Independence Inspiration

Independence Day is upon us and this is a wedding blog?  What? Shouldn't we be discussion hot dogs on the grill and fireworks?  Sure. maybe. But here at Harrybrooke Park, we try to think outside the box.  Many of you are planning a wedding and you have today off. Some are sitting poolside looking for inspiration and others might take a few minutes to search for new wedding ideas in lieu of the barbecues. Well, we hope to help because here in Harrybrooke, we don't take holidays off. We host the parties and yes, we are even in the office on July 4th. We're not crazy, just dedicated to creating while others can rest their brains, celebrate with family and think about the sacrifices of a nation. 

Independence Day marks the birth of our great nation. Likewise, it marks the beginning of an idea taking shape into reality. Much like the concept of love between two people, our country is standing behind the ideal of Liberty. For centuries people spoke of freedom and some even attempted it. The concept is outstanding and as we find out 241 years later, the concept IS possible AND it takes work. Love is possible and takes work, too. Like cultivating our beautiful gated garden, love demands regular attention throughout the process. From that first "ask" to dinner or a movie to a 50th wedding anniversary. Ask any "old" couple and they'll tell you it takes work. 

My parents just celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary last month.  55 years!  The testament to their love is watching them walk down the street hand in hand ... still. That's an amazing achievement, as the 241 years are as well for a nation but it's rooted in the same concept. Dedication to a concept and refusal to give up on it. Sure, the nation has a few more people involved, but the shared concept and approach is real. There is compromise. There is negotiation. There are occasionally battles. When the day is done though, it comes back to the concept.

Our weddings are sometimes very unique. From the ceremony to reception we have seen some very traditional ceremonies here and some crazy concepts but that's the best part. You make the day whatever you want it to be here. It's YOUR IDEAL. No one is telling you how you have to do your ceremony. As a Justice of the Peace, I have seen so many crazy ceremonies! Costumes. Crazy vows including laundry duties. It's yours!  Do with it what you want and don't let ANYONE dictate your wedding but the two that it matters most to. We have ideas, we have examples and we have people who will listen to what you want.

Be your own founding father (or mother) of your day. Grab the concept of love and fight for it. Fight for the birth of the next steps of your life. Make the day as full of pomp and circumstance as you want. I've performed ceremonies with just the couple by the falls. Why? That's what they wanted. They stood strong with it. SO on this Independence Day, stand tall for the ideal of love. The rest will all be the icing on your cake. Happy 4th of July.

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