I visited Texas and lived to tell the tale :)

So all last week I was down in Texas visiting Colin and Kristin for their wedding. I got into Austin on Saturday the 21st mid-morning. I stopped over, saw their new apartment, settled in a bit and then we went to lunch. The next day we went to the Salt Lick BBQ which had fantastic Texas style BBQ. It's kind of funny how BBQ means different things in different parts of the country.

As Monday rolled around, doing fun things slowly took a back burner to wedding tasks and we started taking care of all those last minute things that needed doing. Julian (the best man) came in on Monday night. We spent Tuesday doing more errands as well as stopping into Kristin's goodbye party at the school she teaches at. Throughout all this it was made clear to me by Colin, Kristin and Kristin's parents that I needed to get a good pair of boots before I left so I got a pair of Tony Lama black leather cowboy boots and I have to say they look damn good and are actually quite comfortable.

On Wednesday we headed out to Barton Springs to do some swimming and take a well needed break from wedding tasks. Barton Springs Julian and I went out to the farm and helped set things up, cleaned up a few things, did some edging, filled in some holes, trimmed some branches, and cleared some brush. Altogether a good time working on the farm getting it ready for the reception.

Thursday we headed back to Austin to do some last minute tasks and then get ready for the Bachelor party which was a TON of fun. My only regret is that I had chosen that day to break in my boots and by the end of it my feet were very sore. We ended up walking up and down 6th Street to visit all the clubs and bars. I'd tell you more, but what happens at a bachelor party, stays there. :) All you need to know is that there was drinking and the bachelor survived to make it to the wedding and the bride still decided to marry him. I think that makes for a successful bachelor party.

Friday was a bit rough, moreso from lack of sleep than hangover. I went to bed around 3:30 am and woke up at 8 am. From the hotel we were staying at we headed up to Kristin's house, I showered, changed and headed into Fayetteville. We stopped at the hotel, did some final setup for the Friday night party and headed out to the rehearsal luncheon in New Ulm. It was a great time and they even had sushi on the buffet. As an usher I got a wonderful gift of a framed picture of Colin and Kristin that they took from shortly after they got engaged. After the luncheon we went to the church and walked through the whole procedure. For a short time I was even going to lead the procession and carry the cross to the alter. I got subbed out when it seemed I may have to sing during the procession. With the rehearsal over we went back to the hotel, worked out final details again for the party and then just waited to start having a good time. I decided to go to bed early so my voice would be in good order the next day for the actual wedding. All of the men in the wedding party were staying at a house two doors down from the hotel and that lead to more drinking and loudness for the rest of the night there. Thankfully I slept through most of it, although I was woken several times. *shrug* Oh well.

Saturday I woke up early, had some breakfast and started helping with final touches at the farm. I got back from the farm, showered, changed into my tux and headed to the church for a little past 12:30 to go over the service music as well as the Ave Maria with the rest of the trio. We got evertyhing all set, including some last minute changes in the music and then waited for it all to start at 3pm.

Colin and Kristin both looked great. Kristin was just a site to behold in her dress and Colin looked as handsome as ever. They are going to have some beautiful children. The service was a full Catholic mass so we had the prelude, then the processional, then the first reading, then I sang the psalm, then the second reading, then the gospel and homily, then the marriage rites, then communion, then the Ave Maria during the meditation, then closing and finally the recessional.

As the bride and groom processed out of the church one of the other guests and I rang the church bells. Once the couple had gone back around to the sacristy the guests all went outside and waited below the small entrance balcony to have the bride and groom presented to them. Instead of rice or bubbles, they opted to have a butterfly release for this wedding, it was very pretty. The happy couple then went to their waiting horse and carriage to take them to the farm for the reception. Throughout all of this utnil they got to the carriage, we maintained the bells. The whole thing was just gorgeous.

The reception was wonderful and I had a great time dancing the night away. I managed to steal several dances with the bride and watching her and Colin dance was just breathtaking (they both are highly skilled ballroom dancers).

All in all it was a great time and I really enjoyed the week down there. I was sad to have to leave on Sunday when it was all over. I can't wait to go back and visit the new Mr. and Mrs.

Well that's everything.

Oh yeah, one more thing. I caught the garter. *grin*