The Big Dance

The Guestbook

#KosLoveIsMauleYouNeed

I don't want to brag, but that is one of the best wedding hashtags of all times (definitely worth the $15 I paid to have someone brainstorm concepts for us). Today is the big day! After hiring Krista and Weddings with a Twist in October of 2017, followed by getting engaged in 2018, and the years of planning, we have arrived at Leap Day 2020.

I'm not going to say what time I got in last night, but I definitely woke in a panic that I drank too much and forgot the whole wedding. I Leapped out of bed (for Leap Day) thinking I couldn't remember dancing at my own wedding, or eating dinner, or even leaving the venue. Finally, recognized my bride was not sleeping next to me, like Ebeneezer Scrooge, and that I had been given a second chance at the day.

What should come as no surprise, my phone died the night before and I had no charger. I called Kat's room, asking for help getting in touch with my mom. The thing is... Mom isn't great at mornings, so receiving a text message that I needed her in my room at 7:30am was a bit jarring. In similar fashion of the day, Mom Leapped out of bed to come right over, and found me in the shower whistling and washing my hair. She went back to fetch me a phone charger, and we had a brief, quiet moment before everything picked up. I followed this up by watching Jim and Pam's wedding on The Office in an attempt to get some tears out ahead of everything else. (It didn't work. I only saw part 1, which isn't the endearing episode.)

It's good for the soul, Mom.

I was lucky to spend the morning getting ready with a bunch of dear friends. Jes, Jackie, Amber, Lindsey, Autumn, Mom, and later aunts and cousins came and went (Phaedra was missing, but teaching kids in a different country is a good excuse.) A few friends looking a bit haggered, but some vitamin drink and champagne cured all the ails. We laughed about the night before, having children, going camping, sports, and countless memories that I've formed with all these wonderful women while getting our make-up done by Team Bride MKE. Right as things were wrapping up, DanniBoi comes in with some Siren classics, which lead to a favorite memory of the day.

Now, I don't want to admit it, but I hadn't written my vows on paper yet. I had a brief moment to compile my thoughts after Sally and Milwaukee Flower Company dropped off my bouquet, but the only paper I could find was the brown construction paper from my work bag (yes, I keep construction paper in my work bag.) By this point, I had planned what to say on numerous occasions, but Kat woke herself up - crying - because she wrote her vows, remembered them, and wrote them down one night. It was a lot to compete with. Thinking of everything Kat means to me and the future we will continue to share started tugging at the heart strings. By the time the DeGroot came to my room, I was sobbing, trying to get dressed, and trying to convince my mom "that I'm just a soft hearted person and these are happy tears". Needless to say, I was late to the first look.

Full of angst, I closed my eyes and waited for my bride to come find me outdoors. And by closed or waited, I mean I mostly had my eyes wide open, constantly turning around asking when Kat was coming and when I really really needed to be ready for her arrival. It was about at that moment that I heard her voice in my ear, letting me know that she was already here. I was so happy to have her by my side, that I don't think I even saw her during our first look. Instead I pulled her close for support and a kiss, until I was eventually ready to see my stunning bride to be and her unique dress. 

Places to be

The wedding party rode to the Pritzlaff in an Uber XL and were quickly ushered into the bridal suite downstairs after a few photos. Here's where the nerves started to set in. I sat reading and re-reading my vows, until finally deciding to send Jake for some wine from the bar. The five of us had another moment of quiet, listening to footsteps above, and preparing for the big moment. Suddenly, Krista appeared downstairs telling us it was time, and I started the walk that would culminate with me committing myself to Kat for the rest of our lives.

So Gay. Perfect!

After this, the rest of the night was a blurr. I think I cried, I think Kat cried, I think almost everyone teared up at different points. I quoted Friends - out of love for my wife, Kat broke a glass, we took pictures on the roof, greeted guests at the bar, dined on swordfish and steak from Zilli's, cut a tie dyed cake from Astier Confections, drank, listened to speeches from our siblings and parents, talked, danced, and sang along with the Piano Fondue (and later Ireland with the Marquette Rugby crew - a highlight of the day for me). The Chuppa was lit in a rainbow of colors, which was a cool, thoughtful detail that we hadn't discussed with Double Platinum DJ. 

I rode our MKE Shuttle back to the Westin with one other person after cleaning up the rest of the venue. I found 1 bonus jacket, turns out it was my cousin Daniel's. Good thing he goes to school in Madison, it will be easy to return. Finally, I closed down the hotel bar after spending some time with our vet's wife and my rugby friends. What a night, couldn't have asked for a better day! And I can't wait to see the vid to remember all the other things that I couldn't digest in a day full of so much wonderful.