Real Life Wedding Stories

It’s wedding season!  So before you catch the bouquet and give a toast, read these true life wedding stories.  emme readers gave us their real life “I do” stories!  How did these couples meet?  What did they like the most and least about wedding planning?  And most of all, how did they know their significant other was “the one”?

 Mike,36 and Tara, 40  

Darien, IL

Mike and I met at a wedding.  His first cousin married a really close family friend of my family.  At the time he was 17 and I was 21.  After we met, we dated shortly after and broke up.  We then dated a few years after that, and broke up yet again.  The third time we dated was about ten years later!  As they always say, the third time is the charm!

For me, the best part of wedding planning was shopping for that perfect dress.  When I knew I had found the right one, I started crying.  The worst part of wedding planning was figuring out our seating arrangement.  It can be a drag!  It can be stressful because you want everyone to be comfortable with where they’re sitting and have a good time.

The best part of being married is knowing you have a friend to talk to, laugh with, and have a blast with.  We always make each other laugh.  Another amazing part of our marriage is our kids.  We will do whatever is needed to make them happy!  My advice to single girls is to not rush into marriage or relationships.  You have your entire lives to be married and have children.  Enjoy being a young woman while you still can!  I did not get married until I was 30, and I am so happy I waited.  I was able to get everything single out of my system!  To this day, Mike and I still have date night and it helps us keep things fresh and fun.

 Mike,36 and Kim,36

Mullica Hill, NJ

Kim and I met in college.  We were both English majors and biology minors.  My lab partner in one of my biology courses turned out to be Kim’s roommate.  My second semester of my freshman year of college, myself and my lab partner began to study together more often.  I was always coming up to their dorm to study.  That is how Kim and I became friends.  Of course, I wanted to get to know her on a more personal level.

That summer, my friends and I were renting a house at the Jersey Shore.  Coincidentally, Kim and I ended up running into each other at the shore.  When school started in the Fall, we became close friends and had a class together.  By junior year, we had officially started seeing other.  And the rest is history!  We now have 3 beautiful children and still go to the Jersey Shore every summer.

 Chris,27 and Yolanda,27

Manhattan, NY

Chris and I met our senior year of college on a spring break trip to Mexico.  We were introduced by mutual friends, and it was the best thing that has ever happened to me!  I knew Chris was the one when I realized he had the qualities I desired in someone I wanted to spend my life with.  He was family oriented and was extremely motivated with school and work.  We were in a long distance relationship at first, and he was always honest with me and did not give up.  Whenever I took things too seriously, Chris would always make me laugh.  He always kept things interesting and made me so happy!

The best part of wedding planning was shopping for my dress.  I loved going to bridal shops with my grandma, mom, sisters and best friends.  I loved going to the fittings and picking out accessories.  The worst part was trying to track down people who did not send back RSVPs.  It was definitely frustrating and annoying.  The final counts and the seating chart got a little annoying!  The best part of marriage is knowing that someone will always support you in life and your best friend will always be at your side.

Single girls should take advantage of spending money on themselves.  When you are married, you have to think twice about what you buy and be more responsible!  Let’s just say I had a lot more shoes and purses when I was single!

Mike, 38 and Andrea, 38

Havertown, PA

Michael and I met through friends.  My friends and his friends had both rented different [Jersey] shore houses one summer.  Michael happened to be living in a shore house with some guys I was friends with from high school.  At night and on the weekends, we would all go out together.  That was how we really got to know each other.  After we started dating, I knew Michael was the one because I couldn’t imagine my life without him.

The best part of marriage is always having someone there for me.  We share interests, laughs, we have the same goals, and our children are the most important thing to us.  I can be completely myself around him and we don’t have to pretend at all.

My advice to single girls is to be open to love yet and the same time be very practical!  Also, be wise with money!  I wish I would’ve saved more in my 20s! Really appreciate your time before you are married.  I know I did!

 Darryl,50 and Tina,52

River Grove, IL

Darryl and I were introduced at a lounge through mutual friends.  I knew Darryl was the person I wanted to marry right away.  He had so much kindness in his heart.  I never met anyone that had that much compassion.  The best part of wedding planning was the anticipation of actually being married!  The worst was definitely the finances!  Running around getting ready for our wedding was also very stressful.  The best part of being married is the stability.  We have a family together and we know each other like no one else.

My advice to young women is to fulfill all of your dreams first and be secure with yourself first before committing.  After finishing school, traveling and finding your dream job, then get married.

 Frank,68 and Diane, 66

Elmhurst, IL

I had known Frank my entire life since our families were friends.  As we got older, I developed a huge crush on him when he was a senior in high school and I was a sophomore.  I thought he was so cute!  Every time I saw him my heart melted.  For college, I attended U of I at Navy Pier.  Frank was already studying there, and my father asked his father to watch out for me.  Frank kept his word, and would ride the bus with me.  He asked me to be his date for a wedding shortly afterwards, and I think from then on we both knew that this was something serious.  I knew he was the one when I felt magic in our relationship.  It was something very wonderful.  He was extremely kind and we had undeniable chemistry.

I simply loved wedding planning.  I was very excited to know that I would be able to spend the rest of my life with Frank.  Being married is amazing because you can share your life with your best friend.  You can be yourself with that person.

Before getting married, young women should be happy with themselves first and foremost.  You need to be your own person!  You must complete yourself because no one else can do that for you.

 Vince, 70 and Rose Anne, 63

Media, PA

I was a teacher for a third grade classroom when I met Vince.  Another teacher at my school had a boyfriend named Jim.  Jim was friends with Vince and wanted to introduce me to him.  At first I was extremely skeptical and refused.  One day my friend and I left a work meeting and decided to meet Jim for lunch.  As a set up, Jim had brought Vince.  The moment we met I knew that it was going to be something special.  We instantly fell in love and got engaged six months later!  We had two children and now five grandchildren!  We are so blessed and fortunate.

Top 10 Wedding Songs:

1.  Unchained Melody Righteous Brothers
2.  Unforgettable Nat King Cole
3.  I Cant Help Falling In Love With You Elvis Presley
4.  Have I Told You Lately Rod Stewart
5. The Power Of Love Celine Dion
6.  From This Moment On Shania Twain
7.  Ribbon In The Sky Stevie Wonder
8.  At Last Etta James
9.  The Way You Look Tonight Frank Sinatra
10.  True Companion Marc Cohn

Did you know…?

According to Cosmopolitan, 74% of women voted that in general people should hold off until their late 20s to get married.  The reason?  To learn more about themselves before committing.