I was asked to be the usher in the wedding. I was very happy to be a part of their wedding. The wedding was over Labor day weekend in East Lansing, Mich. I took off work Friday and headed out of Chicago for Lansing, Mich. It was a long drive due to traffic but once I made it I went straight to rehearsal dinner at Gilbert and Blake in Okemos. It was a nice place for the rehearsal dinner. I really enjoyed the video of Jon and Maddie growing up especially the college pictures. After dinner we all drove over to the MSU Chapel for rehearsal. Once the rehearsal was finished we all went to Peanut Barrel in East Lansing but we had some issues getting in. The door man was a huge ass and wouldn't let all of us in because we didn't have a second form of ID. After we talked to some people we finally got everything taken care of and get everyone in.
Saturday Morning came super early with a 5:30 am wake up call to tailgate. I met up with Jon at 6:30 in front of the Green Monster to drive over to tailgate to set up. We had quite a good turn out for our tailgate. I went to the game which MSU won but everyone else stayed and enjoyed the tailgate festivities. After the tailgate I checked into the Kellogg center after the game and I went for an 8 mile run with Brit one of Maddie's friends. Jon had a gathering planned for all of the guys at a Cigar lounge in downtown Lansing. It was a really cool thing. Even though I don't smoke I still had a really good time. The place had a lounge with giant leather couches and a big screen TV, a game room with billiards and darts and then an outdoor patio. We had full run of the place which made it really awesome and very chill. None of us made it much past midnight considering how long the day was but it was a very fun full packed day.
I started out Sunday by giving one of Jon's high school friends a running tour of campus. I showed a few of Jon's friends around campus the rest of the morning before getting ready for the wedding and picking up Dana. I made it to the wedding at the MSU Chapel and started seating people. Not going to lie I had no idea what I was really supposed to be doing as the usher but I hope I did a good job. After the ceremony everyone kinda just stayed in there seats I wasn't sure if I was supposed to do anything but everyone made it out ok. We had a few hours before the reception at the Kellogg so a bunch of us went to Harrison Roadhouse for a drink. I ended up running over to Sparty to remake the roomie photo with everyone in the wedding.
The reception was at the Kellogg Center. I got to sit with my old roomies and a few other friends. It was a smaller wedding then some recent ones I have been to but certainly not less fun. The appetizers were very good and the wine was tasting fairly good as well. Once everyone was seated and we had dinner the real party began. Jon and Maddie had their first dance as a married couple. Then the dance party started. I was on the dance floor most of the night. I had to keep dragging Dana out there but she seemed to be having fun. We did a roommate dance which was more just the four of us acting like fools but it was a blast. At one point in the night the groomsmen decided to take off there shirts minus the vest which looked a bit Chip and Dale-ish. Through out the reception I tried flirting with the bar tender but that wasn't working. Oh well. The night was so much fun. I danced with Dana, old friends and new friends, and just in general. Once the reception ended a group of us decided we were not done for the night so we took off for downtown East Lansing. We tried to go to the Riv but there was a line so we went to Harpers where some of us stayed till they closed it down. Needless to say it was a long weekend but it was so much fun and I am very glad I was a part of it and I wish Jon and Maddie nothing but happiness and good luck from here on out! Congrats!
Date: Dana P
Location: East Lansing, Mich
Date: September 5th, 2010
Dinner: Pre set Menu on invite, I had the beef dish with steam vegtables and patatoes.
Bar: Open
Estimated cost: $445.00
Hotel, Gas, Gift, food along the way, Tailgate supplies
Music: DJ
Misc: Rehearsal Dinner, MSU football tailgate
