Categories: uncategorized
Date: 28 February 2005 22:50:16
After forgetting the present, necessitating a rush back home, I arrived at the reception. The place was set up beautifully. All up, there were over 350 people. Not as big as the last wedding I attended [Cambodian; 650 people], but bigger than most weddings I attend.
I was at a table with nine other people from my parish. I really am blessed to have such great friends through the church. Due to various bad experiences in High School, I have a bit of a trust issue with people, and don't like them gettting too close, but bit by bit, by the grace of God, I'm opening up more. And there isn't a better group of people to open up to -- they are wonderful, loving people.
And crazy. Wonderfully crazy. Which suits me as I'm rather looney. ;-) We cheered and clapped whenever anyone we knew walked past, and we screamed their name, and watched them slink away, embarrassed, wishing the earth would swallow them up. And this was before the alcohol!
The entrance of the bridal party and groomsmen, and the bride and groom, was something to behold. The music started. Loud music. Very loud music. Did I mention it was loud? They had a band with great musicians; the drums in particular featured prominently. The couple certainly got a well-deserved welcome!
The dancing then begun. Unfortunately I've forgotten the names of the dances. They were very different from the waltzes, fox trots and tangos of the Western weddings I attend! S & N were hoisted up on people's shoulders and all joined in the dancing. It was very hard not too -- a very contagious beat and such a great event.
The food was delicious, and plentiful. A whole spread of Lebanese finger-food awaited us when we arrived, and dinner was infinitely satisfying. The red wine we had went down a treat too!
Our priest's daughter is in a school singing and dancing group, and they performed and provided some entertainment while we ate. Five very talented young girls.
The speeches were very moving, and very much from the heart. In a surprise exchange of gifts, N bought ostrich eggs for her and S, and S bought N a Jack Russell Terrier!
And then there was more dancing. Dancing until the late hours. A great time of joy and happiness.
Oh, and the bonbonniere handed out were lollies, together with an icon of the Wedding in Cana [similar to this one], made my some nuns at a monastery north of Sydney. A wonderful reminder of the joyous and blessed day.
God grant you many years, S & N! Many, many, years!