There aren’t many things as exciting as when all of your friends and family begin checking into the hotel for the big weekend. There aren’t many moments as special as the final minutes spent with your fellow groomsmen before the ceremony. There aren’t many words as moving as an officiant’s speech, an exchange of vows, or a well delivered toast. There aren’t many activities as nostalgic and warm as a cocktail hour catching up with all of the people from your past that have shaped who you’ve become. Finally, there aren’t many places as fun as a dance floor with your crew where the same moves never get old even as we get older. There’s nothing quite like a wedding.
We kicked off wedding season yesterday by celebrating the marriage of our good friends, Steve Snyder and Danielle Giuliano. I think we blew the new roof off of the Stone Harbor Yacht Club. Grammie and Pop Pop had Charlie for the weekend, so Jordan and I had 36 hours to act like the young kids we once were at the Penn State frat parties. Meanwhile, the groomsmen reverted back to the same guys we were in grade school through college. As we suited up and prepared for the day, Andrew Spinelli DJ’d the playlist on his favorite karaoke speakers. Reverend Rustad flawlessly officiated the ceremony for his two best friends. My duties were called at approximately 8 pm when the rugs needed a good cutting and the dance floor needed to come alive. The famous backbend, lasso, Miller Lite bottle microphone, and the old faithful air guitar were fully deployed. The night was finally capped off with a legendary rendition of “Piano Man” led by the bride and groom.
I’m leaving the weekend with a raspy voice, sore hamstrings, and a full heart. I don’t know when I’ll see all of these people next, but I’ll remember this night with them for a long time. It was a weekend for the books, and once I recover from this one, I look forward to all of the weddings that lay ahead of us over the next few months.
Because when you mix the love, laughter, tears, speeches, music, suits and dresses, food, drinks, and friends and family in one meaningful day, you can’t go wrong. So when Vince Vaughn asks Owen Wilson, “What’s better…Christmas or wedding season,” which one would you choose? I might have to agree with Owen’s answer.
The Janiec Reflection 