This is a special edition of the weekend update, as it was my friend Bryan’s wedding weekend. Sunday was the big day for him, but the wedding-related activities began Friday.
Which was, by the way, extremely hectic. In no particular order, from 4 PM until bedtime, there was getting the mail, last minute packing, a Walmart stop, a dinner stop, my parents’ house, picking up the tuxedo rental, checking in to the hotel in Cherry Hill, driving, parking in Philadelphia, watching the movie, late-night snacking, before finally crashing around 1 a.m.
Saturday afternoon there was a pleasant “rehearsal” luncheon, at which members of the families of the bride and groom joined the bridal party for a casual lunch. The wedding rehearsal itself had been canceled on Thursday, but all was well in the end. We ate, we talked, we laughed and said “Oh wow, I can’t believe B-Dawg’s getting married!” Saturday evening, those of us staying overnight at the hotel, along with the groom-to-be, embarked on a very successful excursion in to Philadelphia to find cheesesteaks. After wandering about on South Street, the hunger pangs forced us in to Jim’s Cheesesteaks, a quite delicious place where everyone was soon satisifed. A stop off at Dairy Queen for dessert wrapped up the evening, along with the news that UConn beat Duke.
Sunday, the big day, kicked off with breakfast (Champagne and bagels) with the groom and the groomsmen. A very nervous groom took us convoy-style to the reception hall, where in a short but sweet secular ceremony the mayor married the very happy couple. Tears were shed by many, and the sheer joy of the couple lit up the room. People talked, danced, ate, and generally enjoyed themselves in a relatively casual atmosphere. And I gave my short but sweet wedding toast, and I did throw in a bit about Bryan’s jumping out of the minivan for the Dew Commercial.
It was, in fact, a splendid event, and afterward I felt quite honored to have been chosen to be the Best Man. And so, to the newly wed couple, Jennifer and Bryan Littel, I wish you all the best and many happy years to come.