Growing up, I thought the most glamorous people of a wedding (besides the bride herself), were the bridesmaids, especially the Maid of Honor. She was special. She was the go to person for all things the bride might need. She had responsibilities, and they were important. She tended the bride, kept the other maids in check and most importantly she kept watch of the bridal bouquet. The bride handed it to her when she took her beloveds hands to say her vows. She needed to be prepared and on top of things. How I longed to be asked to be in a wedding my whole youth in any capacity.
Well, I grew up and was never asked to be a flower girl nor a bridesmaid or the maid of honor. Then, Corona hit and gave me a little silver lining. At an age where most women are relegated to wearing the old fashioned wrist corsage denoting that they are of a “more mature” status I got to live out my youthful dream with one of the most beloved couples I know by being the matron of honor at my oldest daughters wedding.
She had planned the perfect wedding, until it was all canceled at the last minute. The groom wanted to be married, and married on that day, so, we all stepped up with a kind pastor, hired photographer, homemade charcuterie boards and flowers from the garden.
For years I have been planting peony bulbs from Costco. Sometimes they make a big bush with no flowers or up to twenty-five flowers per bush. I just don’t know what will happen from year to year with them, so I just buy more (they are available in late January $12.99) just in case. This year, the year of quarantine and cancelled events, it was as if the Lord raised up this one giant peony plant just in time for our do it yourself wedding with thirty or more of the most beautiful flowers I have ever had.
It took five minutes to tie them together with a blue ribbon the night before and bless my daughter with a truly extravagant bridal bouquet.
My husband walked the bride onto the beach by our home. I was her Matron of honor and cared for her bouquet as she took her beloveds hands and they pledged their lives to one another in good times and in bad.
Guest Author: Necia Schuil, Mother of the Bride
