In Which We Drink Tea
Saturday was by far my favorite day of all. And not just because it was THE day. From the time my feet hit the floor, it was nothing but joy.
It started with coming downstairs to seeing Todd, Taylor and Katie laying around, watching The Office. Because what else do you do the morning of your wedding? Taylor being there was a lovely surprise. He’s a worship pastor and the staff had planned a work day, but the lead pastor told him he’d better not see his face.
I love his boss.
The man child had stopped at Suzy-Jo Donuts and brought, well, you know. Donuts. Coffee was already made (which may have been the real reason for the intense level of my joy) and I couldn’t resist a maple bacon donut. The combination of rich, black coffee and salty bacon and sweet maple on my tongue was like a celebration of all that is right with the world.
It was after I’d consumed the donut that Taylor showed me the apple fritter he had bought just for me. And you know how when your kids are little and they make you a macaroni necklace, you wear it so you won’t hurt their feelings? I ate the apple fritter so I wouldn’t hurt Taylor’s feelings. No other reason.
Did I mention I see a dietitian? Because it seems like I may have forgotten that little detail altogether.
We enjoyed a little family time before the bridesmaids in the basement woke up. (“Bridesmaids in the Basement” sounds like a creepy book, doesn’t it?) Eventually the local bridesmaids came over for a brunch of egg casserole, fruit and mimosas. I was going to let them just be them, but I crashed the party in the dining room and forgot I was old for a minute or two. It was delightful.
And then, before you knew it, we were off to the venue! The bride and her party were allowed in the bridal suite at 1:30 and we were there right on the dot. Again.
We walked through the busy ballroom, down the hallway, through the farmhouse doors and into the suite. This is what we found waiting for us when we arrived.
The stylist was already there and she immediately got started on Katie’s hair. The tiny suite was abuzz with six young women in monogrammed robes, doing their own hair and makeup and helping each other with their hair and makeup, while enjoying tea or a delicate scrumptual. So I left to see how things were coming along and to offer my help to Taylor.
I found him in the ceremony pavilion, setting up the amplifier and his guitar and microphone. I helped him with the volume as he played a little bit of the guitar music he had written. And then I asked if he would play Sweet Child of Mine. Which he did. Next was Crazy Train. And he obliged. Finally I requested Back in Black.
When I got back to the room, the florist had delivered the bouquets and they were gorgeous. I asked Katie if she had seen hers, to which she replied she had not. So I picked it up and took it over to her. The stems were wrapped in lace and when she saw it she got all misty. “Is that lace from your wedding dress?”
Yes. Yes it is. I cut up my beautiful, 30-year-old dress so I could wrap your bouquet with my lace. Because what else am I going to do with my dress?
There was a collective, “aww” and accompanying sniffles from all the bridesmaids. It was cute.
Have I ever told you how lacking in feelings I am?
All of a sudden, it was time to get dressed. The morning and afternoon had actually been very relaxed to me. And then it wasn’t! I had originally planned to have my hair and makeup done, but then it wouldn’t have been a relaxing morning, so I did it myself. With a little help from the maid of honor.
Finally, it was time to get dressed. So I headed to the little bathroom with my dress and my new Spanx, and told the girls, “no matter what you hear, don’t come in.” Which made me think of THIS BLOG POST. If you haven’t read it, you should. It’s hysterical.
Go ahead. I’ll wait.
—
See? Wasn’t that funny? I’m relieved to say I didn’t have that same experience, but you never know with shapewear.
And just like that, Katie was stepping into her beautiful dress. I’m sorry I don’t have a good picture of her dress to show you, but I chose to be completely present instead of snapping pictures like I usually do. I’ll be sure to post some when we get them from the photographer.
Bride and bridesmaids coiffed, made up and dressed, it was nearly time to begin the ceremony.