My Aunt Gail gave me my great-grandmother Rena’s handkerchief. It was perfect, since our given first names both start with the same letter, and I would need it for the tears of joy that came later.

I’m not usually a shoe person, but I decided to go all out for this! Frank’s sister Katie and mom Marion went shopping with me the week before the wedding and helped me pick out the heels I wore on the day. On my way to check out, I found the coziest-looking after-wedding shoes that came in our color: rose gold! So I wore both on the big day.

Frank’s Aunt Susan shared two pieces of jewelry with me. The first was a bracelet she wore at her sister Juliana’s wedding, which sparkled just like my shoes! The second was a necklace belonging to her own Aunt Sue, whom she was named after and who lived to be 101 years old. I was lucky enough to meet her! Two very special pieces.

Gail really thought of everything! For my bridal shower, she gave me not one, but TWO garters: one to wear and one to throw. I wore the sparkly garter and am saving the second one for our in-person celebration.

Gail’s husband Bryan Stevens hand-carved a beautiful commemorative pen, with which we signed our marriage license to make it official. The pen is made of maple inlay and black titanium, with a Swarovski crystal on the clip.

My grandmother Joyce Appleby loved clothespins. She would use them all the time to pin notes to herself around her home. I wanted to honor her with the cake topper for our special day, so I hand-painted a clotespin outfitted as Frank and I were for the wedding.