After the wedding I went promptly back to work. This is the first time I have had a chance to collect the various thoughts and put them down on (virtual) paper. Pictures from the photographer coming soon. So, lets get started.

Many of my married friends warned/mentioned that

• You will only remember flashes
• You wont get a chance to eat/drink much
• You wont get to say much to many people and some you will miss altogether

Let me just say for the record

They were quite right

The day before, Friday, had been busy/stressful and exhausting. The bridemaids and I went to Tinas work location and made the corsages, boutonnieres and the bouquets. The plan was to make them then run to Tinas house and make the cake. After over six hours of flowermaking, this plan was not going to work. Tina, bless her heart, offered (and made) the Wedding cake. It was spectacular and exactly what I wanted. I will always be grateful for her (and hubby Seans help).

We left the work station with the bouquets still not quite done and ran to rehersal. There was family members and slight chaos. I met another one of Johns sisters. We had a quick rehersal, I handed out various papers including the phone tree of all people involved that had cell phones and directions to Rehersal Dinner. John and Tim had gone shopping for drinks. Along with the champagne and wine, we were set for drinks. Tim had suggested we buy bottled water as well. Very good idea. Items were moved in and slightly decorated. Time flew by and then it was time for Rehersal Dinner (RD).

RD took place at DIERK’S PARKSIDE CAFE, a unique local eatery serving amazingly delicious and satisfying food. Dierks is owned and run by Mark Dierkhising, a superb …nay… wonderful cook. He is married to Karen, a co-worker/librarian. They had just opened their resturaunt a few months ago and we traded a new website for RD. I think it worked out great for everyone. About a month ago I went over to their house for dinner and we talked about what to serve at the RD. Once Mark said crab cakes and filet minion I really stopped hearing what he said and just nodded a lot. Anyway it was great. Its a small cafe and we were jammed in it, but everyone had a good time. Lots of laughing and well …stuff.

Afterwards I went back home, got the dress, said good night to John, showed our guests where everything was, drove to babs and finished the bouquets, went to the hotel and looked for my room. The Flamingo hotel might be nice but good luck in trying to find your room at night. Their signage sucks. Tried calling my sister, my other sister, father, stepmother and brother-in-law to see if they wanted to get togehter in my room for Flux and wine but none of them answered. They were tired and sacked. I spent my last night as a single watching Sex in the City. Ironic? You be the judge.

I woke up Saturday after a really good night sleep. I hadn’t been sleeping well, not because of the life changing events but of the very uncomfortable heat. Blasting the air conditioner worked wonders. Spend some time with Aundrea and Barbara. Hopped in the car, picked up babs and we were off to the salon (after getting coffee). Babs promptly took away my cell phone, people had to talk to her to get to me. 2 hours later Julie, bab and I looked fabulous and I had the veil on for the rest of the day. Mother and Dory arrived at 11 and had their hair worked on. They both looked great. Dory sat in the disliked salon chair for me, it was so nice!

Drive back to the hotel, stopping on the way to pick up Delaneys wreath and then comes the waiting game. At the hotel room, we waited, Julie had to go let people in several times, Kim joined us. Rachael arrived around 1. I got dressed, she took many pictures. We all got dressed and drank mimosas. At 2:30ish we got into the car and drove to the wedding site. As we drove, Tim called and asked us to drive slow, the DJ wasn’t there. We ended up going to Kenwood restaurant and drinking a lot. The Kenwood staff kept coming in and staring at 5 women and a man all decked up like a wedding party, but who cares … I didn’t spill any and it was air conditioned.

Tim calls us, DJ is set up its a go!
Music starts, the bridemaids go, I hold Delany until the count of 6 and let her go. Man… the bridemaids looked beautiful. I count and then start the walk. I successfully do not fall and I see a lot of faces, a lot of very hot faces but they are smiling. No one was sitting in the baking hot first two rows. I see John and he looks pretty darn happy. For once I follow Tims cues and stop when he indicates, John comes out to greet me and we arrive at the altar together.

The ceremony flew by. I just remember the audience laughing when we wanted them to, Julies lovely words and the pause and then laugher when I basically said ditto.and just like that we were married. Cue the music and we walk down the aisle. Mr and Mrs Wright .. who am I kidding, it was “John and Christine“.

Reception followed, the food as good, so I hear. I spent the entire time smiling as people took pictures. I took one bite out of a crab cake, that was it. I gave the photographer’s 8 pages of groups of family photos, so it took awhile. Getting allthe different family memebers together was challenging. Then came dinner, I had one bite and then John and I went down the rows of tables and greeted our guests.It was so nice to see everyone. The high heat aside it looked like everyone had a good time. Time passes, I don’t remember much. Then came the speeches. Babs speech was damn funny and perfectly fit the mood. I still owe her 20 bucks for the invoice she submitted. Her speech and Julies part in the wedding was the only time I almost lost it and started cry. I love those guys! Others gave speeches as well, my cousins Jeff talked about our family, I had flashbacks to our childhood when we would play together. I tried a speech, forgot what I was going to say. I had wanted to say something to the extent without everyones fantastic support, people would be eating on the floor with a bucket of chicken but somehow I mentioned tube tops and dasiy dukes. I have no idea what I was talking about.

We did the cake thing, no smashing in the face. We did the throwing the bouquet thing, no wild grab, well except for my sister and a friends relatively new girlfriend. Humm…. Although my sister caught it, she is only 20 hopefully she wont be marrying for quite a few more years. The panic on my dads face was kinda funny. The garter was thown and landed on the floor, with uncomfortable silence. Until Paul took pity and picked it up.

Then came the dancing, it was still darn hot and a lot of people gracefully made their exit without having to see the geeks try to dance. And Dance they did, hours and hours! In the baking heat, even towards the late evening, people drenched with sweat were dancing on the historical hard wood floors of the Depot. John and I did out ‘first dance’ and although we had practiced and had it down pretty well, I have no taking into consideration the pearls on my dress. They acted like ball bearings and every time I stepped to one side I would roll to the side and John would have to grab me. But we survived and there was more dancing. About an hour later Dancing Queen came on and suddely the dance floor was dominated by Bridemaids. That was a memory that will pretty much stay in my head and reply a lot when I am 80. It was beautiful. They were beautiful.

Around 9 John and I realized we were bone tired. As we exited the building flowers were thrown at us. And yes the car was decorated! . Cans tied to the back along with something very very loud. It fell off about 1/2 way to the hotel. I think it was a giant plastic jug, like those used for water cooler. I especially liked my side said Wizards level 17 while John was Expert level 4. *Heh* John didn’t find it that funny.

It was a good wedding.