Awesome Wedding Weekend

(Warning: This is a really long post)

We had a wonderful time at Bob and Kristine's wedding this past weekend in Huntington Beach. Where do I start, we did so much in three days it's hard to decided which details to share. So we flew on Jet Blue and this was our first time on that air line.  I would recommend it to anyone because our flight was cheap, smooth, direct, 36 channel TV, and lots of leg room and snacks. Then we took a cab to the hotel/resort. The resort was amazing, through the lobby was a view of the beach and palm trees and fountains...so beautiful. Then we went to our room (the resort was so big we literally had to walk 10 minutes from the lobby to our hotel room.) The room also super nice. We got ready and walked about a mile down the beach to a place called Savannah's. Bob and Kristine were hosting a dinner here for all the out of towners. The dinner was appropriately named the "Coast-to-Coast Toast". Dinner was great but what we weren't expecting was the chilly weather especially at night. Thank goodness there was a fire pit for us to all cuddle around after dinner. There were a couple of highlights at the dinner that are worth a mention. For one we were entertained by hula dancers that could shake their bums a mile a minute and Kristine surprised Bob with a special grooms cake that had a Guinness cup on it (Bob's favorite beer) but it said "Yinness" (for Bob Yin) it was really cute and delicious. That night we were pretty exhausted due to the jet lag that had set in and we went to bed at 9:30 pm. Then in the morning we were up at 5:30 am. So we made our selves sleep in so we could last longer that night. We got up at 8:00 am but we couldn't possibly sleep any longer. 

Day 2 we wanted to relax and lay by one of the four pools or go to the beach but it wasn't in the cards because it was so overcast and cloudy. So what to do, what to do, of course go shopping. We went to this delicious little breakfast place called the Sugar Shack and then shopped down Main Street. Brian didn't mind because he found more stuff than me to buy. I did get a jacket to go with my dress since I knew it was going to be another chilly night. Once our shopping spree was over it was time to get ready for the main event. 

The wedding was in a breath taking Japanese Garden. And the ceremony was on a little bridge that went over the pond. Tears from both the bride and groom during the ceremony. I love weddings especially when Brian is with me because it always make you remember your own wedding and it brings back the lump in the throat feeling and all that mushy stuff. After the ceremony there was a 2 hour gap from when the reception was to start so we took a cat napin the room. The reception was in one of the ball rooms. This hotel had about 5 weddings going on that weekend, but more about that later. The ball room was amazing and the flower arrangements and lighting was so beautiful, but my pictures don't really do it justice because of the low lighting. First was heavy appetizers of crab claws, shrimp, lamb chops, veggies, meats, cheeses, dim sum, etc... At the bar Bob and Kristine had a yummy signature drink that we had many of, lost track at #5. On the the main event the intro of Mr. & Mrs. Bob Yin (Brian pointed out shouldn't it be Dr. & Dr. I said be quiet). They looked so happy and in love. The did dances and toasts first, then a slide show and dinner.  When it came to the toasts as a part of their Chinese culture they came around to each table with there parents and toasted each table individually. It was a very nice gesture and a great idea. Then each of their fathers shared a few words. I must say this was one of the most touching moments of the entire night. Yes we all know how proud our parents are of us but I am not sure if it was because of how certain words are lost in translation and it made what they said seem so genuine. This is hard to describe but after hearing their fathers speak I was in tears, along with many other people. Brian and I didn't realize how emotional Bob could be (lots of tears of joy). After all the traditional reception stuff it was time to party and Bob and Kristine made another grand entrance. They had slipped off and changed into traditional Chinese dress. Bob led the procession playing a gong and Kristine was being carried in a little hut off the ground. She jumped out in an all fuchsia sequined dress. Let the party begin and party we did. 

Remember how big I said the resort was and how many weddings were going on. Well on the way back to our room we were lost. After walking around for 15 minutes we ended up right back where we started, not good. So what to do when you are a little drunk and lost and start to here music? Of course wedding crash, friend of the groom, may I have a beer, oh and we will take a favor, for proof of course. The night was officially complete. Back to the room to change finally we found it. There was an after party of charades in one of the other rooms so we attended. This was probably not the wisest choice but you only live once. After the fun, more drinks, and games, we hit the sack. 

The next morning we were a bit hung over and starving but didn't want to venture far so we went to the most expensive breakfast ever at the hotel. Only $4.00 for a cup of Starbucks brewed coffee. You know it's bad when some is charging more for Startbucks than Starbucks. Oh well, we had an amazing time and we can't wait to see what's next for our wonderful friends Bob and Kristine. We know we will be friends for life.