderful women to help you on your special day. They left us glowing and beautiful. To capture moments was my photographer and videographer who showed up as I was finishing up makeup. It truly takes an army to put together a wedding and we had the elites.

Meanwhile, Kevin and his groomsmen had a rather easy morning. Kathy and Dave’s dear family friends’, the Andersens, were so kind and loving to allow all the groomsman stay at their stunning house in Quidnet. It was right around the corner from the wedding venue and made it all the more convenient to go back and forth. They spent the morning hanging out and eventually got ready slowly putting themselves together as they waited for all of us to join them.

Once I was all put together, we did a little photoshoot with my bridesmaids, mother, and grandmother. I had gifted my bridesmaids matching sage pajamas and my mother and grandmother sage robes. It was cute to see everyone together in their comfy wear, then soon after getting into their dresses. That is when I was summoned to go back to my studio to put on my dress with my mother, sister and best friend Joanna. This is when it felt all too real. As I walked towards my studio, Ashley stopped me. She took out a little pouch and within it held her husband’s, Trevors grandmother’s earrings. A pair of beautiful pearls, fixed on to a gold earring. They were simply elegant, making a perfect something borrowed for my wedding day. With an embrace, she helped me put them in my ears and I was back off out the door.

As I walked into the studio, I looked down at the coffee table and realized I had never transferred my vows from my phone to my paper vow book! I panicked and that is when my photographer shared that I had time and that I can start writing them out. As I did, Maverick came snuggling in next to me and it was a picture perfect moment. Getting through my vows gave me a heartwarming feeling knowing every word written was so true to who we are as a couple and how much I love Kevin. It would only be a few short hours till I read them to him. Once I was done writing them down, I turned to everyone patiently waiting and in that moment I was finally ready to get into my dress. My mother, sister and Joanna helped me step into the dress, then Kristy and Joanna started to button me up. It was a precious moment as my mom watched. Then once they finished we took a few more photos and that is when I asked my mom if she wanted to wear the pearls she had given me. Since I already had my necklace and earrings picked out to go with my dress, having her wear her gift would be a reminder of my dad being with her. As I placed the pearl necklace on my mom it was a tender moment I will always will reflect on. With a warm embrace we withdrew and I turned around so she could place my necklace on me. From there we patiently waited to be carried off to where Kevin was for our first look.

As I got into the car to head to the first look I had anxiety bubbling up again. I had the realisation that the moments that I am in now are now happening and time is slipping away, each minute faster than the previous. As we drove down the road Jay was sharing sweet comments and conversations which helped ease my mind and I thought of how lucky I am to have such an amazing brother in law. With my sister and Joanna leading me out of the car and into the house, I waited around the corner where Kevin was standing to see me for our first look. I could hear all the bridesmaids and groomsmen up in the rafters as they overlooked Kevin from down below. And that is when I asked “Are we ready?” and with a thumbs up from my videographer, Kristy and Joanna straightened my dress and I was off to see my soon to be husband. As I glided over to him, I looked up and saw everyone looking down. Maverick in his suit that I had custom made with Kevin’s mother, Kathy, on Kevins side. With Kevin’s back towards me, I tapped his shoulder and as he turned around with the largest smile on his face he let out a cheer and with a moment of him admiring my dress we drew into an embrace and kissed. Kevin asked me to twirl around which made me feel like a princess showing off her gown. As we soaked in that moment, we looked to Mav as he looked at us and here we were, on our wedding day already hitting the first mark, the first look. It was the first of many incredible moments of the wedding day.

We continued with photos of our family and bridal party inside the house with beautiful exposed beams and large windows letting in the light of the grey day. It was wonderful to have both our immediate families together and capture the moment with them. As we finished up the photos, I shared with Kevin that I had a gift to give him. We snuck in the corner by the stairs and had a moment together. I handed Kevin his gift and he had one for me as well. As I watched him open up his, I had tears in my eyes. I had gotten him a Movado watch with a note that shared, “To my husband, For every second, minute, hour and day of my life I will forever & always love you & care for you. Your wife, Kara” then an embroidered handwritten handkerchief which I wrote, “Kevin, Today will always be the best day of my life. You are my best friend and soulmate. I look forward to all my days beside you. Thank you for Maverick and most of all being kind, incredible and loving. I love you forever and always, Kara.” He placed the watch on his wrist and handkerchief in his breast pocket then shared it was his turn. I unwrapped my package to find a box. As I opened it, there laid a beautiful gold necklace with rainbow beads around a large pearl. It was stunning being so unique and colorful. As I looked at it, I took it all in. The colors brought joy to me as I gazed out the window and saw the wind had picked up and so did the rain. But none of that mattered with the most special man beside me.

We gathered our things and went back to the venue. We saw as we were pulling up that all the guests were arriving at the barn where our back up arrangement for the rain was going to be. With multiple cars lined up and many umbrellas being used. Kevin and I ran into the tent to find our videographer and photographer. They shared that we were to catch a few moments of us together. That is when I looked around and saw how amazing our wedding was going to be under the tent. Every detail and all the colors I had curated had come together to make my dream wedding come true. It was a fairytale wedding on Nantucket which I had always envisioned and it was surpassing all expectations. (Except for the hurricane that was happening outside the tent.)

We were doing a few photos standing, then a few walking through the aisle of the large farmers tables. It was fun to feel like a princess and it was the only true photos that were outside versus being inside flash photography. Once we wrapped up the photoshoot, our caterer came over to us and we shared our gratitude for everything their team was doing to make our wedding so incredibly delicious and tasty. The food at a wedding always has such a large impact and we knew that our guests were in good hands with Nantucket Catering Company. The owner of Nantucket Catering gave Kevin and I drinks while we waited for our time to go inside the barn and start the ceremony. That is when Kevin was summoned inside the barn with Maverick and it was all starting, even though the day had already started.

As I waited patiently inside the tent, I didn’t know what to do with myself. I walked around and took in the finer details I had spent countless hours thinking and over analyzing. That is when I was finally signaled over and they were ready for me. I ran through the monsoon weather to the entrance of the barn and that is where I met my mom. After an embrace we started our ascend up the stairs and to the aisle. I looked around and saw all the people I love and adore all under one roof there to celebrate our big day!

(Follow to Chapter Two)