What a week it's been! I originally was aiming to blog every other day, but got bogged down with (LOTS of) grading and generally catching up at work. Outside of work, I've spent mostly every night trying to clean up the apartment in some respect. Since Bryan and I returned home last weekend to an apartment overflowing with wedding gifts (Again, NOT a complaint!), we've been working to unpack the new appliances and accessories and pack up the old stuff. In between, we've managed to clean out our closet and dressers. And I've been fighting a cold that's claimed my voice for most of the week.
To pick up where we left off, I had gotten home Wednesday evening after Jon's party and fell into bed. The next day, I was off and running again. Rehearsal dinner day!!! But this time, the day had an easier vibe. My task for the day? Get my nails done (hence the picture to start off the blog). I packed up the car with my suitcase with the clothes and accessories I'd need for the rehearsal dinner and the next day (the wedding day!). I met Bridesmaid Megan at the Homewood Suites at 12pm. What happened next is something I'll never forget because it's the epitome of my life growing up with my family - but first a little background.
Bridesmaid Megan comes from a very small family (I consider my family small, Megan's is smaller!). At 12pm, I knew walking into the hotel that I'd probably find my parents, my brother and Bridesmaid Melissa, and my two aunts all together. And sure enough, I was right! Bridesmaid Megan and I walked into a room filled with the aforementioned individuals plus the added bonus of Cousins Rita and Bob. Take into account that none of us are exactly quiet to being with and combine that with the fact that we were all excited to see each other and you can imagine the look on Megan's face - "Wow, this is a lot of people."
We talked about it as the M.O.B., Bridesmaid Melissa, myself and Bridesmaid Megan headed out to grab some lunch and get our nails done. "There were more people in that room than in my whole family!" Megan laughed. Nothing like overwhelming your bridesmaids right from the start of the wedding weekend.
After a great lunch at Chili's, we were off to Solara Sol in Johns Creek (www.solarsol.net) - Bridesmaid Megan's nail salon of choice. As I type this, almost 2 1/2 weeks after my manicure, my nail polish is STILL PERFECT. People have actually been asking if my nails are my nails - that's how perfect this polish looks. I may never go back to another salon for a mani/pedi again!!! On top of it, the massage chairs in this salon were other-worldly. I've been in many a massage chair, but these were fabulous!
M.O.H. Nicole finished work and joined us in Johns Creek in plenty of time to make a Starbucks run. Then we were headed back to the hotel to check in to our room, beautify, and head over to the rehearsal. We were really late getting to the rehearsal. We were so late, in fact, the chronically-late Bryan was the first person there!
Following the rehearsal was the rehearsal dinner. On the menu, to start, guests could have House Salad and Antipasto with Italian Meats (any meal is made better with Antipasto). The entrees were Veal Marsala (one of my favorite dishes ever), Chicken Parmigiana, and Lasagna. Garlic Knots were served on the side. And we were welcome to wash it all down with enough wine and beer to inebriate all of Gwinnett County.
Our dinner was catered by Bi Ba’s Italian Restaurant in Lawrenceville. I highly recommend going there for a nice meal. The service is fantastic and the food is delicious. Included here are some pictures of our guests – there were about 60 of us total at the rehearsal dinner. A big thanks to my Mother-in-Law for hosting this!!!
My favorite part of the evening was when Bryan and I were able to take the microphone and share our words of thanks for those who had made a big impact on the planning of our wedding. While we would’ve loved to give everyone in attendance an individual thank you; so many friends came in from far and near. My high school friends Carey and Theresa came in from California and New York City, respectively (Theresa came in for less than 24 hours before she had to fly back to another wedding!). One of Bryan's dearest friends, Thi, flew in from Bangkok where she was on a business trip! But in the end, even though we wanted to say all of our individual thank yous, for the sake of time at the dinner, we time to recognized:
(My) Aunt Claire – not only for her incredible biscotti that were included in the welcome bags (that I’ve haven’t stopped bragging about), but also for her involvement in my wedding dress shopping and overall advice-giving and willingness to help with anything through the whole planning process.
(My) Aunt Nonie – who wrote a special, beautiful blessing for our wedding day. We were so thankful she was able to make it to the wedding! Aunt Nonie is a Maryknoll Sister (among many other things, including a Ph.D. in Theology!) and lives in Taiwan where she teaches at the University of Taipei. She happened to be in California giving a workshop during the two weeks prior to the wedding and was granted permission to fly to Atlanta for the weekend!
(My) Aunt Barbara – for being a great Godmother as well as her coming in from New York and doing a reading for our wedding. A special note about the reading? It was actually one of the readings at my Mom and Dad’s wedding 30 years ago.
(Bryan’s) Aunt Debbie – also came in from New York and did a reading during our wedding ceremony. Aunt Deb is always so wonderful to us. She helped her sister (my Mother-in-law) throw the Wedding Shower that was held for Bryan and I in Buffalo.
Mary Beth – for being an amazing friend and an insanely talented hair and make-up stylist! I’d need another blog for all of the things Mary Beth did for us during this engagement but most recently Mary Beth took on the task (along with the amazing Vicki at Hair Europa) of beautifying all of the women in the bridal party and any and all cousins who wanted to come to the salon!
Sonia (Bryan’s S.I.L.) – for co-hosting the Couples Shower with Mary Beth and for spoiling me rotten during the entire engagement including holding my hand through getting my eyebrows threaded.
Of course, we thanked our parents – the M.O.B. and F.O.B. and my M.I.L. And our incredible bridesmaids and groomsmen: Bridesmaids Megan, Tatum, Tami, Mrs. Smith, and Melissa; Maid of Honor Nicole; Groomsmen Anthony, Bill, Tony, Joe, Aaron (my brother), and Best Man Jon.
After Bryan and I gave our words of thanks to everyone – and I didn’t write out all the thanks we owe to our parents and to members of the bridal party because a.) I’d need a separate blog for them as well, and b.) I don’t even know if I could find the words to express my thanks. Everyone was so supportive and just gosh-darn excited through the entire engagement. It really was beautiful. And, of course, the showers and parties were incredible and amazingly generous also. I could just go on and on for days about how thankful I am for each and every person who was with us. Oh geez, I’m gonna cry…moving on….
Let’s try this again – After Bryan and I gave our words of thanks to everyone, we were treated to some kind words from Groomsmen Joe and Tony, childhood friends of Bryan who I’ve had the pleasure of spending time with on numerous occasions despite the fact that they live in Buffalo. Every trip to Buffalo, we get to see Joe and Tony. It’s wonderful! Bridesmaids Tami and Tatum took the mic and gave us some very special sentiments about how wonderful Bryan and I are for each other. It was so sweet and so appreciated.
Finally, it was time for us to go back to the hotel and PARTY!!!!!
My M.I.L. had bought enough alcohol for the rehearsal to get us through the Apocalypse, so it was only appropriate that the party continue in the hotel lobby. Then the night got really interesting….check back with me in (hopefully) just a few days as I detail my night of, well, not very much sleep and of course the wedding day!!!
Another special treat? One Six Photography has already posted some of our wedding pictures on Facebook. I’ll be sharing some of them here as well. I’m so excited for you all to see them. The Adventures of a Tomboy Bride blog will be closing with a final series of blogs about each and every one of our vendors (the good, bad, and ugly thoughts I have about them! Luckily, all thoughts are mostly great!) in case some unsuspecting future Tomboy Bride stumbles upon this blog for some guidance. And registry notes? I’ll just tell you all I’m in kitchen appliance Heaven. I’ll get more specific in my final series of blogs. If a future bride comes upon this site, she’ll know what the must-haves are (anyone who doesn’t own a Calphalon Unison Saute Pan needs one – STAT). And I have not yet started on my Thank You cards but I am getting there. The apartment is almost under control and I can actually form rational thoughts in it instead of worrying about getting attacked by boxes. I am on it. I promise!
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