Inspiration---Rehearsal Dinner ideas (aka the skating story!)

I am writing this post while laughing out loud! Okay, before we get to the inspiration, you must suffer through one of my stories, the springboard for the inspiration if you will.

A few years ago, while in law school, I was always the classmate who veered the topic of conversation off of the subject matter of property law, torts or the evils of our research papers. I think it was my third year of law school (it's the last year of law school and so "senioritis" had set in...you recall that feeling from high school and college, right?) and we were having another one of our "let's not talk about law talks" while out at one of our many happy hours where we mused about our lives. Some song came on that immediately reminded me of a "couples' skate" song from my childhood school skating parties, so I asked my classmates how many of them liked skating parties. During this conversation, I told them that I always wanted a birthday skating party and by the time the night was over, we all agreed to go skating because we hadn't been in years! Mind you, I had passed the age of 30 a couple of years earlier and probably had no business hitting the rink!!!

So, one week later, we're at the rink and I am ready to roll!! It's a Friday night, but there are a few kids to contend with and I am frankly a little nervous. I started wondering if I should do this... the kids are wizzing by me just a little too quickly. So, I put my skate out there and told myself to "just do it"! After a few songs, I am moving, cruising, bobbing my head to the music, thinking I've still got it, 30+ looks good on skates....

Then, it happened. I was going around a curve and not sure what happened...but what I do know is that I did a graceful belly flop to the ground. OUCH...OH LORD!! WHAT WAS I THINKING?? I AM OVER 30, THESE BONES MAY NOT HEAL!!!! Then, some kid's dad asked me if I was okay as he coasted on by. Seriously, he looked older than me, which made me feel even worse. Needless to say, I got up and decided to enjoy the rest of the nite on the wall!! Oh yeah, my ribs hurt for the next week!!!! I should also mention that no one else fell down.....just me, the mastermind behind this whole outing.

Well, what conjured up this story you may ask? I drove past that fateful skating rink last night and happened to be talking to one of my friends and just started laughing so hard. She was, of course, confused, because neither of us said anything funny. Well, I told her the infamous skating story and confessed that I'd always wanted a birthday skating party, to which she replied "You can do that, tell your hubby! It won't be hard to organize that effort, that can be done tomorrow!!" Our conversation continued and I asked her what type of party she always wanted, to which she replied a pool party and a Worlds of Fun (a local amusement park) party.

So, this started a further discussion to which we've asked our other friends. My friend has even posted it on her Facebook page to see what her extended circle has to say. (one person already replied with "a princess party complete with ballgowns and tuxedos"!!! wow!)

Now, I know you're wondering what does this have to do with wedding plans?Often my clients are frustrated because they want to have a unique rehearsal dinner that is fun and relaxed and where they get to enjoy their guests. Since the rehearsal is about the couple, I propose this: think about the parties you always wanted as a child or maybe your favorite party and you're likely to come up with some great ideas and learn a little about each other as well. Now, in my case, I always wanted the skating party, but I am not sure how well that would go over with some family members (my 82 year old grandmother on skates????mmmm, not so much!). But, I could have some Wii stations with skating games, or do some of the traditional skate party activities, like the limbo or for the kiddos, the Hokey Pokey. For my friend's amusement park desires, maybe you could rent some of the amusement park/carnival type games (milk bottles and balls, squirt guns, ring tosses) and have a cotton candy and funnel cake machine to make treats.

Just think about it, you get the party you always wanted and your guests will have a great time. Maybe you can even get your folks to chip in extra so you won't be scarred for life from not having the party you alllllwaaaaays wanted (use your whining voice)!

What type of birthday party did you always want to have? Let's inspire one another!!