Today is my wedding day.

Today I marry Adam. I am so excited, nervous and happy. I think we both are. It's going to be amazing to see 60 of our closest family and friends we haven't seen in a while, all in one room, hopefully having fun!

I can't wait to see Adam in a suit - most days he's in shorts and a hi-vis shirt, or a short sleeved casual shirt. I can't wait to say my promise to him - and to hear his. We will have our first dance to a very special song. And I'll get to wear my dress and a crown - I seriously feel like a princess in it!

I did a radio interview with the lovely Clare Bowditch earlier this week, and she asked if marriage is something I've always dreamed of. I said no, I never thought I'd get married, and it's not something I aspired to either. Marriage often isn't expected for people with disability - the burden of low expectations extends to love. Ive certainly experienced those low expectations and countless letting me down gentlies (and some thuds, too), and so I focused on other things like writing and study. I've lived a really fulfilled and independent life prior to and since meeting Adam, and I know we will continue to be successful in our own rights once we are husband and wife. Adam has shown me what real love feels like, and it's only since I met him that I realistically imagined spending my life with someone else. Being loved is most wonderful.

It's been lovely to see how excited people have been for us. We've had wishes and gifts from all across the world - from people who haven't even met us. That portrait up there - it was drawn by the very talented Deb Baker (do follow her on her socials: Instagram, Facebook and Twitter). She sent us the original and we've framed it to display at the venue.

It's almost two years to the day since we were engaged, so I feel we've been planning this wedding for ages (because we have!). The bulk of the planning (and saving) was done months ago, so I've been relaxing this past week. My tip: start planning and saving early. It saves stressing close to the big day. I know it's not the done thing to talk about money, but I am so proud that Adam and I have saved for this wedding entirely ourselves, so we will not be in debt for our wedding. We've done a Melbourne wedding for less than $15,000. So bloody proud.

 

Of course our wedding will be on social media. You can follow along with the photos on my Facebook and Instagram through the day.

Thank you so much for the well wishes - we so appreciate it! Thank you to everyone who has helped to make this day so special - there are so many of you. We feel very loved.

Next time I write, I'll be Mrs Carly Findlay Morrow.

(Images

Top: Hand drawn portrait of Carly and Adam, with wedding date of 20 March 2016. I am wearing a wedding dress, and Adam is wearing a blue suit and bow tie.

Bottom: Light box with #CarlyHeartsAdam.)