We’re in the home stretch of wedding planning and it feels surreal in so many ways. The biggest one of course is that I’ll be marrying my best friend and the love of my life in less than three weeks.
Lately I’ve been reflecting back on our last six years together. First, I can’t believe it’s gone so fast! Second, it feels like after all we went through each day is a pinch me moment. After work when we take Kieran to the park and watch him play, I think about how grateful I am for this life Keith and I share. Our love, our family and our two beautiful kids is a dream come true.
Don’t get me wrong it’s so hard too (as many of you that are parents know!) but having a partner and best friend to go through life with makes it completely different for me. I think if I were getting married at 10 years ago- even if everything else were the same- I wouldn’t have the frame of reference and gratitude I do today after everything we’ve been through.
“You need to spend time crawling alone through shadows to truly appreciate what it is to stand in the sun.” – Shaun Hick
But guys I have been getting cold feet…
…about the light blue satin tablecloths!
I don’t know if it’s a normal thing to second guess this sort of thing this close? Or if it’s because it feels like a risk and the ‘safe’ bet would be a champagne or ivory? I chose the blue because I just love the color and because it’s an element of the ‘dreams come true’ storytelling I’ve been sharing about- but I worry because our reception is outside at Wailana Pool where it’s green and lush that it could compete with the tropical tones (at least before sunset)?
That’s the sort of thing that’s been going through my head lately 🙂 I haven’t questioned the theme just random things like that and I’m kind embarrassed to admit how many times I’ve looked at options via Chat GPT image mock ups 😛
I think the blue is it. By the way, this is our final tablescape (minus some wine glasses). Our amazing planner Kim at Aulani suggested the pink water goblets and I’m so glad she did! Also, you can see one of the table names in the frame. Below is how they turned out IRL.
As mentioned last month the table names are words from our seating chart which tells the story of how Keith and I found love and grew into a family. The images are a combination of drawing and AI image generation. I used AI to help ideate the images, then hand drew over several of them, then used AI again to refine them.
I’ve honestly loved wedding planning in 2026 given where things are with AI – first because it’s helped me a ton, and second because it’s given me the opportunity to test and learn AI as a tool for one really big project (the wedding). There are certain things I’ve used it heavily for. I know the time is coming (actually I think it’s here) that we’ll be expected to leverage AI in our day to day work lives so I’m grateful for what feels like a crash course in learning what it can and can’t do. I feel like some of its capabilities have shocked me, while others areas have surprised me with how limited it is at the same time.
Now there are certain things that I won’t let AI do, like writing and editing these wedding blog posts. I love writing and editing and I don’t care if AI can do it better. I take pride in this so that’s that.
So what is there left to plan? Signage! Lots of signs. The welcome sign, bar sign, programs, reserved signs and more (I have a whole list). Besides that though, the only other thing is lots and lots of logistics. Reviewing the timeline with our family and wedding party. Touching base with the baby sitters. Arranging food for the Reveal Hair and Makeup girls helping us get ready. All those details.
Everything else is more or less done. The music for our ceremony, the bible readings, the entertainment for the reception, the timeline, the shot list and I am so thankful to Kim at Aulani for helping me pull all of it together. There were times when just the volume of things that needed to get done felt impossible and she helped me get through it. Looking back, choosing to have our wedding at Aulani was the best decision we could have made.
Last- and I know this sounds silly, but if you’ve experienced it let me know below if you can relate!- it feels bittersweet to think the wedding planning is almost over and this beautiful chapter is about to wrap up. To think that soon the wedding is something I’ll be smiling back on rather than looking forward to. It’s been such a huge project for so long now with so much anticipation.
But enough about that! It’s about to be our wedding day and I am so excited to celebrate mine and Keith’s forever love with our family and friends. <3