Weekend in SSI

This weekend Ryals and I hit the road for wedding #1 of 3 we have to go to in the upcoming weeks. Bonus points - we got to hang out with The Roberts during our time on the island! We hit the road Friday afternoon to head down there (no extra time taken off, end of year = no days left...booo). We ended up getting to the island around 10 PM. I was so happy to see Meredith, Johnathan, Brendan, Dustin, Stacy and Kevin when we got to where we were staying - so sweet of them to be there to greet us when we got in...oh wait, no, they just wanted to ICE Ryals! Ryals was very surprised to see that his 'gift bag' from the bride and groom was actually a Smirnoff Ice. He was a true champ and downed it right there in front of everyone!

The bride and groom put...Smirnoff Ice in their gift bags? Classy!



R is such a good sport!





After that lovely encounter, we made our way over to Ocean Lodge for the rooftop bar and tapas restaurant. I have been wanting to try that place out ever since I heard about it. My parents are staying there for GA/FL and wanted us to scope out their rooms as well. It was great - the wedding party was there and had just come from the rehearsal dinner. The weather was perfect and the views beautiful! We had a couple of drinks and called it a night.

Saturday morning we met Johnathan and Kevin down at the village where they both ran in a 1 mile race...and they WON it! Who knew all those drinks Friday night would help them get 1st and 3rd place???



I got a tour of Meredith's work in their house...it looks GREAT and she has put so much effort into making a home for she and Johnathan. My favorite areas were the den, piano room (this room had the biggest improvement in my opinion) and kitchen. After that we hit up Larry's Giant Subs (favorite. sandwich. ever) and went to the beach. We got a few hours in the sun and I actually got a little sunburned. Mer and I had to leave early to go get ready, so we headed back to their house.

The boys picked us up and we made our way over to Epworth by the Sea where the wedding ceremony was. It was a small wedding in a beautiful wood chapel. The brides colors were green, brown and purple. Both bride and groom had two attendants each and the bride had 12 honorary bridesmaids (sounds like our friends). The bride looked stunning in a Grecian style flowy dress with a sweetheart neckline and bead embellishment at the bustline...gorgeous! She wore a veil at the ceremony and changed to a sideswept 'do with a flower in her hair for the reception.

The reception was my favorite of all. It was held on the lawn of a GORGEOUS house in the village right on the water. They had a James-Taylor-esque type band, lights strung across the yard and a buffet complete with stuffed mushrooms and peppers, artichoke dip, low country boil and a fabulous raspberry filled wedding cake. My favorite weddings are held outdoors under the stars (a la Kim and Nick).

So sweet...Rachel and Bret Joiner 09.25.10:





It was SO windy...why did we even style our hair?



LOVED the setting!



So happy to see Mer and J-Rob!



All the boys - Johnathan, Kevin, James Derrick, Ryals and Brendan:



Posing...



Chowing down on the delicious food!



We stayed at the wedding until the end, when we watched the Joiners drive off on a golf cart and were showered with lavendar (great idea). After that, we hit up Brogen's for a few drinks. Sunday morning Ryals and I had brunch at the 4th of May and then went over to casa Roberts for some movie-watching and lounging around. We hit the road at about 3:30 and took our time getting home, even stopping in Macon for some El Azteca.

I already miss SSI...can't wait to go back October 23rd for Girls' Weekend! I'm gearing up for the upcoming weekend in which we will be in Atlanta...hopefully the Dawgs won't go 0-4 this weekend!

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO