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The Wedding
Jul. 22nd, 2004 04:36 pmWith the events of this past weekend, we made it through the last major (as in scheduled more than 3 days in advance) event of the summer of 2004. Now, I can finally enjoy the summer as it should be enjoyed by all unemployed bums in the world - by doing things on the spur of the moment.
The wedding was the marriage of Derek's older brother, Herb, and his new wife, Jessie. We had an awesome time. Really, we just went along to enjoy ourselves. Jessie's parents are amazing hosts and planners, and everything went so smoothly.
We left the house Friday morning at 4:50 am. We woke up at 4, which wouldn't have been nearly as painful if we'd gone to bed before 1. We were very dim and went to TKD on Thurs, meaning D. had to pack and dye his hair and send all the emails to the folks who were looking after DWACS after 10:30 when we got home from Waterloo. Yes, we are stupid. We know.
Anyway, the Red Car service picked us up at 10 to 5. Then we picked up the other people who booked for that day. We were worried that we slowed them down when we made them wait while we closed windows and D. tied his shoes. These other folks, however. Swear to god, the 'dad' of the family hadn't packed yet. We waited 15 minutes for them. We finally left Guelph about 5:30. We were at the airport at 6. I slept in the van (of course) but we made amazing time. Our flight was at 8. So we got our boarding passes - no line, went through security and customs - about 15 minutes of line, got a bite of breakfast - about 20 minutes of line and eating, went over to the satellite terminal at T3 - about 5 minutes drive, and waited for an hour and 20 minutes before we could board the plane.
We flew through Cincinnati, and waited in that airport for 2 hours before we could get on the plane to BWI. At BWI, we waited 30 minutes for the shuttle to the hotel, and it took 30 minutes to get to the hotel. So we arrived at the Pier V Hotel at 1:30. All we wanted to do was check in and sleep until we had to meet everyone for the rehearsal. The room wasn't ready. We weren't happy, but the check in time was 3, so we understood. We put our bags in the bellman's closet and wandered around the area for a bit, but after about 45 minutes, we were exhausted, so we went back and hung out in the lobby. At least it was air-conditioned. At 3, we asked. We were told to give housekeeping 20 minutes. At 3:20, we asked. We were told to give them more time. We were very upset by this point, but too freaking tired to complain. Herb showed up with his parents about this time. They'd arrived around 9, and been toured around until check-in. Their room wasn't ready either. Herb's was, but he waited with us. Finally, at about 4 we got up to our rooms. We had to meet everyone back downstairs by 5 for the rehearsal. So D. got 45 minutes sleep. I watched the clock and freshened up, making do with the sleep I got on the planes. (D. doesn't sleep in moving vehicles. I don't understand it. I sleep even if I'm supposed to be driving. I've been like that since I was a baby.)
Anyway, we met the wedding party and the planner downstairs. They did a quick run through of who walks when, but there was no Rabbi (Jessie's Jewish) so we didn't really have a full idea of what was going on, but it worked. D. was in the wedding party, but I wasn't so I took pictures.
After the rehearsal we piled in the cars and went to the rehearsal dinner at Jessie's parents' place. They have a beautiful home, and the pool was awesome. It gave us a chance to really talk to some of the people that we'd be spending the weekend with. Herb and Jessie's friends were awesome, so friendly and welcoming and fun. The food was awesome, the speeches were short and funny, I went for a swim, 'cause that's what I do. Most everyone else just dangled their feet, but there were at least four of us who actually swam. Eventually it started winding down. At about 10 to 12 we left with Herb. We got back to the hotel at 12:30.
On Saturday, we got to sleep in until 8. That's when housekeeping knocked on the door to do the room. So the day before, they couldn't clean 'til almost 4, but the next day, they wanted us out at 8? Let's just say, we were a little disgruntled. And I have learned the value of the Privacy sign.
After that, we dozed a bit longer, then Herb called to see what we wanted to do that day. We had until 4 - that's when the pictures were scheduled for. So we hooked up with Herb and his parents and wandered around a bit, went for crabs (I had salad) at about 1:30, and got back to the hotel around 2:30. Herb had to check out of his room by 12:30, so we had his stuff in our room. D. and Herb got ready in our room and left for pictures. I got ready after they left and went down to watch the pictures at quarter to 5. I ended up being in the Wong family shots - something about being D.'s girlfriend for the last decade, I guess! At 6 they signed the wedding contract, the ceremony was at 6:30, the drinking and eating started by 7. All the food was amazing, hors d'oeuvres on the deck, then dinner at about 8. I had lobster ravioli, asparagus salad and fillet mignon. The other choices were salmon and vegetarian. Once the drinking and dancing got started, though, it all kind of blurs. I know I had a good time, we danced, we talked, all the stuff you do at a good party. I remember Herb getting every Canadian on the dance floor to dance to Home for a Rest - the Unofficial Anthem. At about 10 to midnight Jessie pulled us all in for the last 2 dances. It was early, so we got rid of the old folks, then headed to a bar. No one bothered to change (I'd actually changed at about 11, I couldn't stand the heels and nylons anymore, but I was still dressed up.) We hung out at the bar (the James Joyce, I highly recommend it) until 2, then found cabs and rolled into bed. Sounds like an awesome night? It really was.
The next morning we were up about 9. I'd remembered to put out the privacy sign, but there was a brunch at 10. We got food (neither of us were hungover, but Olivia wasn't so lucky.) We giggled quietly about the bacon and sausage on the brunch table, considering the bride was Jewish, but it was really delicious, so we took full advantage.
We'd checked out, putting our bags back in the bellman's closet, before brunch, so after we wandered a bit. We kept running into Joey and Wendy (the MC and his girlfriend), who were easy to recognize because of the shiny black accordion on Joey's back. Then we ran into Steve and Cathy (groomsman and his wife) and wandered around with them for a couple of hours. The shops in the area were very touristy and expensive, which was disappointing, but I did get a nice cardigan to keep me warm on the flight home. Cathy and I each bought one, so we looked identical. We said goodbye to them around 3, grabbed our bags, called the craziest cabbie in the world (he talked a lot, about nothing. He was really, absolutely insane, in the sense of needing drugs. It was a little odd.) Got to the airport at 3:30ish, I think. Got our boarding passes and headed for security. (Unlike Pearson, once you get your boarding passes you didn't go back into the security area. It was very pre-9/11.) On our way, we saw Steve and Cathy again, waiting in the Southwest line. I still can't figure out how they made such good time going to the airport, especially since they stopped at the ginormous Barnes and Noble beforehand. I guess it's just me that can't leave a bookstore for at least an hour. Who knew? Once again, we spent more hours in multiple airports (we flew through Cincinnati again) than actually in the air. We were 90 minutes late getting to Pearson. We were both freaking exhausted by the time we got to Kevin and Dee-anne in Arrivals. They weren't real pleased either. We'd called about the first delay, but we were on board for the second one, so we couldn't call, and they didn't know there's a phone number to call to find out about delays and stuff, so they spent a long, boring time in the airport. It was insanely crowded too. Every time I've picked up Mom and Dad it's been pretty tame. There must have been 300 people waiting around the Arrivals area this time.
Anyway, we had a good time, we're home safe, and now we get to enjoy the rest of the summer. Yay!
The wedding was the marriage of Derek's older brother, Herb, and his new wife, Jessie. We had an awesome time. Really, we just went along to enjoy ourselves. Jessie's parents are amazing hosts and planners, and everything went so smoothly.
We left the house Friday morning at 4:50 am. We woke up at 4, which wouldn't have been nearly as painful if we'd gone to bed before 1. We were very dim and went to TKD on Thurs, meaning D. had to pack and dye his hair and send all the emails to the folks who were looking after DWACS after 10:30 when we got home from Waterloo. Yes, we are stupid. We know.
Anyway, the Red Car service picked us up at 10 to 5. Then we picked up the other people who booked for that day. We were worried that we slowed them down when we made them wait while we closed windows and D. tied his shoes. These other folks, however. Swear to god, the 'dad' of the family hadn't packed yet. We waited 15 minutes for them. We finally left Guelph about 5:30. We were at the airport at 6. I slept in the van (of course) but we made amazing time. Our flight was at 8. So we got our boarding passes - no line, went through security and customs - about 15 minutes of line, got a bite of breakfast - about 20 minutes of line and eating, went over to the satellite terminal at T3 - about 5 minutes drive, and waited for an hour and 20 minutes before we could board the plane.
We flew through Cincinnati, and waited in that airport for 2 hours before we could get on the plane to BWI. At BWI, we waited 30 minutes for the shuttle to the hotel, and it took 30 minutes to get to the hotel. So we arrived at the Pier V Hotel at 1:30. All we wanted to do was check in and sleep until we had to meet everyone for the rehearsal. The room wasn't ready. We weren't happy, but the check in time was 3, so we understood. We put our bags in the bellman's closet and wandered around the area for a bit, but after about 45 minutes, we were exhausted, so we went back and hung out in the lobby. At least it was air-conditioned. At 3, we asked. We were told to give housekeeping 20 minutes. At 3:20, we asked. We were told to give them more time. We were very upset by this point, but too freaking tired to complain. Herb showed up with his parents about this time. They'd arrived around 9, and been toured around until check-in. Their room wasn't ready either. Herb's was, but he waited with us. Finally, at about 4 we got up to our rooms. We had to meet everyone back downstairs by 5 for the rehearsal. So D. got 45 minutes sleep. I watched the clock and freshened up, making do with the sleep I got on the planes. (D. doesn't sleep in moving vehicles. I don't understand it. I sleep even if I'm supposed to be driving. I've been like that since I was a baby.)
Anyway, we met the wedding party and the planner downstairs. They did a quick run through of who walks when, but there was no Rabbi (Jessie's Jewish) so we didn't really have a full idea of what was going on, but it worked. D. was in the wedding party, but I wasn't so I took pictures.
After the rehearsal we piled in the cars and went to the rehearsal dinner at Jessie's parents' place. They have a beautiful home, and the pool was awesome. It gave us a chance to really talk to some of the people that we'd be spending the weekend with. Herb and Jessie's friends were awesome, so friendly and welcoming and fun. The food was awesome, the speeches were short and funny, I went for a swim, 'cause that's what I do. Most everyone else just dangled their feet, but there were at least four of us who actually swam. Eventually it started winding down. At about 10 to 12 we left with Herb. We got back to the hotel at 12:30.
On Saturday, we got to sleep in until 8. That's when housekeeping knocked on the door to do the room. So the day before, they couldn't clean 'til almost 4, but the next day, they wanted us out at 8? Let's just say, we were a little disgruntled. And I have learned the value of the Privacy sign.
After that, we dozed a bit longer, then Herb called to see what we wanted to do that day. We had until 4 - that's when the pictures were scheduled for. So we hooked up with Herb and his parents and wandered around a bit, went for crabs (I had salad) at about 1:30, and got back to the hotel around 2:30. Herb had to check out of his room by 12:30, so we had his stuff in our room. D. and Herb got ready in our room and left for pictures. I got ready after they left and went down to watch the pictures at quarter to 5. I ended up being in the Wong family shots - something about being D.'s girlfriend for the last decade, I guess! At 6 they signed the wedding contract, the ceremony was at 6:30, the drinking and eating started by 7. All the food was amazing, hors d'oeuvres on the deck, then dinner at about 8. I had lobster ravioli, asparagus salad and fillet mignon. The other choices were salmon and vegetarian. Once the drinking and dancing got started, though, it all kind of blurs. I know I had a good time, we danced, we talked, all the stuff you do at a good party. I remember Herb getting every Canadian on the dance floor to dance to Home for a Rest - the Unofficial Anthem. At about 10 to midnight Jessie pulled us all in for the last 2 dances. It was early, so we got rid of the old folks, then headed to a bar. No one bothered to change (I'd actually changed at about 11, I couldn't stand the heels and nylons anymore, but I was still dressed up.) We hung out at the bar (the James Joyce, I highly recommend it) until 2, then found cabs and rolled into bed. Sounds like an awesome night? It really was.
The next morning we were up about 9. I'd remembered to put out the privacy sign, but there was a brunch at 10. We got food (neither of us were hungover, but Olivia wasn't so lucky.) We giggled quietly about the bacon and sausage on the brunch table, considering the bride was Jewish, but it was really delicious, so we took full advantage.
We'd checked out, putting our bags back in the bellman's closet, before brunch, so after we wandered a bit. We kept running into Joey and Wendy (the MC and his girlfriend), who were easy to recognize because of the shiny black accordion on Joey's back. Then we ran into Steve and Cathy (groomsman and his wife) and wandered around with them for a couple of hours. The shops in the area were very touristy and expensive, which was disappointing, but I did get a nice cardigan to keep me warm on the flight home. Cathy and I each bought one, so we looked identical. We said goodbye to them around 3, grabbed our bags, called the craziest cabbie in the world (he talked a lot, about nothing. He was really, absolutely insane, in the sense of needing drugs. It was a little odd.) Got to the airport at 3:30ish, I think. Got our boarding passes and headed for security. (Unlike Pearson, once you get your boarding passes you didn't go back into the security area. It was very pre-9/11.) On our way, we saw Steve and Cathy again, waiting in the Southwest line. I still can't figure out how they made such good time going to the airport, especially since they stopped at the ginormous Barnes and Noble beforehand. I guess it's just me that can't leave a bookstore for at least an hour. Who knew? Once again, we spent more hours in multiple airports (we flew through Cincinnati again) than actually in the air. We were 90 minutes late getting to Pearson. We were both freaking exhausted by the time we got to Kevin and Dee-anne in Arrivals. They weren't real pleased either. We'd called about the first delay, but we were on board for the second one, so we couldn't call, and they didn't know there's a phone number to call to find out about delays and stuff, so they spent a long, boring time in the airport. It was insanely crowded too. Every time I've picked up Mom and Dad it's been pretty tame. There must have been 300 people waiting around the Arrivals area this time.
Anyway, we had a good time, we're home safe, and now we get to enjoy the rest of the summer. Yay!
