Get ready, get set....WEDDING!

Now that I am done with my Masters (woot!), I move on to my next important role : Professional Maid of Honor/Bridesmaid/Wedding Guest. I've got two weddings in two weeks, with an engagement party thrown in the mix, which is only the beginning of Weddingmania, which I expect to last for the next two to five years. My sister's wedding is a week from Saturday, and surprisingly, everyone seems relatively calm. I expect the calm to last until my arrival on Wednesday, when everything will most certainly get batshit crazy. Mom has already informed me that I will be put to work as soon as I arrive, tying bows on something or other. Thursday is nail day, at my very favorite Ft. Wayne Asian nail establishment, Le Nails, followed on Friday with a poosty Bridesmaid Brunch at Ft. Wayne Country Club hosted by the Lyday aunts. Then, of course, the rehearsal dinner and the big day on Saturday, which begins with crack-of-dawn hair appointments (not complaining Elaine--I'm sure Mom will have me up early anyway). It's going to be craaazy fun, with over 200 guests, many of which are people I haven't seen in ages. At some point, I need to think up my speech (ack!). Although I have no qualms about singing in front of large groups of people, I have major stress when faced with public speaking (yes, I've already thought that perhaps I can somehow sing my speech--but since I'm already singing at the wedding, I don't think that's a viable option.) I'll pull it off, but not without a few butterflies in my tummy and a glass of champagne for courage. I will post lots of pics when I get back (and I'm sure there will be plenty of stories!)

The following weekend Nick and I will be jetting off to Syracuse, NY for the wedding of my dear friend from Northwestern, Angela. Angela and I were accidental neighbors last year -- we met the day I moved in, and she just happened to be a singer in the Masters voice program, too! We became close friends, popping into each other's apartments for coffee and chats almost every day. Ang is a first-generation Sicilian, and her husband-to-be, Anthony, is of Italian heritage as well, so I'm told it's going to be a large gathering of boisterous Italians -- sure to be a great time (and great food!). The reception is at a casino/resort/hotel, which also happens to be where we are staying, so I'm pretty pumped about that. We're planning to explore Syracuse a little (if there's anything worth exploring) and God willing all our flights will be on time, since we're cutting it close flying in on the day of the wedding.

So it's time to break out my small-talk skills, my cute summer dresses, my best manners and picture-taking smile. It's go time, people. Let's get 'em married.