Well...it's done...it's finished

[ebonlock]

Seriously, what can you say when two wonderful people have the perfect wedding and you get to be a part of it? Aside from the heat (which was outrageous - particularly for those of us in black tails) the day was perfect. Blue skies, sunshine, a gorgeous setting at the top of a mountain looking down on the Bay, everyone smiling and happy...ok I know I'm overusing the word but I swear everything was perfect. Well, ok there were some minor hitches, but most of them were no more horrendous than boutineer issues (it became a running gag throughout the day and I believe Aelf has a picture of them in three stages of disintegration on the bridesmates). I think mine was the only one to survive the day entirely intact.

I got to walk down the aisle to a string trio playing "All You Need is Love", which had me a little choked up right from the start. Then hearing the lovely L- burst into "Blackbird" as moonlightnrain came down the aisle in her ivory tux had more than just me sniffling, and of course lizzzie_lou walking resplendently down the aisle to the "Bridal March". She was beautiful, R- was stunning and I don't think I've ever felt more proud and humble at the same time. The ceremony itself was lovely, despite the occasional revving motorcycle, plane and siren (which L- handled with a dry, "Well it is still illegal" that broke everyone). And despite melting a bit I think we all held up pretty well. Oh there were tears, more than I've ever shed at a wedding in my life, but I think we were all subtle enough about wiping them away to avoid them appearing in any pictures. At the end we all marched back up the aisle to "When I'm 64" and went all giddy and goofy in the bar before we had to head back out for pictures. Indeed the bridesmates had all just gotten out of our jackets, the paperwork was signed making everything official, and off we went for pics.

Of course we got off easy, and even got our shots done first. I felt so bad while eating appetizers and sipping lemonade as the happy couple were put through the picture paces. Honestly they must've been running on pure adrenaline by the end. We settled in for a lovely dinner and a slew of toasts, lots of lovely chatting and I finally got to talk to F- about her chickens (long story). After that we broke into our favors and there was some serious chocolate swapping going on. Then back inside for the dances, which were all lovely and crazy and fun and sweet. We joined in on "We Are Family", then everybody got up and crowded into one happy mass. The DJ actually played "Sing, Sing, Sing" just as we were about to go and get out of the tuxes so aelfsciene and I darted back out to dance and were just soaked by the time we got to change. I feel so bad for whoever had to clean mine. Seriously.

Happily we all missed the bouquet and I leaned over to tersa to say, "Hey wouldn't it be perfect if the DJ played 'Single Ladies' for this?" and then she did and we lost our collective shit. I can't even tell you all the songs we danced to, I lost count early on and the champagne wasn't helping things. I will say I can't remember having that much fun at any wedding ever, nor being that sweaty and disgusting and exhausted by the end of an evening. So worth it, though, so worth it.

Uh, let's see, we ended the evening by dancing to "Blister in the Sun" with jakejr, "You Shook Me All Night Long" with tersa and R- and her pals' theme song, "Gin and Juice". Then Aelf and I collected the tuxes, loaded my car with wheatgrass flats (long story, but if anybody needs cat grass I've divided one flat up and I'm happy to share!), grabbed B- and we headed back down the mountain. I'm sure I took a shower and fed the cats but I honestly don't remember either, indeed I don't remember much until about 8:00 the next morning.

And there will be pictures, of this I am certain, when I get access I promise to share.

Comments

[elo-sf.livejournal.com]

it was a fantastic evening for a fantastic couple; you looked awesome as well

[ebonlock.livejournal.com]

I was just sad I didn't get to say goodbye to you guys before you left :(

[elo-sf.livejournal.com]

Sorry *hugs*

You guys are stars

[scoreboard.livejournal.com]

You can heteronormative-attendant with me anytime ;]

(You didn't happen to see my blue shades with my tux did you? I'm still piecing together everything - so far I found my cufflinks, both flasks, all five handkerchiefs, my knife and my pen... ;] )

Re: You guys are stars

[ebonlock.livejournal.com]

Not with the tux, no, I do remember a spare pair of sunglasses being back in the changing room but I don't think they were yours. I think most of the "lost and found" stuff ended up being sent down to the hotel so it might be worth giving them a call.

Also you are the best Best Man anyone could ever hope to have in their wedding. The rest of us were just trying to follow in your footsteps...literally in some cases ;)

[phillipalden.livejournal.com]

It was a wonderful day, and you, (and the others in the bridal party,) looked fantastic! Erik and I are grateful we got to celebrate Raven and Liz's special day.

[moonlightnrain.livejournal.com]

Oh it is SO much fun to read other people's experiences of the wedding. I do regret that we couldn't do more pictures before the wedding (we weren't expecting guests to arrive 45 minutes early!) and so we missed our cocktail hour. At least I got one of those samosas. Thank you so much for taking care of the tuxes etc. I still can't find my cufflinks, but I'm sure they'll turn up. *hugs*

-Raven, recovering from a nasty spider bite at Tulum which has me mimicking House's gait....

[ebonlock.livejournal.com]

-Raven, recovering from a nasty spider bite at Tulum which has me mimicking House's gait....

Damn those Mexican spiders, damn them to hell! Also welcome back! :)

[moonlightnrain.livejournal.com]

You know, our last 24 hours in Mexico didn't go so well, what with a spider bite that rendered my right leg almost useless and Liz's credit card being stolen/lost, but other than that we had a great time. We didn't take many pictures, but I hope to post those we did take soon on FB. BTW, thank you for divvying up a bit of the wheat grass for our kitties to enjoy in our absence!

[ebonlock.livejournal.com]

If your grass is looking a bit worse for wear I've got lots more. Seriously, just swap it out for one in the back yard or ask Aelf to bring one over the next time she swings by :)