Last night was Joel and Kat’s rehearsal dinner. It was a fun time eating pizza, watching the Spurs game and most importantly, learning about Kat and Joel’s lives separately and also together. I absolutely love learning about relationships, so this was a treat to me since I barely knew Joel (he graduated and moved to CA the semester after I met Cobalt) and I hadn’t met Kat until two days ago at the beach. Of course, I’ll still need to spend time with them to get the full affect but I felt like hearing their stories shaved off many years of acquaintance. :)
I hope it’s okay, Mrs. Gerlach that I stole this picture from your facebook!
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Today I tagged along with Cobalt before and during the wedding. In the morning we picked up his tux, which (praise God!) it fit and there weren’t any more issues to sort out! While waiting for the other groomsmen to arrive to try on their suits, Cobalt and I walked the block for about half an hour. We stopped in for some breakfast at Vienna Bakery, a lucky find. Though an Italian name (I would guess), and a French feel, it also served somewhat Jewish pastries. We chose to snack on a Hamantash and a Cheese Rollet. The first was somewhat like a triangle shaped nutra-grain bar with the jelly spooned on/in the middle of the pastry rather than sandwiched between two layers. The latter isn’t like anything I’ve had before; but essentially it was an eggy cake which rolled up in a pudding and cream cheese mixture, all of which was ice cold–a refreshing treat on a warm day. (More about the food we ate on my foodblog.)
When returning to the suit store and after the guys tried on their suits, Joel distributed his groomsmen gifts. All of the friends received a personal Nerf gun, each representing their friendship to Joel. Thus, Cobalt “the Cowboy” was given two pistols to represent his partnership with Joel both as a friend and businessman.
Then, we traveled far to Wayfarer’s chapel about an hour and a half away with traffic, with 45 minutes to spare before the ceremony. I bid aduei to Cobalt til afterwards.
A little lonely, as I didn’t know many people, I began secluding my introverted self. But soon, a groomsman’s wife introduced herself to me and we talked for a bit! She was very nice and just the thing I needed to feel better. If you’re reading this, thanks Emily!!! :) I really appreciate your company and good conversation. I hope to see you again someday!
The rest of the ceremony was very beautiful and uniquely Joel and Kat. Cobalt and I liked how after they repeated the scripted vows, they added their own words; this made it personal and authentic, a quality that both the bride and groom definitely have!
The reception was at a different location: the roof of Joel’s apartment. Cobalt was going to ride in the limo with the wedding party, but I begged him to ride with me because I didn’t want to drive through LA by myself. To our dismay we were told (and/or remembered) the wrong address, so we ended up driving to the opposite side of LA. But fortunately we were on the correct road…only 10000 addresses away. However, because Cobalts iPhone was at ten percent and dying fast and my flip phone was already dead, then our communication was limited. We were a little annoyed at first but realized it was a good opportunity to see the side of LA we hadn’t investigated yet. We drove through Koreatown and saw the lower income side of LA; but what’s interesting is that the wealthiness increased gradually up to reaching Joel’s. To our delight (heavy sarcasm), the gas prices also climbed; and by this time, having kept driving with the gas light on–completely oblivious of this scenario–were extremely desperate. But as soon as I prayed for a gas station, one appeared. We gratefully (and painfully) paid $4.90 per gallon, the highest we’d seen yet.
By the time we pulled into the parking garage we were seeing Lamborghinis and Porsches and other luxurious automobiles. We knew we were finally in the right place because Joel had mentioned this is what we should look for.
To our great relief (for we had briefly considered turning back home) we showed up to the reception just in time, right after Joel and Kat arrived.
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The other eventful/exciting portion of the night was helping out with groomsmen fun, aka car decorating!! Having never been a groomsman before, I’ve never decorated the wedding car before either. ;) So I didn’t realize just how much fun and also how confusing it might be!
For example, we thought we had known where the car was but in reality it wasn’t where we thought. So after walking around the block (me and three of the gm, including Cobalt) once, we called another gm who informed us that it was merely across the street. We quickly found it, painted it and returned in time for toasts.
Oddly enough, this was the first wedding I’ve not eaten at during the “eating portion.” Having discreetly painted the car while the guests ate, we didn’t have a chance to eat while it was hot; so we ate the cold leftovers, but they were still scrumptious: pasta and salad!!
The rest of the reception was relaxing because dancing was in order and Cobalt had no more responsibilities. :) It was lovely to spend time with him in this romantic ambience…he was so handsome in his black jacketed-teal vested tux; and the twinkling lights hanging above our heads in the dusk completed the mood…I love this man and I’m so very grateful for him!
On our way home we dropped off a friend/groomsman at the aeroport. T’was the final goodbye of the night…
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Funny enough, though the last few days have been slightly stressful, I actually miss seeing Joel and Kat and meeting their family and friends. If you’re reading this Mr. and Mrs. Joel Gerlach, I pray God’s blessing on you two as you start this fabulous adventure of marriage together :)
Much love,
Hope and Cobalt