The Rest of the Weekend

While visiting IKEA and relaxing on the beach are reason enough to visit Florida, we actually had a more notable purpose for this locality.  We were super excited to attend the wedding of my good friend Heather and her new husband Steve.

Heather and I met 6 years ago when I was working for ESPN in Wisconsin and have remained great friends ever since and even co-workers for a short time there in between. The girl has more energy and spunk that anyone I've known! With the couple now living in St. Petersburg, its been great to catch up with them when our travels have surrendered us there ---they even lent us their new home last summer (while they were out of town even---so nice!) while the 3 of us were en route to Orlando.  And when Evan traveled there for work earlier this year, they couldn't wait to meet up with him for dinner and drinks---great peeps these two!

The wedding was one of those fantastic events that spans a few days and with Heather being an adept event planner, the logistics of the weekend were optimal.  They had a casual meet and greet on Thursday night where we connected with old friends and made a few new ones.  On Friday, the wedding was a perfect 15 minute ceremony overlooking the bay at St. Pete's followed by a great reception and later, a celebration at a nearby pub into the wee hours.  The following day the bride and groom (such troopers!) planned a super relaxing pirate ship cruise for their out of town guests followed by dinner at Tiki Hut---a place Evan and I had dinner when we took our very first trip together 2 years ago.

Below is our weekend in photos:

At the meet & greet...with nametags. :)  

Great beer selection.

Patrick; fellow pink polo proponent.

Say that 3 times fast. :)

This again--because it's awesome.

The wedding....

Boys.

Girls.

The beautiful bride...

...and groom.

The cocktail reception

At dinner.

Dancing the night away!

Breakfast the next day.

The Pirate Ship

All aboard!

Us - Then & Now:

 The Newlyweds & Us.