Inspy Romance

Inspy Romance—Fall in Love With a Good Book

When a Romance Writer Gets Married…

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I’m a newlywed. It still feels funny to say that, but it’s true. I wrote 10 marriage proposals in my books before receiving one of my own. And (sorry to my characters) mine was better than all of the ones I’ve written, even though it wasn’t over the top. I’ve had characters get engaged in the chapel at Graceland, in a flash mob of sorts at the Lincoln Memorial, and even while sky-diving in Arizona. But my own, real-life proposal that took place in my (messy and under renovation) kitchen was perfect.

And when a romance writer (finally) gets married at the age of 37…after years spent dreaming about weddings and writing about weddings…well lets just say things get a little crazy.

We chose to decorate with words. What else could be more perfect? I love words. I adore quotes. So I knew as soon as we started planning that words would be a big part of the day.

here comes the bride

We ended up creating a wedding day that was totally “us” from the flower selection (gerbera daisies) to the song selection (it ranged from Elvis to Etta James) to the favors at the reception (animal crackers in a barn-themed box to represent the little farm we’ve started).

My bridesmaids chose their own colors and styles. We had multiple speakers, all people we love and are close to. And despite the caterer’s protests, we had multiple wedding cakes in a variety of flavors. We even wrote our own vows. Nothing about the day was cookie cutter. We carefully thought about each part of the day and chose to do what made us happy and reflected us as a couple.

Our wedding processional opened with Johnny’s 8-year-old daughter walking down the aisle with a “Once Upon a Time…” sign. After the ceremony, she followed us out with one that said (can you guess?) “Happily Ever After.” Cheesy? Maybe. But to this writer it was total perfection.

The day passed in a blur. But looking back, I can remember so many moments with such clarity and such overwhelming happiness and joy. Before we said our vows, my uncle had a few words to say and one quote he read will stick with me forever: Sometimes in the middle of an ordinary life, God gives you a fairytale.

View More: http://mlittle.pass.us/annalisaandjohnnyAfter it was all said and done, I was married to my best friend. To a man I’d come to cherish, love and adore. We could’ve gotten married at city hall and the outcome would’ve been the same. I know that. But to have this perfect day to celebrate our love, to celebrate our finally finding each other–and to have all the people we love the most be there to celebrate with us…that was priceless.

How about you? What is the most unique thing you’ve ever seen at a wedding?

Annalisa Daughety (52 Posts)

Annalisa Daughety writes contemporary fiction set in historic locations, including the Walk in the Park series, Love Finds You in Charm, Ohio, and A Wedding to Remember in Charleston, South Carolina. She lives in Arkansas and is hard at work on her next book.


Comments

  1. I love this post, Annalisa! I’m so happy for you, and wish you and Johnny all the best in many, many years together.

  2. Love the wedding photos. You were very creative. My wish for you is for your real marriage to be better than all your written “happily ever afters” put together. I married when I was 39. I’m glad I waited, because like you, I married my best friend.

  3. Oh Annalisa, this was so beautiful! What a great story and a FANTASTIC QUOTE: Sometimes in the middle of an ordinary life, God gives you a fairytale.” I’m totally FB-ing that RIGHT NOW to get people over to your post :-)

  4. Oh this made me tear up!!! What a perfect day!!!!!

    My wedding was interesting… I loved it but I was also 18 and blindly in love and was very much just “oh, whatever, as long as I marry my sweet man!” about everything, LOL. I think I’d do it much differently if I were getting married today!

    The funniest thing to happen at our wedding was that the pastor “forgot” to say, “You may kiss the bride.” I think he actually did it on purpose, as he is a bit old school and I don’t think he liked to say the word “kiss” or such thing in front of the church. I then had to turn around as he was telling us to go back up the aisle, and remind him of his slip up. Every girl DREAMS of hearing those words!!!! His response? “You’re married, you don’t need my permission.” *sigh* We did kiss… and it made it a funny memory… but I’ll be honest. To this day, this very traditional girl is still a bit bummed that we didn’t get that grand moment!

  5. Congratulations, Annalisa (and Johnny!) I’m so excited God brought y’all together. It’s encouraging to me, at 26, to hear your story. Sometimes I just feel super old, even though everyone tells me I look like I’m still in high school (total compliment to my red hair, I’m sure). Last week was an especially difficult one as it hit me yet again that my husband-to-be wasn’t yet in my circle of friends.

    But last night I reached a new point of submission to God. Can we joyfully give our dreams to God, knowing He might give us things that are far away from what we thought would happen in our lives? Last night, I found out that I actually could do such a thing. I honestly never thought I’d get there, and I may have to rediscover this fact along the way (especially around my birthday). But the point is, it is possible. God brought to that point last night… He’ll bring me there again, if need be.

    Blessings to your family,

    Andrea

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