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Anna's Wedding Blog Post France
Posted on 06/09/2010 by Anna Ferguson |
The escalator could not move fast enough. Anxiously, I stomped my foot, held tight to my bags and waited as those electronic stairs inched closer and closer to the arrival gate at the Hartsfield-Jackson Airport.
I knew Michael was there waiting. I knew I had missed my original flight and not been able to call him to tell him as much. I knew he would be worried out of his mind.
I was right.
Looking around the crowd that gathers to greet back their wary travelers, I searched for my fiancé. The man I had bragged about and talked about so much for the last four weeks while studying abroad in France. (So much so that the other students developed a drinking game around the two subjects. Long story.) My eyes waved over the faces; where was he? Had he forgotten what I looked like?
Finally, as I paced back and forth searching for Michael Hall, I heard my name.
“Anna.” Michael. It was him. In a movie-like moment, we ran towards each other, looking pale and tired and worried and ecstatic, all in equal measure. Four weeks, as it turns out, is a long time to be away from the one(s) you love.
Being abroad all that time brought a great sense of clarity to my psyche. Pre-trip, I had those dancing pre-wedding jitters, the ones that signal some major life change is approaching. How do we ever know we are making the right decision? I kept asking myself.
During my French whirlwind, though, I came to understand that we know the right thing because it feels like the right thing. Whenever you are making an incorrect choice, you feel it, deep down, in your gut. Like the time I left my friend at the home base French train station because she was 30 minutes late. I hopped on that train to Nice, and about half way there, realized I had just up and left her. Just like that. I got off the train at the nearest stop, and went back to get her. Turns out, she didn’t really want to go anyway, and I went on that daytrip alone, but nonetheless. I had to do something to make it right.
And this union thing Michael and I are about to be doing, it feels so right. So right.
Hence, my utter joy coming home and telling him how I knew all of that. I could read on his face that during those weeks apart, he had felt that same sense of calm.
Now that I am back in the great state of Georgia, I am swiftly working to make all those last minute wedding odds and ends be right, as well.
First on my list was to take care of this hair situation. Seeing as it’s a big day, I want my short pixie locks to be as merry as I feel. I called up my favorite Athens glamour technician, Brea at Rage Salon (www.ragehairstudio.com) and made a last minute appointment. She did her magic, adding hints of reds and blonds to my otherwise mousy brown follicles. Really she’s a master, as are all those Rage ladies.
I then had to plan out the alcohol situation for the wedding. What kegs would we order? I called up John at Palm Coast on St. Simons and we settled on a large keg of Athens trademark Terrapin Golden Ale, a great beer and a great local company. We also ordered a smaller keg of UFO wheat, for the sweeter beer drinkers. And obviously, we have more wine ordered than even a Frenchman would. (And trust me, those Frenchies love their wine. Wine is actually cheaper than water over there. Not that I’m complaining.)
My hair and make up for the day-of is also all set up. I’ll be getting the works with the lovely Emily Peterson at A New Horizon, on the island (www.anewhorizonssi.com). I can’t wait to see what they do with me there!
Next on the list was to get the flower arrangements, well, arranged. My great friend and master of all things flowers Anna Messer is doing our floral works, through her St. Simons Island company English Gardens. We’re doing mainly greens and whites, with some orange, yellows and blues thrown into the bouquet mix. I told her to do her thing, and I know she’ll do a masterful job.
Of course, there are always changes to some plans, and this comes in the form of the sweets. I had originally planned for Mom and me to make cupcakes, and a rice crispy cake in the shape of the UGA arch for the groom’s cake. Alas, that stellar idea was no meant to be. Instead, Mom ordered the Beloved cake. It is truly splendid, and surprisingly affordable. As for the groom’s cake, Michael has simply asked for a cheesecake of any sorts. “I love cheesecake. Oh, how I love cheesecake,” he says at the mere mention of the word. That oughta be easy enough.
So, now what’s left? I have no idea. The final head count is hitting about 80 people, and I think that’s a wonderfully manageable number. I know there are details to be worked out, but having been gone for four weeks and now working to shake that awful jet lag, I’m more or less letting the to-be groom handle things from here. I’ll keep you all posted on how that works out!
Looking at my watch, it appears I have one week and a day until the Big Day. How did it get here so quickly? Oh, but how I am ready! Wedding bells and the Georgia Coast, here we come!