Part 4 - The Wait Is Worth It

     It's amazing how quickly time passes! I've been devoting a great deal of time to my personal blog: Puerility Vol. 1 and other professional ventures. But I have not forgotten about you dear readers! Thank you for your patience!

     Without further ado, here is Part 4 of Shannessy's amazing love story!

     But let's not forget some backstory: 

     I had the pleasure of meeting Shannessy, years ago in Southern California while she was still single. To this day, I'm so honored that our paths crossed, if even for a short time. Her romance story stirs excitement and dreams within me. I hope it will do the same for you!  


     My questions to Shannessy are in bold, while Shannessy's beautifully honest answers are in italics.



1. What are 3 key things to remember for a bride approaching her own wedding day?

      1. Take a break about halfway through the planning and get away with your man. No wedding talk, NOTHING. Just be together. BE. Return to why your are marrying this person. Shut off the phone, shut down the computer, and get away ;)


      2. Do your best to ‘let go and let God’. His plans for your special day are better than yours. No use fretting when something you want doesn’t work out. It means He has something better. Have a positive friend who will help you see the bright side, remind you of this fact, yet comfort you at the same time in your disappointment.


      3. Stay connected with your friends. It is a busy time but don’t seclude yourself too much. Enjoy the excitement of the engagement season as you can’t get it back and it flies by FAST! Others want to celebrate and be excited with you too!

2. What can women do that are in "waiting" for God's best? What are some practical things they
can walk out?

      Remember that it’s not in your control. As I mentioned before, I did EVERYTHING I could to ‘make’ God bring me a husband. Fast, pray, drink wine/eat chocolate and cry and get mad… I fully remember the moment when I realized there was NOTHING I could do… standing in front of a mirror on my 35th birthday in 2009… it hit me like a ton of bricks… He gently spoke to my heart… I had to surrender in that moment fully knowing there was NOTHING I could do to bring that husband forth. I knew it in my head, but my heart and will refused to give in to that reality. It made me sad, yet brought me such great peace. And what do you know? A few months later I met Shane…

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     Part 5 of Shannessy's love story, which is also the conclusion of her featured love story, along with her special words of encouragement to you readers will be coming soon! Yes, yes, I know. "Soon" may be a bit relative, but I assure it will be coming :)

Love You!

Part 3 - The Wait Is Worth It

      

     Welcome to our blog site! This is a place for you to bask in the beauty of romance, the miracle of a man and woman finding one another in what may seem to be a neverending lonely world. 

      For a moment, put away your cynicsm and your doubts about marriage and romance. And allow yourself to dream, not just for everyone else, but for yourself. Yes, I believe there is a distinct and beautiful romance that is being planned in heaven just for you.

     If you're brand new to our blog, I recommend you reading "Parts 1 and 2" to be completely caught up.  As I mentioned, in the previous posts, I had the pleasure of meeting Shannessy, years ago in Southern California while she was still single. To this day, I'm so honored that our paths crossed, if even for a short time. Her romance story evokes hope within me, and I hope it does the same for you!

     My questions to Shannessy are in bold, while Shannessy's beautifully honest answers are in italics.

    And now, I present to you "Part 3" in our series:

"The Wait Is Worth It"

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      What is the very first thing a bride-to-be should tackle in planning her wedding?

     Ask for help. ;) BTW, I HIGHLY recommend every couple KNOW and have worked through any kinks prior to engagement. When the planning begins, there is little time, or patience to deal with heart issues that could have been addressed earlier. Christians seem to get married FAST –ours in 3 months – and that entire time is WEDDING PLANNING FILLED. And I loved it. ;) But for sure didn’t want it to last one day longer!

     Technical details; church and reception venue first, this is how we determined our date since we didn’t care when (except SOON). I also have a friend who is a wedding planner so I hired her for a very inexpensive rate. If you can swing it, I HIGHLY recommend it. My mom and sisters were unable to offer much help and it takes a very special friend to give of time and emotional energy to help you. If you hire someone who is reliable and responsible it takes a lot of the pressure off.

     Who were you top 3 favorite Vendors (Photographers, Catering, Location, etc.) of your wedding day?

     1. The wedding planner. Even if you don’t hire a planner to actually help you PLAN the wedding, at the very least hiring someone to take care of the details of the day is PRICELESS. Then you can simply enjoy the day – and so can your family and friends. She was hands-down worth her weight in gold. Doing the finishing touches of decorating, making sure everyone was doing what they were supposed to do, keeping in contact with all the vendors, making sure I was stress-less. Because of her, I could fully enjoy the whole day. ;)

     2. Videographer – I almost didn’t hire one due to budget but after so many women said they watch their video more than look at the photos, I did it. I just hired a less expensive photographer. He did an amazing job and our day is now permanently on film. To be able watch something that was such an emotional blur later is a wonderful thing. We still cry when we watch it!

     3. Reception hall – beautiful location, great staff, great view – we loved the woman we worked with… the decorations were AMAZING, a gift from God. A friend of a friend knew some rich people whose daughter was recently married; they let us borrow amazing things and wouldn’t take a penny. ;) I felt like a princess ;)

     What was your favorite part of your wedding day?

     Marrying the man of my dreams. Our first moment… (we took pics beforehand to avoid any stress after our vows were taken. Therefore earlier in the day I walked down the aisle to him and him alone. ;)… and of course, that LONG AWAITED FIRST KISS! I can tell you that was honestly the best and most exciting day of my life. ;)

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     Shannessy! We love hearing about the details of your romance story and wedding.

     Keep a look out for Part 4 of Shannessy and Shane's beautiful romance story. There's only 2 more parts left! 

     And then, after concluding our series with Shannessy, I get to introduce you to a few more brides and their amazing journeys in love. I can't wait!

     Until we meet again. Be blessed and encouraged. You are already loved greatly. And you are in our prayers!