PUERTO RICO: Saturday, July 30, 2005 — The Wedding

(All of Drew’s pictures from Doug & Kelly’s wedding are here. Check their site for more pictures!)

After a hot day in Old San Juan, Drew & Wendy hustled back to the Costa de Oro to get ready for the wedding. We got to the church on time — as in, about 30 minutes before the wedding was scheduled to begin — and we were the first ones there. Noticing that we were unable to locate the unlocked door, one of the nuns directed us (silently) to the entrance to the church.

Since no one else was there, we had the chance to explore the church a little bit. The first thing that we noticed was that there is an effin BIG JESUS at the front of the church. I’m told that it is the largest (or second largest) sculpture of the risen Christ in the world, and I believe it. The only things missing were a smoke machine and laser beams from his eyes, and “Jesuzilla” would have dominated the earth!

 

 

Jesuzilla. See the people below him? One big Jesus, eh?!  

People started arriving and plans were discussed (all the groomsmen had missed the rehearsal, remember).

The wedding was beautiful. We didn’t get many pictures during the ceremony because Drew was involved with the wedding (and therefore not able to snap photos), and Wendy’s seat didn’t give her a clear view of the proceedings.

 

 

  

Once the wedding and photos were done, we drove back to the Hyatt for the reception. The guests were invited to stay in the lobby area while the wedding party went inside the hall to have more pictures done. Wonderful hors d’oeuvres were circulated — foie gras, pate, seafood, and more, along with champaigne, cosmopolitians, martinis, and other drinks while a small combo played live music.

Once the wedding and photos were done, we drove back to the Hyatt for the reception. The guests were invited to stay in the lobby area while the wedding party went inside the hall to have more pictures done. Wonderful hors d’oeuvres were circulated — foie gras, pate, seafood, and more, along with champaigne, cosmopolitians, martinis, and other drinks while a small combo played live music. 

 

  

The pictures of the wedding party done, the doors were opened to admit guests into the hall. Doug & Kelly and their families participated in the receiving line. Once through the line, guests found their way to their assigned table. We, along with all the other cool kids, were assigned to Table 19. It soon became apparent, however, that there were too many people assigned to our table, so Wendy went to discuss the issue with the wedding planner (she who shall not be named, for fear of summoning her), which didn’t want to do anything about it. Wendy reported back to Vince, Doug’s brother, and Vince handled the situation and everyone was happy again.

 

 

Not Table 19, but an example of how pretty the tables were. For some reason, Todd‘s hair (left) looks very blue in this picture.  

 

 

First Wendy then Vince dealing with the Wedding Planner.  

 

 

Kelly, the beautiful bride.
Doug (r) loves Drew. Doug LOVES Drew.  

Toasts were made to the happy couple, and Doug and Kelly had their first dance to Over The Rhine‘s “I Want You to be My Love“, a beautifully simple song. Then the live music started. There was a great band that played at the wedding, playing a mix of English and Spanish songs, sung by male & female singers and backed up by a nice full band. Interestingly, Puerto Ricans started dancing the moment the live music started and barely stopped all night!

 

 

  

Dinner wasn’t served until 10:30 — we were extremely hungry by then (Wendy & Rob had composed “Endless Soup”, sung to the tune of “Endless Love” along with the band), and we appreciated and enjoyed the excellent menu that Doug & Kelly had put together for us.

 

 

  

The main band took a break and a Plana band came in to take over. This was 6 or 7 drummers with a whistle-blowing, blond-haired, dreadlock-wearing guy who seemed to be the leader. They played their ASSES off, and were quite awesome. The entire room was dancing and sweating and dancing.

 

 

  

After dinner was over — after midnight — Doug & Kelly cut their cake, tossed the bouquet and the garter. Kelly was very funny during this… The band leader was encouraging single women to come up for the bouquet, but he was doing so in Spanish. Kelly took over — in English — and called people up specifically… “Lydia! I know you’re not serious about that guy you’re dating, so you’re single. Get up here now!” and so on. VERY funny.

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

  

  

There were little wedding cakes to bring home. Wendy & Drew were wiped out, so we left the party around 1:30am and made it back to our guesthouse to find out that the power (and air conditioning!) were both out. Fortunately, power was restored about 45 minutes later so we went to sleep comfortably.

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To view all the pictures from this trip, click here.