A Classic Modern Wedding

Lydia & Solomon’s

Engagement

Solomon and I met in the summer going into our junior year of high school. Sol’s family had just moved to the area that summer, and he came around to a youth group I attended regularly. I remember seeing him for the first time and thinking he was so cute. But I didn’t say anything to him because I had sworn to my friends I was done dating that same summer. When the school had started, it was like the universe was pushing so HARD for us to meet. In my first two periods, Solomon sat next to me in both and was my bottom locker. Inevitably, he started making conversation with me, walking me home from school, and hanging out with me. We started dating and have been together since. I knew junior year this would be the man I’d one day call my husband. In high school, we’d sit and fantasize about being married. To have it be reality is still sometimes surreal.

In February of 2020, Solomon told me while we were sitting watching a college basketball game that his dad had gotten a promotion, and we were going out that week for a celebratory dinner. My naïve self didn’t really think much of it. I knew the engagement was on the horizon, but I didn’t want to hype myself up to be let down. The day of the “dinner,” it was POURING outside, and I had worked at a dance studio before. I changed into the bathroom at work and drove to meet him in the rain. We moved to the 21 C- Museum Hotel, where we parked, got out, and went to look at the Art while we “waited for his Family.” Again, I was completely oblivious at this point. We turned the corner of an exhibit, and I saw an aisle of candles, flowers, and pictures of us. I comically tell people after this point I “blacked out.” I remember repeating to Sol, “Is this real?” I was so caught off guard. Solomon said some lovely and beautiful words and eventually got on one knee. Of course, I said yes!! I didn’t know that some of our friends were hiding, ready to take pictures of us. All the hotel employees were in on it as well. We went back to my parents afterward and celebrated with both of our families. It was beautiful and magical.

Lydia & Solomon’s

Wedding

Our wedding was not as initially planned- like most 2020 brides, revising wedding plans was necessary. Solomon and I had dated since high school and insisted on not waiting any longer to be married. When COVID cases spiked late fall again, we knew our 250 person wedding was not possible. So we scrambled to find a new ceremony and reception venue. When I would tell people that our once big wedding was now limited to immediate family and bridal party, they’d say something along the lines of “Oh I am so sorry. You deserve the day you want.” And while this was a kind gesture, I found that having a small wedding was exactly what I wanted but didn’t know it until after. Our small wedding was absolutely perfect. We got married in a tiny catholic church and had our reception at a beautiful local brewery. The day felt slow- so I could really soak up each moment intentionally. Not only this, but it felt as though the day truly reflected the hearts of myself and my now husband. COVID or not, if given a choice 10 years from now, I would not change a single thing about our wedding day.

Lydia’s

Bridal & Formal

Experience

I was honestly so nervous about going wedding dress shopping. Since high school, I pictured what I wanted my wedding dress to be: long lace sleeves, form-fitted, v-neck, and open back. I had heard from many brides that when they went wedding dress shopping, the dress style that they’d imagined was completely different than the dress they ended up choosing. I was so scared this was going to happen, and I’d end up trying on a million dresses. But it was not the case! The woman who helped me find dresses (Mary) was so sweet and really listened to what I wanted. I literally tried on 5 dresses, and that was it! She was the one who ended up pulling the dress that I went with for my wedding day. It was EXACTLY what I had pictured all those years before in high school. I loved my dress so much.
Mary was perfect! She listened to what I wanted and picked styles that reflected my interests. As mentioned previously, she was the one who picked out the dress I chose as my wedding dress.