West Coast Wedding

What a whirlwind of a weekend we just had in Southern California celebrating Sheila and Casey.  The weekend began on Thursday when I landed in Santa Ana at 4pm west coast time.  Of course I was too antsy to sit at the hotel and wait for the arrival of more friends so I decided to take a 1.5 mile walk to the beach to watch the sunset.  There is nothing like a sunset over the ocean, well, except when you realize that your 1.5 mile trip back home is going to have to happen in the dark.  Legs were already stiff from the flight and sore because of my bad decision to take this 3 mile excursion in a pair of flat sandals that had no support... at all.  Cuteness over comfort, right?  Not anymore, just ask the large blister that formed on the sole of my foot that night.  Thanks Laur for the straight pin.

A few photos of the sunset.  Gorgeous. 

The evening ended with drinks at a local dive that will remain nameless and me laughing in hysterics at the couple sitting next to us clearly on a first date.  Chalk it up to jet lag and exhaustion.

Friday morning I woke bright and early (5:30am) and for two hours wished Lauren and Drew awake.  FINALLY!  Quick change into bathing suits and an extremely important stop at Pavillions for champagne, orange juice, and beer and we're off to the beach.  Thanks goes to Drew for the idea for doses and mimosas on the beach.  Thanks to Pavillions for having jumbo sized champagne bottles chilled for our drinking pleasure.  Plastic cups from the hotel and we were good to go spending hours on the beach sipping champagne and catching up with friends. 

On a random side note, this small, silver, four door, hatchback Kia Rio was the ideal driving machine.  It purrred like a kitten and I'm considering a trade.  We loved it so much we had to snap photos with the silver bullet.

                                     

                                     



Sheils and Casey thought of it all and had a big street BBQ Friday night for friends and family.  Three houses lined with grills, kegs, and amazingly fun people.  A little dancing, a lot of talking, and without a doubt a little picture taking.  I was also fortunate enough to be "deputized" Friday night by the Sheriff himself and am now the proud Deputy of a two block radius around Sheila and Casey's house.  I will be paroling the streets when people least expect it to protect what I have earned been given.  Drinks turned into more drinks which turned into making a LOT of new friends. 

After a long night and a completely unnecessary trip to Taco Bell we woke the next morning in dire need of a great brunch location.  Side Street Cafe was one of those locations that made you feel right at home.  I'm sure it had nothing to do with the quaint location, the fresh squeezed apple and orange juice, or the life sized poster of George Straight.  Okay, it had everything to do with the life sized poster of George Straight.  If you ever make it to Southern California stop by and order the stuffed french toast.  It's heaven in your mouth. 

The wedding on Saturday afternoon was beautiful.  The priest was great.  Is that weird to say?  Seriously though, he did a wonderful job of keeping us all engaged and making the ceremony extremely personal.  To be honest with you he looked oddly familiar.  Actually, just like Dr. Chung from the previous hospital I worked at.  I don't have photos of either of them but trust me when I say they are brothers. 

Cocktail hour and the reception was at Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach, CA.  Fabulous time was had by all.  The staff was very attentive especially when the bride had a bit of glass stuck in her foot.  The details were impecable, down to the specialty cocktails named for the bride and groom.  Mr. C (Whisky and Ginger) and the Mrs. C (Bellini).

OH... OH... let me tell you about the music.  I am obsessed with the DJ.  Seriously, he was spot on the entire night even though he rejected one of my requests... for good reason.  The bride no doubt put together a great playlist which I'm going to need a copy of.  You might hear very identical music at my wedding.  He played all the classics and tons of great, old, southern songs.  Rocky Top was the perfect way to get all of the North Carolina girls on our feet and the father/daughter dance was amazing with Carolina Girl playing in the background.  DJ you were ON POINT.

I also didn't realize how much I under utilized the photo booth until I saw the following photo.  I'm now completely jealous of Anne.

P.S. did I mention that I made tons of new friends at the reception too.  I cannot wait to go back to CA and hit up a Crowder family reunion.  I was invited by a lot of people.  Trust me, they want me to come! 

A quick thanks in particular to the couple who complemented my sweet sweet dance moves as we waited for valet at the end of the night.  If I didn't have confidence on the dance floor before, I certainly do now.  (I have witnesses this really happened). 

A big CHEERS to Mr. and Mrs. C! I wish you a lifetime of happiness and I'm so glad I was able to share in your wedding weekend.  Look for me soon, I have a two block radius to patrol now :)