Just A Few Extra Wedding Photos

I was able to track down a few of the photobooth photos from Cuz K. and A.'s wedding.

So, also, in early November I finally got the tattoo I had been thinking about for quite a few years. It took almost four hours and by the end it was painful (the first hour lulls you into a false sense of low pain security), but the tattoo artist I chose after much due diligence, did an excellent job. It's got two main meanings to me. First, I am trying to push myself to be more optimistic in life, and so now I have a blue bird on my shoulder, which I associate with such optimism (zippadeedooda etc). Also, along the branch I asked the artist to include a sort of 'etched' set of my mother's initials. When my parents moved to Tennessee she got really into having a few blue bird houses around the house, and while I can't say that they were her favorite bird, hearing her talk about the progress of the birds is something I remember about many of our phone calls during the Tennessee years. The craziest part was that the artist, who travels between a number of different studios in very different parts of the company, could only schedule the actual work during a very small window. While I asked for a weekend, he only had a Monday...and that was actually the same day that my mother actually died. Coincidence probably, but still and interesting turn. I would never assume that Mom would actually be on board for this, and I imagine she probably wouldn't have wanted me to do it, but I do think she would probably have understood the sentiment and I really did think about it for years before committing. Now I just wish it was easier to see one's own back.

I'm still in need of getting a better photo of the tattoo in order, there really is some nice detail and coloring worth seeing, but I did take the photobooth opportunity to at least get a basic shot. Also, look at that braid (and ignore the jowls)!

Cuz K. and A.'s Wedding/Why I'm Not A Professional Photographer

The day of Cuz K. and A.'s wedding started out early enough. After the rehearsal dinner I crashed on the couch of Cuz K. and A.'s hotel suite. We awoke and went in search of breakfast, which was slightly an ordeal, but not one I feel like discussing at this juncture. Soon after breakfast A. went his way, the other bridesmaids rolled up to the suite, and then the primping began. I'm hoping that the professional photographer took a few photos that might highlight my own hair and makeup of the evening, but I didn't actually get many of myself, so there's little proof that I got myself properly did. In any case, I would say that this was a relatively laid back prep day. Hair and makeup went smoothly, we actually didn't have any pre-wedding drinks during this time...I don't think the groom and his men could say the same. So below are photos of the prep and the reception (can't really take photos of the event itself when you're in it). I could probably track down the funny GIF my father made with his new phone...and maybe I will. Interspersed with the photos will be the draft of the Maid of Honor speech I wrote that morning. I had written two previous drafts, but they were way too long and never really went anywhere thematically. So I went down to the hotel lobby and just hunkered down and focused. Honestly I got a little weepy writing it. Cuz K. is a stalwart friend and presence in my life and I had so many things I wanted to say about that. And I really can't help but get a little teary that Mom wasn't around to participate because I am pretty sure she would have had a blast. I adlibbed a few things when actually reading it (we basically came into the reception and then I was immediately put in front of a microphone), but the overall sentiment is very much accurate.

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Last night A., S. and I were talking about terrible wedding speeches. And from our conversation I confirmed that talking for 25 minutes, weeping consistently during the speech, and generally not having a point are altogether not good aspects of wedding toast. Honestly I’ve never been the best at brevity, but I will do my best to keep it relatively short and not to cry. We’ll see how it goes.

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I’m an only child and as such I never had to deal with the trials and tribulations of navigating siblinghood. Never fought over who got to use the bathroom first, or whether a parent favored one kid over the other, or any of the other hassles and joys of growing up with a brother or sister. But K. has been basically the closest thing I’ll ever have to a sister, but perhaps without some of that drama. I’ve known her my whole life and we have both seen each other at some of the best moments and some of the worst moments of our individual lives and of our whole family. And even when I was annoying her with my inability to have an opinion (there are at least two memories I have of K.asking me what I wanted to do and me being so noncommittal that she stormed out of the room in frustration) I knew that the anger would pass and in another 20 minutes we’d be playing cards, or jumping on beds or doing any other number of things two girls do as they grow up.  We may not have lived in the same house or same state, but she has been a constant throughout my life and one I’m so grateful for having.

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A. I’ve known for much less time, but I’m excited to add him to the list of folks I plan on knowing forever. And I’m even more excited that he’s going to be by K.’s side as the years go by and be her constant companion and partner. When preparing for K.’s bachelerotte party back in August, I found a list of questions to ask A., which became a little trivia game for K. during the first leg of our evening. It was kind of like the newlywed game – what article of clothing does K. wish you would throw away? (Overalls or, as I learned this morning, bibs). They were generally silly questions that were designed to get silly answers, but not all of them. One of the questions was ‘What did A. care about the most when planning the wedding.’ I honestly expected him to say food or beer…but, sitting outside on that summer night he paused thoughtfully before saying that what he cared about most was that K.'s family was all there, and that her parents were happy. And, to me, that says it all. A. and W. and K. fit so well into the M/M clan that it’s like they were there all along, and I’m so glad to be able to call them family.

--> The path K. and A. took to find each other was not straightforward or simple, but it was the path they needed to take to get where they are today. I just think about the years that K. went on a variety of first dates, which never led to second ones because she would quickly see the flaw or thing about the guy in question that just wasn’t going to work for her. I suggested numerous times that perhaps she should give these poor guys a little more of a chance before writing them off…and perhaps that advice would have been true for a different girl or a different date, but I willingly admit that I was wrong and K. was right. K. wasn’t looking for a perfect man with zero flaws (newsflash that guy doesn’t exist) but she was looking for the perfect man for her, and she knew when it wasn’t happening.

--> A second date wouldn’t have changed a thing. When she started seeing A. there was none of that, no ‘well he’s great but…”. She and I went to Jamaica not so long after they first started seeing each other, and already the joy she had in knowing A. was palpable and clear; this was a different thing than anything that came before and it was better and greater and special. A. was not a guy to write off. He was a man to keep close and know well. The first time I met A. was when we gathered outside of Gettysburg for a memorial for my mother. A. so effortlessly fit in, allowing us to have our moments of sadness and also joy, without thinking twice about it. Willing to contribute to our extremely complicated plan to break into the hotel’s pool after hours. Not blinking when K. and I, for no real good reason, got into a tickle fight. What I’m trying to say is I can be slow to trust or warm up to folks I don’t know, but A. never felt like a stranger to me. I really do wish that Mom had had the opportunity to meet him because I think they would have gotten along famously.

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To me a solid relationship or marriage has to be based on trust and laughter and honesty and loyalty, and K. and A. have all four. They know the best of each other and they know the worst and while I’m sure that they’ll both rub each other the wrong way at one point or another in their lives, I have the utmost confidence that they have the love and complementary outlooks and true appreciation for one another to weather even the darkest of storms or most annoying of habits. I could wish for nothing more for my sister cousin. And on that note I’d like us all to raise our glasses and toast these two and the long, happy, fun, silly, marvelous, messy life that they’re going to have together. I love you both. Now let’s celebrate!

End of speech. The kids were super duper excited about the dancing...when my uncle and Cuz K. were doing their dance, they were all lined up on the stage...just waiting for the word that they could join.

W. and K. best buds.

I just loved when R. was changed into her pjs, but still rocking the dance floor.

Q. in full strut.

Sometimes dancing is better from a different altitude.

Cuz. K. with her mom and two bros.

The evening was entirely a success as far as I can tell. No drama. No mess up with the venue, food or location. Just folks having a good time and getting their dance on. I wish you could understand how high my heels were...but you can't because there is no evidence of them. They had a photo booth set up, and I may try to track down some of those photos...there's a pretty good series of me with my Dad, as well as the fact that I was one of only two people to manage to get into the booth with the bride (pats herself on back for being pushy).

The end of the evening many of us went back to Cuz K. and A.'s room for one more round of beers. I'm not exactly sure what groomsmen B. is doing here...but it's all good because he repeatedly told his wife how awesome I was...on the sole basis that I wanted to be the Taco of a fantasy football league (problem there is I started to care and made the playoffs!) and that I loved dim sum...so basically anyone who repeatedly exclaims my awesomeness is, in fact, awesome.

Wedding Reception Fun Times

I've known LB since I was 13. We lived on the same hall our freshmen and sophomore years of high school. I don't quite recall how it began, but during those years I'd often come to LB's room and we'd chat about this and that. Boys and the like. And even when we lived on different halls, I would often meander my way to her room to hang out during study hall. We managed to keep in touch post-high school and through our various locations and life changes. I recall having gone a pretty long time without talking to LB on the phone when I was in Chicago, and finally catching up. And I very much remember a portion of that conversation, which focused on keeping in touch. I feel like we both assured the other that if we ever got married, the other would totally be invited to the wedding. When I moved to Philly I enjoyed getting to spend more quality time with LB. We found a nice balance in our friendship and I have treasured LB's continued role as confidante and fun friend over the last five years.   When I first arrived in Philly LB was just starting to date C., and I had a good feeling about him from the start. So, to see them finally tying the knot, and to be invited to the wedding, is really just a happy making occasion all around. The fact that the reception really was just full on fancy/classy was a nice finishing touch, but it could have been in a dungeon and I think LB's family and friends would have been just as excited and danced and reveled just as much. And so, now that I've established that I am grateful for LB's friendship and glad to see her married to such a stand-up guy, lets get to it. After the wedding itself we took a handful of photos in a nearby park before making our way, trolley-style, back to the Union League and reception. After getting ourselves drinks we reconvened outside for a few more professional photos. Before all the other members of the bridal/groom party arrived, I asked LB to get a few candids with me...unfortunately the person taking the photograph didn't really stop to look at them, so out of the three, only this one is decent for both of us. Double chin on my part not withstanding.

And after those outdoor photos, it was time to go to the big ballroom for the dinner and dancing part of the evening. Just gorgeous. 

I don't know what V. is looking at, but she lost a hand over of it.

C. and M. are in lurve.

LW and V. LW was my junior year roommate, and V. lived on our floor as well. Sometimes it doesn't feel like it's been nearly 15 years since those days but, in fact, it truly has been. V.'s had a baby, LW is engaged. Time marches on.

Snap!

Their entrance was fantastic.

Sass!

The appetizer was a scallop with cubed potatoes, asparagus and some delectable sauce.

Lovely little salad.

And the piece de resistance, a nice bit of steak and an equally delectable portion of sea bass. Mmmm. Yeah I ate this entire plate.

Mr. Ass was in attendance, properly tuxedoed.

N. and I made a quick stop in the luxurious bathroom and I needed to take mirror photos. Needed it.

There was plenty of dancing, with the help of a live band from Baltimore.

I took a very similar photo of C. and R. at their wedding. Love it.

Dessert included these fun sticks of chocolate magic. I'll have to ask LB to comment in order to remember just what they consisted of.

I will also need to seek out additional photos of myself that prove that my makeup looked good. Here is really the only one I have.

A little tri-dancing and photobombing. Best photograph of the night.

Debonaire.

Action shot.

The evening was just lovely. I enjoyed a steady stream of champagne but knew to pace myself in order to fully enjoy myself without getting too sauced. Once the reception ended a bunch of folks went out to a bar, but I had work the next day and decided it would be best to retire to my room and get more hours of sleep than hours of revelry. This was a very good decision on my part. The next morning V. and I enjoyed the Union League breakfast buffet, which included omelets made to order. I went with peppers, tomato, bacon and smoked salmon, with a side of sausage. Gotta say, the sausage looked better than it was but the omelet hit the spot. After all the hullabaloo and excitement, it was quite strange to get into regular people clothes, get into a cab, and get to work. Going from so many faces I enjoy and so much fun to just another day in the office was a rather rough transition, but I kept my false eyelashes on for that day and that helped me feel like a little magic remained:)