Our Summer Ranch Wedding 'Fairy' Tale Part I

“The carriage is here!” My Dad belted out, amidst the transformative chaos.

“Clint, please, shut up! Chloe I’m sorry, I think the girls must’ve drank the rest of the cider and champagne while you were doing your first look photos.”

“Man, I could really do with something right now.” Trying to disguise my hands shaking, partly from nerves, partly from Bride-induced hunger (also because of nerves).

“Where is Faris’ card?” I asked impatiently.

“What card?”

“His card! He wrote a card for me to read right before the ceremony! He wrote it specially. Oh my god, he’s going to be so upset if I don’t read it. Where is it?!” Panic started to consume my body, as I stood there in my almond-blush Truvelle wedding dress, covered in chiffon and fabric that can only be described as a fairy-tale inspired waterfall.

“Oh gosh, ok, I’ll call Paulina.”

“Cloffee (Dad’s endearing nickname for me since I was young), you look beautiful.” He said, aside.
“Dad! Don’t make me cry!” As I tried to emotionally push away his glossed-over eyes.

“Paulina doesn’t know where it is.”
“Yes she does! I saw Faris give it to her yesterday! Tell her to check her bags!” I said, knowingly.

“She found it!” Jeff is bringing it for the photo (10 minutes of searching later).

“What photo?” My Dad asked, while shoving handfuls of granola into his mouth.

“We’re taking some photos of me reading the card.”

“What a production weddings are nowadays, aren’t they Jan?”

——

‘ring, ring, ring’

“Ok, it’s time!”

“We have to put my veil on! Almost forgot! Mum, can you help me? I wish Jehnna was here! Dad, get out of here! Don’t even try to touch it!” Half laughing and half controlling.

“Ok, let’s go. Oh my god, it’s here. I can’t believe it.”

“Dad, you’re stepping on my dress!”

We descended the stairs together… a moment I’ve waited for my whole life. I swear, if the horses weren’t there to hold me, I don’t think I could do it.

“The bouquet! We forgot the bouquet!”

“I’ll get it!” My Dad yelled.

“You don’t know where it is or where the key is or how to get into the house.” I said, annoyingly.

“I’ll get it.” I had so much adrenaline it made sense in that moment to take myself out of the carriage, walk up the wet stairs and fetch the bouquet, all in my dress, excessively long train and veil.

——

There we sat, together in the beautifully classic black and green carriage. On our way to Faris. On our way to the grassy hill that I have played on since I was 12. The hill I ran Mac on time and time again, bareback, despite my Mum’s disagreement. The hill that Ollie chased balls and frisbees back and forth, for hours, without any sign of exhaustion. The hill that Sam and I and our friends hid to drink, smoke and play camp-fire games. The hill that I sat, on my own, to escape what was happening at home, to cry in silence.

I don’t even remember the conversation that we had and the words that we swapped in those moments in the carriage. I just remember feeling, otherworldly. Like it was another dimension. Anticipating every person I know and love to be there on the other side, sitting on the hay bales and wooden seats- amongst wild flowers, blue skies (I was praying for them) and the band playing, “Move Together” by James Bay. All welcomed by our hand painted wooden sign, “Faris and Chloe Say I Do”.

“Where would you like us to take you, Chloe?” Asked Connie and her husband- our reliable and grounding carriage team, also husband and wife.

“Can you drive us straight up the hill and then turn directly to the wine barrels?” Trying to avoid a trek in the grass.

“Of course.”

As the Clydesdale team neared the hill, the voices of the band grew. Each step brought me closer to the a new chapter in my life. Each move edged me closer to this scene I envisioned and planned in my head for years.

“It’s up to you now, Chloe.”

“Dad, wait for me!”

With one arm laced with my Mum’s and the other my Dad’s, holding onto their support, I placed one foot in front of the other. Partly directing my Dad, as if he didn’t realise it was a straight walk, down the aisle to Faris. A moment he has no doubt rehearsed in his head millions of times, while watching our favourite, “My Best Friend’s Wedding”.

“Ok, let’s do this.”

And I made my way to Faris.