It was a Tuesday morning and I had just walked out of the entomology building after taking my fifth exam this month. With the wedding being only four days away, it was time to switch gears from “test mode” to “wedding prep mode.”

Saturday was the wedding of my close friend Andi, whom I met through an organization at Texas A&M, so I knew I had to make my attendance a priority. But because this was my first time attending a wedding, I had no idea what to expect or how to get ready for it. The one thing I did know was that I needed to find a dress.

I quickly paced back to my car and drove straight to the mall. As I was shopping for a cocktail dress, I began to realize that I may not find what I am looking for, since many stores had already switched to autumn attire.

Luckily, my final visit to Macy’s was my saving grace—I found a cute red dress with spaghetti straps…with a discount, too!

Friday morning came and I ran through the day’s agenda in my head: go to work, attend class, pack for Dallas, and head out as soon as I can. I left for work at 6 a.m., made it to class at 10 a.m., and got home after working out at 3 p.m.

A quick shower later, I began to pack and managed to head out around 4 p.m., and after about four hours of jamming mostly to Billie Eilish, I made it back home just in time to have dinner with my parents.

It was now Saturday, the day of the wedding. While having breakfast, I typed out my schedule for the week so that I was ready to tackle two more exams as soon as school started.

Soon after breakfast, I curled my hair, did my makeup, and slipped into my red dress just in time to head out at noon. After what took forever to find parking, I got to a massive church and sat patiently for the next chain of events.

Few minutes later, “Here Comes the Bride” started to play and I saw my friend with her almost-husband walk down the aisle. As breathtaking as it was, the ceremony ended quicker than I thought.

Four hours later, the reception started and everyone gathered at a hotel venue in McKinney. There were chandeliers in every corner of the room, tables draped in white silky tablecloth, and name cards placed above our gold dinner plates.

After the three-course dinner, the bride and groom had their dance and the bridesmaids and groomsmen shared their speeches about the newlyweds (cue all the tears).

Then came all the dancing. Lights were dimmed and “Cha-Cha Slide” blared through the speakers. Everyone grabbed their friends and significant others and proceeded to “slide to the left” in unison. What a great time!

As someone who had only heard of what happens at weddings, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but the experience as a whole was intimate, yet so much fun all at the same time. I am so grateful to be have been invited to this wedding and wish the newlyweds a happy life together.

Congratulations you two!