Flaviana in the 'Sota: My Best Friend's Wedding

Over Labor Day weekend, Flavio and I made the trek to Greenwald, MN for the hitching of my best friend Amy to Jim, an all around great guy who is crazy about her.

@ Amy's Wedding

@ My Wedding

As most of you know, Amy and I have been best friends since the tender age of 12. And, while most best friends have differences that compliment each other, Amy and I both attribute our long friendship to the fact that, in many ways, we're kind of the same person. Specifically: 1) Amy and I sort of look alike - we both have dark brown hair, light eyes and are slightly taller than average (I'm 5'6" and Amy's 5'7"). Let's just say, the resemblance is strong enough that on a handful of occasions, strangers have assumed that we're sisters. 2) we are both perpetually late and kind of procrastinators, but we both have enjoyed very successful careers in spite of these very minor flaws 3) we both love shoes - when Amy and I go shopping together, odds are one or both of us will return home with 5 or more new pairs and 4) best of all, we have both married organized men with a love for timepieces (as in they both love their watch collections...not even joking) who are able to keep our scatterbrained sides in check.

Naturally, since this was my BFF's wedding, I was on bridesmaid detail. Fortunately for us, Amy was pretty kind to the 'maids and selected a cute '60's inspired cocktail length dress with a full skirt. Keeping with the style of the dress, (and because I'm a little "curvy" these days) I decided to channel my inner Joan Holloway, with Mad Men inspired hair and make up. How did I do?

Ahh, if we could all be Joan for a day...

Following a beautiful ceremony, where friend & fellow 'maid Missy and I became weepy on more than one occasion, the bridal party hit the road in a party bus complete with German beer (in honor of Jim, the groom, who was raised in Germany), a few bottles of bubbly and my favorite, karaoke!!! En route to the reception, we toasted the happy couple and belted out karaoke favorites including "Sweet Caroline", "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" (in falsetto by Amy's brother in law:), "Ghostbusters", and "Livin on a Prayer." As a bonus, we were also treated to an acapella rendition of the Justin Bieber hit "You Smile" by Amy's sister-in-law, Lori. And, during a party bus pit stop in the small town of Osakis, I proved to be Amy and Jim's little lucky charm by pulling $300 in pull tab winnings for the couple!! Needless to say, I now wish I had purchased a powerball ticket on our way to the reception.

Holding the Golden Ticket

Following a fun and profitable journey, we continued celebrating well into the night at the reception. All in all, it was a great wedding that had a little bit of everything - I laughed, I cried, I danced, I sang off key.... but most of all, I was thrilled to see my best friend happy and in love with a nice guy that loves her back.

Congrats again to Amy and Jim. Enjoy a few photo highlights from their big day.