Wedding Events I, II, and III, a reflection

The last few weeks have been crazy. Good, but crazy. As Wedding Events I and II got closer, and we still had so much to do, it was hard to concentrate on work, and hard to find time for, you know, life stuff. Laundry? Grocery shopping? Events at the kids’ schools? Who’s got time? But of course, it all got done, with lots of help.

First, as we got closer my partner-in-crime at work, Keri, announced that I was not to do anything but the bare minimum, and helped me by picking up my slack. Also, talented friends came through with our outfits, my hair and make-up, and officiating. My parents helped by beautifying our yard. AJ's parents helped with wine selection. Rahel and Shira each had a project or two for the wedding, and my niece helped decorate the house. My brother Alon and sister in law karah hosted a dinner the night before Wedding Event I for everybody already in town. My cousin Inbar became my point-person for all things needed and the best man, Jaz, became this for my (now ) husband. Lots of help!

The first houseguests arrived a few days before, and that meant the festivities started. We introduce the parents, and they got on great. My new mother in law, Lucille, got into some artsy projects and that was great. She helped us finish the table decorations, and the favors, and put together some beautiful stuff we hadn’t thought of. The day of Wedding Event I she, my new father in law, Dennis, and my new sister in law Robin took over setting up the tables and made everything so pretty! I was free to get pampered and ready.

The tables:

guest sign in table and one of the tables for eating, drinking, and socializing

The wedding itself went great, with only one mishap that was not major in the end. Everybody had a great time, the food was good, and the cds rahel made for music were good (our processional was an instrumental version of Metallica’s “nothing else matters” and the recessional was the theme from Princess Bride. Even the weather cooperated! The best man gave a great speech, as did my mom, my new father in law, and my other sister in law Joanna. Our good friend and officiant Brenda OWNED the ceremony we’d written.

Ceremony:

and before the ceremony:



At the end of the evening, my new husband and I left the party, leaving my cousin and best man to wrap things up, and the teen aged kids all piled up on the couch watching a movie together. My new husband booked us a room at the fancy-ish Claremont hotel. A room with a beautiful view of the SF Bay, and a Jacuzzi tub. Those jets were fantastic! The next morning we came back home, with brunchy foods and hung out with the family some more.

Wedding Event I was a week later. This one was for friends only and was at Teatro ZinZanni, a circus in SF. The morning of this event saw me once again getting made up and having my hair done. The house was empty of guests, but I had two friends over. One who did my hair/make up and one who was finishing up outfit Two, another gorgeous custom made corset (again, as for Wedding Event I, I made the skirt to go along with the corset).

Outfit for Wedding Event I:

Outfit for Wedding Event II:

We got out of the house late, my cousin driving us to the venue since I was, well, wearing a corset. I was, I admit stressed out as it was close to show time. Luckily the people at the venue did a superb job setting up, incorporating our stuff within their design and being all around fantastic. Our cake lady came and set up this beautiful creation:


Our photographer agreed to switch an engagement session for a one-hour session at Wedding Event II he did great at both events and I would gladly recommend both him and our cake lady!

The people at ZinZanni rented us the lobby for an hour before doors open to the public so we had some time to mingle and to have another ceremony. We actually reworked our ceremony and vows a bit for this one and it was great to have all our friends there around us as we gave our promises to each other. Once the circus was open to the public we had to break up our special things. The venue staff took our cake, to be served to us later, and my cousin and our best man took the guestbook, presents, etc. back to the car. As for me, I waited until after the ceremony to have my first drink, and then I too was ready to relax and party.
Ceremony:

The show itself, at ZinZanni is phenomenal! It’s a 3 hour show, with a 5 course meal interspersed with the acts, and some wonderful performers. Our friends had a great time. The show is interactive, with the performers interacting with the crowd and calling up volunteers. Our party was enthusiastic, and we whooped and hollered and clapped and stomped, and had a great time. The performers made a point of telling us how great a time THEY had with us there. Our friends had a great time!
At the end of the show we had the lobby for another little bit and this is when we ate our cake and hung out for a bit more before calling it a night. Well, we called it a night. I don’t know if our friends continued the party elsewhere….

The next morning AJ, Rahel, and I went to the county offices to do the legal stuff. This was mellow, and relaxed, and took far less time than I anticipated. Rahel was our witness.

Legalities:

Afterward, we took her to school, went to brunch with our officiant and Best Man, came home, and took a glorious nap.

So that’s it, we stood up and declared our love and commitment before our family, then before our friends, then in front of a representative of the state.

We’re married!

Now there are Thank you cards to write, and the waiting for the professional pictures. There are many more non-pro pictures, uploaded and downloaded from various cameras.

And the rest of our married lives to enjoy.