Aundrea Gets Married

My sister got married this weekend. She and the Groom Phil … Tripelleallasomethingelse walked down the asile with over 250 friends and family in attendance, she was stunning.

The events started Saturday. The wedding was in Stockton, so most people stayed at one hotel while I stayed with John who lives only 5 miles away. I met the bridemaids and bride at the nail salon where we all got the works. The salon had long rows of massage chairs with small tubs for your tootsies. Pedicures and manicures all around. Several of us got little flowers on the toes.

Afterwards came the rehersal dinner at some Pizza place where Phil has happy childhood memories. 40 people only had 6 pizzas but a heck a lot of beers. I found the video game room and we played a bit and showed my mad pinball skills to John. I am sure he would have been impressed if I had not crushed him so soundly. One of the groomsmen won a yoyo and gave it to me. Aundrea then gave all her bridesmaids presents. A lovely diamond necklace that we all wore to the wedding and different personalized collection of photos for each person.

Rehersal was next. The Wedding Cordinator had all the names and notes of people involved and she was quite efficient. Did I mention there were 9 bridesmaids, and 9 groom attendants? I got my wedding shoes, discovered they didn’t fit, traded with another bridesmades who shoes also didn’t fit and we made do. Wedding nazi told us when to walk, stand, turn and I successfully followed her instructions and did not fall. The tricky part was the groom attandant, flowers, skirt, stairs and 3 inch heel dilemia. My feet properly bound by the shoes I could make little baby steps but since we are supposed to go slow that worked out. The blood pooling out of the shoes, well that was hidden by the long dress.

Next day I arrive at the hotel at 10, my appointed time for hair according to the three page color-coordinated-time chart. The bride and other sister are still in the two chairs. An Hour later get in the chair and so the painful process starts. During the hair pulling Dad walks in all ready for the event. Wearing a lovely powder blue tux with lots and lots of ruffles. I swear Aundrea was going to have a heart attack. I couldn’t see much since the hair was being “worked” on but it looked hidious. The 70′s had reared its ugly head for all to see. But he was just kidding and had brought a real one. I had forgotten my checkbook and John brought it over. Then Aundrea told me she needed him to bring her car to church, so I called him to get over to hotel. He was dressed and at the hotel in 30 minutes! By that time my hair and makeup was done and I was in my strapless, burgandy bridesmaid dress. I think he liked it. He grabbed the car keys and left for church.
Bride and 5 bridemaids waited down in the lobby. With scant seconds left the 4 remaining bridemaids finshed their hair and we all hopped onto the Party Van^TM. A super decked out van with music blasting and large tv screens on the front and back. We were all too nervous to eat or drink but the Party Van^TM was pretty nice.

Arriving at the wedding the photographer took over. She directed the 20 of us here and there, stand here do that etc etc while the people filled the church At one point someone realized the wedding licsence was still at the hotel. I saw John accross the street and beckoned him. He came over, was told of the problem and jumped right on it. Crises averted!

Wedding went without a hitch, but lots of sniffing. Everyone looked really happy. Afterwards the 20 of us then cram into the Party Van^TM. I had to coordinate how parents and John would get to the reception at the winery so I was last on the party van and was way way way in the front. I got to talk to a few of Phils friends and his really neato grandfather (and bestman).

We arrived at the winery after a small detour at a liquor store for some champagne. ( I would pay bitterly for that in the next 2 days. ) The loud booming of Queen heralded our arrival and we disembarked. The Party Van^TM tootled off. Good by Party Van^TM I will miss you.

Eat, Drink and Be merry! Food, wine and speeches followed one after another. Barbara gave a lovely speech. After dinner, the tables were moved away and dancing was next. and yes gentle reader I danced. Once the shoes of hell were thrown to the ground and stomped on, dancing was easy.

A few times John and I went walking. During one of those Aundrea threw the bouquet. I heard that it got viscious. We came back just in time for the garter. Phil did a darn good job of finding it.

It was a good wedding.