Saturday, February 9, 2013

...BUT THERE WILL BE DANCING!

Let the dancing continue!








Which it did for the rest of the evening. But that wasn't 'it' for fun.










There was the Photo Booth- this is a MUST HAVE at a wedding. Oh my.  As you can well imagine, as the night went on the pictures got funnier and funnier, and I think pretty much everyone got in there at least once, if not more.  The Photo Booth spits out one for the guest, and one for the bride and groom. Theirs goes in a book, which then can be signed by the guests, if wanted.  Such a fun remembrance of your evening, and your crazy guests!








Long about 10 p.m. or so, there was rumblings of a 'late night snack'.  Up came the freight elevator. The door opened and lights were shining out, a horn honked and into the reception pulled one of Chicago's Food Trucks!  He opened up his sides, little lights came on, and people lined up to enjoy what he was serving!  


Pleasant House Bakery serves THE MOST DELICIOUS meat pies, you've ever eaten. A True English  treat.  These darling little two bite size treats were served in paper boats, just like if you were snacking on the street! Three different kinds to choose from, and I'm sure many people sampled all three.  When Mark and I went to sample them before the wedding, I said, I'd just have a bite of his, I wasn't that hungry. After one bite, I said, get me a fork... oh my- can not tell you how delish the Bourbon pot roast one was.

Sadly, the night came to a close.  Funny how QUICKLY the evening passes.  All that angst, hard work and money- and bam... it's over in a flash.




Or is it?

 


We took the last trolley back, and headed to our suite. 



As did 50 or so other people.

After party?








Ah, yeah.  Alcohol and some left over donuts came with partiers and we set up for round two.  After an hour or so, security came to tell us to quiet down.  A little discussion with good old George Washington on our side, helped the security guy understand that this was a celebration.

However at 3:30 a.m. it wasn't something even good old George could help with.... it was over.



Secretly, I was glad. I was dead tired.


Another short night, and we were up, surveying the gigantic mess that was our room... oh my.  Looked like a frat house after rush.  Actually smelled like that too.  We had to clean up a bit, then shot down to the venue to collect the wedding gifts and high tailed it to the wedding brunch.





This was set up by the wedding party. A cute little spot, and a private room for us.  We all had coffee... and hair of the dog- mimosa's or bloodies....  everyone was a little peaked looking.  But it was fun to hear everyones take on the evening.

We headed over to the newlywed's apartment to watch gift opening.  They got some great stuff... makes me want to throw everything out and get new... Would that not be cool???

Mr. and Mrs. Dan Tallian went off to Thailand for two weeks on their honeymoon... oh to be young again.



p.s.  they made it back, now, onto their 'happily ever after'.




one more thing.. Most of the pictures aren't mine- I was having WAY too much fun to remember my camera... AND... once the professional ones come, I'll force you to look at those too!!!

Sunday, February 3, 2013

I DO.....

The kids went around Chicago taking outside pictures at many of the city's great places.  Jumping on and off the trolley. Scarlett was afraid Chicago's famous winds would mess her hair and makeup up- not to worry, all was fine!  The trolley kicked off the fun...























We arrived early at the venue, actually in a cab, that happened to come upon and follow the trolley in!  What are the odds of that happening in  Chicago? Came in in my leopard loafers with my fancy dress... always a fashion maven I am.  I was trying to save my feet, which were still hurting from the darling shoes from the night before. Old age and high heels just isn't working out for me.

Anyway, came in to a whole lot of scrambling.  The caterers crew, wedding planner and assorted other people were arranging and organizing things for the reception. The ceremony area was done, and lovely.  I, of course, being me, felt compelled to reorganize some of the arrangements.  They weren't exactly where I wanted them to be.

The wedding party was sequestered in the back room with bottles of water and some food.  After riding around Chicago drinking and posing, we thought it might behove them to have something in their bellies.


Scarlett and Dan were having more pictures taken and Scarlett was stressing about the dirt on the bottom of her dress. At one point, I saw a bridesmaid on the floor, with some sort of spot cleaner getting the dirt out BEFORE the train was once again steamed as it had been bustled for the trek around town.






Word came that the 1st trolley was arriving, and the Prosecco, which was to be served in the freight elevator while guests were coming up, wasn't quite ready. Not sure why, but this was a issue with the caterer from the get go.  It was going to happen. Period.  If you know me well, you know 'no' isn't a word I embrace happily.  So the elevator went down to get guests, and I sent word that it was to come up empty.  I'm sure people wondered what was happening...

We served Prosecco in the elevator.

Anyway, people were milling around, we queued up and snuck around to begin the processional. I was seated by my son, and it all started.  The girls all came in escorted by a groomsmen, and finally, the curtain parted and in came Scarlett and Mark.


She was smiling and relaxed looking.  She was nervous that she'd faint or something.  Not to be, she was all good.  Mark answered his 'who gives this girl' question, shook Dan's hand, kissed her and turned around... looked confused started to go the wrong way then turned back and sat by me. Who's nervous here? He said I was hidden from him by a pole... right.. what about the rest of his family?!

The ceremony was done by a family friend. A retired judge, who really doesn't do weddings happily, but told Scarlett he was such a good friend of her grandfather (my dad) that there was no way he was going to say no.  That made it even more special.  She had a good friend sing, who might I say sounds just like Nora Jones, and another friend accompanied her on a keyboard.
And, just like that it was over.





After what seemed like hours, we were done taking family pictures and it was time for us to join the reception.. I was definitely ready for a drink and something to eat, and quite frankly to change my shoes!!! No, I didn't go back to the loafers, I had some other heels to don, and Jessica stole mine. It was musical shoes!

Time for the wedding party to be introduced.



Food was served and people were milling around to the various stations enjoying all sorts of things.








 Dessert came out- donuts. Yep, donuts, they are the new cupcakes, or so I've been told and actually have read.  They were all served on various serving platters at different heights.  Scarlett and I scoured thrift stores for candle sticks and plates, and she and her friend Abby assembled them.  Very fun presentation.

Time for toasts.



 I asked Mark what he was going to say, he said he was flying off the cuff.  He was awesome.  Started off with her rocky birth and went on to how proud of her we were.  Made many a tear... not from this woman however- remember the makeup???  Maid of honor Jessica was next- she also did an awesome job. She'd been practicing all day so she wouldn't cry- she did great. Followed by Best man Scott. He too did a fabulous job- bring a tear to EVERYONE (yeah me too) when he mentioned his dad, who passed away a couple years ago at WAY to young of an age.  We are so sorry we never met him, everyone speaks so highly of him, I think we'd have really liked him.

Anyway - the dancing began.  Scarlett and Dan kicked off the dancing,





 followed by Scarlett and Mark. We'd discussed the song, and finally settled on the perfect selection. 'When Scarlett Smiles' by Michael McDonald.





Stay tuned for part three... the rest of the evening....