{Images via various friends, camera phones, and our impromptu documentarian, Graham}
Ah, relaxing a little...after the fun(ky) rehearsal!
Mr. P's parents' hosted the event and felt strongly that, since ours was a bit of destination wedding, any of the guests who came to town the night before should be invited to the dinner. They are very social people and this gave them an opportunity to mingle with their siblings (P's parents have five or so siblings each!) and friends (as well as meet our friends).
It was very generous of them to throw the welcome dinner for us, and I was happy to sit back and let all happen on its own--one less (big) thing I had to worry about. However, I was a little worried that it might be *too* much fuss (aka require additional work for me and Mr. P).
But it eventually worked out, as it always does...
Excited to see our guests...some of whom I just met for the first time
...There were only minor moments of awkwardness (Please note: this is not an itemization of my ungratefulness. I'm just documenting the real and funny foibles of the weekend):
- Flowers. The week leading up to the weekend, I kept getting calls from the florist asking about my MIL's plans for the flowers for the welcome dinner. I had no idea what they were or why she wasn't returning calls to them--it was her event. And I don't say that grudgingly; I honestly thought that it was her event to plan, and was happy about that fact. I refused to pester MIL. I think she ended up finalizing stuff with the florist like the day before. I didn't really care and didn't have time to fret about it. Again, it worked out.
The flowers turned out fine
- Seating plan. Also, the week before, we had run the seating plan for the wedding dinner by them. They okay-ed it and then got it into their heads that they wanted a plan for the welcome dinner. And they assumed I'd do it. Grrr. The only direction MIL gave was that there should be two tables...ON THE STAGE...one of which was for us and the bridal party and the second table would be for the bridal party's significant others. Did I mention on stage? Yes, there's a stage in the barn because it is actually a chamber music venue, complete with overhead microphones. So I think the thinking was, we're the guests of honor and we should be on display. Our eyebrows were raised a little at this thought, but heck, it would be good practice for (being the center of attention) the next day.
The STAGE was literally set (just go with it)
- Place cards. There was this moment when Mr. P and I knew that his parents were not thinking strategically about how to organize a large group such as this. Meaning, they wanted a seating plan, but didn't plan on how to inform people where to sit. No table numbers, name cards, directions, etc. Again, we were busy with the million other details for the main event. Would it be bad if we didn't say anything (as we were so tempted not to because we were exhausted, and scared at the real possibility that we'd have more work to do than necessary)? Having heard nothing about it, we ultimately asked them several days before how they planned on handling that. And of course, then MIL asked if I could do the name cards. I sighed one late night at the office...and did a really quick and dirty label merge, and then gave it to an office assistant (shhh) to print, cut, and fold.
Not too bad for last minute and make-shift place cards
- Seating chart. But there remained the issue of the table numbers and how the guests would know where to sit. Mr. P's mom is a very enthusiastic person and many, many ideas come to her and then she forgets previously important ones. So seating chart/table numbers were left by the wayside for a discussion on what she wanted to have as favors. Favors?! Anyway, we kept silent as long as we could. And when we saw them that morning and gave them the place cards, we asked how they would manage getting people to the table. They had no idea. But Mr. P's dad, being a very aware man, just said, "Not to worry, I'll take care of it." And it was taken care of, quickly, practically and simply (although my last name was spelled wrong)--hahahaha! Also, I don't recall table numbers, so I'm not sure how people got there.
The favors (handmade dark chocolates from a shop Mr. P's hometown)
The last minute seating chart...with my name spelled wrong--there are two T's in my last name (But I'm sure no one/everyone noticed).
Tip #1: No one is *more* focused on the details and logistics of your big day/weekend than you. Don't get your panties in a wad if your ILs don't get it perfect for the welcome dinner...because they are not project managers and do not have bride brain. And all will still be fine!
We mingled with the guests, our old friends met our new friends, and our family members reunited and got acquainted over light appetizers and drinks...it was so nice and casual and not fussy! (Even good old Father Jim had a great time!)
Tip #2: The rehearsal and welcome dinner are just practice. Who cares if they don't go as planned. Just hope for the best, enjoy yourself, and relax. Sure your wedding day might be a disaster, not saying mine was, but try to squeeze out as much fun as you can!
We sat down and as we started on our meal, Mr. P and I passed around the bridal party gifts: handmade cuff links for the guys, bridesmaids brooches and earrings with monogrammed stationery for the ladies.
We had a really nice meal by Chef Randy Weisch. Locally foraged mushroom tartlets, beef tenderloin... even the roast chicken and Chevre were good! And strawberry shortcake. Delicious, local country classics.
As people got comfortable and were finishing their meals, Mr. P got up to give a speech he had prepared. (So cute, can you see the notes in his hand?)
I giggled listening to him, thanking me for saying 'Yes' and thanking our guest for coming. One of the groomsmen, A, pushed me up to join Mr. P. But I hadn't prepared anything. I started off with "I like to speak off the cuff...because I like to make a fool out of myself." I went on to fill the silent, cricket-chirping room with a round of thank you's to Father Jim (bien sur), Mr. P's parents, and introduced my bridesmaids (each with a funny story--my sister apparently and thankfully thought it was hysterical).
Not to be outdone, Mr. P's father gave a speech (I don't remember what about, but he loves to give speeches), and brought Chef Randy out to thank him in front of the guests. He really did do such a great job. People clapped obligingly (I suspect many were very tired having traveled that day). So that was the end of dinner around 10pm.
But the night was still young...
Some die-hards joined us for drinks back at the hotel President's Bar. Knowing that the downstairs sports pub would open up at midnight (there was another wedding party down there doing some pre-wedding celebrating themselves), we hung on for more. In retrospect, I'm not sure that was a good idea given we were to be married the next day, but oh well.
When we got down to the Player's Pub, everyone decided it was a good idea to show off their dance moves. The best part was when our German friend, Uhlens, walked in gleefully muttering to himself "Ahhh, a discotheque!" To this day, Mr. P and I say "Ooooh, deeescotekk!" to each other when we see dancing happening.
It was 2am by the time we finished. Again, that probably did not help my fatigue and skin situation, but we just wanted to savor every single moment we could! Notice my sister in the background...she was clearly savoring something! Hahaha! (She's going to kill me.)
Tip #3: You should sleep. But if you can't, by all means, spend as much time with your friends and family as you can. Savor every moment with them. It's not often that you get to see them all in one place like this.
Everything thus far was fine (enough) and it was going to be fine. That's all we could hope for. There was nothing left to do but show up! So we went off to bed, SO giddy and excited for our big day. I hardly slept a wink!!! Next up...our wedding morning.
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Previously:Macarons and Marié : The Tea Ceremony, Half-Baked
Macarons and Marié: Assembly Required
Macarons and Marié: The Gathering
Macarons and Marié: The Highlights
Macarons and Marié: Last Minute, Low Key Bachelorette
Macarons and Marié: Assembly Required
Macarons and Marié: The Gathering
Macarons and Marié: The Highlights
Macarons and Marié: Last Minute, Low Key Bachelorette
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