Then the Rehearsal was on Saturday morning and we had a great lunch at Landry's just eatin, talkin, chillin, and drinkin. Saturday night we had a slumber party at Jenn's. Laura and Kristin made a very tasty and low sodium salmon dinner. We were told numerous times to limit our salt intake as to not retain too much water. Then we spent the evening having fun girl talk about our husbands among other things, and we watched Twilight. Or I should say I watched Twilight because all the girls went to bed about 20 minutes into the movie. It was different but I enjoyed it.
Then Sunday morning we woke Jenn up to yell, "you're a
bride", to which she kicked everyone out and said she needed more sleep and we could come back in at 9:00. We went to Mimi's in our jammies and had breakfast and then went back to Jenn's to shower just in time for our stretch Excursion Limo to pick us up and take up to Avila. We were at Avila pretty early so after checking the place out a bit we settled into our Bridal suite overlooking the golf course. The highly sophisticated people who belong to Avila were having brunch downstairs in the dinning room, so we were able to get the tasty brunch full of breakfasts, lunch items, fruits, desserts and bring it up to the suite, as our commoner dress was not up to code. While enjoying brunch our hair and make up ladies arrived and spent all day pampering us and touching up our looks as needed. Amidst the brunch and beautification was a masseuse who brought in a massage chair, which was a good thing because Jenn's couch left me with a stiff neck. Well I was very pleased with my hair. It was full of curls and volume, and I felt like myself only a much more sophisticated and elegant version. The make up was great and my dress was rockin. I felt great all night.
Just as we were ready for pictures the rain came in and soaked everything. We took pre-wedding pictures indoors and then it was time for the ceremony. Right as we were ready to walk down the aisle I got that fantastically wonderful jittery feeling in my stomach and was overcome with such joy for my friend, Jennifer, who looked stunning. We looked each other in the eye and as I left her we were both pushing back our tears. The wedding was in a beautiful venue with classic Mediterranean features, with high ceilings, heavy wood doors, and marble and hardwood flooring. We came down stairs that led right into the aisle. The beauty of the room was incredible and everything was so classic. Then Jenn came down the aisle and she was as stunning as you would imagine. She met her dad, Tom, and the bottom of the stairs and walked the aisle to meet Sean.
I was pleasantly surprised with the ceremony. Rob Cohen officiated and did a great job of infusing all that Jenn and Sean are into the ceremony. Their vows were some of the best I've ever heard, and I liked the creativity of selecting song lyrics as their vows. Jenn caught the giggles for a moment, and had trouble settling into her set of the vows, but eventually did and the whole thing was perfectly Jenn and Sean. By the time the ceremony was over the rains were gone and the skies were clearing. We were able to get the post-wedding pictures out on the golf course and took some really cute ones.
While we were waiting for the couple's return from their sweetheart pictures the wedding party was in a holding room planning our grand entrances. We decided dancing in with some groovy moves was not going to cut it so we planned for the guys to carry in the girls while they waved their bouquets wildly and whooped it up. Nathan, Sean's brother and best man and I decided on a twist. I was the last bridesmaid to come in so after three ladies were carried in I entered the reception carrying Nathan piggyback. I carried him all the way across the room and didn't fall even on my heels. It was so fun and everyone was dying laughing and cheering me on. It was one of my more fun moments of the night. Jenn and Sean entered with little fanfare other than holding hands as man and wife and happily strolling in with huge smiles, that showed they were perfectly content in their new state.
I can't remember the order of the next few events, but it included their first dance, which was sweet and intimate; toasts and speeches; and dinner followed by cake cutting. I gave a speech and toasted the couple. I spoke about how Jenn is like a sister to me and that I have seen her since she was a little girl and that I know Sean brings out all that is good in his new wife. I hoped it was a tribute to our friendship, and recognition of all that Jenn has become, and the realization that Sean has played a role in who she is today. I hoped they enjoyed it. Jenn's dad also gave a nice speech and told two stories I've always heard him tell for years. One being that Jennifer came home in a Christmas stocking after being born three days prior to the holiday, and how Jennifer's first words were "wok n woll" after the song. Needless to say, we all enjoyed singing, "I love Rock n Roll, so put another dime in the jukebox baby."
We had fun dancing for a while, including Jenn and her dad dancing to "Wind beneath my wings", which Jenn said she would dance to at her wedding the first time we watched Beaches together back in 10th grade and every time since then. It was perfectly sweet and I was happy for them both. The dancing did feel like it was cut short. I imagine we could have danced all night long. I sure could have... I had enough Chardonnay to keep me dancing.
Then we boarded a stretch Limo with 14 people and headed to the hotel for the after party. It was a fun atmosphere but the moving around and not being able to see out, coupled with flashing lights in the limo made me nauseous. We got off the bus and everyone dispersed while Alex and I checked in. We had nothing else to do but make our way to the hotel for a little hotel fun and then almost fell asleep. Jenn called us to say everyone is partying in Kristen and Laura's room so we headed down there in jeans and t-shirts to join the party. I was so glad Jenn called and than she remembered us and wanted us to be there to party. I took her a hanger I had made for her wedding dress. It had ribbons sewn into it that had marriage advice from all her girls at the shower. I wanted to give it to her right off the limo so they could have a nice moment before they spent their first time together as husband and wife. Jenn and Sean came out of the hotel party to accept the gift and spent time quietly reading each message and thanked me for the thoughtful gift. Then I was happy and we went into the party, which included dancing on the beds, everyone else continuing to drink, and just good fun. We went to bed about 3:00 and slept well until it was time for the send off brunch. Everyone was in the hotel dining room for one last time together. It was perfect.
I want to thank Jenn and Sean and all of their parents for such a fun weekend. I know usually the couple thanks everyone else but I realize what a huge task it is to throw such an event. They really wanted all the guests and the bridal party to have a great time and we did. They spared no expense, took care of us extremely well, and infused an energetic vibe on the entire weekend beginning with Friday's Tea and ending with Monday morning's brunch. I was so honored to be a part and I appreciated that they gave me such a special role in the whole thing. I am so happy for my friend, Jennifer, and I know she and Sean and going to love being married. I can't wait to see how they will continue to grow in their marriage, and I hope we continue to spend time together with each other and our husbands, and the new friends we've made through this whole celebration.
My pictures don't do this wedding justice. I was too busy having fun to take a lot of pictures and I can't wait until the professional ones are ready.
Congratulations, Duffman and Duffgirl! That was one awesome wedding.
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