Last Friday {the day before my brother’s wedding} was a wild & crazy day. Mom, Nana, my mom’s cousin Becky, my aunt Mimi & I were at Costco soon after it opened. I purchased snacks for Saturday in the bridal suite while Mom bought flowers to decorate the rehearsal dinner. Stocked up, we headed over to Old City Bar where after helping them unpack loads of flowers, borrowed vases, fall decor, & bows, I rushed off to join the other bridesmaids & Beth at Fusion nail salon. I chose OPI’s Suzi says Da for my nail & toe color & loved it so much that I bought a bottle of the polish. It’s this great dark color with hints of brown & burgundy ~ perfect for a fall wedding & this winter. Beth went with the traditional French manicure which I loved for the bride-to-be.
Her friends, other sister-in-law & I went for lunch across the street at New York Deli. My turkey/apple sandwich was amazing as was the conversation & laughter!
I learned during the end of lunch that my Mom & the ladies helping her decorate had been rear ended. Everyone & everything {included all the Costco food!} was fine but the guy was going fast enough to push them into another car & that car into another one. I told you this was a wild day!
A quick change {I wore the other blue Boden dress}, piling into cars, & heading back downtown later, Mom, Dad, Jason, my cousin Preston & his wife Krissie & I were on our way to the rehearsal. Debra & Debbie at the Marriott definitely kept our large group in line as she told us where to stand, when to walk & where to look. The precious flower girl & ring barer {Beth’s niece & nephew} did a great job learning their parts too.
From the hotel, we continued the celebration at the Old City Bar. Mom & her helpers had done an outstanding job with the decorations that perfectly fit into Beth’s fall wedding theme.
Mom, Dad, Steven & Beth choose delicious appetizers {cheese, veggies & mango salsa’d shrimp}, salads, entrees {veggie pasta, apple glazed pork, & crispy fish} & banana pudding for dessert. Plus all the wine you & beer you could drink!
Beth’s sweet high school friends stepped up & gave some of the best toasts I’d ever heard. Steven’s friends surprised us too with touching, heart-felt comments. I chickened out & just drank wine & was too busy tearing up to take photos of any of the toasts. Beth & Steven gave their bridal party great gifts~ a personalized cooler chair & pint glass for Jason & I got a red Suzanne tote full of Bath & Body Works goodies, flip flops, & a reusable coffee mug among other things.
As you’ve already seen in this week’s project 365 post, the party was a blast catching up with family, friends & meeting new friends. I loved that I caught their “last non-married kiss”! {I made them re-do it three times before I got the perfect shot~they didn’t mind!}
Tomorrow~ the wedding post!
