Weddingbee Blog

I recently turned the big quarter century and had an amazing weekend. Please allow me to share. It may or may not be wedding related. You’ll just have to read and see… won’t you.

On Friday night we went to Local 121 in Providence which has this awesome speakeasy feel to it. All the food served is local and I’m pretty sure it is my new favorite restaurant. Our families surprised me with a Gregg’s Death by Chocolate. (I say surprised but what I really mean is I told Zeb if he wanted to still get married, one should be there…hehe.) I got to try out my new hair extensions (wedding related!) and we went home and played Rock Band with my brothers and SILs, one of whom I hadn’t seen since the summer!

Saturday morning, Zeb had a test and before he left told me to pack a bag because “we’re not sleeping here tonight.”

I asked where he was taking me but all I gathered was that there would be dancing. It was a beautiful 60 degree day, odd for this time of year. However, the possibilities were endless as to where we were going so packing was rather difficult. After seeing which direction he was driving in (South) I knew we could only be going one place…Newport, RI! Zeb surprised me with the most gorgeous corner room at the Hyatt on Goat Island.

The view from our hotel room

He took me out for dinner at the Gas Lamp Grille which is where his sister had her rehearsal dinner. We danced to my friend’s band, King Friday, as our friends started to pour into the bar. I felt so happy and loved that our friends came all the way to Newport for my birthday. Cakes even came down from Northern Massachusetts. I didn’t think twice that as soon as one person bought me a drink someone was handing me a water.

My bridesmaids fight dirty rotten.

Zeb and I woke up on Sunday morning in a bit of a stupor and very sluggish. Checkout was at 11AM but his sister wanted to go out for brunch at 10:30 at the Brick Alley Pub. Cakes had slept over at her house and I thought it was a small miracle that she was out of bed and ready (She’s a famously late sleeper and undeniably NOT a morning person) so I knew I had to grace them with my presence, despite the terrible hangover.

Shower Paparazzi watching me stumble out of the car

Then I walked into it—my bridal shower! Remember when I said I would find out about it? Well, they tricked me into thinking it was going to be on our Zeb’s birthday (a month later) and then, the night before, drugged me purposely with alcohol. They fought dirty. I never go out of the house looking like I feel like shit (especially when I feel like shit) so I totally dodged a bullet by sticking in my hair extensions and doing my makeup.

When I walked into the waiting surprise I immediately began to cry. I couldn’t fathom that all these people traveled down to Newport to share in the joy of our impending wedding. It is an amazing feeling to be enveloped in such love. I immediately changed into my waiting dress. My one regret for the day. I worried and worried and worried about looking dressed up, but in the end… I should’ve greeted everyone before changing. I was in the bathroom slipping my dress over my head thinking, why did I do this? I barely even saw anyone.

To tide you over to next time, here are a few details. Britt went home from the bar that night only to stay up until 4AM glittering the tops of the favors. They made a signature drink called the Zebrini as a nod to my blogging here on the ‘Bee.

To be continued…