Of course the guys are downstairs waiting for the limo when we met some additional weddings guests and briefly spoke them. At this point, we were downstairs and outside for about 30 minutes before the girls came downstairs and the limo pulled up. The girls got a phone call about the location of the limo and the guys, we were left to our own. The group jumped in to the limo (part 1 has the photo of us before climbing in) and we were on our way to the park. Well, we thought we were...we had to go back to the library to pick up the other 3. When Erin, Ken and Bri got in we all crammed to make sure there was enough room so that Erin's dress would be okay - she pulled it up a little and said said she didn't think a little more dirt would hurt it. They had been walking around the city and it had some dirt, but our Mum had chalk and would be able to cover it up. In fact after we had completed the photos and were back at the hotel, the next time I saw Erin and the dress I couldn't even tell that the dirt was covered-up.
Showtime!
It was time to let the guests in and get the wedding going. I knew we had a large family and that we would have to have spill-over to the groom's side, but I wanted to make sure that certain family members were closer to my parents, and it all seemed to work out. The guys brought down the relatives, and I took my Mum, gave her a kiss and lined up besides the groom and other groomsmen. The bridesmaids walked down the isle and looked as beautiful as they did for the pictures. Kelly was the last to walk down the isle and from where I was standing I could see Daddy and Erin get into position. They were laughing and smiling and it seemed like my Dad was trying to distract her...which as she walked down the isle, she started to break. She stopped midway and a huge sob was heard, that did it...I saw my Mum and sister, Kelly start to tear up...I fought them back myself...not that I would admit that to anyone!
Erin and Ken get married! The service was really nice and quick...maybe 30 minutes. The service was non religious but did open nicely with the Lord's Prayer and then went through the candle lighting and wine drinking! After the service, the guests were let to eat and drink at the cocktail hour while Brian ordered the families around to get the group photos. Many shots were taken of the families and after Bri snuck into the ballroom and grabbed photos of tables and flowers and the cake before the masses were unleashed. We did the walk in announcements and first dance - after about a minute of the bridal couple dancing alone, the wedding party and parents were asked to join in. The band were fantastic, they had the place going all night long, with people dancing in and out of courses of the dinner - which was amazing. The appetizers were so good, that we knew that the meal would be a hit. The first course were these amazing mushroom filled raviolis with a lemon cream sauce. The second course was a delicious beefsteak tomato salad with a vinaigrette dressing (loving tomatoes this was perfect for me and Bri!) The third course was something new to many people and was a hit, a small simple scoop of lemon sorbet to help wash the palette. The final course before all the amazing desserts was the filet or chicken. Both dishes came with the same vegetables and horseradish mashed potatoes. I had ordered the filet, and it was so good. There were plenty of soft drinks, wine and liquor beverages to be had as well. I prefer red wine and stuck to that for the most part, with the addition of champagne and a sour apple martini with Kelly and a few of the bridesmaids. The night went by quickly and I was able to keep my mind off of Kody and just focus on having a good time, knowing that Kody was in good hands and that I would soon be talking to the doctor and seeing him. When the reception ended, a few of us went downstairs to the pub and had a round or 2, they closed at 12:30 and we were able to get them to stay open until 1, most of us were already drunk or very buzzed from earlier in the evening. Kel and I hung out with Erin's friends until about 2 when I went up for bed, Bri didn't join us because he was exhausted and sore. I went to bed and woke up to my phone ringing...I had turned off the alarm and the previous wake up call, and fell back to sleep. It was 9:30 and breakfast time...it was the day after brunch...plus we had a flight to catch! I had a headache...quickly took some aleve and threw on a t-shirt and jeans, woke Bri up and ran down to be social. I made it in time to say goodbye to a few people and ate. I then went back to the room to get ready to go. Kelly was sick (at first I thought she was hung over, but later learned it was something else) and she and my Mum came to the room to say goodbye. Bri came back up from breakfast and we got our stuff together and left the room. This is where you have to wait for part 3.
