When the gentleman friend and I were deciding where to get married, we quickly knew that Boulder, Colorado was the right place. It was where we had met and fallen in love, and the city was full of happy memories for us. We could also marry ourselves in Colorado, with no need of an officiant. And since we could go to any public park and get hitched without a permit, we had our pick of gorgeous mountain backdrops to choose from.
So on a Friday afternoon, with our families and a few close friends, we did just that, driving up to a park in a canyon in the mountains.
We walked to the ceremony site – a little clearing next to a creek at the base of a mountain.
I got distracted by a cool spider on the bridge.
To begin the ceremony, we handed out strips of paper. When The Rocket Scientist and I were trying to decide what we wanted to include in the day (ahem…last minute…ahem), all the readings we loved were only a sentence or two long. And since we had about 15 that we loved, we decided to invite anyone who wanted to participate to come up, grab a sentence, and go for it.
I had all of these in the pockets of my dress, because my dress had pockets. POCKETS!
The quote possibilities included:
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy has this to say on the subject of love: Avoid, if at all possible. Unfortunately, Katie and [The Rocket Scientist] have never read the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy – The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (sort of)
The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious – the fundamental emotion which stands at the cradle of true art and true science – Albert Einstien
Love makes you do the wacky – Buffy, The Vampire Slayer
The heart is a living museum. In each of its galleries, no matter how narrow or dimly lit, preserved forever like wondrous diatoms, are our moments of loving, and being loved. – Diane Ackerman, A Natural History of Love
Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known – Carl Sagan
We’re all a little weird. And life is weird. And when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall into mutual weirdness and call it love – Robert Fulgam
Gravitation is not responsible for people falling in love - Albert Einstein
I’d buy you Rogaine, when you start losing all your hair. Sew on patches, to all you tear. ‘Cause I love the way you say good morning, and you take me the way I am - Ingrid Michaelson, “The Way I Am”
I LOVE this picture of Millie, after she read the Hitchhiker’s Guide quote.
My handsome Dad, reading Carl Sagan (with over 40 years as a performer under his belt, he set the bar for wedding readings. Seriously, he should hire himself out)
Sarah, looking beautiful and slightly teary as she read her quote.
Then it was time for vows. They were super short, but I still didn’t get through the first line without choking up!
I promise to trust and respect you.
To adore and embrace you.
To encourage and celebrate you.
To support you intellectually and emotionally.
And to be your partner for all our adventures.
I love you!
(put ring on finger)
Yes, I even included action instructions.
Wedding dresses with pockets are also handy for storing Kleenex.
The flowers in my bouquet were mainly daisies, because they’re my favorite and The Rocket Scientist has always given them to me. But there was also one yellow rose, because that’s the flower my dad’s always brought me. For the first day of each school year, for new jobs, and most recently for a move across the ocean, he always gives me yellow roses. So of course I had to carry one down the aisle.
The Rocket Scientist was awesome, and didn’t get all ugly-crying snotty like I did. But then it was done, there was smooching, and we were married!
Don’t all my (unofficial) bridesmaids look absolutely gorgeous? I have some seriously stunning friends, both in looks and spirit, and it was such a honor to have them all with me. I didn’t grow up with any siblings, but I have five sisters.
And without even trying, they all coordinated to the colors of the grey mountains and green, red, gold, and plum colors of the foliage.
I also have the most beautiful family (complete with a sassy British grandma).
The Rocket Scientist’s family cleans up nicely, too.
And then shenanigans ensued.
What a sweet, fun, and lovely afternoon.
Up next: the party!
