...the end of...well, an era

...seven dresses (not quite 27). Seven different colors. Seven different styles. College friends, lifelong friends, sisters-in-law - seven different friends. Seven updos. Seven anniversaries. Four states. Catholic, Presbyterian, Jewish, and just plain wonderful.

(And one very patient husband who attended most of them, sat in the audience, videotaped, and helped pull out the thousands of bobby pins at the end of the night).

Meckenzie and Andy's wedding this weekend marked the end of my career as a bridesmaid. So I thought I would travel down memory lane.

I think this was my first wedding (I have the strange feeling that I'm forgetting a wedding). My sister-in-law, Katie. Let's not talk about how young we look. Or the fact that this photo is scanned in because it was before everyone had digital cameras. Tiffany blue halter. Cleveland, Ohio:

Next up, college friend Rachel. I set her and her husband up back in college. Two piece, black. Cincinnati, Ohio. Unheated synagogue in October (still before good digital cameras):

I took a few years off, saved all my energy for Mercer and Frank's wedding. Wedding where I felt the most like a member of the family. Green, waist sash. Washington, D.C.:

Next up, sister-in-law Christina. Patriotic wedding in July. Navy blue, first tea length. Cleveland, Ohio:

Molly Marine. Awesome wedding party. We even had a reunion a few months later. Light pink, waist flower. Cincinnati, Ohio (I have been to Cincinnati three times in my life and only for weddings):

I took a few years off then. Got pregnant, got fat, had Charlie, had an overactive thyroid, got skinny, and then evened out. Next up? Sweet Carolyn. Only wedding in our hometown, celebrated on my thirty-first birthday. This wedding also marked the increasing popularity of JCrew bridesmaid dresses (Gods gift to weddings, as far as I'm concerned). Coral, tea length. Baltimore, Maryland:

And here we are, the bittersweet end. I met Meckenzie thirteen years ago. We have been apart for far longer than we were together, and have always been separated by geography. But I couldn't have been happier to stand by her side on a cold November day. Maybe I'm just nostalgic because I know this will be my last wedding for awhile, but there was just something so special about this day. When the doors opened at the Lake House Inn and Meckenzie walked out with her dad to this song, it was like the world stopped and held its breath for a few moments. I have no photos yet, but I pulled this from a video Ken took. I will never forget this moment:

And yes, the bridesmaids were huddling/wiggling like first graders for warmth. I'm glad we all liked each other. Favorite up-do, ever. I asked for "bohemian." Brown/Grey from JCrew, with purple wrap. Perkasie, Pennsylvania:

Oh, and there was a photo booth. The photo booth operator liked me at the beginning of the night. By the end? Not so much. Next to the dance floor, I spent the most time in the photo booth (and at the make your own cupcake station):

Here's to seven happy endings.

Comments

[Jody]

You have made a beautiful bridesmaid 7 times! I don't know why, but I have always pictured you as a tiny (5'-ish) girl.
But you're long and lean :)

[mom]

Your first bridal experience was your cousin Lisa B's wedding in 1986 when you were the cutest flower girl.

L,M

[jenn shurkus]

your going to laugh... but i have been in 5 weddings.. and i imagine i have 2 more to go (not including my own... a girl can hope ;) )
i will have to do a post like this :))
so fun!!

[shelby]

how cool that you have been able to stand by 7 of your friends!

[brooke]

gorgeous.
always.
xx.

[Molly]

Love this post! Thank you for standing up there at my wedding...I wouldn't have it any other way!

[Ann Heuberger]

this post makes me smile be/c next year will be my last duty as a bridesmaid - and even though i've done it about 10 times, it's still bittersweet! at least u had a cute date to all your weddings!!

[steph h]

Is Molly Marine's wedding when your camera was stolen? That was you, right?
So cool to see you change over the years!

[Mercer]

FYI you ARE a member of the family!

[elizabeth]

This was a great post : )

I've been in six weddings, though it should also be seven (couldn't get to one that I should have been in, and still feel terrible about not being there!)

[Ellen Behr]

What a beautiful posting. When the doors open and Meckenzie and Todd stood there that was my aha moment as well. It was a fun wedding had by all.