We got some good sleep. Got up sufficiently early. Went to IHOP with the groomsmen for a big breakfast and some male bonding. That was quite excellent. The groom later conveyed to me that he thoroughly enjoyed the breakfast, and that it was a good idea.
The groom and I were going to have some additional bonding time, but the breakfast took a little longer than expected, though it was totally worth it. So by the time we got back to the groom's place, we only had about an hour before we needed to leave for the church, so as to not take any chances, we got ourselves ready and headed out (though we did take a moment to sit in the grass and meditate about the day).
On the way to the church we stopped and bought powerbars for all the groomsmen. The thought was that we had a big breakfast, but probably all then skipped lunch, and with a 2pm wedding and a 4pm dinner reception, it was going to be awhile before we ate again. So we put the powerbars in our suit pockets in the event anyone felt woozy in the run-up to the ceremony. After we continued on to the church, we had our first near-incident. The groom missed his turn and so slammed on the brakes. I was following close behind and so also had to (unexpectedly I might add) slam my break. Also necessary was a sudden swerve to avoid rear-ending the groom in his 4-month old new car. THAT would have been a story for the wedding album, huh?
We were the second to arrive at the church for pre-wedding photos (probably would have been first without the powerbar stop), so I think we did well on time. We took our pictures, including some fun poses with fake pistols thanks to one of the groomsmen thinking on his toes. Also, while the groom was taking photos with the bridesmaids, the groomsmen and I took the liberty to defile the groom's freshly washed new car with the requisite "just married" decor. He was later quite surprised to see his car not in the state he left it, but was appreciative of the effort.
The wedding went very well. I think the bride and groom had a fantastic time, of course. For our part (the rest of the wedding party), I think we pulled it off nicely. There were maybe a couple hiccups, I think mostly due to a rushed rehearsal, but those were very very minor and likely unnoticed by the audience.
After the ceremony there were, of course, post-wedding photos, after which I followed the bride and groom to the reception location, where we had our first actual incident. The groom forgot some important medication. A failure on my part, to an extent, as his best man, BUT I didn't know he was taking that particular medication. I should have then been the one to hop in the car, scurry back to his place, and return to the reception with the medication. But he lived quite a distance away, and Temple is a confusing place to drive in, so I didn't know the way. Also, neither the bride or groom could go into the reception alone because they had to be announced together.
So, the three of us (bride, groom, and I), hopped into the just-married-mobile (an interesting sight to say the least), and rather hastily proceeded back to the groom's place. Keep in mind that the wedding guests, blissfully enjoying their appetizers, were unaware of this additional delay. Probably we could have done that whole thing differently, but I think it was a nice, fun moment for us (hoping to not get pulled over -- we were definitely speeding -- and have to explain how it was that the three of us were just married). Turns out it was good that I was there with them. The groom had given away his powerbar just before the ceremony thinking he wouldn't need it. But on the drive back to his place, he had a sudden need for it, so I whipped my powerbar out (definitely not what it sounds like), opened it for him, and handed it to him to eat while he was speeding down the highway. What are best men for, huh?
When we arrived back at the reception, I hopped out of the car, ran in to get the photographer so she could take photos of the bride and groom re-arriving at the reception. I then parked the car for them and ran back inside just in time for new couple to be announced. All that and only about fifteen minutes behind schedule (we finished post-wedding photos earlier than expected). Whew!
The reception was excellent. Great food, good DJ, tasty cake, LOTS of kids running around and dancing. Oh, and did I mention the chocolate fountain? Kids and chocolate fountains... definitely a messy combination (I know from experience). Of course, there was my very own moment, the first toast, which I could have done without. But I DID owe the groom some nice words. So, as required, I prepared a speech before hand (like weeks before hand, not JUST before hand), though I was editing it until the last minute. That went okay, if you ignore the couple times I stumbled over my words.
At the end of the reception, in my last official duty, I pulled the car back around, loaded it with the presents, and left it by the exit, but with enough room for the bride and groom to make a long exit adorned in bubbles blown by the cheering crowd. Alas, my work here is done.
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