This last weekend, I went to yet another wedding. This time, it was for a coworker. The ceremony was beautiful: set in the Rotunda at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco and I would have enjoyed more than just the vows had I not left as late as I did from Davis. I thought..."It is at 1:00 P.M., so I'll leave at 11:15...that should be enough time.". But, as it would happen, I forgot about S.F. traffic...how could I forget about that? When I got there, I did not immediately see anyone I knew (beside the couple). It was very serene and I felt bad with every step as I could have sworn every twig could be heard snap under my feet. After the ceremony was over, I saw Jennifer Wilderman, another coworker and friend and soon saw her husband, Terry and her son, Christopher. We congratulated the happy couple and went off to eat some lunch. I dragged them to the Metreon where we ate greasy Buckhorn food...haha...no offense to the restaurant, but it is really greasy. The walk was a healthy one; the only exercise I had gotten for the day.
We eventually ended up at the Canton Restaurant where we had parked earlier and found our table and sat and talked until the reception started. While we were waiting, Genevieve and Andrew did the traditional chinese tea ceremony for their parents. She had changed into a red chinese dress for the occasion; reminded me of the one my mom showed me she wore at her wedding. I like it when couples are willing to try other traditions and really put honest effort into it. It makes the ceremony so much more exciting and appealing and "new," in a way. The meal consisted of 9 courses, the best of which, I thought, was the smoked sea bass...yumm. Christopher was excited the entire time, but found a friend...that was great. He tried to learn chopsticks and such, but I don't think he quite got that it takes both sticks..but, can I really have such high expectations for two year olds? Anyway, there was no one else at our table, so we got full fast. The courses had to be stacked on top of each other.
The best man made a speech and it was very exciting, albeit a bit long. I find it interesting that half the weddings I've been to this year have had only the best man speak and the other half had both the best man and maid of honor speak. What is the exact decorum for that anyway? I suppose there isn't one.
We left early to get back to the Sacramento area at a decent hour. As we left, the couple had had their first dance and the cake had been cut and Genevieve was about to dance with her father. I felt bad leaving without saying goodbye, but it would have been even more rude to interrupt and say..."hey, we're leaving..." So, Congratulations Genevieve and Andrew. I hope your life together is as bountiful and eclectic as that 9 course meal.