First up I have to say a HUGE thank you to Best Friend RS, Sister RS and Mom RS for going to so much trouble with the organising, baking, and just plain knowing what I'd enjoy! Special thanks go to Best Friend because I know she did more work than anyone. I love you J!
The first thing she did, which, of course, I didn't see until afterwards (since it was a surprise) was send this to all the ladies attending the wedding:
How cute, right? I almost accidentally saw this in my FMIL's kitchen on her noticeboard, and I hid my eyes and ran away.
Now the photo documentation!
Me arriving at my mom's house. I was really nervous, actually, because I had no idea what to expect, and I can't say I like that feeling!
The meet-and-greet. From left to right: New Sister-in-law Ruby Slippers, MIL Ruby Slippers, family friend Denise (I was friends with her daughter when we were three or four!), one of my best schoolfriends Priya, my Mom playing Wagner's wedding march as I walked in (I hate Wagner) and Best Friend RS waving at the camera.
A late arrival: my ex-work friend Jocelyn. Although she's old enough to be my mother, we quickly discovered we had the same taste in film, books and shared a wacky sense of humour. Funny coincidence - we later discovered that she used to date my father before they met their respective spouses. So she could have been my mother! Weird, huh?
My mom then switched from Wagner to the Mamma Mia soundtrack, so Justine and I naturally had to strike a classic ABBA pose. (Note: I have seen Mamma Mia three times, and Justine seven)
I was then presented with the obligatory Bride-to-be T-shirt and sash. I close my eyes a lot in photos. I don't know why, but I don't feel like I am, so I don't know how to stop it!
I also got a crown and a feather boa! I loooove boas, so I want to try get it into a wedding photo or two as well!
There was a big pile of deliciousness awaiting me on a table in the middle of the room.Onto the festivities! First we played an "ice-breaker" designed by Best Friend RS (heck, let's just call her Justine; it's shorter), where everyone got the name of an Oscar-winning actress pinned to their back, and had to ask other people questions about who they were.
Me (to Justine): You didn't give me Judy Garland, did you?
J: No, because she didn't actually win a competitive Oscar.
Me: True. So how many Oscars has my person won, then?
J (face falling): Crap.
Me: So it's Katharine Hepburn, then.
:-) I totally rule at that sort of game, if I might point that out.
A collage of me opening all my gifty goodness. My mother got an assortment of bizarre items of clothing, including a tea cosy, an old sports bra and bedsocks, and I had to put one of these on everytime I failed to guess what a gift was before I opened it. The grater with a bowl attached had me stumped, but I did guess a mixing bowl and a jug :-)
I thought this was taking it too far...
Until someone produced some nasty old underpants (which I am assured were washed!) Eeerg. Oh well, all in the name of fun!
Then Justine evilly produced some sheets of paper which, she informed me, was a "how well do Mr and Miss Ruby Slippers know each other?" quiz. Gulp. She had sneakily emailed Mr Rs earlier and asked him a bunch of questions about himself and about me. I suspected as much, but since I had no idea what she'd asked I wasn't prepared, anyway. Considering that Mr Slippers is a bit of an enigmatic unknowable quantity, I think I did fairly well. I got two out of his three favourite movies right (I ALWAYS forget Requiem for a Dream, because seriously, how f***ed up is that movie??). I also guessed the two cities he would like to live in (he only got one right for me - Brighton, baby!) and simple things like how he squeezes his toothpaste, but I was stumped on what primary school he went to and who his first kiss was. Well, I said "some girl from church". The real answer was "Andrea from youth group." I think that was close enough. And at least the youth group thing didn't last; he is SO not that sort of person - it was a thing he was trying out...he went onto Wicca after that. Hmmm. That didn't last either!
Then it was on to tea. I was too pent-up to eat much, which was a shame, since my mother makes yummy baked goods!
Me with Sister RS. We always seem to strike a silly pose for photos!Then came the evening portion of the party! Most people left, and some assured me, in mysterious tones, that they would see me "there later". WHERE? Well, I was not to find out until
I got "there", in Justine's car. At least she didn't blindfold me to add to the element of surprise, but I think this was mostly because it was pouring with rain by this point, and she wanted some extra eyes on the road!
This is the invitation to the evening's festivities:
In case you can't read it, it's an invitation to a show called "Hollywood Rocks" at the Barnyard Theatre, which is one of those theatres where everyone sits around tables and brings food and drinks to have during the show. Or you can buy food there, which is what we did. It was SUCH fun! I love musical shows, and this one tied so perfectly into the theme of my wedding, it being all songs from movies. From James Bond theme songs to Shrek hits to 80's hits like 9 to 5 and Fame, it covered a few decades of movie pop songs, and I was enjoying it so much that I was quite disappointed when it was over. It was such a fab evening. The girls know that I'm not the type to go out and get drunk and see strippers on my hen night. This was so much more ME. The only problem is I don't have any photos of this. Justine took one or two before the show, but you're not allowed to take any during the performance, obviously, so we couldn't do much. I wore my t-shirt and crown all evening, but I barely got any funny looks at all! Obviously there are far nuttier people than Brides-to-Be at the Barnyard on a regular basis!
So I got through the Bachelorette stuff fine after all! No need for all that nervousness. I actually think I'll be less nervous about the wedding (which is in FIVE DAYS) because I'll know what to expect. Five days, did I say? Gulp. Then again, maybe not. Um. I'm scared.
*Breathe*
Aw, glad you had a lovely time :)
ReplyDeleteEek! Five days!
Yay for bachelorette fun!!!
ReplyDelete