Teachers Should Plan All Weddings

After telling a friend (who is planning a wedding), about the relative calm before my sister's June 1 nuptials, she commented, "Wow! Teachers should plan all weddings. They know how to get stuff done." Once I hit the ground (a day late), I expected a whirlwind of last-minute errands. Instead, I was met with lists galore and a wedding day schedule that got as granular as 5 min. intervals at times - all already printed. I proceeded to breeze through a book in three days, enjoy perfect running weather, try new recipes on my parents, watch the Cardinals climb out of the cellar, and other such St. Louis summer activities. 

Until Thursday: nail day! Kara had booked the salon's private room for the bridal party. 

My hand's the bottom one; I tried gel for the first time and am happy to report it's still going strong almost a week later. My toes are a nude pink that's not too pink. 

Friday morning, a dream team of immediate family and members of the bridal party assembled at the reception venue to set up anything and everything that could be set up in advance. We had exactly one hour but wound up finishing early thanks to one of the aforementioned lists.  

A florist I am not. 

We reconvened for the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner that evening. 

Tradition lives! I saved ribbons from both of Kara's showers and made a bouquet for her to use (if you're wondering, she didn't rip any). 

My nephew (who wanted to try on his bowtie) was the ring bearer...and bore the REAL rings.

We "rehearsed" backwards: recessional first so everyone could memorize their spot, then processional.

We didn't have to go far for dinner in the Fellowship Hall feat. salad, pasta, and subs from the local chain that will forever be memorialized as the couple's first date spot. The night was young for the Mackenzies, who headed to an after party at the Kirkwood IMO's pizza joint, our usual hangout when out-of-town family is in. 

No more messing around come Saturday morning; the schedule's first heading was "PRE CEREMONY."

8:00 AM

• Report for Hair and Makeup at the Mackenzie's
• breakfast and mimosas included
• Lunch sandwiches included

Makeup artist: "Tell me about your normal makeup routine." 

Every single member of the bridal party: "You're looking at it."

Sixty-three (!!!) bobby pins later...

12:15 PM

• Girls head to Church to change into dresses

I had the special joy and honor of delivering Kara's gift for her future husband: a card, a gold bracelet, and a handkerchief embroidered in her handwriting. 

Peep my feet at 5:00. I got my shoes at a Payless at the Los Andes Mall in Panama when I was there for a regional meeting in February.

New heading: CEREMONY!

2:00 PM

• Ceremony Begins

Kara & Christian elected to keep it as short as possible - no hymns, no presentation roses for moms, no unity candle - because there was a chance the church wouldn't be air conditioned due to HVAC work (it was). 

2:45 PM

• PICTURES AT CHURCH

MOH 101: I did a LOT of train-straightening. 

3:15 PM

• Get on bus (would love to leave earlier) [we did]
• *drive to Forest Park

3:30 PM

• Arrive at Forest Park. Shots at Grand Basin and The Muny.

4:30 PM

• Leave Forest Park and drive to Ted Drewes (if time) [there was, and the whole bridal party got free custard]

5:00 PM

• Leave Ted Drewes and Head to Reception Venue

5:30 PMish

• Arrive at reception venue and head upstairs [to the bridal suite] to relax

RECEPTION

5:30 PM

• Reception Doors Open & Bar Opens
• Cocktail hour

View of cocktail hour from the bridal suite. 

6:00 PM

• Grand Entrance

Don't trip down the stairs. Don't trip down the stairs. Don't trip down the stairs. 

6:15 pm

• First Dance

Kara didn't know what the song was until the DJ started playing it!

7:05 PM

• Toasts
• Maid of Honor Speech (Erin Mackenzie)
• Best Man Speech (Colton Burgess)

For something that didn't get printed until the day before, I got lots of compliments!

7:20 pm

• Open Dance Floor

Kara & Christian with all of Kara's cousins in attendance on both sides. 

Everyone whose last name is Mackenzie or who is married to one!

NOT ON THE SCHEDULE

• Decorate bride & groom's getaway car and fill it with balloons

10:00 PM

• Reception Ends

They had NO idea!

I insisted on 8:00 church before helping host one party and attending another on my last day in-country. It made for some frantic Chicken and Waffle Casserole assembly, but no regrets. 

It was a beautiful day from start to finish, in large part thanks to Kara and the meticulous planning skills she's no doubt honed in her 3rd grade classroom. The only hitches - besides the bride and groom, of course - were the DJ almost forgetting the meal prayer and the florist forgetting to include a complimentary toss bouquet. As of this writing, the new Mr. & Mrs. Burgess are on their honeymoon, enjoying an adults-only resort in Cancun. 

Until next time, blessings in Christ!