Where to begin, where to begin? This is going to be a long one, but I have so much to tell!
On June 11, I attended my first dance practice for this event. Yes, I said dance practice. I was terrified and felt ridiculously uncoordinated, but I persevered (and had some wonderfully patient teachers to help me). On the 12th I
visited florists with the bride and helped tie ribbons on party favors for 350+ people. On the 13th, three of us choreographed a surprise dance (with Areej's help) for the Saturday reception. The week leading up to the wedding was full of dance practices and restless sleep, because I was worrying about said dances.
Friday, the 18th, Eric surprised me by getting home at 11:30ish - he woke up at 5:00am! - three or so hours before I expected him. It was so wonderful to be able to spend time with him before I had to leave! At 3:30 I went to the florist with Areej's cousin, and then we headed to the hotel to put the arrangements together. Eric met me at the hotel at 6:30, as the other guests were starting to arrive. The night was a bit of a blur because all I could think about was the dancing. There were about 160 people the first night (Mehndi). We performed after dinner, and it went by in the blink of an eye; I didn't even mess up!
Saturday, Eric and I woke up early and went to breakfast and spent some time outside. At noon, eight of us met to finalize our plans for the surprise dance that evening. We figured out formations and
taught the dance to four of the people, including Eric! Amazingly, practice went really well and we finished earlier than expected (Eric was a really quick study!). That night, the eight of us surprised 350+ people with our four minute dance, and I think we were a big hit! The best part was how much Areej and Uzair liked our show.
Sunday was the third and final night (Walima). (Eric had six hours of driving, so he didn't go, but I did get to spend most of the day with him.) I wore a black dress and a pink shawl from Pakistan that Areej gave me when we were roommates in college. After two nights of wearing gorgeous clothes from Pakistan, I felt under-dressed and plain, but I wasn't the only girl in American clothes. That night, there were sweet and funny speeches that made me tear up a little.
During the three nights, I felt like I was in a movie (perhaps because at any given moment at least 40 people were taking pictures!). Everything was beautiful, colorful, and intricate. There was amazing food, and I think I need a new playlist of Bollywood songs, because they are so catchy! The first night I borrowed an outfit from Areej (orange, because she knows that's my favorite), and the second night I wore an emerald green outfit that was made in Pakistan specifically for me! Watch the slideshow below for more photos of everything.
I've been looking forward to this since the
engagement party in May 2009. Now, more than a year later, the wedding has come and gone. It was beautiful, and I'm so thrilled that I was able to be there. For me, almost all of it was new and exciting; what fun!
To Areej + Uzair: May your future be filled with love and laughter. ♥
I had a great time at the wedding. I danced my tush off, and I was exhausted by the end of the night, but that's the way it should be! We sat at a table with Sara and her husband and some of Kara's friends from college. I really enjoyed talking with everybody, and I think Kara and Dave have excellent taste in friends (wink, wink).
A few weeks ago I designed an invitation for a friend's enagement party,and last night was the big event. It was a traditional (I think) Pakistani enagement party. That means that most of the time I had no idea what was going on or what anybody was saying, but I really enjoyed observing from the sidelines. Everybody was dressed beautifully and the food was delicious.
Sara and Marcel are coming over for dinner in just a little bit, and I'm so excited. We're ordering pizza, and I made oatmeal raisin cookies for dessert. I'm looking forward to catching up. Sara and I used to work together and see each other every single day. Now I get my daily dose of Sara by reading her blog, emailing, and following her on Twitter. Oh my goodness! I just remembered she's bringing my birthday present! Whoo hooo! I love presents. Who doesn't? :) 
One year ago today I was a bridesmaid in Kristen's wedding. I still have the bouquet I carried down the aisle because I dried it in our living room, where it continues to hang. It's still lovely, and some of the flowers really held onto their color.
The Schwarz and I were in North Adams this weekend because Sara's little sister got married! She married her high school sweetheart after 9 1/5 years of courtship. They started dating when she was freshman in high school and the groom, who was in my class, was a junior. Wow, huh? 
This is the dress I wore to the wedding last weekend. The picture I took was pretty lackluster, so I fooled around with the levels and contrast in Photoshop and I liked the result (the dress is actually closer to teal than this blue). 
I don't know if they practiced their dance or if they stepped on each other's feet because I couldn't take my eyes off of their faces. They smiled all night long. 
On Saturday, October 18, The Schwarz and I went to a beautiful wedding. Everything was gorgeous, including the boutonnières. 
Wedding invitations communicate love, celebration, commitment, plans, dates and locations; they're just full of information. The style of the invitation reveals the personality of the couple (or at least the bride?), as do the ceremony and reception locations. They are providing us with a little preview of what to expect on the wedding day. Some invitations suggest romance, while others are more modern; invitations can be energetic and colorful or strictly traditional.
