The bachelor and bachelorette party shenanigans were a week behind us and we all reconvened in Roanoke for the wedding festivities. Rehearsal was bright and early Friday morning so we coffeed up,  loaded the vehicles and headed up the mountain to the Silver Hearth Lodge. The views up there were so.friggin.gorgeous! It was a healthy dose of calm for any pre-wedding jitters. Itineraries were read, maids and men fell into place, parents smiled with pride and that was a wrap. T-minus 31 hours till go-time.

After rehearsal, Lee called all grooms men & women together so he could give us some tokens of appreciation baller gifts. Seriously. I don’t think I ever want to be a bridesmaid again after getting a dose of dude wedding strategy. Lee knows what’s up. He gave each attendant a special gift but I really can’t remember what everyone else got because I was too busy choking back chick tears over the loot he gave me. I felt like Biggie! He gave me a bar key, some good brew, a few nostalgic pilot bottles, earrings (to wear in the wedding), some Impossible film (yessss), a coozy…not just any coozy – a Freaker (a fit-everything sock-like coozy company based in Wilmington, NC), and (AND!) a Bamboo tablet (!) which, by the way, I’ve asked Santa to bring me for at least 6 years. *I exaggerate* If I had lugged my computer along, I might not have made rehearsal dinner that evening. Just sayin’.

Pre-rehearsal dinner selfie…because I never wear heels. It was photo worthy.

Ben makes things out of everything…

Jodi might just be the smartest decision Lee has made to date.

After the lovely dinner celebration, two of my besties (LT & Vanessa) arrived at the hotel. Mischief wasted no time. We took our friend Monica around with us to be sure everyone’s heart was in tip-top shape. God I love scaring people.

The last single-man kiss.