California Dreamin': The New Zoo Family

Finally getting around to loading some photos from the wedding of Alison & Jeremy Zoo (Zuleger). By now you guys have probably already seen all the fantastic and amazing pics their wedding photographer took that are posted on Facebook... so these are the Gargiulo version of some of the wild and wonderful weekend. ;-)

Now not that this blog post series of images is in order of preference... but one of my favorite things about Milwaukee has got to be the food on the first night. We were treated by the FOB & MOB (as the Mother Of the Bride referred to themselves) to an amazing dinner at a really cool Irish pub. The first thing served up, ordered at the recommendation of the local Jeremy himself, was pretzel rolls with what is essentially a skillet of melted cheeses. Holy crap was it good! California has a lot of wonderful things, but I can't say I've ever seen pretzel rolls like this, and not served up with a cheesy fondu-ey yummy skillet! To top it off, I had a vegetarian shephard's pie that was to die for. Beans and veggies topped off with cheesy mashed potatos!

Not to be outdone by the meal, Jeremy and Alison then escorted us to a little funky "bar" (not sure what to call it!) that was so dimly lit by 1960s (?) red and twinkly lights, faux plastic 50s fireplaces and sprayed white tree branches covered in feathers, you could hardly make out the olive green pleather booth seats and wood paneled walls. The menu was a multi-page list of alcohol drinks, the majority of which were in the form of a milkshake. The waitress was a little old lady who served up my "Mounds Bar" complete with the little cookie as you see above. It did indeed taste like a sweet, chocolatey, coconutty Mounds Bar, except it had the added bonus of an alcohol kick. I think it was vodka, but they don't tell ya... it's a secret!

The next morning I walked downtown from our (cool, fancy and old) hotel to meet the girls for mani's and pedi's. Alison provided fruit and muffins and I sipped coffee and got to chat and meet the other bridemaids and talk to the aunties Elaine & Lois (MOB). The pic above is Alison the bride lounging while her nails dry.

After meeting up with our suite sharers, Rebecca, Richard & Stosh, we walked down to the waterfront area for drinks and lunch. We got to meet some of the other wedding guests, some of whom I haven't seen in probably 30 years??

the soon-to-be-marrieds Jeremy & Alison at the rehearsal dinner,

after a run through or two of the wedding procession plans

Mario and I at the rehearsal, where my Aunt Lois gave me this framed photo

of me as the flower girl at her wedding.

The next day I would be the flower girl at her daughter's wedding! Yeah, I cried. ;)

Alison, looking elegant as she gets out of the limo

Aunt Lois & Alison

Alison, Rebecca and I waiting for the wedding to begin!

Chris did an awesome job as the minister of the wedding!

Stoshua enjoying a nap during the ceremony

Mario liked the cupcakes. :)

This photo is blurry but I really like it - captures the mood. This was as they were first introduced as Mr & Mrs Zuleger!

This is a scene from Barnacle Bud's... the final scene of the wedding weekend, where everyone gathered to celebrate one more time together. It was a gorgeous sunny day filled with drinks such as a bloody mary bar and my personal favorite... Dark & Stormy's... or as the day progressed... Starky Dormies.... or Stormin' Dorkies... mm! The gentleman in the shorts on the table included everyone in the singing (all of us), cowbell ringing (Mario), maraca shakin' (Stosh) and washboard playin' (me)! There was some spoon banging, thigh slappin' and toe tappin as well. That day closed with us at the family apartment in the newlywed's building, eating leftovers from all of the events of the weekend, sharing more laughs, and a couple of tears that it was all over... (and for some, the tears were also because Uncle Rich does really nice yardening)!