This weekend was an adventure. Rich picked me up Friday morning, and we made it to IAD to pick up cat with relatively little event. It was nice to be able to catch up a bit on the way. We got to the hotel, checked in, then headed to the Cracker Barrel for lunch. From there Cat and I went in and took a nap until it was time to leave for the rehearsal dinner, which we arrived at half an hour late because I can't read directions worth shyte. We did make it, though, and the rest of the night was spent relaxing in preparation for the Big Day. Cat and I ended up crashing pretty early after a burrito/soda tun to the Shell station, but I'm glad we did.

Yesterday we woke up in time to shower and prep before Jeanne and Mary showed up for hair and makeup. From there, we formed a little assembly line of cosmetics. I must say, we did a wonderful job of being efficient and pretty at the same time! We scooped up supplies, packed it all up, and headed for the church; this time we did NOT get lost.

From there it was a waiting game. We weren't allowed to get dressed before the photographer showed up, and he was half an hour late, so we sat around in a stuffy church library trying to keep ourselves occupied and Christina relaxed. Once he arrived we were able to compare green dresses and strap on whatever tortuous heels we'd brought along to complete the ensemble. Then there were pictures. Now, maybe I'm being a snob because I felt out of my element as a bridesmaid and not the photographer...but there are certain things you know. I won't go into detail, but that photographer made things a million times harder than they needed to be, hah. Towards the end, during the reception, he was even following me around taking my shots and technical fixes. Ass! After pictures, which included but was not limited to dragging Christina through the mud, there was more waiting. By then the undergarment of torture making my dress look remotely nice on me was starting to live up to it's title by performing a stealth appendectomy. Ouch! We found a classroom with couches and chairs in it, and decided to relax in there until show time.

The ceremony was extremely light and auspicious. No majour slip-up's, I didn't pass out when my blood sugar crashed during the ring exchange, and no one caught on fire. It was great! I made it back to the library in time to discover my juice had frozen, so Cat picked M&M's out of the trail mix for me, then we headed out to watch people pelt bird seed at the happy couple. This is when the real adventure began.

The reception was at a winery about an hour's drive from the church. The bridal party was herded into a limo, and the rest of the guests were guided onto two tour buses. When we boarded the limo we noticed it was a bit stuffy, but once we found the air conditioning controls we were optimistic the temperature inside the mobile greenhouse would change. It didn't. In fact, it got worse until we detected the familiar aroma of burning polyester and realized someone's dress was about to ignite. We alerted the driver, asking if there were seat warmers on, but it turned out there weren't. A moment later we pulled over and everyone evacuated the limo, which was starting to fill with smoke. Luckily for us, the buses were right behind us, so we didn't have to stand on the gravel shoulder of the road in heels for very long. I sensed at any moment I was about to fall and break my ankle. Once at the winery, which was gorgeous beyond words, things went a bit smoothly. We ate, we danced, I had my "single girl with no date at a wedding" moment, drank some wine, and everything was a-okay. I'm sure there are several details I'm missing, so this story may be augmented a few times. I apologize for the inconsistency of my memory. The ride back on the bus was half rowdy-half cozy. I fell asleep halfway home, so I don't remember a lot.

This morning we all overslept, and poor Cat may or may not still be in IAD trying to catch a flight home. I hope she made it. The drive back was nice, albeit a bit hot. I need to make an effort to spend more time with those guys. They've stuck by me for almost six years now. Last night only solidified the fact that they really are around when I need them, and that I can always count on them for a shoulder to cry on or an arm to reach for when I need support. Thanks guys.

Pictures to come as soon as I find a RAW conversion program for Geoff's computer.

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