Andre and I traveled to Carlsbad this weekend to celebrate the wedding of his college friend's, Torrey and Melissa. This was a momentous occasion for them of course but for me, it was the first wedding I have ever attended where I was not intimately related to either the bride or groom. As a matter of fact, I had never met them. I have been very lucky to be a bridesmaid in my four best friend's weddings and to attend all of my beloved cousin's weddings. This however was a fun experience because it was also the first time that my only responsibility was to arrive before the bride walked down the aisle! This concept was strange but exhilarating. We stayed at a fantastic hotel in Carlsbad called the Grand Pacific Palisades Resort. (http://www.grandpacificpalisades.com/?mcid=gc7482k320)
We were very impressed with the service, accommodations, and amenities and it was an AMAZING deal too! Plus we had the two best roommates, our dear friends, Mike and Danielle.
If you know anything about Chico you have heard it has a reputation for being a party school. And this Santa Barbara girl was not disappointed. Our evening began with drinks by the pool and when we got asked to leave the pool we took the party to the lobby and when we got asked to leave the lobby, we made our way to one of the guestrooms. The beverages I consumed included Coors Light, Jameson (from the bottle...thanks Pete!), sips of Pina Colada Slurpee and vodka, and homemade Moonshine (see photo below...it tasted like apple pie!).
Saturday began rightly so with a delicious Grand Slam at Denny's, then Coors Light at the pool, and champagne in the room while we got dolled up for the wedding.
The wedding itself was beautiful and had so many fantastic personal touches in the decor. The bride Melissa is an artist and it really showed through all the details!
The evening continued in a 3 bedroom suite that some of the guests had rented for the after-party! My drinks included Makers Mark and Coke and more Coors Light. And I tried my first ever cigar...not my proudest moment but you can't say no when the groom is offering it!
Andre and I both remarked as we entered the after party that it "smelled like college", a distinct mixture beer, booze, pot, and cigarettes. And for a few fleeting hours we were transported to a time when our biggest pressures were studying for finals and figuring out the best house party to go to on a Saturday night.
Needless to say we had an excellent time! Andre's Chico friends really know how to have fun...and now the countdown begins to Mike and Danielle's wedding next year! CONGRATS to the newly engaged couple. We can't wait to be a part of your special day!!!
Andre having some laughs in the hotel lobby
Pete is finally stateside from Korea...just the boys being silly
Love this guy! Such a good friend to Andre and me
And his beautiful bride to be enjoying some red wine in her Big Gulp cup!
The beautiful bride with her two dorm buddies
The Moonshine was delicious...plus how many people can photo bomb a picture at once!
The bride and groom share their first kiss
Gorgeous tables...each plate was different
The newly engaged lovebirds!
The venue was fantastic!
More details
Chico boys...all groomsmen for Mike's wedding too!
The "Pink House" roomies
Girl's first (and likely last) cigar...and yes, that's a Coors Light Gandalf staff in the background!
.JPG)
