I feel like I've been run over by a large hooved animal.
In other words, the party was fantastic! The best night of my life so far. Everyone seemed so genuinely happy to be there, which was touching. I think the only person that looked miserable was my friend Steph, who I rarely talk to anymore, but she's pregnant and she brought her very bored daughter with her, so she was dealing with some serious handicaps. Once my neice arrived she perked up. The little people love the other little people.
Many of the guests were my parents' friends, all of whom they've known for over thirty years, so these are the people that watched me grow up. They were all so kind, generous, and ready to smile. Most of my extended family came as well, which I was sort of worried about. We all see each other 2-3 times a year for the major holidays. I can honestly say there's one cousin around my parents' age that has never said more than "hi" to me. I really can't stand her and her consta-snarl face, but in this instance I had to be nothing but Miss Congeniality whether I liked it or not. Turns out I liked it! In fact, I was such a hyper, carefree hostess that I talked with everyone at least twice and actually enjoyed it. I have never ever been one for small talk, but dudes, I was a CHAMP last night. I really am proud of myself, because that type of social situation is painful for me. Okay, so I was totally liquored up by the end of the second hour, but whatever. I don't believe I made a fool of myself at any point. Hopefully.
Highlights & Lowlights
- You know what's really super fun? When you use a hairdryer while the hair straightener is warming up with both the sink and the over headlights on in the bathroom and you blow a fuse an hour before your wedding reception! And then? Right when you think it won't be a problem because you can just sit on the bedroom floor by the outlets and finish up your 'do, you discover that the power is also out where the computer is plugged in, and you haven't finished burning the four fucking hours of music for the party because your shit-ass computer decided to let iTunes malfunction and you think downloading the upgrade will fix it but you're not sure and now you can't even turn the motherfucker ON! Yeah! Good times!
- A crying spell, approximately five minutes long. WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO, GAB? Hmmm? Surely yelling at your husband will help!
- But what is this? A Christmas miracle two months early? The burner gets it shit together, albeit veeeery slowly, and all four hours of music are eventually recorded even though I was running 40 minutes late by that point. Micah was sent ahead of me with the vases so the centerpieces could be done.
- The place looked gorgeous when I finally got there. The dark silver chair ribbon thingies were lovely, and the pale blue hydrangeas were tinged with a similar shade. My parents and two of my favorite cousins from Texas were there, all smiles, all compliments and cheer.
- Oh god. Why are both of Micah's speakers in one room? One was supposed to go in the other room where I was told the bar would be, as well as cocktail tables. This is all wrong. ALL WRONG.
- Ok, ok, fine. I see that stretching the cord right across the main entrance wouldn't be smart. Because Americans have to be so fucking sue-happy, my speakers can't go where I want them. Wah. I think I stomped my foot once or twice.
- Bridezilla moment over! The bar is open! The bartender learns I am the bride at this here shindig and proceeds to pour me a vodka tonic so strong it would've inebriated a horse.
- Oh, yay! The bartender mixes up a fruity concoction in a pitcher and I am officially good to go for the rest of the night.
- My shoe strap breaks. Perfect! (I love you, ankle strap. You made it all ok.)
-And wow, the niceness. Everyone was so dang gracious. And the food was even better than it was when we did the taste testing.
- My 10 year old cousin asks me if there is going to be dancing and my heart falls into a messy puddle because I'm the Scrooge who was all "I don't want a dance floor!"
- It went by soooo fast. Whizzed right by me. I could barely sit still long enough to eat dinner, because I was on a mingling mission.
It was awesome. I got wasted and never had a hint of nausea. When we got home Saturday night I maniacally ripped open envelopes and marvelled at the generosity while Micah tore open boxes and held up shiny appliaces. I am more in love than ever, and seeing all those people together was really special.
That's all for now. My whole body aches. My thighs are extremely mad at me for not warning them that I would spend a good portion of the evening squatting as gracefully as possible next to guests so I could talk to them without hovering over them. They hurt so bad. The bottoms of my feet feel like they've been punched by a thousand little fists.
But other than that? I've never felt more happy or lucky in all my life.
In other words, the party was fantastic! The best night of my life so far. Everyone seemed so genuinely happy to be there, which was touching. I think the only person that looked miserable was my friend Steph, who I rarely talk to anymore, but she's pregnant and she brought her very bored daughter with her, so she was dealing with some serious handicaps. Once my neice arrived she perked up. The little people love the other little people.
Many of the guests were my parents' friends, all of whom they've known for over thirty years, so these are the people that watched me grow up. They were all so kind, generous, and ready to smile. Most of my extended family came as well, which I was sort of worried about. We all see each other 2-3 times a year for the major holidays. I can honestly say there's one cousin around my parents' age that has never said more than "hi" to me. I really can't stand her and her consta-snarl face, but in this instance I had to be nothing but Miss Congeniality whether I liked it or not. Turns out I liked it! In fact, I was such a hyper, carefree hostess that I talked with everyone at least twice and actually enjoyed it. I have never ever been one for small talk, but dudes, I was a CHAMP last night. I really am proud of myself, because that type of social situation is painful for me. Okay, so I was totally liquored up by the end of the second hour, but whatever. I don't believe I made a fool of myself at any point. Hopefully.
Highlights & Lowlights
- You know what's really super fun? When you use a hairdryer while the hair straightener is warming up with both the sink and the over headlights on in the bathroom and you blow a fuse an hour before your wedding reception! And then? Right when you think it won't be a problem because you can just sit on the bedroom floor by the outlets and finish up your 'do, you discover that the power is also out where the computer is plugged in, and you haven't finished burning the four fucking hours of music for the party because your shit-ass computer decided to let iTunes malfunction and you think downloading the upgrade will fix it but you're not sure and now you can't even turn the motherfucker ON! Yeah! Good times!
- A crying spell, approximately five minutes long. WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO, GAB? Hmmm? Surely yelling at your husband will help!
- But what is this? A Christmas miracle two months early? The burner gets it shit together, albeit veeeery slowly, and all four hours of music are eventually recorded even though I was running 40 minutes late by that point. Micah was sent ahead of me with the vases so the centerpieces could be done.
- The place looked gorgeous when I finally got there. The dark silver chair ribbon thingies were lovely, and the pale blue hydrangeas were tinged with a similar shade. My parents and two of my favorite cousins from Texas were there, all smiles, all compliments and cheer.
- Oh god. Why are both of Micah's speakers in one room? One was supposed to go in the other room where I was told the bar would be, as well as cocktail tables. This is all wrong. ALL WRONG.
- Ok, ok, fine. I see that stretching the cord right across the main entrance wouldn't be smart. Because Americans have to be so fucking sue-happy, my speakers can't go where I want them. Wah. I think I stomped my foot once or twice.
- Bridezilla moment over! The bar is open! The bartender learns I am the bride at this here shindig and proceeds to pour me a vodka tonic so strong it would've inebriated a horse.
- Oh, yay! The bartender mixes up a fruity concoction in a pitcher and I am officially good to go for the rest of the night.
- My shoe strap breaks. Perfect! (I love you, ankle strap. You made it all ok.)
-And wow, the niceness. Everyone was so dang gracious. And the food was even better than it was when we did the taste testing.
- My 10 year old cousin asks me if there is going to be dancing and my heart falls into a messy puddle because I'm the Scrooge who was all "I don't want a dance floor!"
- It went by soooo fast. Whizzed right by me. I could barely sit still long enough to eat dinner, because I was on a mingling mission.
It was awesome. I got wasted and never had a hint of nausea. When we got home Saturday night I maniacally ripped open envelopes and marvelled at the generosity while Micah tore open boxes and held up shiny appliaces. I am more in love than ever, and seeing all those people together was really special.
That's all for now. My whole body aches. My thighs are extremely mad at me for not warning them that I would spend a good portion of the evening squatting as gracefully as possible next to guests so I could talk to them without hovering over them. They hurt so bad. The bottoms of my feet feel like they've been punched by a thousand little fists.
But other than that? I've never felt more happy or lucky in all my life.
2 comments:
Glad to hear that the party was a success! Wish I could have been there to see all that schmoozing.
-a
Gabs,
Best reception ev-ah! Way better than my sisters' lame as ones. I had so much fun and everything looked great and tasted great. I am so glad it all worked out.
Best reception ever + free strong gin and tonics + birthday party
for a one year old the next day = painful hangover headache
But totally worth it.
Mandy
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