Wedding Frenzy

Ok, so now on to the most fun part of the whole trip!  Wednesday, April 22, the boys and I left Dripping Springs for Austin-Bergstrom International Airport to pick up the bride. We were so excited to see Aunt Kelli again and dive full speed ahead into wedding frenzy. We checked into the Renaissance Hotel and began the last minute tasks that needed to be done prior to the big day.  From the second we got there, it was nonstop fun (and very little sleep as by this time in our journey Leyton was so whacked out and off schedule that he woke up approximately seven times in one night!)  

The wedding rehearsal went well, and even though I was completely stressed out about Brody doing his job as the ring bearer, he seemed to be agreeable to walking down the aisle (ok, so maybe the gummy worms helped a bit, too!)  He was also madly in love with the two flower girls from the second he laid eyes on them, so he was eager to follow them anywhere they went. After the rehearsal, the party really started as we headed out to The Salt Lick for some yummy barbecue and all the fixins.  This is the same place Brad and I had our rehearsal dinner, so we have lots of love for it!  The food was amazing, the slide show was hilarious, and the wine and beer were flowing all night.  Very fun!

The next morning, I woke up early to head over to Chez Zee for Kelli's bridal brunch, which I was hosting with my mom.  It was apparent from the second Kelli arrived that she did not feel well, but I chalked it up to nerves.  However, by the time we got back to the hotel, she was in bed with a migraine and nausea.  It was awful.  I knew we needed to do something, and do it fast, so that she would have a chance to enjoy the day she had been planning for a year.  So, I called Dr. Russell to get some meds.  To make a long story short, she emerged from hiding at about 3 pm and was dressed, made-up and absolutely glowing by 4:30, just in time to head to the church for pictures.  Thank goodness for modern medicine!

The wedding ceremony was beautiful.  I loved the string quartet, and I literally cried when I saw my adorable little man walking down the aisle.  He made it all the way down, handed me his ring bearer pillow, and then started back up the aisle.  Grandma quickly jumped out and whisked him away--then Daddy took over and kept him out of the church for the remainder of the ceremony.  (I forgot to mention in my previous post that he had entertained the congregation at church the week before with his shouts of "Holy Moly" very loudly over and over during the sermon, so there was NO WAY I was letting him stay during the wedding ceremony!)

After the wedding, we quickly headed back to the Renaissance for the party of the year.  It was truly the best time I have had in ages.  Kelli and Jeff know how to throw one heck of a 

party, and I don't think I stopped dancing all night.  I was terrified to give my toast, but with the help of Edward Cullen, I made it through and got plenty of laughs.  In fact, he became an honored guest that evening, and he even enjoyed a dance with the bride herself.  At the end of the night, Kelli and Jeff exited the reception on a pedi-cab pedaled by his brother.  Too funny! About an hour later, that same pedi-cab came back to pick up Brad and me and take us to the "after party" at TGI Friday's.  I still can't believe I lasted until nearly 2 am (it's been awhile since I've partied so hard,) but I loved every minute of it.  

Kelli and Jeff, your wedding was truly one of the best nights I have ever had.  Thank you for including us in your special day and letting us celebrate with you.  Now that our anniversaries are two days apart, we will have to celebrate together sometime, so start thinking about a fun place to party!  We hope you have an amazing time in New Zealand and Australia, and we can't wait to hear all about it! :)  Love you guys!

Click here for some teaser shots from one of the photographers.