The wedding today was right out of a brides book or a romantic novel. Blue sky, white sand, blue water with shimmering crashing waves. The flowers, the candles, the dresses, the food, the table linens, the champagne flutes, the ambiance and beautiful villa and of course the attractive wedding party and beaming parents!
Ian shuttled the girls over at 1, returned shuttled the men over at 2, returned and shuttled the parents and grandparents over at 3. The vans came for the guests at 4 and I looked around and saw Ian running through the lobby in his shorts and t shirt. He had returned to get the father of the grooms pants because he forgot them, (4 trips in ALL) and he still had not showered. He was not frazzled.
Three vans took 20 guests each with big comfy seats and air conditioning. about a 20 min ride. Everyone was in party mode. When we arrived at the villa we had to go through a flower garden to a turret type entrance with a wide tall doored arch way and were met by waiters with aqua freska a refreshing non alcoholic drink of cucumber mint lime and water.
It certainly was the WOW factor as you looked out over the Sea of Cortez with the crashing waves. We were met by the parents of the bride and groom and there was mingling of guests. Then we were instructed to go down a winding stair case to the beach. They had a wooden boardwalk as an aisle and comfy bamboo chairs set up facing the ocean with an wedding arch. I sat at the back and got a video of everyone coming down the aisle. They came down the aisle to Somewhere Over the Rainbow. Karen and Nicole cried. Plus I took a video of the vows. They did who gives away the bride. Ian was so proud of his beautiful daughter Kristen. The wedding gown was elegant and spectacular and so fitting for Kristen’s size 0. Warren wore a tan silk suit and the groomsmen wore flip flops, khakis and blue shirts from Banana Republic. There was a ring bearer carrying a shell, (Nicole and the best man Andy had the real rings as they were afraid he might loose them in the sand) and a flower girl sprinkling flower petals. The minister said beautiful words they kissed and then we had a receiving line on the beach. The song leaving the arch was Today’s Going to be a Good Day – the Oprah song and the wedding party danced their way past the guests and the guests danced their way out of their seats. All very fun. The photographer took a group picture and then everyone came up to the terraces for wine / spirits and there was servers with appetizers. Lots of hugs and pictures. Then the photographer took the family to the garden to take group pictures with a green and floral background. As the sun was setting the wedding party went to the beach for creative shots. Guests were asked to stay up top so I could not get the really good magic shots I was hoping for. The photographer and assistant said it was the most elegant wedding they have shot and the bride and groom were so photogenic. She did not have to pose them as they knew the poses they wanted and acted like top models. When I was talking to her she said the pictures will look amazing and she wants to use them on their web page.
After pictures they gathered on the steps and champagne was passed out for the toasting. Ian gave a speech and got all teary emotional and had to stop many times. Karen stood by him for support. He got mad at himself for getting all blubbery but it was very touching and you could feel the love their family has do for each other. Ian welcomed Warren into the McDonald family then the Dublonkos welcomed Karen into their family. Ian started to read the Bako’s telegram and had to stop as he got choked up and Warren came forward and read it for him. Very sweet.
Then the meal was served. Karen called it a taco bar but it was bbq chicken beef tortillas, salsa fixing beans salad . All very authentic and delicious. The Dj started the first dance – country song not sure the name but very romantic? Very lovely tender embracing dancing. Then the beats got giggy and the dance floor was hopping all night long.
At dusk they cut the wedding cake. It was a red velvet 3 tiered cake. very simple and very delicious (all cake)!
There was an open bar with premium liquors, beer, bottled water, wine and champagne. Lots of mingling in the various seating areas and fire pit. The first van took people back at 11 I left on the 12 midnight bus with Ian and Karen and the young people stayed till 1:30.
I settled into my room nicely then was woken up by a mariachi band going through the grounds with another wedding party and all the guests followed behind the wedding couple cheering and holding candles glow sticks and torches. Every exciting to watch from my balcony in my pjs.
I had the black out drapes closed and woke up at 930 for breakfast. I ate with the Dublonko relatives and had the hot chocolate Eileen had told me about. yum!!!. Ian and Karen were off to the villa to check out and settle up with the grounds keeper wedding planner and caterer.
After I send this off I am going over to the Mega store to get a hat then off to the pool.
Tom it truly was an elegant wedding, classy and full of very nice young people who were very warm to the 50+ crowd. I am so glad i came. Post updated with my own photos.
