My Epic Weekend In Pictures: Having Fun Attending A Wedding

WOW. That was my first wedding I've attended in a couple of years, and it's so rewarding to see happy people getting married. This Epic Weekend In Pictures will include some of the best sunsets, food and beverages I have ever had. Given my track record with those 3 things, you know this figures to be rather beautiful. While I missed not being able to kick off Christmas with Steve Andrews and so many of our wonderful friends with Shoppes At Lafayette, I knew we were in great hands. I'm hearing it was possibly our biggest one yet? That's terrific news!

This past Friday, we flipped our iHeartRadio 102.3 WSUS from The 80s To Now, to The Christmas Station. I always get an enormous amount of feedback when we flip to Christmas. Most of it positive, some of it not. I always try to explain to everyone the reasons and radio science behind it. It's like when friends ask me "hey Steve, how come radio stations always play the same few songs over and over again? Wouldn't you get higher ratings if you played a wider variety?" I always explain back to folks that while even though our radio field is more public and high profile than many other fields, it's still a business. The shortest, quickest explanation I give is radio, like any other business, tries to do what works. If it didn't work, we certainly wouldn't do it. Every December, TV ratings decline. That's why they always made a push for November sweeps. With radio, we have sweeps too just different timing slightly at times.

We do know that while TV ratings decline in December, ratings tend to increase during December. It's always a fun opportunity to bring Christmas cheer to everyone. So I own it.

Every year for the past 7 years while I've been here at our iHeartRadio stations in Franklin, New Jersey I always wear a Santa hat the day we flip to Christmas. It always gets a rise out of everyone who works here in the building, and then it's also another way to show off to the public that we're in full Christmas mode. Friday night I went into The Irish Cottage with my Santa Hat on and of course I received a very loud reaction from 20 or so of my closer friends. LOL. When you're Steve Allan in Sussex County, and your station goes all Christmas, hiding is not a possible option, even if I wanted to, LOL. So I embrace all the feedback, both positive and even if negative. I had a beer, and got a Meat Lovers Pizza to go. I was very happy with my decision.

I woke up Saturday morning and did some errands that took me out towards Warwick. I was able to buy a bottle of Josh wine the black label to enjoy soon with my new friend. If you like the white label version of Josh Cabernet, I'm betting you'll love the black label version. It's usually under $25, once in awhile I like to treat myself with it. I am really liking my new system of drinking at least one Treinta Starbucks shaken iced green tea. It's almost like drinking 32 ounces of flavored water. Like many others, I drink enough water during the week but weekends I run around so much sometimes even I forget to drink water.

Saturday by 11:30am, it was time to hit the road. My next stop: Springfield, Massachusetts. The city is home to The NBA Hall Of Fame, a brand new MGM Casino, and many other destinations. My reason to go to north central western Mass? Jill and John's Wedding woohoo!

Saturday afternoon was very special for me. I got to see my family, Madre, Padre, Zannie and JDawg in person for our first time in months. I think August was the last time I was able to see them in person. For a guy who used to be up there once a month prepandemic, it's been awhile. This year has been tough, but there's nothing better than getting hugs from my family. You could tell they probably hugged me even harder than usual. I'm a very lucky guy to have my amazing family and friends.

Saturday we were just hanging out in the hotel room watching reruns of Guy Fiore's 'Diners, Drive Ins and Dives." We always love watching his enthusiasm, even if some of the episodes make us too hungry. Saturday night we then did the rehearsal walk through, and then the rehearsal dinner. The dinner was terrific but in the back of my mind I couldn't wait for it to end, just so I could relax with my family in our hotel rooms.

By Saturday night after the walk through, we knew there was plenty of work ahead of us to accomplish. After our continental breakfast where I intentionally loaded up on protein, we ventured over to Outlook Farm. It is so gorgeous there, and we love their owners Brad and Jeff. These guys care, and get it. It was so much fun to work on a project together with both Madre and Padre. From 8:30am-12:15pm we were cranking out setting up everything to get ready for the 2:00pm start. Padre came up with a great idea for a line to flow better with food, and he immediately said "don't make jokes that I could be a wedding planner!" I responded with "No, Padre we are all LOGISTICS people. We care about and know logistics.

We made it back to the hotel just in time for the school bus shuttle that would take us back to Outlook Farm. btw, I haven't tried their wine yet, but the beer they brewed was all fantastic. The bus was scheduled to arrive at the hotel for 1:00pm, departing at 1:15pm. By 1:40, we were concerned not seeing the bus. The company never got back to us, so we drove there. Driving to an open bar wedding with yummy craft beer is a less than ideal situation. Fortunately, Padre came up with the solution to just leave the car there overnight, and at some point between the 100 people there we would come up with alternate transportation systems.

We had a great time at the wedding. Isn't it so relaxing when the couple finishes saying I DO, and then everyone can relax even more and unwind? It was so much fun taking these beautiful wedding pictures when there is beautiful scenery altogether. That's one of the many things that helps my Epic Weekend In Pictures, being surrounded by beautiful scenery. I joked that I drove 3.5 hours to leave where I live, when it looks so much where I was visiting. LOL.

Monday to wrap up my long weekend, I took my new friend out to Windlass on Lake Hopatcong. With all of the adventures I love to take every weekend, it's honestly embarrassing that this was my first time there. WOW. You have to make reservations ahead of time and I asked for a table with a great view of the water. Success. Our meal was excellent, and the ambiance there is fantastic. They definitely get my stamp of approval, that's for sure.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my Epic Weekend In Pictures. Time to start planning next weekend!