Year 8 Week 16 in the USA: The Wedding
25 April 2015 | Yosemite, California
Mary Margaret /Sunny
A week ago Thursday we left Southern California and arrived in Yosemite for our son’s wedding. The wedding was held at Tenaya Lodge. Oh my! We were so excited to see all of our families and friends. We arrived early afternoon and saw our son and Allison greeting friends and family! How neat was that! We saw Allison’s parents and their relatives. There were a 175 people coming to Yosemite to attend the weekend wedding. That is pretty impressive considering that it was a destination wedding. We spent Thursday welcoming and seeing our family and friends. Many were tired traveling far distances to come and spend this happy time with us. But we were blessed that we had a few more days to spend with everyone to try to catch up on our lives with each other.
Friday was another beautiful day! The weather in Yosemite was to die for! It was sunny and warm during the days and cool at night (50 degrees): perfect weather to sleep. We rested and prepared for our Welcome dinner that we were hosting Friday evening for the guests attending the wedding. The bridal party also was going to the church for the rehearsal for the next day’s wedding. The rehearsal was an experience that our children warned us about – meaning that personalities are always a “challenge”! Mine included! But both families bucked up and we laughed a lot! I have to say I am very grateful to have both Pat and Phil (Allison’s parents) as part of our new family because they were very gracious and kind to us. They also have a good sense of humor and it was fun to laugh during the wedding. We were a little late to the Welcome dinner, (the rehearsal ran late) but people went with the flow and enjoyed the wine and beer! The dinner party started and the food was great! Dave will post lots of pictures to this blog. Dave did a lovely welcome speech. We were so very happy that so many friends and family came to the wedding. It is one of the few times all the cousins and relatives can come together. It was such a happy time for everyone.
After dinner the fun began! Toasts were given to the “bride and groom”. It was hilarious! David Paul’s sisters, Heather and Christina, did a “skit toast” that they could take on the road it was so funny! Then David Paul’s good friends and groomsmen gave toasts to the happy couple. Now you should know that all of David Paul’s groomsmen he has known a minimum of three years (this is Allison’s brother-in-law) and most at least 20 years! Oh my goodness we were rolling on the floor with laughter! Allison’s bridesmaids also gave funny and lovely toasts to the bride and groom. It was wonderful! There was not a dry eye in the room! Only happy tears were allowed!!
Next David Paul and Allison gave their groomsmen and bridesmaids their gifts. The parents also received gifts from the couple that were very touching. We received a picture of David Paul and Allison with a beautiful poem and a pillow of the same picture for the boat! Awesome! I think Allison’s parents received the same only theirs was framed since they have a home to hang it in! Very cool! The evening was ended with a slide show that was put together by Allison’s sister about Allison and David Paul. It was put to music and was just wonderful! She was kind enough to give us a copy of it. We so look forward to watching it again with our friends since it brings back so many memories!
Saturday was the BIG day! Being Catholic (hence my name - Mary Margaret!) David Paul and Allison were having a wedding mass. The ceremony was at 1:00pm. After the mass we took family pictures and then went back to the lodge at Yosemite. While the bride and groom took pictures with the wedding party, we all got to have cocktails, appetizers (yummy) and got to mingle with all the guests. It was so much fun! We got to meet some of Allison’s extended family and are so happy to say they are lovely and our son is so lucky to be part of that family as well! Next the bridal/groom party was introduced and the party began! The DJ was fun and there were lots of children and the little ones that were included. The children were dancing on the floor before it was even announced! The bride and groom did their first dance, then the bride danced with her father and I got to dance with David Paul. It was great! I am so very happy DP is married but it is hard to realize that he is married! The dinner was served next and was terrific! Toasts were made by the father of the bride, matron of honor and groomsman. They were all touching and great toasts! Once again, laughter and happiness were the call words of the evening! Much more dancing was done along with mingling among the guests. It was so much fun to see and catch up with people who we have not seen in so very long. Dave will post more pictures of this special wedding party. We stayed to the end and danced when we could – I say “when we could” because the “kids” (all over 30!) dance WAYYYYY different than we do!! We were tired at the end to say the least!
The next day Sunday, we decided we were staying put! I was way too tired to move! We spent time with people who were also staying and relaxing and enjoying the beautiful scenery.
We left Monday to go to our friend’s, (Joe and Valerie) home in Las Vegas. Once again, we were treated to amazing food and wonderful company. I will write more about our stay but this is way too long already so… until we speak again….