After I got back from Ireland, I started to feel like the wedding could actually happen…and that we should probably finish planning it. I had truly enjoyed all things wedding process the first time around in 2019/2020, but two postponements had taken the wind out of my sails. I had developed a real Covid-complex around the whole event TBH and was totally procrastinating sending out invites. I just couldn’t believe in my little shriveled heart the dang thing could actually happen after 2.5 years on the pandemic rollercoaster.

*October 2019 engagement shoot… hair shorter, heart less shriveled*

When the big hike was done, I knew it was time to shove my fears & misgivings aside and trust that the third time would be the charm. I stuffed invites with my Auntie Susan and watched my dream dress come together (literally) with Jacki. I spent entirely too much time on important things like miniature pizza box sourcing.

*and tiny pizza gummies… and custom stamps… and stickers…*

June brought my garden party/high tea bridal shower, thrown by my MOH Jill and my stepmom Kathy. It was super adorable.

I had a bit more work travel to do over June and July, but I was mostly in Haverhill (bless). Covid started flaring up again, so Chris and I became increasingly hermit-like as August 6 approached. I had some great hiking adventures, which I’ll post on someday when I’m not 3 months behind reality on this blog.

*The Horn in Maine… I’m working on* *my NE67 list*!

Finally, finally, it was wedding week. I was trying really really hard to ENJOY and stay present in the moment, but there were some bumps. The biggest bump was 7 guests needing to drop after testing positive. I knew this would happen, but I still cried a lot about it :( A silver lining: I did a last minute recruit sesh at my final Fury’s send off, and had no problem getting some work bros to stand in as food eaters/booze drinkers/party pals.

Three days out, I got my nails did, packed up the pri baby, and picked up my bridesmaid Caney and her gf Erin from Logan. We grabbed dinner and drinks at my beloved Baldwin Bar, stocked up at the store, obtained a Rachel, and landed at the AirBnB I rented in Rockport.

The next morning Jill and Jacki joined us, and we hit the beach!

*ALL the SPF and sun protection for this Irish lass…*

My anxiety shifted from Covid to weather. It was hot and humid AF. The forecast for Saturday kept flipping from perfect to thunderstorms. We arrived for rehearsal at the castle with an ominous thunderstorm looming. It was hotter than hell in the venue. Lightning was cracking over the ocean. All these things were atmospheric but not helping my stress levels.

I swatted away my tummy butterflies. Chris and I were at our wedding rehearsal! All our people were there! We were going to get married the next day! And very importantly: the rehearsal dinner had super strong AC!!

After dinner and some AirBnB spa treatments, I prayed to the New England weather gods and hit the hay.

where: gloucester, rockport, and Ipswich, ma //ancestral lands of the pawtucket and the agawam peoples
when: schweaty august
how: rehearsal at hammond castle and rehearsal dinner at 1640 hart house… also thank you Nancy for taking most of these photos :)

wedding countdown

our wedding part I

the wicklow way: a windy walk to dublin