Ed's Big Day

Today is a day to remember. My close college friend, Ed, got married at The Point in San Jose (http://www.thepoint.cc/). I've waited a long time for this day. Aside from his high school girlfriend, I've never seem/heard Ed dated any other girls. He has waited a long time to find that someone special. I'm glad he's found Anna who shares the same beliefs and interest as him. (They even did a short-term missionary trip a month before their wedding. How many ppl can do that prior to their wedding). I wish them the best. May God bless them and be the center of their marriage.

July 14, Wedding Rehearsal and Rehearsal/Helper Dinner
Mike and I got to the church at 6PM to help with setting up. Judy and Howard were in disagreement with the buffet table layout. They went from U-shape to L-shape then back to (sort of) U-shape. Next the table covers were too small. Had to be pretty creative to finally cover enough to make it presentable. To help smooth things on the wedding day, we labeled each table space to prevent confusion (good thing we did 'cuz the food came late and there was no time to determine where things should go). Finally, the cake table: the table cover was way too small. What's the fix? Use three rectangular ones to make the long skirt and the round one to lay over it. It turned out really nice.

Now, on to dinner, 40 minutes later than expected.

The rehearsal/helper dinner was at China Stix in Santa Clara. There were a total of 6 tables with families and friends. The food was really good (mostly seafood). The highlight was when our table decided to prep the soon-to-be newly weds the wedding tradition, ringing the wine glasses to get them to kiss. Everyone joined in, the noise getting louder but the couple just won't kiss. At the end, I think Ed kissed Anna on the cheek (looked away when that happened). We got home late and the next morning we had to get up early to help setup at the church.

July 15, The Wedding Day
We got to the church ~9AM. Judy and Chao just started rolling out the tables. With most of the helpers having to go with the groom last minute to play pick-up-the-bride games (Chinese tradition), only 4 of us set up 12 tables and 120 chairs. By the time we were done, ppl were starting to show up. The bride and the groom showed up while we were trying to locate the wedding cake delivery guy (left 1 1/2 hr. from S.F.). I'm glad it arrived in time. The centerpieces arrived and we were set.

Most of the expected 270 guests showed up and could not have been disappointed. It was a cloudless, pretty day atop the hills of south San Jose. Anna came in white with a touch of peach in the back, and with a beautiful veil; Ed came along nice and trim like the guest of honor he is (Yeah, this is the bride's day and the groom is just a special guest). The processional was accompanied by harp. The ceremony was solemn and the message meaningful, but before you know it, they were announced husband and wife! Ed, please kiss the bride (not on the cheek again)!

After the ceremony, the helpers were 1st to take pictures w/the new couple before heading out to finalize setting up the remaining 15 tables and 150 chairs, then get ready to serve food. This time round, we had all the helpers, so it was much quicker. The catered food came in time for the 1st round of guests showing up at the buffet table. Once we started, there was no stopping 'til everyone was served an hour late. There weren't much food left for the helpers. (Should have put aside food for us, helpers.) Thanks to Winchell for setting aside some last minute; otherwise, we would barely have any to eat. Most of the seats were taken at this time, so we ate by the kitchen (interesting experience). The food was very good - Chinese, Thai and Vegetarian. But the most popular line was over at the chocolate fondue table. Anything tastes good with melted chocolate - marshmallows, bananas, strawberries, grapes, pineapples, thumbs and pinkies...

Winchell did a really good job with the best-man's speech. Growing up together, Winchell claimed Ed can't live w/out him, and ended up finding a girl version of him in Anna...LOL.

Once again the troublemakers started banging to get the newly weds to kiss. I think the couples knew this would happen, so they used plastic cups and utensils during the reception. We had to find whatever that can make noise with. Took awhile before they did another kiss to the cheek (hey, you guys are husband and wife now...where are the French kisses?). Cake cutting and wine toasting were next; all helpers were busy again cutting and passing out the cake. By the time we were done, all the mocha slices were gone (only 25% were mocha flavor). Wonder why Ed didn't get all mocha.

What's a wedding w/out playing tricks with the couple? Helen got a cardboard drawn with a lip-less face and had the groom kiss the bride's lips then kiss the cardboard face (the lipstick from Anna would transfer to Ed to allow him to make a lip onto the cardboard face). But since nowadays ppl seal their lipstick to prevent smearing, the cardboard face still only had a faded lip shape even after 5-6 tries. That's okay. The purpose was to get them to kiss the proper way (lip to lip). We achieved it!

Cleanup time! The guests were still around taking pictures, mingling around the cake table or just chatting at the tables. Some ppl were pretty nice to lend a hand. Some were insensitive saying things like "are these chairs for us to sit or for them to put away?" (Hello! We only have ~1/2 hr. to cleanup and put everything away.) And the amount of trash ppl left behind. =( Most ppl just left them on the tables. I've never dressed so nice and had to clean up. It's definitely a once in a lifetime experience.

Upon completion, it was past the 3PM deadline. All tired and exhausted from the heat (90s), we finally were able to take photos with the newlyweds (too bad by this time the cake table was gone). After giving the finally blessing and congrats, we were on our way to Judy's place to drop off the gifts before heading home for a nice nap. Zzz.......

What a small. world. I bumped into Bonnie, an old friend from my S.F. church I haven't seem for yrs. Turned out she met the groom 2-3 yrs. ago thru one of my college roommates, Suzanne. Really nice to see her again. She's a new mom with a 5 month old baby boy.