Yes, I know, I like the alcohol. Which means I only took the anti-anxiety pills when they were absolutely warranted. My boss decides it'd be a great idea to schedule us for 24 surgeries the two days prior to my departure to North Carolina. Surgeries require a great deal of prep, time, and concentration. I really do thank him for deciding that April 23 and 24th were the best days to get this done. So, yep, one of the pills was taken on the 23rd. On the 24th I rushed home so we could teleconference with two different vendors. Then we started packing. I already stress about packing when I'm only going away for 3 days. Having to pack for the wedding and our honeymoon maxed that stress level out. So freak out #1 was when I realized they gave me a bag to take my wedding dress as my carry on for our flight to NC. Tears were shed. Ben was great about it....I guess he was happy that so far, this had been the only thing to really upset me. Pill #2 was taken the morning we left for the airport. Expecting the worse, I was fully prepared to be kicked off the plane or out of the airport over putting someone in their place over my wedding dress. But you know what? It all worked out....just like Ben said it would. It wasn't a full flight, so the overhead bin that contained my dress was only accompanied by one roller bag, belonging to a lady that got the worst stank eye I have ever laid upon a person.
Freak out #2 commenced on the Thursday before the wedding. We met with our wedding director (who was the tits) and I left with a few things to do. Instead of having a relaxing Thursday afternoon, I did last minute wedding stuffs. I didn't shed any tears over it, but I wiggled a lot and popped my 3rd pill.
Friday, the day of the bridal luncheon, rehearsal and rehearsal dinner arrives and I am calm as a cucumber. I didn't even pop a pill. Everything went by in a flash. We're at The Pit, having some good ole NC BBQ, fried green tomatoes and banana pudding. Flash, Manning and I are buying flowers for the rehearsal dinner. Flash, we're getting pedicures at this snazzy place that served us alcohol. Flash, I'm at the rehearsal holding an awesome bouquet Manning made for me out of tissue paper and ribbon from my bridal shower. Flash, we're at the Caffe Luna eating. By the way, we had all intentions of meeting friends after the dinner ended. I was so exhausted and suffering from the worst gas of my life, so unfortunately, we had to return to the hotel so I could fart and pass out. Seriously, it happened.
Saturday. Gah, I'd love to hear all of your accounts of Saturday. I got my nails done at 10 am. Was able to hang out with my sister Treva and old roomie Kim before I left to get all made up. Still calm as a cucumber. We get to Landmark around 12:30 and start to get all did up. Mimosas and sandwiches are shared. Before I know it, it's 3:30 and time to get into my dress. Then Brad is interviewing me, wanting me to say something to Ben before the ceremony. I lost it. Sorry, Brad. The remaining moments prior to the ceremony involved me getting myself together and peeing.
Yay, neither Ben nor I cried during the ceremony. Although, the first 5 minutes was hit or miss. It was overcast and 65. Our guests were cold but I was loving it. I thought the ceremony was awesome. Guess I need to get everyone's opinion on that, but what other wedding ceremony has mentioned Mike Tyson's Punch Out and Bojangles in the same paragraph?
The reception also flew by. The next thing I know, Kim (Ben's dad) is telling me he paid for an extra hour to keep the party going. I tried to speak to everyone, but I feel like I did a crappy job. The most I could say was, "It's so good to see you, thank you so much for coming." Like everyone says, I wish I could do it all over and be a guest at my own wedding. I mean, it's everyone I would ever want to party with, all in one spot, but I have to be Miss Manners.
Everyone ate, they wobbled, they drank, they were merry. It was my dream wedding. I married my best friend and am living happily ever after.
(The honeymoon will have to be a blog in itself. This one is already far too long).
