Wedding Day Bliss - Picture Overload

On Tuesday, Oct. 22^nd we woke up knowing that today would be the most scheduled we would have to be all week. The morning was pretty much free for whatever we wanted to do but come 1 o’clock, it was time to be organized. Bill and I were awake around 5:30 and by 6:15 I roused myself enough to finish posting my blog. Bill slept on as I slipped him a kiss goodbye and left the room at 6:30.

My walk along the beach Tuesday morning

There were quite a few clouds to the east of us yet I was hoping for some kind of sunrise today. I walked down to the beach and was rewarded not by sun but by some pretty awesome waves in the sea and beautiful cloud formations in the sky. As I was taking photos, I met up with Charlotte and Cory and then further down, Rose. She was sitting on the rock fence trying to capture the lightning flashes which were few and far between.

Rose and I getting the best of the early morning

After sitting together for a while, we parted ways and I made my wavering way back to our room. Bill was up and reading blogs on his laptop so I made a pot of coffee for us. I’m not particular about the taste of coffee, neither is Bill, so with milk/coffeemate and Splenda we were good. They don’t have creamer here and we’re not really sure why that is. By 8:30 we were dressed and had decided on going to LaCosta for breakfast again.

This is where the ceremony will be held later today

Charlotte, Cory, Rose, Sandy, Yvonne, Dennis, Krystal and Matt had already eaten and were just about to leave. The kids went to Akumal lobby to book 8 of us for a bus trip into town to a ‘flea’ market and tequila bar. That is tomorrow morning’s plan. We agreed to meet at the pool where they wanted to go and were able to snag 8 chairs near the White Sands bar.

Easton goes to the beach before the big event

Drinks were still served and although still early – at 10:30 I ordered a Mimosa and later a Mud Slide while Bill had a couple of Miami Vice. 

White Sands Bar right beside us

There were some rain showers while we sat there but we were going to be in the pool anyway so what did it matter? There was no storm activity to scare us off. We read our books and a bit later Jess, Matt and Easton arrived. He loves the water so was in a few times with Dad, Grandpa and Aunts Yvonne, Charlotte and Krystal.

Grandpa's turn swimming with Easton

The kids went to play beach volleyball but this was not something Bill and I had any plan for. Jess’s friend, Kelly, fell making a shot so needed minor medical attention. We all teased her over a knee scrape for all the attention she got. Quite an ordeal! The resort needs to be sure that the customer doesn’t come back on them, I guess. 

All dressed, somewhere to go

 Eventually, we all separated. Jess and Charlotte were getting their hair done, I think, and left and then Bill and I headed back to our room around 12:30 as well.

The staff hadn’t cleaned our room yet but Bill stretched out on the bed anyway and I started my post. 

Just being cutsey

By 1 pm, she tapped on the door so we moved to the seating area and let her do her thing. We each needed a shower, maybe a snooze and then something light to eat. The wedding ceremony was at 4 and reception not until 5:30 so we’d need something in our stomachs. When our room was cleaned, we walked to the Adults Only restaurant by the pool.

And this little guy has his suspenders and hat on too

Buenos dias, Ola, por favor, de nada, mucho gracia – we are trying to remember the small words to be as courteous as possible. We dressed in our ‘finest’ and all guests met at a gazebo up on the hill near the beach. When ready, we all walked down the steps to our seats under the pergola. It was a beautiful setting, the feared rain forecast was a myth and the breezed coming off the water was wonderful! The ceremony was lovely with a couple of nervous chuckles amongst the vows.

Jess and Matt's friend, Kelly, gets first aid treatment from beach
volleyball
But she scored the point!

Waiting for the bridal party

Now, we can tease Jess that it is a second marriage. Ha ha, remember the one in Ontario in September?  Jess looked absolutely gorgeous and actually so did all of us family and friends. After wedding photos to match Jess’s list request, this time taken by her best friend Kelly and her spouse. There was a small covered gazebo at the bottom of the hill where 3 bartenders had set up a fully stocked bar and some appetizers for us to munch on.

Charlotte, sister of the bride - Maid of Honor

Mr. & Mrs. Flessati 

Dad and Step Mom of the bride

At my request, a picture with Jess

On the trolley to the reception

When we were shuttled to Tulum lobby, another accessible resort to us, we had a great dinner. Bill and I sat at a table for 6 with Matt’s father, step mom, step sister and her husband. It was a nice opportunity for us to get to know them. The meal was a salad bar, grilled vegetables and rodizio. 

Reception area - We only used 4 tables plus head table
The rest was open to other resort customers

Rodizio is where they bring huge skewers of meat around to your table. Chicken, pork, ham, lamb, sausage and beef, oh my. Even though you receive only small portions, add in the alcohol being served and salad and you get sated very quickly.

For dessert we had cheesecake and wedding cake. The latter of which I passed on. Instead, I had a Disorono on ice. We went from there back on the trolley to the Akumal reception room. 

The reception servers with Matt's b.i.l. Federico

Cory, the brides b.i.l. was the Master of Ceremony

We were greeted with blue champagne and speeches and toasts took place before the music started and for 2 hours, we danced and drank. 

Dad and daughter dancing to Tim McGraw's
My Little Girl

We enjoyed ourselves and around 10:30, Bill and I walked home to our room. The days have been very full here which is great. Some things were necessary and others because we want to do them (like beaching and eating and pooling).

There was a lot of this going down

Blog writing is not a priority and I know you all understand that. Today had hiccups for Jess, Matt and the wedding party but it was all bearable with the support and assistance of family and friends. The happy couple had a great day and Baby Easton, can’t forget him, was so well behaved the whole day long.

I love this picture
Good night, sorry for the delayed post!

I hope you enjoyed your Tuesday. Thank you for joining us!

Cold Symptoms Gone! Daughter's Wedding in Advance of Cancun

The Ridge

On Sunday, Sept. 15^th the important thing on our agenda today was a wedding. Bill’s youngest daughter, Jessica, was tying the knot with her love, Matt. This is the real thing, with the Cancun wedding in October being symbolic only. With that in mind, I was thrilled last night and this morning that all remnants of my cold had disappeared. Bill thought he was on the receiving end but after a Tylenol Cold pill before bed, he woke up feeling great too.

A nice little area set up for the ceremony

The weather was giving us cause for concern since it was an outdoor wedding, in the back yard of their friend’s home in St. Mary’s. We checked the forecast and it looked like rain for much of the day specifically around 3 o’clock when the ceremony was taking place. Not good. It is good luck if you have rain ON your wedding day, which Bill and I did for ours, but not necessarily if it rains on your head during the ceremony!

Prior to ceremony, a black movement through the corn field

We weren’t in a rush so had a decent breakfast of bacon and eggs for the first time in a long time. This was a small wedding which started out smaller than it ended up with 19 total attendance. It also wasn’t a fancy wedding, instead being dress casual. You know me, I like dressing up but I restricted my outfit as much as I could and as it turns out, the palazzo pants and top fit in perfectly with what others chose.

And then Rosie lifted her head, Kenna's lab was having a hey day!
she was so fun to watch her play before Kenna had to bring her in

Jess had asked me to be their photographer so nothing like putting the pressure on my big Canon. Bill offered me his but it is bigger, heavier and I’m not as used to it as I’d like before accepting the challenge. I didn’t plan on taking many pictures with sky in the background so I could clean up dust spots later. I think they'll be fine. We left home around 12:15 figuring that would allow us plenty of time. It was an hour and a half to two-hour drive. We took our time and even made a stop part way for a 20 minute rest to kill time.

A teary-eyed Charlotte with her little sister
Such beautiful smiles!

Most everyone was there when we arrived with the minister and some friends following soon after. The day went off without a hitch! It was a beautiful spot for a backyard ceremony and I hopped here and there doing my best to capture the moments for Jess. She had a list of ‘key’ pictures she wanted before, during and after the ceremony, Bill read them off to me and gathered the guests for their photos. Jess made a beautiful bride, naturally, she is her Father’s child! 😊 Charlotte, her sister, and Katie, her best friend, were maid of honour and bridesmaid respectively.

As Dad prepared to walk her around to the archway

Here comes the Bride!
I love this picture

Kenna, Kaitie and Dave hosted a wonderful afternoon and after a fill of burgers, pulled pork, veggies, fruit and salad it was time to cut the cake. If you were wondering what Baby Easton was up to the whole time, well, what do good babies do? He slept prior to and while Jess got dressed. 

resting up for the big event

so serious!!

sawing little logs again

He sat in Uncle Cory’s arms while his parents exchanged vows, sat with Uncle Tom during supper and then slept through the cutting of the cake. Such a good little guy! The weather co-operated beautifully and even though dark clouds circled, not a drop fell to dampen the day.

The money shot

The happy newlyweds

Jess, Matt and Easton
with both sets of parents
Sandy, Jess's Mom on the right

The wedding party
L to R: Kaitie, Charlotte, Jess, Matt, Tom (Matt's brother), Dave

The sky all around us

But the sun braved through the clouds

Aside from the bride, the next attraction was my son-in-law's
colourful socks
He's a young man after my own heart

The table of food and the minister

Everythig was yummy

including the cake

 We said goodbyes and headed home around 7, arriving at the Ridge just before 9. We only made one stop on the way home, at the FS just outside of Millbank to synchronize our new phones to the Rav4. That went successfully and later, we’ll do the same in Black Beauty. I was tired out and after sitting with Bill for an hour watching NCIS L.A. (I think), I went to bed. Couldn’t even wait for it to end at 10. I know I dropped off really quickly.

I think we're a wee bit happy! :)

What a wonderful day welcoming Mr., Mrs. And Baby Easton Flessati into the family well, good and proper. I hope you had a great day as well.

Congratulations you three!

Thank you for stopping in. Apologies for the many pictures but I restrained myself very well.