Susan and Bob, originally uploaded by Alliegee.

Yesterday was the big day! Susan and Bob, two of my nearest and dearest, have gotten married!! The ceremony was in the morning, and took place beside the Japanese pond in the Brooklyn Botanic Garden (where Susan and Bob had their first real date)! It took place in a tiny little ampitheater that I never even knew about -- although I have been to the Garden many, many times. It was a perfect spot for a wedding. The weather was spectacular! It was very sunny, and not too hot!

The day before the wedding, Susan, me, her mom, and the four other bridesmaids met up at Dashing Diva to get manicures and pedicures. We then attended a rehearsal dinner, sans rehearsal (does that just make it a regular "dinner"?), hosted by Susan's parents at Scottadito. It was lovely! We had the "wine cellar" room to ourselves! It was a lovely dinner, and Susan presented me and the other people who had taken a part in the wedding with gifts. I received a really beautiful jewelry set including earrings and a matching necklace, handmade out of pennies!

Me, Susan's mom, and the bridesmaids slept over at Susan's house. Together, Lizzie and I practiced designing a hairstyle for Susan. (Two small twists came around the sides and met at the back for a side-bun, then a flower comb fastened around the bun.) The hair accessory was worn by Mari at her wedding last year! It was "something borrowed," along with the earrings Susan wore (also worn by Mari at her wedding).

We went to sleep and woke up early the next day to get ready. I got up first, to plug in my hot rollers. Then I set my hair. Mari was right behind me, applying a facial masque! (I did one, too!) We rushed at the end, trying to get everything done. Lizzie and I styled Susan's hair, and it came out great! Susan looked beautiful in her dress and sandals ("something new")! In case you're wondering about "something old," it was her engagement ring, which was her grandmother's. "Something blue" was her eyes and her underwear!

Danny, who is Susan's friend and the wedding photographer, came over to take pictures of us getting ready, then the troupe of us headed to the farmer's market at Grand Army Plaza to pick up flowers! We got six bunches of gorgeous, colorful assorted flowers! Mari and I brought ribbons, Susan's mom had shears and supplies. We made the flowers into beautiful bouquets -- each one different! Then we headed to the Garden for the ceremony!

At the Garden, I found Bob and got ahold of the ring (as the Maid of Honor, it is my job to give Susan Bob's ring when it is time). I saw my parents and got to say hello! We learned that the celebrant was running late, so Danny took out photos before the ceremony. It was such a nice setting in the Garden to take photos. I learned that you need complete shade for the best photos. (Spotty shade looks weird!)

When the celebrant --Bob's cousin, Bari -- arrived, we moved pretty quickly getting the wedding started. We were worried about sticking to the schedule set by the Garden (although no one from the Garden bothered us!). Bob and his groomsmen assembled at the front of the ampitheater, and I started the procession in, followed by bridesmaids Merry (Bob's sister), Lizzie (Susan's work friend), Julia (Susan's childhood friend), and Mari (Susan's dear friend). Then, Susan's dad escorted her to the front.

The ceremony was performed. Bari did a beautiful job! Every part of the ceremony was personal and relevant to Bob and Susan. There were lots of personal stories and anecdotes. Susan's mom did a reading of poem, followed by excerpts from a speech Susan gave in high school, tying the themes together. It was lovely, and a real tearjerker! I had to really focus to not cry! Mari did a reading from the "Velveteen Rabbit" which was also beautiful!

When the wedding was over, we headed to the reception brunch at Flatbush Farm restaurant. The reception was located in the outdoor courtyard of the restaurant, which was great since it was such a nice day. We had a menu to choose from several delicious selections! Bob's brother Larry was the Best Man, so he gave a toast. After that, I gave a toast. I think it went well! We all hung out and mingled, and it was really casual and nice! Bob's cousin Ariel made the wedding cake, which was made of cupcakes, all decorated together to form two "sheet cakes." The cake topper was the one that had topped Susan's parents' wedding cake!

Overall, it was a wonderful, beautiful day to celebrate two very special people to me!! I am so, so happy for them!