Tehani and Evan get hitched!

My cousin Ellen, prepping.

I’ve started to write this post about five times now, but I can never really figure out how to start it. I could tell you about all the errands I did prior to the wedding, but I don’t think that would make the best reading. Once I got back from Vegas I was finally able to see some of my friends, and help out with wedding prep. I helped paint moustaches on 140 hockey puck coasters, and acted as tour guide to my two favourite Swedes, Sofie and Erik, who flew out for Tehani and Evan’s wedding. I also helped wash endless dishes for food prep and had some tearful moments with Teresa, the other Maid-of-Awesome, while we wrote out wedding speech. But I’m going to jump ahead to almost the end of my trip which was also the main purpose of my trip home. Tehani and Evan’s wedding.

All done at the hall!

The day before the wedding we had to prep food, get the hall ready and have our rehearsal. It’s a good thing that we have a pretty close family, because everyone took the day off work and helped us to get everything done. Without them I have no idea how we would’ve gotten it done in time. From the time we got to the hall and everyone had left it was about 11 hours. My dad and I peeled the shells off of over a thousand prawns and my grandparents, cousins and aunt chopped and cleaned about 20 heads of lettuce, and organized bowls of appies for the cocktail hour. Then we had Evan’s family, the rest of the wedding party and more of my family helping to make the hall look amazing.

Me, getting ready to go!

Getting the bride ready.

Tehani did such a great job and had an amazing vision of what she wanted for her wedding. The decor reflected them the T. We decorated the tables with burlap runners and mason jars filled with shells, pebbles and candles. Each table had a name of a town on Vancouver Island instead of table numbers, and there were also dozens of picture frames on the tables that were filled with baby pictures of the two of them and of our parents way back in the day. It was rustic, moustached and very West Coast. Exactly who Tehani and Evan are. The only interruption to the day was our wedding rehearsal and our “White Trash” dinner consisting of hot dogs and Hamburger Helper. When we were finally finished, I headed back home to do some last minute nail painting and Teresa and Tehani spent the night also.

Seesters!

Teresa, Casey, Tehani and me!

October 20, 2012. The big day! The morning of the wedding was really hectic. Tehani and I went to my friend Joe’s salon to get our hair done, leaving separately so Tehani could go back first to the house to quickly edit her vows. My parents forgot to leave me a car, so good thing Gramma lives downstairs so I could steal hers for the morning. Once I got back, it was a rush I felt, even though it wasn’t, to get my makeup done, airbrush my moms foundation and do Tehani’s makeup as well. Once everything was done we could get dressed and get some photos taken of Tehani getting ready.

Husband and Wife!

Fist pumping my way up the aisle.

Finally seeing Tehani in her wedding dress was amazing. It suited her perfectly and she looked gorgeous. She had even made her own veil and bouquet. She did such a good job. After a series of photos with the family and friends at the house it was time to head into our limo to go to the ceremony. I had bought some champagne for us so we had some drinks on the way and waited in the limo for the guests to go inside. After everyone was inside, we all ushered downstairs, as the groom was upstairs, and we got all pumped up to walk down the aisle. Good thing my cousin Derek was in the hall also because he had to do a quick run up the stairs to get the birds nest Tehani had made for the rings, as Evan was to walk down the aisle right then with the ring bearer and his mom, and they had forgotten the rings upstairs. Tehani’s face was priceless when we heard from the top of the stairs, “Shit, where’s the rings?”

The wedding party.

Girlies

The ceremony was amazing. It was absolutely beautiful and their vows were full of love and meat pies. We fist pumped our way up the aisle and sang along to our exit song, Home by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, as the music had accidentally cut out. It was freezing outside with our sleeveless dresses as we were getting our photos done, but once they were done it was back inside for drinks and some food. I had such an amazing time at the wedding. I’m not usually the biggest dancer, but oh man, I went all out. I don’t get embarrassed in front of my family so I went wild! I guess it was also a good workout. Work off the Caesars and champagne I was drinking.

Struttin her stuff.

Tehani and Evan’s wedding was amazing. I had so much fun and I am so happy for the two of them. The next day was the gift opening, and they were heading out the next day for their mini honeymoon, which was also going to be the last time I would see them until next year. That was the start to three horrible days of goodbyes. For some reason it was harder that leaving the first time. I pretty much just spent three days crying uncontrollably. As hard as it was to leave again, at least I know that this is the last bit now. The next time I go home it’s for good. And as my mom kept telling me, “if you don’t go back, that means I can’t come in March.” So now I’m on a countdown to Easter, because then I will see my mom again, and then from then, only five more months until I can see the rest of my family again.

Seester love.

So to all my family and friends I saw while I was at home, I love you and thank you for all that you’ve done for me while I was home and while I’ve been in the UK. I miss you, I love you, and can’t wait to see you. Only 9 and a half more months to go!

What happens in Vegas..

Tehani and I finally back together!

October went by way to quick for my liking. I guess when you want something to go by slowly that will never be the case. I spent most of October back in Canada, visiting my family and helping to prepare for my sister Tehani’s wedding. But prior to the wedding was a weekend of extravagance and indulging in Las Vegas for Tehani’s stagette. Oh man, what happens in Vegas..

Here comes the Bride! Just landed and waiting for our Hummer Limo!

I knew that I was going to be so tired heading out to Vegas. I landed back in Vancouver late on a Wednesday night and only had one full day back home before we flew out to Vegas. When I landed in YVR, for some reason my mom didn’t recognize me so I was able to scare the crap out of her by jumping about an inch in front of her face. Seriously, how do you not recognize me mom? I see you on Skype all the time! Tehani had to work a closing shift at her restaurant so we went there straight from the airport so I could finally see her and Evan, my soon-to-be brother-in-law, who was going to meet us there. I asked one of the servers to tell Tehani someone wanted to talk to her, and holy crap you could’ve given her an Olympic medal on how fast she sprinted out from the office! I can’t even express how good it was to see her and Evan, since its been pretty much a year since the last time I saw either of them. Skype is one thing, but in person is way better.

Some of the Ladies on the first night out, taken by me when I was lying sick in bed.

After a late night meal with Evan and Tehani, my mom and I headed home. Home. It almost felt like I didn’t leave. But there has been some changes since I’ve been gone, like all new doors and a new bathroom. I kept snooping around the house just to make sure things were still the same. The next day was filled with lunch with my dad and Tehani, running errands and seeing some of my family throughout the day. That was the only downtime I had before Vegas. Bright and early the next morning I was picked up my Naomi and Annik to drive down to Bellingham for our flight to Vegas. There were thirteen of us in all going so we all took different carpools. We somehow got to the airport first and ended up waiting a bit for the rest of the girls to come. Once everyone arrived we headed through security and jumped on our flight. Looking out the window you can really appreciate how much of a desert Vegas actually is!

Posing in the Forum Shops. Our mom would be so proud of us!

When we got to Vegas we started it out right by getting a Hummer limo instead of a taxi to our hotel. We stayed at the Flamingo, which I was told was a good starter hotel for Vegas since it’s right in the middle of the strip. It was okay, but next time I think I will definitely stay somewhere a bit more up to date and fancy. We got a laugh on how the bathroom doors were frosted sliding glass that didn’t quite close all the way and didn’t offer much privacy. One time after we were laughing about it when Tehani was taking a shower and after she pressed her bare butt against the glass to prove our point. The nice thing about going to Vegas with a bunch of girls is that somehow everything is free. Club promoters were all over the hotel lobby getting us free cover and drinks into prestige clubs. Tehani was able to get the most out of the promoters and we were all looking forward to our first night out on the town. However, as we were getting ready I all of a sudden got extremely tired. A bit later, right after we closed the room door to go down to dinner I felt so sick that I immediately went back in and just made it to the toilet before vomiting. I guess that’s what jet lag does to you if your always on the go.

Weee! It was so good!

I made it down to dinner ten minutes later but only stayed for about five as I started to feel sick again. I figured I really needed some sleep since my body was eight hours ahead still and I would have to miss out on the first night out. I was so upset that I couldn’t go out. Tehani was having a bit of a rough time and I just wanted to be with her and make sure she was having a good time. But it would have to wait for the next day. By morning I felt back to normal, but Christina was now sick in bed also. Do you know how hard it is to find plain soup in Vegas? All the restaurants only had chili and clam chowder which is definitely not what you want for an upset stomach. We ended up in one of the restaurants in our hotel with another Christyna in the kitchen talking to the cooks to get some plain broth. By the time we had gotten the soup, checked in with Christina and left to hotel to do some wandering around it was 1pm.

Chipotle’s burritos. Serisouly weighed probably 6 pounds!

When I first found out that we were going to Vegas, I told Tehani that I had to see Cirque du Soleil Love. I am a huge Beatles fan and there was no way I was going without seeing it. We were able to get tickets for that night so as we were shopping in the Forum Shops in Caesars Palace during the day, looking at Christian Louboutin shoes and spending tons of money at Victoria’s Secret, I was so excited to see the show. Tehani went back to the hotel with our shopping and to hang out with some of the other girls as Teresa, the other bridesmaid and myself went to pick up mine and Tehani’s tickets for Love. It was nice to just hang out with Tehani on my own for the show. We couldn’t get seats right next to each other but I was directly right in front of her. I knew Cirque was amazing, having seen it once in Vancouver, but Love was the best show I’ve ever seen. I had the biggest smile plastered on my face the whole time and some parts were so beautifully done both Tehani and I had shed a few tears.

Me, Teresa and Christyna on the Strip trying to get Thunder from Down Under tickets.

After Love, we got each somehow ended up with six pound burritos and went back to the hotel to meet up with the other girls for our neon themed night at LAX nightclub. We ended up getting a free bottle of Skyy Vodka and our own VIP section. Seriously, how do the clubs make money if they give everything away for free? Our sections was on a balcony so I kinda felt like royalty looking over the people. It was pretty cool.

Pool party at the Flamingo

The next day we all got up at a respectable time and Teresa, Christyna and I went in search of tickets to see Thunder from Down Under that we thought was purchased prior to our trip since it was the big plan to see that show. When we found out that they actually weren’t purchased, we went to multiple ticket places along the Strip and even walked down to Excalibur, where it was playing to get tickets. It was sold out. Not wanting to disappoint Tehani, we organized to go to another show at a different club, and headed back to our hotel for a pool party. Naomi bought a bed for all of us to lay on and we even had our own server for drinks. It was so much fun just to hang out and sun tan. There is a video on YouTube of Naomi doing the Gang am Style dance on the bed with all of us cheering her on from the pool. It is so funny. Highlight of the trip so far.

Get ready for some chicken and waffles at Hash House a Go Go!

After some turn of events, Tehani and a group of us decided to not go out to another club. We stayed in our room, slumber party style, and finally made it out to dinner at Hash House a Go Go, where we had the most hilarious meal and server. My chicken and waffles were about a foot high and none of us were able to finish even half of our dinners. Since it was Thanksgiving Sunday we packed up some of the food and gave it to street performers and homeless people on the Strip. We ended up at the Bellagio watching the water show and belting out Backstreet Boy lyrics while we somehow all burst out in happy tears after an emotional weekend. The next day we were on our way home.

After happy tears and singing Backstreet Boys

Las Vegas had some ups and downs but as we kept saying to each other we have to surround ourselves with positivity. All I wanted was for Tehani to have an amazing time, and I know that that last night we definitely had a blast and came back with relationships stronger than ever. There is so much to see and do in Vegas, and I definitely didn’t see all that I wanted. So I’m looking forwards to going back with Tehani when I get home for good, to experience all the things we couldn’t while we were there for her stagette. Unlike the saying “what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas,” what happened in Vegas came home from Vegas in the form of a stronger love from a group of awesome and positive friends.