Eric asked me to be his wife on June 10th. Hours after picking up my finished, one of a kind ring, he couldn’t keep it to himself. After garden chores, we were enjoying the early summer evening in the backyard. The dogs played around us and the ducks went about their foraging and peeping in the garden. We watched the sun just barely start to touch the trees on its way to a vibrant sunset. Chit chatting details and ideas for the next day which was to be our first big flower field planting on our homestead. With that symbolism in mind and his own excited impatience, he got down on one knee. He caught me off guard, hair in a messy clip and crocks on my feet. There was laughter, there was tears. Easiest yes of my life.
Neither of us wanting to wait much longer to be married, we set a date for the coming September. It came together as easily for me as breathing in and out. The day of our dreams. Where to get married? Home. So obvious. With hopes of having a very intimate day, we planned a guest list of immediate family and closest friends. First order of business was ordering sweet, simple green invitations accompanied each by a cute Polaroid of Eric and I in the flower field. The table settings? Years of hoarding glass and I had us covered there! Tables and chairs? What connections don’t I have in the wedding world by this time? It was covered! The food? With our passion for home grown sustainable food, our dinner was the aspect of the day we had the most fun with! A family full of talented gardeners and cooks and we had a plan of action! With a tent, a homemade bar and a few Edison bulb strands, we had ourselves the perfect party!
Friday September 9th crept up on us and our excitement grew! The evening before, some of our friends started to arrive from far and wide. We served our favorite sandwich shop subs, chatted around the garden and the fire. Polaroid photo flashes and glasses clinking. Everyone understood their roles and most importantly what this day would be about! Not just Eric and I but all of us. Our friendships and our family. Life. The twists and the turns that lead you where you need to be! We were ready to celebrate.
Early morning on our vow day, Eric and his great friends got a suckling pig roasting on a spit in the yard. We put coffee on and family started to arrive. Tables were placed, then the chairs. Lights were strung. Kate steamed my gowns up the the bedroom and sweet gifts were exchanged. A country block away food prep was rocking at my Mom’s. Tia took the lead with Wendy and Lisa on the food dream team. With fresh veggies, herbs and sauces from our gardens they went to work! Pesto pasta salad with tomatoes, cabbage slaw, cheesy potato bake, breads, candied peppers, bruschetta, watermelon, salsas you name it! Last minute projects were completed like Mark putting together a stone fire ring and Matt and Josh installing the door to my greenhouse. The whole farm was truly buzzing!
The guys prepped the spot for our white oak tree which would be planted during our vows. Our friends set up the music, Dane stocked the bar. Lindsey and Marissa wrapped the floral bouquets in ribbon, placed beautiful vases along the tables. Very quickly, morning turned into afternoon and I had to tuck myself away in our bedroom to get ready. Yes I was getting ready but mostly, I was getting to work on a very special floral project I had planned as a surprise. Paige helped me with that and with my elegant natural makeup look. A sweet local hair artists arrived and put my beautiful blonde locks into a timeless WOW French twist. The locally made cheesecakes arrived. The pig came off the spit and Eric’s friends went to work again to get it pulled. Chickens went on the smoker. I stepped into my gathering gown while laughter rang up from the backyard. Family heirloom earrings in each ear and a beautiful pearl collar to match secured around my neck. A spritz of my perfume. Grandmother’s hanky in my hand. It was almost time!
Our photographer friend arrived and tucked herself away in a corner of our bedroom when at 4:00, Eric entered to get me. Our first look. The hanky came in handy. He wore a sleek green vest with dress clothes and has never looked so handsome. A boutonnière on his chest of our home grown florals to match my bouquet. He led me down the stairs and out to the orchard where we shared our vows from the heart and a perfect moment alone.
Guests continued to arrive or return to our home, all fancied up and dressed in greens. The cocktails started flowing and we joined right into the fun, greeting all of the people we hold most dear. Eric poured a whiskey. I went “to work” pinning on boutonnières, tying on flower crowns. Every special guest got a little floral something, of course. Sweet violin notes flowed through the garden rows, a tune from The Lord of the Rings. I couldn’t stop smiling.
The splendor was a bit overwhelming and I’ll hold it in my heart until the end of my days. Our guests explored the garden, admired my mismatch chalice collection. Lots of hugs! Eventually folks settled in to whatever seat they wanted.
Almost 6:00 and our families emerged from the kitchen like a wave with beautiful white ceramic dishes filled to the top with the best food I’ve ever had. Curiosity and awe! Our guests were ready to eat so with a sweet little welcome speech, we set them loose. Every dish was phenomenal! We are still in awe of how everyone came together and offered their very best for this day! Thank you!
With full happy bellies, Eric invited our guests to grab their gold chairs and move them into the center of the garden. I slipped inside with Rose and Paige to change into my surprise gown. An elegant cream mermaid with a bodice of breathtaking fresh florals. I’ve never felt more radiant. The girls snuck me around the front garden gate and we tip toed in behind the greenhouse. I peaked out through the glass windows and my heart pounded. I saw our closest friends smiling, family laughing. Bandit chasing my nephew down the cosmos row. Eric waiting. We giggled.
“The Luckiest” by Ben Folds began with smooth piano notes and we took the first few steps out from behind the greenhouse. Arm in arm with my baby sisters we walked towards the heart of the garden where everyone was gathered.
Tia guided our sweet vow ceremony including personal stories and nerdy quotes. Rose stood and read aloud some beautiful Billy Joel lyrics. Eric and I held hands. In awe of each other and how far we’ve come. We stated our most sincere intentions. Eric’s dad spoke from the heart and his friend, Trevor spoke to Eric’s character. My dad said a little something and Frani spoke on our friendship and life. Every word meant the world to us.
Our Moms helped us plant our tree to an Elton John song called “Love Builds a Garden”. The tree sits beside the gate from our flower field to the backyard where we hope it will grow strong for many years to come.
Our intimate crowd said “we do” to supporting our union. We exchanged our rings with perfect words and happy tears. Tia made the coolest reverend! Our closest friends stood around us. Family beside us.
We promised forever. We said “I do”.
Tia announced us as Mr. and Mrs. Cychosz and the joy erupted! The music picked up! Hugs and kisses all around. The dancing began.
Dane poured drinks, Cole popped champagne. The music played and the kids danced! The cheesecakes came out and the yummiest homemade toppings to go along with them. Everyone loved the desserts and the day. Punk rock played on! Eric and I invited our guests to join us in a first dance. “Can’t help falling in love” -Haley Reinhardt. I saw nothing but Eric. Every moment somehow better than the last. It was the most joyful day of our entire lives.
The string lights burned well into the night. After a bit of dancing, we simply enjoyed our small gathering of dear friends. I roamed around with my Polaroid and snapped photos I’ll treasure forever. Folks wrote sweet and funny messages in our green book. Our dogs were tuckered out and napped right in the middle of the party. The little kiddos weren’t far behind. Our friends made a circle of chairs and we began sharing good stories and playing games. I sat on my husband’s lap and gave him a smooch. Most of that day is a joyful blur now but this moment I remember. It was perfect. I looked around and noted how in love with Eric and my life I am. How I wouldn’t change a thing. I reflect on our day with bliss, and true love.
We close this entry with nothing but gratitude. To those who were here with us, we thank you! To those who wished us well, thank you. If you helped with the food, got ordained just for us, brought a drink, shared from your garden, sent a gift, sent us love we will forever be grateful. Our vow to you all is to take the love and commitment we felt on this day and carry it with us throughout our marriage. May it be a long, beautiful, happily ever after.
