9/10/11

On the iconic 9/10/11 my BFF (such a immature term but it's true!) Jessica got hitched in a picturesque country chic style wedding.  Having grown up with her, we've been friends since we were four, I had been to the wedding destination countless times.  In the beginning it was for birthday slumber parties at Grammy Doll's with a side of peanut butter and marshmallow toast.  In the middle it was for camping by the river and talking about boys but never actually talking to boys.  In college it was where we would meet up to party with our high school friends and our new college ones.  And now it is where we escape to relax and let my kids get froggy fingers in Pauldo's pool.  If you haven't caught on, it's the perfect place.

Pictures?  Well, being that I was a bridesmaid in the country affair I left my camera behind because I figured I would be shuffling back and forth between Auntie Caren's house, Paul and Viv's and the Barn countless times...and I lose everything so I simplified.  (Hey, anyone seen my bouquet?)  And, trust me, words cannot describe the beauty that the day provided.  The day, the dress, the stunning bride.  Aw-inspiring.

I arrived on Friday, the 9th, to help set-up for the big day and to later feast on a delicious buffet of meat products BBQ'd up by the groom, Brett (her own, not mine), and one of his Groomsmen, Spencer, for the rehearsal dinner.  Us Renton girls love us some meat!  Brisket, ribs, a roast, meat, meat, meat.  After we all were full to the brim Jessica and Brett presented us all with gifts and some lovely words...i.e. Jessica speeches.  :)  Us bridesmaid's received the family cherished and rare Ellensburg Blue necklaces.  Each had a Blue in it but was set in a setting that reminded Jess of us.  Super sweet.  The whole evening was a great way to kick off the weekend.

Saturday we arrived at Auntie Caren's at 9:00 a.m. for mimosa's, breakfast burritos, music and beautifying.  Jessica looked too good for words.  I literally can't think of the perfect word.  She was beaming, sparkling and stunning.  After we were all make-i-fied we took some pics and were happy we all had our hair off our backs cause it was the "hottest day of the year."  Literally.  A little blotting and we were ready for the ceremony.

Jessica and Brett personalized the ceremony to accentuate their personalities and it was a perfect fit.  We wrapped the ceremony up and got ready for a Ramquist Italian Buffet that was sooo good.  Dancing followed by some perfect karaoke by both Jessica and her Dad, Paul.  Fabulousness.

This is where things get a little fuzzy...you might be thinking, geeze you drank too much?  Nope.  I was avoiding the alcohol because all day I had felt a little funny.  I chalked it up to maybe a little dehydration or heat stroke but around 10:00 p.m. things started wrapping up and Jess and Brett headed off to Suncadia to kick off their Honeymoon.  We headed down to our tent by the river and after about an hour of full body chills I told Brett to tear down the tent, I needed to go home.  We made it to Cle Elum and I told him I was too sick to go on.  We sat at the stop sign contemplating driving to E-burg for the hospital (my fever was raging by now) or just sleep it off at a cheap motel we could find a room in.  Cheap motel won.  I shook and had cold sweats all night.  We loaded ourselves in to the car in the morning, got home and I slept for two days.  Ugh, the flu SUCKS.  So, it was a terrible end to a perfect day for me but I am so glad that my BFF picked the perfect date and had the perfect day.  I hope their lives together continue down the path that they started on 9/10/11.  Cheers to the Rafuse's!

Ooo, I stole a picture off of one of the other bridesmaid's blog of us before I came down with the flu:

Once Jess has her pictures up on her blog, I will direct you there so you can feast your eyes on some awesomeness.