Mazel Tov!

Yesterday I experienced my first Jewish wedding, and I have to say, it was fabulous! Our friends Beth and Glenn tied the knot at the Omni Hotel in downtown Austin under an elegant chuppah with the hilarious Rabbi David Komerofsky. It was a most entertaining ceremony, with much respect paid to Beth's freakish organizational skills. I swear, there has never been a more relaxed, composed bride than Beth. She's had everything under complete control from day 1 with no complaints, freak-outs, or whining. Tim and Shelley, my bridesmaid, flew in from L.A. - she was a bridesmaid for Beth too - to stay with us for the week-end, and we were just in awe of that girl. We had been crazed disasters of brides and simply couldn't understand this lack of last minute frenzy. I tip my hat to you, madam.

After the ceremony, we took a short walk down 6th Street for the reception at the Thistle Cafe, where they had booked the entire place for the evening. They had an awesome band, morphing Prince, Nirvana, Radiohead, and Guns n' Roses songs into their lounge music counterparts - an impressive task if you think about it. Lots of drinks, dancing, and scrumptious, little nibblies.

Alisha, Shelley, me, Tim and Brad enjoying our Mexican martinis and wine a little too much...

Glenn's brother gave a best man speech that left me a little teary and somewhat scarred when he revealed a childhood story of Glenn's naked towel-snapping tantrum as a young buck. That image is going to be hard to overcome from now on when Glenn's dashing around on the soccer field.

I had never actually seen it in action, but we also experienced the whole chair-lifting of the bride, groom and parents. I think I'd be more than a little nervous about that one (although Shelley informed me that Beth weighs all of 4 pounds, and she should know since she had to practically carry Beth back to her room in Vegas during a particularly heavy night at the bachelorette week-end.) More dancing, entirely too many drinks, and sore tootsies from my heels - we had a great time. We sent them off under a canopy of sparklers into their decorated pedicab...

...And proceeded to share a few after-party drinks at the Belmont but not for long... the alcohol coma was already kicking in.

I had a slight headache this morning but it was a small price to pay for a great party. :)

The only sucky thing about this week-end was saying goodbye to Shelley and Tim this morning. I hate that! (I miss you guys terribly and am seriously contemplating sabotaging your return plans during your next visit. Consider yourself warned.)

Anyway, Beth and Glenn are off for the next week visiting Mau'i and Kaua'i on their honeymoon. Have fun, guys. And hurry back. We need all the help we can get out on the fields... :)