I had been looking forward to this day for a long time. Allie was about to marry the man of her dreams. One of my best friends gets to spend the rest of her life with her best friend. It was so exciting. I was overwhelmed by emotion going up to it. I have known Allie since right after she met Hasan. I have heard about their relationship, the excitement, the changes, the commitments and how her heart has grown to love him uncontrollably. This was a big day and I wanted it to be so perfect for them.
Jo and I started the day like any other, at Allie’s house. All her best girlfriends, her sister, moms and new sister-in-laws were all there buzzing around. As soon as I walked in I noticed how much Allie was glowing. She was radiant! I knew she was going to be the most beautiful bride, but it was more than that. She had an air about her. She was calm yet ecstatic. I couldn’t help but cry. This was going to be quite the day. I got to spend time with Allie and then head over to see Hasan. I expected them to be running around, or nervous or something. He was cool as cool can be. If you know Hasan, you already know how cool he is. But this, once again, was different. He was ready. I asked him a bunch of times if he was nervous and he looked at me like I was crazy. It is true. What was I thinking? He was marrying Allie. No nerves there.
The day could not have been better. It was so warm we were almost sweating. The sun was out in full force and everyone was ready to be where they needed to be and do what they needed to do. We arrived at Blanc with plenty of time to put Allie’s dress on and prep a little before Hasan got there. They picked the perfect venue. Allie was picture perfect in her lace dress and flower crown. Ivy Lane floral did a wonderful design for her natural Colorado, yet urban wedding. The rustic wood tables and metal chairs were delicate enough for Blanc’s beautiful white interior and yet held up well to its urbanite exterior. They had fun personal touches and designs bringing in their love of the mountains and all things Colorado, like their personalized stamp of mountains on popcorn bags, hand-lettered signs, and big buck hunter on Wii.
Allie and Hasan’s first look was precious. The smile across Hasan’s face was unbeatable. When he is truly happy he smiles with his entire face. The look was something out of a dream. Allie was in bliss. It was the kind of happiness that isn’t just full of smiles and outward excitement. It was the kind of happiness that comes from deep down and fills the whole room. Yep, I cried again. This is how the day would go. We would have pure joy and laughter. Their wedding party was having a blast and enjoying every moment of this day. We took some pictures, hung out, and eased into the day. It was very important to take the time to celebrate with one another. This day included all the people that Allie and Hasan loved so they wanted to soak up every bit of it. The moments speak volumes to what kind of people Allie and Hasan are and what kind of relationships they build. When Allie saw her dad, he lost it. These two have a special bond that I have been waiting to experience for ages. She talks about her dad like he is a superhero. Now I can see why. He looks at her like the joy of his life. Her mom is the sweetest lady too and you can see how she genuinely wants her daughter to be happy. Hasan’s parents are no exception. His mom’s smile lights up a room and his dad is someone you can feel instantly comfortable with. I guess this is what good midwestern people are like. Allie and Hasan are the same. They are a culmination of all the amazing things they see in their friends and their families. They are overly generous, loving, fun, exciting, cool, good looking, intelligent and selfless. Finding each other was the most epic thing that could ever happen. Now they are the power couple that can’t be beaten. They are going to nail this marriage thing day in and day out. They already know what it is like to sacrifice and put other people first. They are best friends and the love of each other lives. It should be a piece of cake.
The events of the wedding went without a hitch. After we all dried our eyes from an elegant and meaningful ceremony, we celebrated into the night with a delicious appetizer like dinner from Catering by Design. There were mac and cheese bites (a personal favorite), soft pretzels, sliders, cheese curds and more. Everyone felt gluttonous as we ravaged the popcorn bar and stopped at the portal ice cream bike with Little Man Ice Cream. YUM! We played games, had wonderful conversations with good friends and then commemorated it in the Shutter Bus photo booth. It was everything I knew Allie’s wedding would be. Elegant, hip, beautiful, meaningful and fun.
I am so excited for the journey they are starting together. Marriage is a very amazing and special thing. Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Al-Mabuk!! (I will never get tired of saying that)
Thank you to all the vendors who made this day special for my friends!
Caitlin with LoveLeigh Weddings
