Autumn's Embrace: The Wedding Season (WRITING IN PROGRESS)

Chapter 18: The Perfect Invitations

As the sun began to rise over the farmhouse on the morning of the wedding, Lily and Elliot found themselves sitting at the long wooden table in the living room, surrounded by sketches, color samples, and small samples of decorative materials. While most of the wedding details had been finalized long ago, there was one final, important task left to complete—choosing the design for the wedding programs and the table settings.

Lily ran her fingers over one of the color samples, a soft blush pink, as she glanced at the array of options in front of her. She and Elliot had spent weeks going over the finer details of their wedding, from the flowers to the food, but this decision felt different. The design of the wedding programs and table settings felt like the final personal touch, the element that would bring everything together and reflect their personalities as a couple.

"I can't believe we're still deciding on this the morning of the wedding," Lily said with a light laugh, shaking her head. "But I guess it's fitting. We've been tweaking little details all along the way."

Elliot chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "Yeah, but this is fun, isn't it? It's one of the last things we get to do together before everything kicks off. I like that we get to put our stamp on it."

Lily smiled at him, appreciating his easygoing attitude. She felt a twinge of nostalgia for the early days of planning, when they had poured over wedding magazines, Pinterest boards, and online inspiration galleries, trying to imagine the perfect day. Now, here they were, with just a few hours left before the ceremony, still making decisions together. It was a reminder of how their relationship had always worked—collaborative, filled with love, and grounded in the little moments they shared.

"So," Elliot said, glancing at the sketches in front of them, "what are you thinking? Do we go with something more formal, or do we stick with the rustic, natural vibe we've been going for?"

Lily picked up one of the program samples, a simple design with clean lines and a muted color palette. It was elegant and classic, exactly the kind of design that would look polished in photos. But as she studied it, she couldn't help but feel that something was missing—something more personal, more reflective of the journey they had taken together.

"I don't know," Lily said, setting the sample down and reaching for another design. "I like this one, but it feels a little too formal for us, don't you think? We've gone for a more laid-back, rustic feel with the rest of the wedding. I want the programs and table settings to match that vibe."

Elliot nodded thoughtfully. "Yeah, I get what you're saying. The formal look is nice, but it doesn't really feel like us. We've spent months planning this beautiful, relaxed day in the country, and I think the design should reflect that. Maybe something more simple, with natural elements—like the wildflowers we picked for the bouquets."

Lily's eyes lit up at the suggestion. "Yes! That's exactly it. Something with soft colors and a little bit of nature. Maybe we could incorporate some of the same wildflowers into the program design or the table settings. It would tie everything together."

Elliot grinned. "I love that idea. It'll give the day a personal touch, and it'll feel like a reflection of everything we've built together."

As they continued to brainstorm, Lily reached for a blank piece of paper and began sketching out an idea. She drew a simple border of wildflowers around the edges of the program, the soft greens and yellows blending seamlessly with the rustic tones of the farmhouse. In the center, she wrote their names in a flowing, handwritten font, followed by the date and a small phrase that had become their unofficial motto over the past few months: Forever and always, no matter what.

Elliot leaned over, watching her work with a smile on his face. "That looks perfect," he said softly. "It's exactly what I was picturing—simple, personal, and meaningful."