My Best Friend's Wedding...

Dr. & Mrs. James Cozzarelli, April 7th 2006

Some of you may be wondering why I haven’t written in a while. Well, for the past couple of months, it has been wedding central around here. Unfortunately, I’m not talking about the wedding I have been planning to George Clooney, but the wedding of my best friend Jen, at which I was the maid of honor. For those of you who have never had the honor of being your friends “maid” (Oh….now I get it…) there’s a lot involved. But it’s all worth it in the end when everything comes together as beautifully as it did at Jen and Jim’s wedding in Naples, Florida (email me if you'd like the link to the pictures). The Lake family hosted a great weekend and there was never a shortage of fun, friends, food or drinks (lots of those). So thanks to Mike and Maureen for being such fantastic hosts. And thanks to Jim’s parents, Kathy and Jim Cozzarelli for throwing a great rehearsal dinner. In the years to come, there will be so many great memories, but for now, here are my favorites…

Sunset cocktails at the Naples Beach and Golf Resort. Everyone met here for drinks and to watch the sunset before going their separate ways for dinner. I especially enjoyed the Sea Breeze cocktail, but not as much as some people (you know who you are)…

Chris DiFeo body slams on the dance floor. Kiernan’s hubby and father of three boogied like a wild man, the likes of which I haven’t seen since Travolta hit the dance floor in Saturday Night Fever. That boy can DANCE…

Jeff Lake’s speech. Jen and her brother Jeff are very close, so it was only natural Jeff make a speech about his big sister at the rehearsal dinner. One part roast and two parts love, Jeff made us laugh when he spoke about Jen’s love of wigwams and 80’s fashion, the good old days at the Parker House and Lake family vacations. I just wish he would he would have spoken up a little bit louder- it was hard to hear him in the back of the room (I kid because I love, Jeffrey…)

Super Tall Bridesmaid. The moniker given to Jen Gral by the wedding photographer. I will be calling her that from now on, no matter how much it annoys her.

BSI. Special shout out to those in the know…

Sirius radio in the rental cars. Howard Stern never sounded so good.

Best man writes his speech in the trolley on the way to the reception. Considering I labored over my MOH speech for what seemed like forever, I was a little concerned that BM Adam was writing his speech about twenty minutes before he was scheduled to speak. Evidently Adam does not need as much time as moi, because his speech was entertaining and heartfelt as he toasted the new bride and groom.

Eighties sing-a-long with William the waiter at Chops. I swear, even John Twomey couldn’t help but sing along.

ELAINE! Here's to you, Chris DiFeo...

My speech. The fact that I was not A) drunk; B) hysterical; or C) insanely nervous when I gave my MOH speech is a feat in itself. So kudos to me.

The Stuarts. Jen and Jim will be forever sharing their anniversary with John & Laura, who were also married on April 7th. Five years and one little Jack later, they still act like newlyweds.

Mr. Lake being escorted out of McCabe's Irish Pub. Well, that didn't really happen but it looks really funny in print.

And last but not certaintly not least...

Father Spinelli. I am so going to hell for this, but Father Spinelli scared the bejesus out of every single one of us. We all regressed to third grade when he yelled at us for giggling (boys included), told us to shape up, yelled at Jim's sister Paula (who was a reader) "Louder! Slower! Relax- you're nervous!", forgot the name of the bride and groom- and this was just at the rehearsal. Then he put Jim on the spot at the wedding ceremony, asking him what he thought the most important thing in a marriage was. I was hoping Jim would say sex, but he's smarter than I (hence the medical degree) and probably said faith or love or something trivial (wink, wink) like that. And it didn't help matters when Fr. Spinelli's homily went on for what seemed like eternity and the bride glanced at the clock as if to say, "Wrap it up! You're cutting into my cocktail hour!" (which she confessed to thinking). But all in all it worked out, because Fr. Spinelli did the thing he was meant to do: marry Jen and Jim...