photo credit to Noah Wolf… my butt in ill fitting trousers, circa May 2009.

When people ask me “What was the craziest thing that EVER happened at a wedding?” I always site the madness that happened surrounding their ceremony! Rebecca and Harrison’s traditional Jewish ceremony required they be married under a Chuppah.  On the way to dropping the supplies off at the Harriett Rose Gardens, one of the very important structure creating poles of the Chuppah bounced OUT of the back of the groom’s truck and was nowhere to be found.  I got the frantic phone call at 10am.  Sunday.  Of Memorial Weekend.  It was a mad dash to call anyone and every possible rental company I could think of.  Most were closed and only had emergency numbers and the ones that answered took the time to go to the warehouse only to find they were OUT of Chuppahs.  COME ON!  Finally, I was able to get in touch with Apres Party Rentals and they SAVED THE DAY by leaving his boat outing on Prior Lake to bring us a lattice structure to construct along with the chiffon material meant for much different poles.  As I wasn’t expecting to need help because the reception room had been set the night before/the morning off, I had to call in the trusty backups… My parents.

The picture below is the chokehold of happiness Rebecca put me in when she first got to the park to see the Chuppah put together…

After that was built and we prepared for the start of the ceremony, about 8 minutes (yes, I checked) before the ceremony, Harrison realized he had left the glass behind for the breaking of that glass at the end of the ceremony.  My trusty 5’1″ (I say 5’0″ – I think her hair adds that extra inch) emergency Chuppah building sidekick/Mother FLEW into Uptown where my mother tore out of the truck with 1″ tall hair flapping like wings from the sides of her face in the wind and into Figlios (may it rest in peace)  to have the oh-so-kind people give us a glass and napkin and wish us well in our wedding endeavors.  If there is anything I wish I ever had a picture of, it would be my tiny little mother flying out of the SUV before I had even come to a complete stop… arms and legs going like a cartoon as she flung herself out and ran towards Figlios’ front doors.  Oh good Lord I die laughing just remembering it.

These pictures will remain a couple of my favorites of all time… Nothing can totally capture the insanity of that morning/afternoon, but these pictures capture those three particular moments:

- a single act from the multitudes shown to me in my life of how I know my parents love me andwill  do anything for me

- knowing that the couple/the bride/ the groom/ the families are happy (and it’s a word much that encases so much more than just ‘happy’)  is what gives meaning and worth to the entire reason I sweat and run and bruise myself to get things done for them.  it’s a sick and over the top version of customer service, but it’s their wedding day.

- when you think you’re being kicked when you’re down,  learn to just kick back and just figure it out.

May has been a crazy month.  We got our first 4 weddings of the season out of the way and I spent a weekend in New York City celebrating my dear friend, Dana, and her single-hood before she is married in September.

And this memorial weekend was spent on a family trip to Chicago to see my future sister-in-law graduate from medical school.  There are so many new adventures ahead for them!

Now it’s back to work, but I’m feeling refreshed and inspired.  Marriages are all about making families.  Whether it’s a family of just the two of you or a family of 6 (like mine), it’s a new family.  I think there is no better way to be inspired to work hard for my couples and their families than to spend time with my family (and my friends that make up my extended family) and get back to what it’s all about.

Happy Memorial Day.  Thank you to those that served our country so that I can enjoy the luxuries that come along with my freedom.  I am eternally grateful for your hearts and sacrifice.

Party time!

In my toast, I had to help ‘our side’ understand how to say her new last name…

Ensure they knew how to properly spell it…

And if all else fails, call them the Kle-Somethings.

One of my favorite things to do:  make my sister laugh so hard she’s crying and gasping between giggles.

We happened to pass the Winter Carnival royalty and they knighted the bride and groom!

Those red shoes are ready for party time.  Check back for the final post soon!

sweet maid of honor/wedding planner gift, right?!  my first (and maybe only) Tiffany’s necklace

This guy is next in line for family wedding fun!

On occasion, I’ll dabble in creating custom stationery.

A big hug for Jen and her husband, who made it home just in time – literally by a day or so – (both) from serving our country in the Middle East

Off to get her man…

Part II coming soon!