Wedding Day

The wedding day is here, and we wake to sunny skies!  Unfortunately the winds are quite high, so Mary and George make the decision to hold the ceremony indoors.

The decorating team, led by Mitzy jumps into action in the morning at Waterman's restaurant.  The banquet space has a wall of windows overlooking the beach and ocean.  Although we will not have the wedding on the beach, we will still have the ambiance of the beach.  The table runners and center pieces are assembled.  The guys construct the arch.  The tea lights and other decorations are placed about, and shortly the banquet space is beautiful. 

The girls prepare in Mary's suite.  Donna, Mary's friend and hairdresser arrives.  Mom is first up, followed by Mary and then me.  In parallel, George's daughter Audra is doing make-up for Mary, Lynn and me.  While Donna is finishing up my hair Mary gets into her dress and Dee and my Mom begin the process of doing all the buttons.  I dash to my room, dress and then Mary, Lynn and I are driven to Waterman's.

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We assemble in back.  The minister calms our nerves by overviewing the ceremony then telling stories and jokes.  The music plays, the minister walks to the arch and my brothers escort Mom to the front of the room.  Then it's time for Lynn (maid of honor) followed by me (matron of honor) to walk up to front.  The music changes and my Dad escorts a smiling Mary to the arch and her beaming future husband.

Mary and George exchange vows with the sun and the surf behind them.  It is a beautiful ceremony.

Then it's party time.  There's a couple of speeches and a toast to the new bride and groom.  The key lime cheesecake wedding cake is cut.  The DJ cranks up the tunes and the dance floor fills. Food, drink and fun abound.

It has been a fantastic experience.  I wish Mary and George a happy life together and provide the following advice -  Be excellent to each other, and party on.