la la la lauren: A Happy New York Wedding Weekend

I know, I know, it's only been a few weeks since I left NYC...definitely too soon for a reunion trip. HOWEVER.

Certain events are worth making the trip back for, even when you feel like you just left. And this trip was absolutely worth it.

Erin -- Friend, Gator, Boozy Bruncher, Karaoke Queen, Upper West Sider.

Married New Jersey-ian, Air Guitar Pro and Rock Band King -- Chris

And I just couldn't miss their New Yorky celebration!

I met my world traveler friend Angie at the Newark Airport on Thursday night. Quite perfectly timed, I might add. 3rd visit in 7 months! We are getting so good at this.

Oh hi NYC, I have certainly missed you!!!

After a day of mani / pedi's, shoe shopping (for Angie, not me. duh!), SoHo lunching with Bethany and the girls from work, and wandering through the West Village (read: happiness), it was time for the Rehearsal Dinner.

Rehearsal dinner / welcome party NYC style.

It was at Boat Basin on the UWS. Right on the Hudson. So perfect!

The bride-to-be was glowing and gorgeous. As expected!

Followed by a full-blown after party at the Hudson Hotel. On the Penthouse Terrace. With dancing and singing and much more celebrating.

Here's the view...

My goodness I love this city.

And I love these girls!

Even if we can't speak much during football season...or basketball season...or during the Heisman ceremony. Silly Gators.

Someday we shall meet at the National Championship and it shall be epic! :)

Saturday was spent brunching and catching up with my favorites. And lounging at 9A.

Finally got a table at Tipsy Parson in Chelsea. Me and Bethany have been wanting to go since it opened. Soooo worth the wait. I highly recommend. Do it.

Another former New Yorker friend Michelle - you know, the 3x NY Marathoner? Yes, that one. Michelle met us at 9A juuuust in time toss her bag down and run out the door for the wedding...straight into a summer rainstorm. Bust.

Quintessential New York Moment #1

Angie: Well crap. What are we going to do about this rain? It's going to ruin my hair. That can't happen.

LJ: Agreed. Taxi. Get it.

Michelle: (running across Broadway in her heels trying to shield her hair from rain and wave down a cab at the same time) Taaaaaxiiiiii!

Angie & LJ follow suit...also in heels

Angie: It's just like the old days!

Random man sitting on a Broadway bench laughing at 3 twentysomething girls running across Broadway wearing their heels in the rain trying to hail a cab

LJ: (After safely settling into dry cab) Can we just pause for a moment and laugh about what just happened?!

Angie: And how 'bout that man who was laughing at us?

Michelle: Gotta' love New York.

Upon arriving to the park, it was still raining.
And we had one umbrella to share. We paused underneath a large tree in hopes that the rain would slow down a bit. No luck.

But Angie did find a hot dog cart guy and got herself a hot dog before the wedding. Classic.

When the rain didn't slow up, we decided to take our chances. Huddled underneath Angie's round-the-world beat up umbrella, we power walked / skipped to The Boathouse. In the rain. We are so New York, it's not even funny.

Despite the less than ideal rainy conditions, we arrived at The Boathouse in plenty of time to wait in excitement for the much anticipated ceremony to begin.

And oh my. How quickly we forgot about that pesky rain. We were at The Boathouse! In Central Park! For our friend's wedding! Eeeee!

Erin was the most stunning bride. She and Chris were beaming. Nonstop.
Well, except when she cried through their vows. Then I cried. And everyone cried. Because it was just so sweet! And perfect!

After the ceremony, we were encouraged to "Eat. Drink. Be Married." during cocktail hour. Where we also enjoyed the crab appy's. And the tuna. And the shrimp. Ok, so the food was good.

We took our seats at the Meatpacking District table for the reception. Surrounded by Erin and Angie's super fun Tri Delt sorority sisters and their men.

Quintessential New York Moment #2

Andy (one of the Delta's husbands): I mean, New York is pretty great. But I don't think it's a great place to live. Only to visit.

LJ: Why do you think that?

Andy: It just seems like it's more work than it's worth. Don't you think?

LJ: Oh Andy. You're talking to the wroooong girls. We both lived here for a very long time. We love it here very much.

Michelle: Yes. It's the best place in the world. It's worth it.

LJ: It's absolutely worth it.

And then they arrived! Mr. and Mrs. Denniston!

There was amazing food. And soooo much of it. There was an amazing band. Who covered everything from Journey to Adele to Black Eyed Peas. Their microphones sparkled. Loved them.

There was all kinds of dancing. All kinds of laughing. All kinds of silliness on the dance floor.