Rehearsal Day--July 28th, 2017

The Bachelorette Party was amazing. I wrote it all down, though I shouldn't share it with anyone--the epic night will remain between the people who got to experience it.

I can tell you about the day before the wedding though--I'm calling it, Rehearsal Day.

We woke up to Nadia having made breakfast that morning.

Our official rehearsal was moved to two pm, which put the rehearsal linner at around 3:30 pm. We had another mini-rehearsal that morning so that people had another chance to practice the singing and dancing for the wedding. We didn’t have that many of the bridal party yet, but everyone knew to teach the people who didn’t know.

The dance was supposed to go “Goin’ to the chapel and we’re (dip), going to get married (turn)” and it’s just “Step Step Dip, Step Step Turn” the whole song, till they get to the front, and then just sway together.

We may have also gone swimming that morning in the gorgeous pool for a bit. I did want all the girls to wear their princess bridesmaid shirts that I had ordered for them off of Etsy to the official rehearsal--most of them did!

Anyway, we end up with a TON of people at the venue at 2 pm. We got there and most of them (almost none of the groomsmen though) were there already. Mom and my cousin Liz were there already, Dad was there, he had brought the giant picture and photo album that Nga had gotten Josh and I from our wedding photo shoot. The flower girl and ring bearer were there, Joelle, Julie, Katelin, Michael, Kathy’s family. Let’s just say there were a lot of people there.

Claudia, Gloria’s sister, and co-wedding coordinator was there and we talked over a lot of last minute details. I explained that Michael would be singing the opening of the song as I walked down the aisle and that he would need a microphone. Honestly, I was super stressed going over all this stuff because I knew we only had (less than) an hour there for the rehearsal because Gloria said if we kept it under an hour, she wouldn’t charge us.

I finally got everyone rounded up and outside--it was exceedingly hot and no one wanted to be out there long. The groomsmen finally showed up from picking up their tux’s. Daniel had also been out picking up his official paperwork from the city to marry us.

When the groomsmen were all there, I had them walk down the aisle, then then I had the girl kind of practice, so they knew what to expect. I think I explained to my dad what was going to happen with me walking down the aisle--he would walk me a little ways for the opening of the song, then we would hug, and Michael would give me the mic and I would sing. He was to have a seat near the front of the aisle.

I explained to Daniel where he would put his Gandalf outfit and when he would be able to change into it. We didn’t have him give his wedding speech to marry us, we just basically went over the basics of when each thing would happen. We had Z. and R. come up and read their reading from I Corinthians, so they had an idea of when they would be going.

We had them really quickly practice their choreography for Kiss the Girl as well.

We went over the exit. It was really hard directing the whole thing while also trying to be the bride.

My cousin Liz was taking pictures with my camera the whole time, I had asked her to and she was very helpful.

Liz and my mom.

I explained to our ushers, Josh’s cousin Sarah and my cousin Joey, where everyone was to be sat, and the special people who would be sat in special places.

Claudia suggested we take a pic of the bridal party and us, so we did, then everyone started wanting to have all kinds of photos taken--just the guys, and just the girls, the bride’s family, just siblings, etc.

My side.

Josh's side.

Flower Girl and Ring Bearer.

Josh and Sibs.

Me and sibs. 

Everyone who came to the dress rehearsal. 

Claudia asked shortly after that if we could clear out so they could get the place ready, so I announced to everyone to head over to the bridal party house for the rehearsal linner that Josh’s parents had been preparing.

Everyone took off in their cars, I ended up driving Joey’s car with a few people inside.

We met back at the bridal party house and Josh’s parents had prepared a beautiful barbeque for everyone, with a margarita machine that was making virgin (with optional alcohol addition) strawberry margaritas.

Kyle and Shelly

Everyone seemed to be having a good time socializing, and once it felt like everyone had eaten, I asked all our bridal party and our ushers and readers to meet in the living room. Many others came as well. Someone videoed the whole thing and took pictures for me.

Josh was with me and we announced how grateful we were to our bridal party, ushers, and readers, for all they had done, and that we had a little something for each to say thank you. Mary wasn’t there, unfortunately, nor was Nadia I believe. Both came later.

One by one, we handed out all their presents. Bridesmaids got a tiara that looked like a crown that their princess would wear. Groomsmen got flasks with their name on them. Male ushers and readers got a pocket watch with their name on it, and female ushers and readers got a tiara and a sapphire necklace. Everyone seemed really grateful and excited for their presents.

That all was a nice little moment, and then we went swimming. We also played Dominion later. I know Josh’s guys kind of had plans for that evening, but I had never finalized any real concrete plans with my side. I had kind of figured we would have a bridal sleepover, and watch a princess/bride/both movie or something, but everyone just kind of floated around and did whatever that evening.

We hung out at the bridal party house. My dad was there, hanging out too.

I taught Tommy, James, Cheyanne, Susanna, and Zach how to play Dominion, and Joey and Adam played as well. Dad joined us for a round. Everyone picked it up pretty quickly. Susanna even won a round!

Joey, Dad, and Michael (so funny now to think that Dad threatened Michael with a gun when he first met him. :)

Playing Dominion!

Cheyenne and Susanna sat next to each other and started talking. It’s interesting because Cheyenne degree is in the same kind of area Susanna wants to get one in. Cheyenne works in fish farming, and those two just really hit it off. Cheyenne gave Susanna all kinds of advice about school, and she seemed to listen and enjoy talking to her. It was just very interesting and kind of perfect that they became friends.

Chey and Susanna.

Cheyenne told dad that she teaches dance classes at Comic Con. He said he needs to learn and practice dancing for his dance with me at the wedding.

She ended up helping dad learn to dance that evening. When I explained that the dance was a rumba to “My Girl”, she very positively stated that she could definitely teach dad how to dance this, which she did, which was great! It looked like he learned it too.

I then practiced walking down the aisle with my dad. Right together, left together. It was special practicing that with him. It felt very momentous.

Anyway, somehow, I got all my bridesmaids that were there up into the Master Bedroom that evening for the night before dress trying on and to show them my dress and accessories. In the room was Mary, Nadia, Susanna, Cheyanne, Cynthia, Katelin and Joelle. They loved my dress and fawned over it for a bit--I felt super special. I tried it on, with all the accessories and everything! We took a picture and were just generally excited about the following big day.

As I’m beginning to wind things up, I notice a small pimple on my chin--this wasn’t even a huge, deep, painful one. Just a tiny pimple. Me, in all my glorious brilliance, decides it would be a good idea to try to pop this tiny thing with my enormous new nail/claws. (I actually thought it would be easier with these.) Long story short, I end up digging an enormous hole in my chin, and what would have been completely invisible with a little makeup the next day turns into a gaping crater that was completely avoidable and I kind of hate myself.

Nadia comes in and sees me doing this (even after the crater appeared, I continued to pursue attempting to pop the stupid little thing) and wants to know “What are you doing!?!?”
She stops me, and takes me to the master bathroom for an intense cleaning routine that involves expensive facial oil cleanser, etc. She tells me to leave it alone and hopefully it will be better by the next day.

After receiving Nadia’s assistance, I try not to think about it the rest of the night.

Julie came soon and we settled down and went to bed. She slept in Josh and I’s room with me. We had stayed up super late, and it was after midnight, as we were getting ready for bed that Josh tried to come in the bedroom to try to give me a goodnight kiss, and Julie turned him away saying that he couldn’t see the bride the day of the wedding!

Josh hadn’t realized that it was already the wedding day and said that “Fiala’s are sticklers for the rules.” He was a little sad, but he got it.

I didn’t find out till much later that there was a great debacle as to where Josh would sleep in the house, if Julie and I took the room he was normally staying in. He almost ended up sleeping on the couch the night before his wedding! Apparently, Nadia and Zach slept on the couch so that Josh could have a bed, which was super kind of them.

All of this I found out later though.