Shades of Green Wedding: Keeli + Spencer

March 25, 2020

Keeli and Spencer's summer wedding at Shades of Green almost didn't happen because of a health scare. In the end, everything turned out exactly the way it was supposed to, but not without a lesson in the middle.

Imagine your fairytale wedding. You’ve planned, you’ve gathered all your favorite people for a weekend celebration. The love of your life is prepared to vow forever. You are literally hours from one of the biggest days of your journey together.

And then, your child spends two nights before in the hospital with a mysterious infection from an allergic reaction. You don't sleep for 48 hours. You contemplate surgery up until just three hours before your wedding. Wedding planning and preparation screeches to a halt, your priorities shift instantly, and all the work that you spent putting into this moment hinge on a doctor’s decision to whether they can let him out to take part in the festivities.

Wedding days are stressful enough. Health emergencies shouldn’t be added to the equation.

What do you do?

You adapt. You rally the troops. You hear the doctor grant you permission to take your now stabilized child to the ceremony, only to have to bring him back afterward for further testing and monitoring. You have your maid of honor do your hair and makeup in a hospital room and get dressed in a hospital bathroom.

You forget about all the unnecessary things. Does it matter where the flower arrangements are placed? Does the ceremony have to begin exactly on time? Does the seating chart make sense? No, it doesn't.

You focus on connection. You focus on love. You slow down to enjoy the moment and not take any of it for granted. You lean into those around you, your spouse-to-be, your strength and rock, because you know that no matter the test, your armor is prepared to handle it.

And then, you eat cake and dance.

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