Wedding weekend, two

Oh, what a weekend! The wedding was Saturday, and I'm still sore, after two days and two hot showers with epsom salts. My ankles, from fancy shoes, my toes, from blisters, my legs from crouching so the groomsmen were visible in group photos, and my wrists, worst of all, for some reason I'm not sure of. 

Saturday morning was a red-purple-yellow-green whirlwind of staple guns, scotch tape, paper lanterns, and a lot of sweat. Alexis and Li don't have the benefit of big, nearby, handy families to execute the setup and decor, so the capable team of bridesmaids and groomsmen spread out to fill the void. For me, that was honestly the best part. I love being part of a team, but it was more than that. It was seeing the incredible support present in everyone who helped set up that day-- the guys hanging lanterns, setting up speakers and chairs, sprinkling dried flower petals on the aisle. The women wrapping ivy in the pavilion, shoving tables around, mixing sangria, hanging curtains. The guys handled some of the most delicate duties, and the girls handled some of the most burl-intensive, which I loved. We worked from nine AM right up until the ceremony at 2pm, and then we worked from 7:30 to 9:30 breaking everything down. 

Sweet Patrick showed up at a little after ten on Saturday, and worked the whole day. He even danced with me, to They Can't Take That Away from Me, and we twirled. He took a video of Li swinging at the pinata, and posted it on Facebook. He drove to get ice, and garbage bags, five minutes before the ceremony. Whaddaguy.

Alexis had this incredible picture of how everything would look, and it was a total joy realizing her vision. 

I promised to cry, and I cried. I stood up to give my maid of honor toast to this big room full of friends and family, and I was standing where I could see Alexis' face as I read (MISTAKE) and we both just... streamed. It was my favorite part of the day-- getting to stand up there and pay tribute to her, and what she means to me, and everything we've come through together. 

Psst! Click here to subscribe to the feed!