I woke up with only the slightest headache.
I made my way down to breakfast, where there were a lot more people (14) than the day before. I, of course, made the obligitory, "So, what's everyone up to today?" joke. I was a bit tired from staying out the night before, but I didn't have any real responsibility until noon when I had to make sure to get lunch for Dinah and myself and her bridesmaid. So after breakfast, I messed around a bit and took a nap. Or tried to. I forget who the first call was, but it was something about scheduling and such. The second call was Dinah and I had to make sure my mom and her mom knew to show up a little later for their nail appointments as Dinah was running late on hers. Still though, I got maybe a solid half hour, and coupled with the asprin I bummed off my sister, I was feeling pretty good.
I convinced my brother to come with me to get lunch and we drove (which is ridiculous) to the Back Alley Deli where we found out they don't take ATM cards. Shot down to the Louis Sullivan Jewel Box Bank (this part of the blog brought to you by the Grinnell Chamber of Commerce - Grinnell, you gotta love it!) and back and got some sandwhiches.
It was about this time that I noticed it was windy. Really windy. This would make the pictures sort of interesting.
Went back to the B&B and ate the sandwhiches. It was around 12.15, and Dinah was later than she thought she'd be. No big deal, as we didn't have to be ready for pictures until 2. So, my brother and I ate our sandwhiches while watching American Test Kitchen on Iowa Public Television. Around 1 or so, we started putting on our suits and were finished by the time Dinah and her bridesmaid showed up. Then we kind of sat around. This was kind of a theme of the day. A lot of sitting around and waiting for stuff to happen. Building the drama, I guess.
Eventually, it was 2 and time for pictures. (Note: I hate pictures. I hate taking them. I hate having them taken. But this was nice. I was a bit testy for a moment and worried about making sure all the permutations of couples, family members and angles happened, but for the most part it was painless.) The outside pictures should be interesting with all the wind, but we did plenty of indoor ones as well, so that's good. Around 4, everyone left and we did some more pictures. But that lasted only until 4.00 or so.
And the church was suddenly empty, except Dinah and I. We went over to the rehearsal room to make sure everything was going well there and it was. And then we went to the basement of the chapel to wait for everyone else. This was the oddest part of the day. There we were, all dressed up. At the chapel. Waiting for everyone. Soon my brother showed up with some water, some redbull and some jellybeans. And we did some nervous eating.
A little after 5, we got lined up in front of the doors and ready to go, when two of Dinah's friends (one a tall drink of water, who later committed an affront to Lionel Ritchie, that I would be more offended about if I didn't know for a fact that soon she'll be waking up next to one of these [Hello, is it me you're looking for?] really soon.)* walked in. Just as they passed through us and settled into seats towards the back, it started.
My brother was first out of the gate. Then my best man. Then me, escorting my mom down. Then dinah's maid of honor. Then her brother escorting her mom. Then her and her father. I was fine walking down there. Smiling (I think) at everyone as I made my way down the aisle. I stopped at the front, just shy of the stairs. As soon as my feet stopped and my legs settled underneath me, my eyes let loose the waves of tears that didn't stop until the Officient said, "I now present to you for the first time as husband and wife..."
Dinah looked beautiful coming down the aisle, and the sun coming in through the stain glass window crowned her in a glow that made me shiver a little.
And the rest is a blur. I remember choking up during the vows. Swallowing hard and having to repeat part of the vows. But almost as soon as it started, we were at the back of the chapel hugging and saying hi to everyone. And then we were downstairs, signing the document to make it all official.
And then we were at the reception, trying to make sure we were thanking everyone for coming. And making sure to talk to everyone. And awkwardly cutting the cake and eating it. And awkwardly doing the first dance (Man in Me) and then the photographer left and I started breathing again.
And then it was over. It went really that quickly. I was suddenly cleaning up and making my way to the B&B (if you're ever locked out of a B&B, ring the bell once or the Irish husband of the woman who was so super-nice to you will be testy and dress you down a bit, your wedding day or not) and then I was back at Grinnell house being lifted in the air by my friends. And suddenly I realized they were all not going to be there soon. And I realized the whole day was quickly becoming a happy memory. Which it is.
It reminded me of how much I miss my friends and how I need to make a better effort to see the ones I live so close to. But mostly, It reminded me of how lucky I am to have friends and family who are willing to truck to the middle of Iowa at the end of March (not known as "the pretty season") and throwdown for some good fun. (Not to get all hallmark on you or anything.)
Anyhoo. I know this was a little "then this happened" but I just wanted to get some of it down before it faded from my memory. If I forgot something or you want to add to the memory, please do (assuming you were at the wedding, you know).
*Note: I like Dancing on the Ceiling. I don't ask that you, dear reader, also like this song (you should, though), but if you're at an event that I'm throwing (especially, you know, my wedding), and the song comes on, don't assume that you can just get up and turn it because you don't like it. It's rude. And when I ask you nicely (jokingly even) about it 10 minutes later (and after I cooled down a bit), you know, feign embarrasment or tell me a story about how your mother used to love this song and now that she's gone (to the circus or the great beyone, either will work), you can't bring yourself to sit through the craftsmanship that Mr. Ritchie brings to this his masterwork. Don't just say, 'yeah, I don't like it', and then go pass out. Weak.
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