Wedding's Eve

I am so tired from a long and busy and fun day.

I am so ready to get married to Natalie.

But seriously...

I need to sleep.

-Sam

16 hours

Tonight was the best night of my life thus far.  I seriously think so.  And I KNOW that tomorrow is going to be ever better but, right now, I can't even fathom how that could be possible.  But I will tell you this...I am SO SO SO SO SO SO EXCITED!!!  

16 hour countdown until I become Mrs. Lembeck...

Can you believe it?!

I can't wait!!!!!!!!!

Friday the 29th of May - By Sam

I woke up extremely excited. So many of my friends were coming into town. I jumped into the shower first (Natalie is usually the first one in) and loaded the car to set up the hospitality suite. We got lunch with Leah (maid of honor), her husband Zak, Jenny (bridesmaid), and Amy Walstien (mother of the 1 year old ring bearer). It was delish. We went to Chins. My mom's old friend Barbara Lauren had gotten in early on a red eye and was having brunch with my mom at the hotel. While Natalie and the girls listed above went to get their nails done, I came back to the hotel and hung out. Then Lucy came. Then Bob Boris came. Then my dad called me and said that they were on the same plane with Colin & Amber, Logan & Brittny, Dean & Brandi. While we waited for their arrival, Natalie's family from out of town started to arrive. Then my Uncle Richard arrived with his son and his wife (my cousin and cousin in law). I haven't seen Uncle Richard and Aaron too much in the last million years so it was awesome to see them. For some reason I feel really close to them and comfortable around them. Then Joanie & Howard came. Then my mom picked up her boyfriend Peter. Then Natalie's grandma Shirley showed up and brought us stuffed animals that sang. Then the LA group landed in MN and I got lots of text messages. Then the LA group started to arrive-first Logan & Brittny. It was really great to have a best friend from my side in MN. Then Dean & Brandi arrived. Then James came down and said my dad, lorna, mimi & jacob were coming down soon. Then Pizza Luce came. It didn't live up to my expectations, but it was still yummeroni. Then my Dad, Lorna, Mimi, and Jacob showed up. 

Then I felt overwhelmed.

Then there was lots of meeting and greeting. More people started showing up more frequently and I lost track of who was there and who had met who.

3 hours later people started leaving and I sat on the floor in Logan & Brittny's room with them and Dean & Brandi, Zak & Leah. I felt relaxed again. Natalie said she wanted to get a good night sleep, I don't blame her. I'm writing this at 12:30am and wish I had been sleeping for 3 hours. Then everyone was gone. But then the babies came. I got a text message saying the flower girls arrived. I went downstairs. 

David, Jack, Uncle Phil and Mike were at the bar chatting. They said my mom and others were outside. Ali, Bob, Melissa, Ava & Olivia had arrived. Uncle Richard was walking out when I got there. He was tired. The girls were pretty excited to see me and performed a song and dance they are performing next weekend. They ate. I chatted with Pete, my mom, Aaron & Jen. It was the perfect way to end the day. David drove me home and we talked about how much we love our friends that we grew up with.

I am so happy to have my best friends here. I can't wait to see Colin & Mike tomorrow. There are a million people left to arrive and I'm sure I'm going to get overwhelmed again tomorrow.

If you are reading this and you are going to see me tomorrow, tell me to relax, take a deep breath, and have fun.

It Starts...

12pm

Friday

People are starting to trickle in

I'm friggin excited

-Sam

Set up

Here we are driving to the hotel to set up the Hospitality Suite.

Putting Together Programs

At this very moment (8:10pm central time) we're putting together the programs for the wedding. All we do is things for the wedding.

4 days...

It's 12:19am on Wednesday, May 27.  According to our trusty website natalieandsam.com, the wedding is only 4 DAYS AWAY.  It's finally here!

The past week was intense, coming back from 20 days in New York to be faced with all of the looming, half-finished wedding projects.  But, with lots of patience and help from family and friends, I'm proud to say that the hard stuff is DONE.  The favors are made, seating charts complete, welcome documents and schedules are finished (and cute, might I add!), programs are with the 'printer', ceremony musicians confirmed (that's a long story for another day)...our last week in LA was probably one of the most productive we've ever had!

And amidst all of the craziness and last minute wedding planning, we somehow managed to get ourselves packed and back home to Minnesota!  It almost didn't happen - I've never in my life missed or even almost missed a flight and of course it happens this morning for the first time!  it was almost too much for me to handle, but I took a nap on the plan, composed myself, drank a Caribou Cooler immediately upon landing and, since then, this day has turned out to be a ball!

We went right to Costco and basically bought them out of treats for the welcome bags, hospitality suite, Saturday night dinner and Monday brunch.  We seriously filled my dad's car to the brim - it was awesome.  Sam has photographic evidence that I will encourage him to post here immediately.

From there we came home and packed the welcome bags, wrapped out bridal party gifts and ran a bunch of random errands in between.  But I have to tell you - I'm having a ball.  Clearly, I always have fun when I'm with Sam, but I just love doing all this stuff with him and with my family...and then realizing, this is for us!  In four days!  Yikes and Yippee!

These mindless tasks are so much fun, and I just love seeing how everything is coming together and getting it all checked off my list.  I owe so much to so many different people for all of their help along the way...you all know who you are: THANK YOU.

Out of town guests start arriving tomorrow...I'm starting to feel butterflies.

If you're heading our way soon, I can't wait to see you soon!  If not, we'll miss you.  But either way, this wedding is happening!

Ok, I'm pooped.

Lots of love from the almost-Bride,

Natalie

Table Assignments

The numbers are in. We know exactly how many people are coming. Last night, Natalie and I put together a draft of who sits at what table. It was fun and challenging. Here is a picture of Natalie in the middle of all of it.

Food Tasting at The Metropolitan

Here's a little diddy from when we had our tasting at The Metropolitan where we will be having our reception.

Food Tasting For The Reception from Team S and N on Vimeo.

Thoughts

Sometimes I think about these things:

1) How awesome it is going to be seeing everyone I know and love in the same place at the same time.
2) Seeing Natalie in her dress.
3) FInally having all my family in Minnesota.
4) Having my friends taste Famous Daves BBQ.
5) Dancing with Natalie.
6) Secret surprise things that no one knows about yet.

There are a lot more... but those are some key items.

-Sam