Wedding Week

Hello Friends and Family,

This week has been stressful, tiring, fun, exciting, and many other things. This week was a local friend's (Josh's) wedding and I was one of the groomsmen, so it has been a very full couple of days. 

Thursday

Rehearsal and Bachelor Party

Thursday night was night 1 of wedding stuff. I drove across town to the Omaha Country Club where the wedding was held. Driving onto the grounds makes you feel like you're in one of those British Television Shows. It was a very chilly night and was nice to get inside near the huge fireplace while we waited for everyone to trickle in. There I met one of the other Groomsmen, Richard, from Tennessee. Zach, the best man, is someone I've met before and hung out with when he was in town previously. He is from Arizona. 

The rehearsal was fairly quick and uneventful. Seems kind of silly to practice walking up and down in a straight line, but is also nice so you can get a feel for the space the wedding will be in.

After the rehearsal, we had a bachelor party. I planned it myself since I'm the only groomsmen who lives here. I reserved a room at Spielbound, the Board Game Cafe. Getting there, it seemed kind of silly that we had a reservation because the place was so dead and empty. We were the only ones there. Not many people go out to play games thanks to covid. 

In any case, it was still nice to have a private room and it didn't cost much. Bonus for me. We all got snacks and drinks from the bar, a really tasty Chai Hot Tea for me along with chicken bites in BBQ sauce, and sat and played DOOM the board game. The guys all seemed to really like it, especially Josh (the groom). It was amazing how much the group just seemed to click together like we'd all been friends forever, despite some of us not meeting the others until that very night. 

After the cafe closed, we stood out on the street in the chilly drizzle while we tried to decide what to do. We ended up just standing there and talking a bunch. Josh and I didn't seem to even notice the cold or rain, but the other guys, both from warm climates, were very cold. Eventually, I said goodbye for the night. The other guys were heading over to Josh's house which was way on the other side of town. So, I called it a night.

Friday

Rehearsal Dinner

We had the "Rehearsal Dinner" the next night, despite it not being the same night as the rehearsal. Also, anyone from the wedding was invited to come. So, this time Amber came along and we went together to the restaurant and pub where the bride's brother works. It was a pretty big party with a lot of people. We met a lot more of Josh's friends from the previous places he lived. Amber's coworker was also there. Everyone got along great.

The food was excellent as well. There were buffalo wings, pretzel bites in beer cheese, chips and salsa, and more. That was just the appetizers. Everyone could also order a main dish. Most of us went with the Thai Chicken Wrap with peanut sauce which was really good. By the end of the night we were pretty tired and worn out from all the food and talk. 

Amber and I headed home. I guess others went on to have a pretty late party at one girl's Air BnB. Guess we missed out on that, but no big deal. I enjoy sleeping. 

Here is a picture of Amber and her coworker at the restaurant. 

Saturday

The Wedding

Saturday morning I got up and exercised and mostly mentally prepared for the wedding later that day ay 4. I had to be early since I was in the wedding party, and I was a bit nervous myself since I've not stood up in front of a bunch of people in quite a few years. So, I just took the time to relax and get ready for my friend's big day. I started getting ready pretty early so that I could trim up my beard and have Amber braid my hair. 

All the groomsmen wore Hawaiian shirts as their attire. Much nicer than tuxes or suits. I found one online I liked but had to go shopping earlier in the week for the khaki slacks and brown dress shoes. (Because I couldn't try anything on in the store I had to go back 3 TIMES to return a pair and get a new one. I eventually just learned to buy the pants, try them on in the bathroom, and then return them if they didn't fit. The cashier got tired of seeing me, but I wasn't going to wear pants that didn't fit!)  

Anyway, here is me in my shirt and pants.

And here is a picture of my hair.

I arrived at 1:30 to the country club and went downstairs to the men's locker room to wait for the pictures to start. The men's locker room has its own bar and restaurant that opens up onto the pool area (obviously the pool is not in use right now). We all ordered food (it was free because the bride's mom is a member and paid for the wedding party to get any food and drinks they wanted) and it was delicious. I had a Cuban/Ruben sandwich with fries. It was probably the best fries I've ever tasted. They weren't special or anything, just fries, but I guess that is what being rich gets you. 

Anyway, as I had estimated (and told the groom the night before) we sat there for 3 hours doing nothing but shooting the breeze. I knew, even tho they asked us to be there early, we wouldn't get to pictures until after the wedding. It was no big deal. We enjoyed hanging out. I've never been around a group of guys I had so much in common with before. The only downside to waiting was that the groom was just very nervous having to wait and kept complaining about how much he hated the anticipation of waiting for something like this. "Just do it first thing in the morning and get it over with," he joked. 

Finally, it came time to go upstairs. We all waited in the sidebar/restaurant on the main floor. Finally, the wedding started. 

The bridesmaid I walked down the aisle with was very nervous that she would trip. The aisle was a little skinny and had lanterns. She was afraid her dress would catch on fire. Turned out the candles were electric. Haha. In any case, she sure rushed down the aisle, sort of just dragging me along, while the photograph tried desperately to get a picture. Not sure he did with how dang fast we were going. 

Oh well. That was funny. 

The ceremony was beautiful and a bit fun. I kept telling myself I couldn't cry in front of all these people. There were a lot of beautiful thoughts shared. It really made me remember my own wedding day and how amazingly grateful I am for Amber and being married to her. I can't believe it is our anniversary again next week! So Exciting! 

Soon, the ceremony was over. Probably only 20 minutes long. (My bridesmaid rushed me back out as quickly as we'd come in. Haha.) 

Then it was pictures time. 

All of the pictures were taken outside in the cold. I'm sure they all looked nice, but everyone was freezing. It was especially cold when we went out on the golf course where there were no buildings or trees to block the chilly wind. And we were all in short sleeve shirts! The groom wore sandles even, so I'm sure his feet were frozen. 

At one point we took a break and all stood by the fire with our drinks. Then it was time to go back out. We put our drinks down and by the time we came back in someone had whisked them away. So, we just had to get new drinks. 

The rest of the night was dinner and reception. It was beautiful, and the hall reminded me of a medieval cathedral with all its chandeliers and lights. We had cheese, rolls, salad, some of the best fish I've ever tasted, wonderful pink wedding cake, and cookies at the end. I was about to explode by the end of the night.

It was a wonderful time hanging out with everyone and so wonderful to be there with Amber and remember why we got married. It is fun to watch my friend be so much in love. If anyone deserves it, he does. 

Anyway, here are some pictures of us at the dinner with Amber's friend and coworker and with the groom in one pic as well. 

That is all for this week. Love you all,

Noah