Wedding Weekend [part 2]

The pictures and other wedding preparations went well. The weather was clear and pleasant. Somehow Kari got a little something on her dress, but she was able to hide it in the pictures and on the stage during the ceremony. She looked really great!

Paz and I killed time hanging out with Luke and Artie while guests collected in the foyer; we just waited for Pam to give us the green light on the front door. After we sat all the guests, we walked our families to their VIP seats without incident until Mom and I (the last two to sit before Allison walked down the aisle with our Dad). The candles were precarious to begin with but, when first when Mom sat down and again when I sat down in the pew, the candle teetered and fell. I picked up the first time and set it back, but then it fell again and Jenny lunged to catch it mid-air; everyone applauded.

Then the music changed and Allison and Dad began to walk down the aisle. Chris fought back tears; Ken (his Dad couldn’t hold ‘em). John Sharpe led them through a nice ceremony and Laila and Katrina Sharpe shared a very nice song. Then everyone was excited to celebrate! Luke and I were privileged enough to join the wedding party in the Party Bus where we shared champagne on the way to Washington Park for more pictures. It was warm and everyone was beautiful. I had a minute to chat with the driver and he shared about how he had taken a rowdy bunch across the border to Whistler the night before and he hadn’t fully rested or recovered; I think he was glad to drop us off at the Bellevue Westin.

Since I had previously checked in, I was able to head straight to the ballroom. Luke and I setup camp at the bride & grooms table so Kari and Michelle would know where to find us after they were formally presented and announced I into the room. We had some drinks and chatted for a bit before they cut the cake. Then, dinner was served before the speeches began. Chris’ best man Jake said some very nice things about how anyone of the groomsmen could’ve been in his shoes. I especially appreciated how he confessed that their group of friends was not easy to gain acceptance into. He did a really great job.

Michelle had been stressing about her speech the entire night. But when it came to her turn, she knocked it out of the park! She was funny and kind and ‘amazing’ (. The moms and dads all shared a few words too, then the dancing began… (what happened on the dance floor stays on the dance floor).

We’re all very excited for Chris and Allie and wish them a wonderful time in Bora Bora!