The Big Day

Today is the day. We have been planning this day for an entire year. All this hard word was about to pay off but first we still have quite of bit of stuff to do before 2pm. Both Harry and I got up early and finished up what we could around the house and waited for the rental place to drop off tables and such. He said he was going to be here between 8am and 10am. We pretty much finished everything we could do and had to wait.. seemed like forever but finally the guy showed up a little before 10am. He dropped off all the tables, chairs, table clothes and water pitchers. As soon as I saw the tables I had rented for the food and main table I knew we were in trouble. But as it was too late so Harry and I came up with a plan. Also we had ordered five black and four white table clothes but received nine black ones. He said he would exchange them but took about two hours to do so. We set up the tables with centerpieces, salt and pepper shakers, water pitchers, camera’s and chairs. At 11am Harry’s family showed up to help out with the preparations. We tried to set up some shade for the main and center table but after several failed attempts we gave up and instead pulled out an umbrella for the center table which gave it some shade. Around 11:30am my Dad, Brother and Sister-in-law Lora showed up to help with preparations. Also my replacement photographer showed up. His name is Alex and he was a lifesaver.

We placed the altar but it was so windy that it was about to fall over so we came up with a way of pushing it down into the ground and stabilizing it more. We put out cups, plates, spoons, knives, forks and napkins. The place looked fantastic and all we had left was putting up some sun blockers for the main tables and some starry plastic sheets on the patio ceiling.

Then the winds picked up again and spoons, plates, napkins, forks, knives and cups when flying. The tents almost blew over and everything was lying in the grass… we had an hour and a half till the wedding. We tried several times to put everything back in place but the wind kept fighting us and in the end we gave up and just placed everything in the center of the table which worked for the most part. Also the sun blockers that we put up kept blowing down so we gave up and figure we would have to sit in the hot sun.

As the time ticked away I had people putting up starry plastic on the ceiling of the patio. I had a co-worker running to the store to buy ice, toilet paper and beer. My bartender was MIA, he was suppose to be here at 1pm so we could go over things but so far he was missing and Harry and I were going over plans on where everyone was going to sit and how we were going to walk out.. it was craziness.

It was now 1:30pm and we had a half hour till the ceremony and people were starting to arrive and Harry and I were still setting up and haven’t taken showers or shaved. I made Harry get ready as I took care of a few more details. The food showed up around 1:45pm and there was a lot more then I had expected and of course the table was too small. We stacked the food up and hope it was make it until it was time to eat. It was now 2pm and I was still sweaty and not even close to being ready. People were arriving, my bartender was still MIA. And since people were coming from long distances they had to go to the bathroom and we have only one room so I couldn’t get in there to take a shower or shave. Finally at 2:15pm I was able to slip in and take a quick two-minute shower and shave. I went into the bedroom where both best men and Harry were getting dressed. I dressed as quickly as I could. While we were getting dressed my cake and cake maker was lost and was still a half-hour or so away. I couldn’t worry about that or anything else that didn’t get done. We finished getting dressed and headed to the kitchen to let them know we were ready.

We took a few pictures, a few deep breaths and began the ceremony. Bruce (Harry’s best man) and Christopher (My best man) walked out first. Then Harry and I walked out.

The ceremony went off without a hitch. Tom (our ordained minister) went above and beyond with a funny and sweet ceremony. I had written the words but Tom made them work.

After the ceremony we sat at our front table in the hot sun while the paparazzi took photos’.. at least that is what if felt like. Christopher and Bruce did their toast then Chuck (step dad) and Tom (friend/minister) did a few toasts. We announced lunch and prepared the table. Luckily Bruce, Christopher and Bernd helped out with setting up the food and also we forgot to put water in the pitchers which Christopher and Bruce took care of. They also handed out Champaign for the toasts.. so not only were they are Best men but waiters also.

After the toasts we did pictures with family and finally my missing bartender showed up. After pictures Harry and I changed out of our tuxes and put on shorts and our tux t-shirts and made our way to get some food. After we quickly ate we made our rounds to visit every table and thank every person who attended.

Once we did that it was time for cake. If you read my blog you know I had a hard time finding a cake maker. I had given my cake maker Tina an idea of what I wanted and when the cake was set up it was UNBELIAVLBE. Everyone got up and came over as they set up the cake and took pictures. I was blown away. Tina had gone above and beyond my expectations. She created Three Borg Ships and with the addition of my metal Enterprise they placed it in the middle of the battle. There were two chocolate cake with chocolate mousse filling and the other one was while cake with strawberry mousse filling. It was by far the best wedding cake I have ever seen. It was every Star Trek Fanatic’s dream cake. I have to admit it was so hard to actually cut the cake but once we did I couldn’t wait to taste it and it was not only the coolest cake but also the best tasting cake I had ever had. So we had cake and managed to save one entire Borg cube (which I’m going to try and preserve forever).

After cake we had planned dancing but with the weather being so hot folks pretty much just hung out under the tent and enjoyed ones company. We did dance a little to YMCA but other then that there wasn’t much dancing. Slow folks began to leave until it was just a core group of friends and family. And by the way our bartender disappeared. The final few people left around 9pm. Then Harry’s family and Harry and I cleaned up a bit as the rental person was coming in the morning to pick up the tables.

Even though things didn’t go as planned and there were a few issues we had to overcome I couldn’t have asked for a better ceremony.

Thanks to all those who helped with the entire process.

I would like to personally thank Christopher, not only did you honor me by being my best man but you made sure everything went smoothly even if it meant you were passing out water and champagne, you also managed to find me an awesome cake maker and photographer.

Bruce you honored Harry by being his best man and also stepped up by passing out water and champagne.

Maggie and Brian for helping out with decorations and running to the store.

Harry’s family (Gerda, Zita and Bernd) who helped with set up and clean up.

Alex for stepping in at the last minute and capturing some great moments.

Tina for making one of the best looking and tasting Star Trek cake that I have ever seen.

And of course Tom who went above and beyond as our ordained minister and turned our ceremony into a fun and sweet event.