On September 29th, 2018 I walked down the aisle of the most perfect, equestrian, Kansas City venue as Caroline Gunnigle, and after some vows made in front of God, our family and friends, I walked back down the aisle hand-in-hand with Matt as Caroline Arendt.

Ok, not really.

I didn’t realize how lengthy (and exhausting) the name change process is, let alone how hard it is to change your name. While I was excited to take my new husband’s last name, you don’t realize how familiar you get with your maiden name in your pre-marriage life, and every place it is (think bank accounts, Spotify, car etc). I did use Hitchswitch (future brides reading into this, I recommend), which did a lot of the heavy lifting for me. If only someone could go to the DMV and deal with the government for me (still accepting applications).

In 1 year of marriage, you learn a lot about your partner and cohabitating with them, but you also learn a lot about yourself. Moving this second time has been hard, maybe one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. Phoenix was comfortable. I had fallen in love with the desert, lack of winter and the horsey culture in Arizona and before I knew it, we were headed north. But did you notice I said I a lot? I’m no longer an I, I’m part of a we. With the hard stuff there comes a lot of good too, we’ve grown a ton as a couple and in our faith. No one also tells you how awkward it is finding the right church. We were both lucky enough to have home churches that set the bar high.

Main takeaway from year one: you’re a half of a whole so without your other half, you’re not whole. It’s not easy being selfless sometimes! In year 1 we moved twice, got a dog after being married for 2 months (what were we thinking?), and we also postponed our honeymoon! Last fall was a busy time for both of us work-wise, so we postponed the honeymoon until this November! We are very much looking forward to Maui.

Some highlights:

• The wedding

• Planning (and looking forward to) a Hawaiian honeymoon

• Getting Pokey

• Matt getting a new job

• Matt becoming a die-hard Chiefs fan

Some lows:

• Pokey peeing on our bed, me melting down and absolutely overreacting (and feeling guilty later learning that he had a UTI…)

• Matt’s horse, Speedy, passing away while we were on vacation

• Moving to Phoenix (the process…ugh)

• Moving again…and leaving Arizona

• It being almost impossible to register your car in a new state if you’re still making payments on it

Yup, we are still considered “newlyweds”, but I feel almost a little more seasoned going through some of the top life stressors in the first year. Here’s to year 2 being a little calmer, and having a little less dog urine.

Xo

Caroline

Oh, and of course the details!

VENUE: Saddle & Sirloin Club of Kansas City

PHOTOGRAPHER: Brigitte Patterson Photography

PLANNER: Lisa Forbes, Simple Elegance

HAIR + MAKEUP: Reflection Salon

FLORIST/RENTALS: Shana Vaughn Designs

CAKE: 3 Women & An Oven

DRESS: Altar Bridal

And last but not least…

HITCHSWITCH (if you’re a bride-to-be, get this! Also makes for a great gift!)