Our Big Event (part II)
The ceremony got started at 4 - Bonnie & I walked down from the hostel house, about 40 steps to the spot on the grass, all eyes on us. I had mixed feelings about planning for the ceremony. I mean, the original reason for arranging the event the way we did was to stay away from a typical 'ritual'. Had many discussions about this with friends and advisers - someone said, 'ritual is very important', another person said 'don't skimp on the ceremony, that's why people are there.' Well, I disagreed - they were there for the community, they were there for the whole day, they were there to talk to us. Certainly, we cut out or changed a lot of the common elements, kept it secular, kept it short, and personal, and focused on egalitarianism. We greeted our parents, did our own vows, and did an exchange of art rather than rings. More details on our blog, but it had much more emotional impact than I expected.
After the last part of the ceremony, Charles did his presentation, we walked off, over to the reception area. Which was about 50 feet away, where the tables were set up. So, in the humorous moment of the day - we were standing around off to the side, people were still watching us, then Nicole stood up and declared, "It's the Great Chair Migration. Please pick up your chair, and help your neighbor, and let's move over to the reception area." Then everyone made their journey over to the tables - Bonnie compared it to a "Wagons West!" pilgrimage...
The rest of the day was a social blur. Just greeting guests who came up to us (we were standing by our 'master' table, next to the food line.) After a few minutes, the food seemed to be ready, but no one was eating - apparently, they were waiting for us to start, to which I said (paraphrasing), 'Hogwash! Everyone get in line and get food!" After a bit of mingling, once the bulk of people were back in their seats. Then we did toasts/speeches.
Bonnie and I started, welcoming and thanking everyone, saying a few things (think I was kind of toasty myself by then, if ya know what I'm saying). By the way, if anyone out there has video of the ceremony or the toasts, please let us know, we'd love to get a copy! We introduced Bonnie's mom Annie, and my dad Arnold, who shared their lovely and stirring sentiments. Bonnies longtime friend Andrea stood and gave her comments, about the strengths Bonnie & I share, and compliment each other with, and I was very touched.
We went back to mingling some more - sat with some ex-co-worker friends, and some of Bonnie's family, and some of my Michigan friends, and some of the bus stoppers. And watching Bonnie woprk the social magic from across many tables, and catching glances with her, very sweet. No one started clanking their forks and glasses, thankfully :> .
Nicole made a speech, which I was very touched and inspired by as well - about how our friendship has grown into familiness, and the rousing and educational discussions we've had, 'on politics, and history, and the Church of Satan." That caused a bit of a hubbub, but, in a fun way... Bonnie pointed out my mother, who stood up, and I started telling her she didn't need to make a speech (which I knew she didn't want to do). Apparently (and Bonnie didn't point this out to me til later) some folks thought I was just telling her to sit down & be quiet, which wasn't my intent (at least, only sarcastically it was...). So, sorry if people got the wrong impression :P.
The day started to wind down, people departing as the sun went down. Bonnie & I never even had dinner (Ed & Nina made a point to sit us down to grab a bite, thx!). My parents & brother Greg and family were flying out that night, so by 8 they loaded up into the car and out to SFO. Brief time, but great to have them out! An impromptu baseball game broke out, with a ratty old tennis ball (probably a retired dog chew-toy) and a couple big sticks... Some famous portrait photographer showed up - Scott knew him through his own photo work and exhibits at the Walker in Minneapolis, and was taking pics of the kids in their finery (with parents permission o'course).
We got folks to help haul stuff up to the house (thanks immeasurably to our helpers!), then setup in the house. Putting out some of the remainder of food, snacks, and beer and wine; cranking out our dance tunes playlist (thanks Kody!); and hanging out chatting. About 20 people were staying in the hostel rooms, some of them slipped to bed as the night wore on (the bus stoppers scuttled their plans to camp down the road, and just threw their sleeping bags on the porch), Pete showed up late, after his gig, yay! I was up till the small hours, cleaning up a bit then discovering that raccoons had tore into our trash on the back porch. In fact, there they still were, with their beady glowy eyes and weird human-like paws! So, I was frustrated and worn out after cleaning that up, went to bed.
To Be continued - Sunday brunch, cleaning up, and wrapping up the visiting.
After the last part of the ceremony, Charles did his presentation, we walked off, over to the reception area. Which was about 50 feet away, where the tables were set up. So, in the humorous moment of the day - we were standing around off to the side, people were still watching us, then Nicole stood up and declared, "It's the Great Chair Migration. Please pick up your chair, and help your neighbor, and let's move over to the reception area." Then everyone made their journey over to the tables - Bonnie compared it to a "Wagons West!" pilgrimage...
The rest of the day was a social blur. Just greeting guests who came up to us (we were standing by our 'master' table, next to the food line.) After a few minutes, the food seemed to be ready, but no one was eating - apparently, they were waiting for us to start, to which I said (paraphrasing), 'Hogwash! Everyone get in line and get food!" After a bit of mingling, once the bulk of people were back in their seats. Then we did toasts/speeches.
Bonnie and I started, welcoming and thanking everyone, saying a few things (think I was kind of toasty myself by then, if ya know what I'm saying). By the way, if anyone out there has video of the ceremony or the toasts, please let us know, we'd love to get a copy! We introduced Bonnie's mom Annie, and my dad Arnold, who shared their lovely and stirring sentiments. Bonnies longtime friend Andrea stood and gave her comments, about the strengths Bonnie & I share, and compliment each other with, and I was very touched.
We went back to mingling some more - sat with some ex-co-worker friends, and some of Bonnie's family, and some of my Michigan friends, and some of the bus stoppers. And watching Bonnie woprk the social magic from across many tables, and catching glances with her, very sweet. No one started clanking their forks and glasses, thankfully :> .
Nicole made a speech, which I was very touched and inspired by as well - about how our friendship has grown into familiness, and the rousing and educational discussions we've had, 'on politics, and history, and the Church of Satan." That caused a bit of a hubbub, but, in a fun way... Bonnie pointed out my mother, who stood up, and I started telling her she didn't need to make a speech (which I knew she didn't want to do). Apparently (and Bonnie didn't point this out to me til later) some folks thought I was just telling her to sit down & be quiet, which wasn't my intent (at least, only sarcastically it was...). So, sorry if people got the wrong impression :P.
The day started to wind down, people departing as the sun went down. Bonnie & I never even had dinner (Ed & Nina made a point to sit us down to grab a bite, thx!). My parents & brother Greg and family were flying out that night, so by 8 they loaded up into the car and out to SFO. Brief time, but great to have them out! An impromptu baseball game broke out, with a ratty old tennis ball (probably a retired dog chew-toy) and a couple big sticks... Some famous portrait photographer showed up - Scott knew him through his own photo work and exhibits at the Walker in Minneapolis, and was taking pics of the kids in their finery (with parents permission o'course).
We got folks to help haul stuff up to the house (thanks immeasurably to our helpers!), then setup in the house. Putting out some of the remainder of food, snacks, and beer and wine; cranking out our dance tunes playlist (thanks Kody!); and hanging out chatting. About 20 people were staying in the hostel rooms, some of them slipped to bed as the night wore on (the bus stoppers scuttled their plans to camp down the road, and just threw their sleeping bags on the porch), Pete showed up late, after his gig, yay! I was up till the small hours, cleaning up a bit then discovering that raccoons had tore into our trash on the back porch. In fact, there they still were, with their beady glowy eyes and weird human-like paws! So, I was frustrated and worn out after cleaning that up, went to bed.
To Be continued - Sunday brunch, cleaning up, and wrapping up the visiting.
posted by pegasusgiraffe at 3:08 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home