Thursday, June 28, 2018

Wedding Day! Part Two

Sorry I’ve been M.I.A.  I have been in a funk these past few weeks.  My birthday came and went and I’m glad that it did.  Over the years, I’ve grown to despise my birthday.  I know I should be grateful, etc., but for me, it always reminded me of my short comings.  I wish I could tell you my trip to Italy was all rainbows and sunshine, but it wasn’t.  I’ve been gloomy since I came back and once my birthday month came into effect, forget about it.  I just wanted to be left alone.
For the most part, I HATE being around people when do I get this way.  I always felt that my moodiness is something that I should deal with personally, and do not need an audience to witness my internal drama.  I had some outings to go to once I got back, and that made some of my mood swings dwindle down, but as they say, too much of a good thing can do more harm.  I needed some time to myself and finally had some last weekend when I stayed in and did absolutely nothing but to enjoy my own apartment.  I sometimes miss my place a lot.
Back to recapping where I left off on my best friend’s wedding.

We pulled into the wedding venue of Peppe Zullo.  It was breathtaking!  Gorgeous hills surrounded by white fluffy clouds!  We made our way to the crowd gathering afar and realized we probably weren’t going to get a seat.  Luckily someone gave up their seat so me and my friend could sit together.  Our makeup artist friend ran off to find the bride.  I was relieved we were finally at this point.  I couldn’t help but think about the past 20 years I’ve known my friend.  I felt so proud of her!  She was marrying a wonderful man in front of all of these people that flew in from all over!  It was pretty surreal.
Next thing you know, we heard the wedding music play on the speakers.  Here comes the bride!  She looked beautiful!  I don’t think she was aware of all of the camera phones recording her.  She ended up whispering something to us but it was all caught on video!  Oh well.  What can you do?
The ceremony was moving along when the wedding coordinator came up to us and lead us to a line of people.  I was under the impression we were going to give our mini speeches during dinner but apparently it was happening now.  I was so nervous!  I hated the fact I had to speak on a microphone.  My friend was ahead of me, and sure enough, when it was her turn, she started to cry.  GREAT.  Now I’m going to shed some tears.  I did manage to get it together but my voice was very shaky.  I had to stop for a second so I could regain my composure.  That was one of the most truthful moments I had ever encountered.  Telling my best friend in front of a crowd, how much I loved her.  I wish people could do this more often to one another.
Once the ceremony was over, the bride and groom got bombarded with people coming up to congratulate them.  I decided to go for a drink.  Light bites and cocktails were being served in one of the kitchens.  We enjoyed some delicious appetizers.  Eventually the couple came out and started dancing to the band.  It was the start of the party and everyone was having a good time.
We were then lead to the other building where the banquet was taking place.  Me and my friend luckily took some pictures before the crowd arrived.  Our first course was spaghetti, followed by another plate of pasta, and then a third!  Italians love their pasta!  They also brought out different wine pairings to go with our meal.  I loved them all!
Once dinner was over, me and my friend AGAIN took some time to sneak off and take more pictures.  The bride and groom were now taking their professional pictures, too.  When we returned to the banquet room, they placed the cheese table in the middle of the dance floor.  I’ve never seen anything like it! 
There was also a table put out filled with wine bottles from around the world!  Since the groom is in the wine making industry, he asked some close friends to bring in their wine so they could showcase them at the wedding.  It was a great experience being able to try different wines you don’t normally get a chance to.
Now it was time to dim the lights and start grooving!  The band was amazing, but once they started playing disco music, forget it!  It was time to tear up the dance floor!  This was the most fun for me since I love watching people enjoy themselves.  I loved seeing happy faces!  
It was now time to clear out and head to the OTHER building which looked like a glass greenhouse.  Here a large table of sweets were waiting for us to indulge in.  I got a chance to have some of the wedding cake and it was amazing!  Luckily, the dj got back on and it was time to burn off these calories!  By now people were getting a little silly but everyone was having fun.  I helped get the take home gifts ready which were mini bottles of wine from the groom’s winery.  What a great gift idea!
After the hoopla, it was time to meet in the parking lot for our charter bus to take us back to the winery 45 minutes away from here.  As you can imagine, there was no bus, (we apparently missed the last bus) and there was no other bus that was going to come back and get us.  Friends offered their cars to help out and we car pooled back into town.  What a day!

























Tuesday, June 12, 2018

Wedding Day! Part One

It’s been pretty hectic at work lately and I’m tired all of the time.  Not to mention, since my birthday is around the corner (UGH!!!) I have some doctor appointments coming up.  Running to the suburbs for that has not been easy since we are short staffed at work.  It looks like everyone is on vacation and we’ve been having a hard time finding people to play in our softball team.  Too many things happening in June!
Back to recapping my big trip in Italy.  I woke up pretty early because I heard my friend jump in the shower, followed by the makeup artist.  They had to get to work since the makeup process can take up to two hours.  Since she had her hair set the night before at the salon, the hair people would be arriving a bit later to touch up her ‘do.  I got up myself to see if there was anything I can do to help.  My friend needed some tidying up around the house before the rest of the crew arrives.  People started waking up slowly, but I advised them that they still had some time to rest up before the day begins.  I figured the more people out of the way the better. 
Let’s just say that was easier than it sounds.  The groom was staying next door with some family members, and I’m assuming people were getting up in there too.  He went for a pastry run since guests were getting hungry.  I felt bad I couldn’t help out more.  By the time I finished tidying up, the makeup was done and we had to start getting people up to get ready.  We had a two hour window. 
I jumped in the shower first and then woke up my roommate from LA.  Then it was followed by the guest from FL.  My friend’s aunt and uncle had the upstairs bathroom to themselves, so it was a bit easier for them to get ready since they were out of the way.
By the time the hair people showed up to do her hair everything became a blur.  I didn’t know what was happening most of the time.  People kept coming in and out of the apartment.  I remember her aunt and uncle coming back downstairs to sit and lounge in the kitchen.  I asked them if they mind waiting upstairs until it was time to go.  The living room was getting hot with so many people around.  Some friends of hers came by to wish her well.  The groom’s parents were waiting for the photographers.  I realized once they arrived, more bodies will be in the house along with their equipment.  It was beginning to get chaotic.  At one point the groom told me outside that a car was going to come soon to pick up the bride.  I told him she wasn’t even dressed yet.  He looked upset but I explained to him that there were too many people over and were not letting her get ready.  I HAD TO GET READY TOO!
I felt bad because it was crunch time.  The venue was 40 minutes away.  Two charter buses were transporting people there.  I told the groom it would be easier to get the guests out of the house first so she could get ready.  He jumped on it and had people car pool to the charter buses.  The photographers showed up but she was still in the process of putting on her gown.  The makeup artist wasn’t done either.  He had to touch up her shoulders after she put the gown on. 
I could see my friend look worried.  She was not happy at all.  I felt bad for her.  We did the best we could to get the guests out.  The photographers did what they could to get the shots they needed in such a short amount of time.  
We car pooled to the last charter bus waiting for us and waited patiently.  The bride was following  right behind us.  The ride was pretty smooth and we got a chance to relax before the wedding began.  We went over our speeches and made some minor changes.  I just wanted my friend to be happy.  I was praying she was ok without us.

Friday, June 1, 2018

Foggia: Day Two

Luckily we got up in time to catch some pastries and fruit from our hotel before we met up with our 3rd companion.  He was a makeup artist flown in from New York who happens to be a good friend of the bride.  We decided the night before to leave at a reasonable time since Roma Termini seemed chaotic.  Our new friend grabbed some grub outside the station, but I made the mistake of looking for something to munch on inside.  Not only were we in rush hour, but it’s not the same quick service we are used to in the States.  I decided to eat the snacks I brought along with me and hope we would have a bite to eat once we get there.  We had the fast train which would get us in Foggia in less than 4 hours.
I managed to bring my carry on to Rome, but my new friends both had two suitcases with them.  I helped the makeup artist with his and we made our way to the line.  There we met the 4th traveler from the States who had arrived earlier in the week.  She seemed a bit upset so far, but was relieved when she knew we were all here together.  Unfortunately, we had no idea which line to get into, and had to wait for the announcement on the electric board to see where to go.  Everything was happening so fast, but we found the correct platform.  We had different carts, but our train was full so we couldn’t switch seats around.  We understood we had to get off at Foggia.
I tried to go to sleep but it didn’t go well.  As we were getting closer, I tried calling my friend but the signal was too weak.  The wifi on the train was a joke, and along with other hot spots in Europe, was not working properly.  Eventually, me and my friend DID manage to speak for a second, and she informed me someone else would be picking us up at the station when we arrived.  She warned me he would be running late.
We got off at our stop.  I noticed that the train would stop for barely two minutes to load and unload passengers.  It was nerve wrecking.  My friend informed the 4th traveler that there would be no time to grab a bite to eat and to find something at the train station.  Since we knew our ride was going to be late, we found the café and settled in.  I waited patiently outside after I had my panini. 
Our ride happened to be the groom’s brother and yes, he was pretty late.  No worries.  I knew we weren’t far from our new home.  My new friends got a chance to see the REAL ITALY, which was eye opening to say the least.  They noticed what a small town my friend really lives in; not the massive Rome they had encountered earlier.
We made it to my friend’s place!  She greeted us right away, but now her and the makeup artist had to get to work.  He had to do a pre-makeup look so he could have an idea on what to prepare for the big day tomorrow.  I eventually crashed on the couch, and the others napped in their room.
I knocked out so hard I didn’t know what was going on.  We had more guests arrive at the townhouse!  The bride’s aunt and uncle from Puerto Rico.  By this time, my friend had went to the hair salon to get her hair done.  The makeup artist rested up, and I started to get ready.  I knew they were throwing a big barbeque, but it was happening early in the evening.  Nap time was over.
Once my friend arrived we had a time limit.  We had to make our way to the countryside for the party.  Everyone had to be ready soon in order for us to get there at a reasonable hour.
My friend didn’t like what I had on so she let me borrow her maxi dress instead.  I swear, I can never figure out what to wear out here.
The countryside was beautiful!  We ended up at Cantina La Marchesa and saw what the commotion was about.  Someone was roasting lamb and goat and it looked delish.  There we got more comfortable with one another and started taking pictures to kill some time.  I have to say, this was the best part of our evening.  It was nice seeing old friends and talking to new ones about the wedding.  Everyone seemed excited about tomorrow.
There was music and food and lots of wine.  We got back home close to midnight.  My friend and the makeup artist had to get up at 6am in order to get the makeup process done.  We had changed into our pjs when the doorbell kept ringing and ringing.  My friend looked out the window and saw a crowd.  “OH NO!!”  “What?”, I asked.  “They’re here to serenade me!!” she yelled back.  Well this was a first for me!
My friend put on a robe and we were right behind her when she opened the door.  Sure enough, a group of 20 were standing out on the street and started singing songs while one of them played the guitar.  It was the sweetest thing I’ve ever witnessed!  The groom ran up and gave the bride flowers.  This was the last time he would be able to see her until the wedding…