BS: I survived my Niece's wedding

Subject: RE: BS: I survived my Niece's wedding
From: CarolC
Date: 13 Oct 05 - 05:59 PM

Sounds great, MMario! I hope to see some pictures.

Subject: RE: BS: I survived my Niece's wedding
From: MMario
Date: 13 Oct 05 - 02:25 PM

LOL! There are a few things in cleanup - Mom Dad and their ride home,(Janet Richards) stayed an extra day - The baba's and the tierneys did a foliage tour tuesday and a wine tour wednesday - Baba senior and junior headed back to Philly this am - the elder couple will fly out saturday.

But me - I am planning anice five day "wedding recovery" trip to - the FSGW getaway weekend!!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: I survived my Niece's wedding
From: katlaughing
Date: 13 Oct 05 - 02:21 PM

WOW!! I love it...keep it coming!

Subject: RE: BS: I survived my Niece's wedding
From: MMario
Date: 13 Oct 05 - 11:55 AM

Still Monday; The wedding is over, the reception hasn't begun - Trudi stood on the lawn at St. Luke's piping away until I thought she was going to keel over from hyperventilation. Just far enough away for the pipes to be muted a bit - but still within view. People remarked on the piping - seemed to enjoy it.

The Esperanza is really easy to find from St. Luke's - I only had to give directions to a few people - but they were simple with clear landmarks and the Mansion is well marked.

Parked the car and joined the young ladies and Peter outside the main door where they were waiting for the bride and groom with bubble stuff at the ready. When Hiroki arrived with his parents and Kim the call went out "Prepare Bubbles!" and they did indeed bubble the bride and groom into the Mansion.

For those of you not aware, this was not your typical wedding reception. And with apologies to those of my relatives and friends whose receptions I have attended - it was hands down, without a doubt the best wedding reception I *have* ever attended.

The Baba-Tierney wedding guests were about half the audience for a Pennsylvania Yankee Theatre Company (PYTCO) production as a benefit for the Samson Theater renovation project. So the first order of business for me was explaining to some of the wedding guests that yes, there were a lot of people here they hadn't seen at the wedding, and yes, they were suppossed to be here. Secondly, of course, was greeting those PYTCO supporters I knew - many of whom knew Kim and Peter III (and Pete, and Sue, and me) from the days when they were iinvolved with PYTCO. and various other friends, neighbors, etc. I aslo got a lot of compliments on the song I had sung at the wedding . [ *blush* - Luckily I recovered after a very weak opening phrase - I wasn't sure , despite the number of times I've sung this song over the years whether or not this particular performance was going to come off. But it did]

Got a drink - (I figured I deserved one) and sat a moment at my table (along with Pete's Uncle Tom and his wife Barbara, Janet Richards, Pete's Mom, His cousin John, Grumps and Momma, and Trudi Moon) and glanced at the program. Guffawed at the opening of the director's notes - which went something along the lines of:

"When they first came to me with this project idea I thought WHat? There is going to be a REAL bride and groom and a REAL receeption and they want us to do a play at entertainment? What kinda crazy idea.....Then I found out it was for Kim Tierney - Which explained a lot!"

Circulated some more - made more explanations to those who hadn't yet read their programs - got another drink ( celebration, right?) and then got seated when the program about to begin. It was explained that the Best man (Al!) would make a toast, followed by a blessing from Pat Hanen- then salads would be brought out and the play would begin - a pause would allow the serving of the main course, and then another later for the cutting of the cake - finishing with the final act of the play. "Marriage can be Murder"

Al's toast was great - he explained he had been present when Kim and Hiroki met - declared that it was obviously love at first sight - and complained he didn't get to talk with either of them for the next six months!!!! We toasted the bride and groom in Japanese - and it was announced that the Bride's attendent (brother Peter III) had an unscheduled toast. Peter thanked Kim for being his companion and playmate while growing up, thanked her for shaking him out of his stodgy ways on occasion - and warned Hiroki that though most people thought Kim was starting a grand adventure by moving to Japan - it was Hiroki that had better watch out! (Rabbit choked up during the toast - so did I. oaky - you had to be there - but there was a lot of emotion flowing) pat delevered her usual succint and appropriate blessing and ....

I got another drink - this time I discovered the bottle of wine on the table. convenient! Didn't have to go to the bar!

Salads were served and the play began.

Casting was (I felt) excellent - though since it was a comic murder the characters were overblown and quite over the top. A frazzled wedding planner with a short temper; the at loggerheads Father of the Bride and Mother of the Groom - the spoiled rich-gril Bride, the dunce - I mean dense minded Groom - who by the way is "involved" with the catty Maid of Honour - and my favorite character - the grooms cousin - a bratty, obnoxious drunk.

The cousin extracts money from just about everyone by various schemes - the groom and the Maid of Honour discuss various ways they can remain "together" despite his marriage - The father and mother fight...the bride whines about EVERYTHING (thank you kim for not being a bridezilla. Thank you, thank you, thank you!)

The priest is delayed - somehow the maid of honour sent her to Rochester Minnasota rather then rochester NY - but the wedding planner steps in and performs the cermony - and then , just as the groom is about to toss the garter....the lights go out, bedlam ensues - and when the lights come up...


The Mother of the Groom has been strangled with the garter! She is indeed, dead.

Intermission.

After the entre has been given a chance to be eaten the play resules - the minister (the deceased mother of the grooms identical twin sister) - also an amatuer sleuth arrives and extablish the motives for each of the other characters possibly killing dear old Mom. much speculation, backbiting and infighting. The wedding planner getting increasingly upset because he has another function coming in and Aunt Madge doesn't want to let anyone leave until the mystery of who killed my sister is solved.

Weding cake intermission
And the resultuion:

In a brilliant piece of deduction Madge eliminates each of the suspects until only Alfonso, the wedding planner is left. Alfonso heads of to a prison sentence Since Alfonso's license to marry them wasn't legal in the first place Bridezilla decides to marry the (filthy rich) cousin - the groom ditto with the maid of honour and Madge scares the pants off Daddy of the bride by suggesting they make it a triple wedding.

Pytco packs up and takes off - most of the guests likewise. Baba-tierney folk hang around longer - for a few more non-tradtional items.

Kim and Hiroki present Mom Pola with the actual bouquet Kim carried = and present Dad with the garter - both in recognition of their 60 years of marriage and as "bribes" to get them to give the new couple some marriage advice. Mom comes up with "Don't yell at the kids" (HA!) and Dad with "ALWAYS pay attention to what your wife says". then it's time to toss the (other) bouquet - at first its just the young ladies and Peter up there - the "kids" are shouting for me to join them - unh-unh..But then the ladies drag their significant others out there - after all - Dad already has the garter - so this will be a dual-gendered bouquet toss....okay - I join them - but warn them that I intend to get it.

and I do!

After my victory dance and lap around the room (you think I'm kidding? remember - I had been celebrating..].

almost everyone clears out except the "young people" - which they graciously allowed to include Paul Enos (neighbor) and myself. The partial bottles of wine are scavanged from all the tables (why let it go to waste?) and people relax a bit....Alberto (not Alfonso) goes off to change his tux so that I can return it in the am - some of the gang are out enjoying the not quite damp eveing on the veranda while Jessica and Paul get into an olive war - Paul claims to use the line "She may be hot, but I'm fire!" in order to trump Jess's six olive drink with a 12 olive drink - but jess comes back with a 13 olive collection...

Presents begin to be opened - with the arrival of the groom ....many many lovely things. I'm getting pretty tired - or maybe it was all the "celebrating" - so I collect tuxes from Alberto, Hirocki, Hiroshi , make sure I have all the pieces of mine - threaten Rabbit - I mean ask the man of Honour to make sure his is collected and in place for me to take in the morning and head out.

Drank a couple quarts of water, took 2 asperin and went to bed - for in the morning I'd be back to "real life"....

The Beginning. (can't have it be the end when it's the story of Kim and Hiroki's marriage, now can we?]

Subject: RE: BS: I survived my Niece's wedding
From: MMario
Date: 13 Oct 05 - 09:47 AM

My sister actually suggest I wear ren-faire garb. I don't think so...

Part II

Monday October 10 2005 -

Hiroki had spent the night at Bear Haven - Peter III having gone over to his grandmothers. He was warned to sneak out in the morning without attempting to see Kim - and not to return until after she left for her hair appointment. Pete slept in - so did I. But the ladies and Peter had Kim packed up and ready for her hair appointment by a few minutes past noon - Jess and Jen heading down to Esperanza to prepare themselves, Rabbit acting a chauffuer. The girls packed food - the rest of use graxzed on leftovers. Hiroki arrived with his parents and Sakai folded the kimono and packed it up , then went to get checked into the Esperanza for the evening. - arrangements made with Nino to pick up Mom and Dad for the wedding - Sister Lauri and her SO had also checked in with us. I decided to drive myself - one less thing to worry about. Pete got "tuxed", Sue dressed and they headed off for the Esperanza (Sue) and the church to deal with flowers (Pete) - I relaxed a bit, got 'tuxed' and headed for the church about 3.

Church was scheduled to be opened at 3 - I got there a few minutes after and within a minute or two guests started arriving. The ladies had so organized Kim that even *she* was ready almost an hour early - so we milled around and got flowers where they were suppossed to go - took some photos, and kept Kiroki INSIDE the church and Kim OUTSIDE the church just in case that "seeing the bride" thing has any validity.

Truid Moon (harpist, organist, piper - a truly talented woman!) did a lovely prelude on the harp, then organ for the entry of the mothers, Hiroki escorting Sakai to her seat, Peter III escorting Sue; Then the "Entrance of the ladies" - Kim's five 'special guests' - and finally it's time for the bride!!!!

ONce Hiroki had escorted his mother to her seat he was at the front of the church, which allowed Kim to at least step into the vestibule - thought we kept her well back so he still couldn''t see her. I unhooked the bustle of Helga (the dress, remember?) and spread out the train as duly instructed by Warrdrobe Mistress Jen. Then as the strains of the organ swelled - Pete, Kim and I carefully negotiated the turn (this is a TINY church) and walked the aisle. I only stepped on the train once!    She was so beautiful! Even those who had seen the dress, and Kim in the dress were stunned. There really is something special about a bride on her wedding day.

Once to the front of the church Kim stepped forward, her father and I falling into formation behind the bride and the groom, they flanked by Man of Honour Peter III and Best Man Al. Pat Hanen - in her own style greeted the people, gave the announcements regarding the non-recieving line after the service and instructions on picking up reception materials) and then launched into the service itself. The responses must have been adaquate - she didn't make any of us repeat ourselves - and no one objected to the marriage. Then the combined families responded in unsion to the "Who gives..." question. Readings followed - (all beautifully done by various of the ladies and Hiroki's friend Jim) and my song. Porr Kim delicatley dabbing at her eyes under her veil - (I forgot to mention - Jen made beautiful silk hankies for all the men in tuxes and the women of the bridal party - bamboo patterned silk on one side, absorbent white cotton on the other!) .

The vows were exchanged, rings echanged and then the peace eschanged - right after the "you can kiss the bride" portion. I hope someone got a picture of Kim standing there lips pursed waiting for the kiss! Communion followed - and fhen Trudi piped the couple out at the end of the service - she continued piping outside as the bride and groom returned and greeted everyone (the non-recieving line) People picked up their reception packets - we stripped the church of flowers, collected the wedding vestments to be returned to St. Mark's (Pat had borrowed a set of vestments I had made for St. Mark's) put the various peieces of furniture back in place and it was off to the reception.

Part III will follow.

Subject: RE: BS: I survived my Niece's wedding
From: Rapparee
Date: 13 Oct 05 - 08:39 AM

I think he wore one of those neat-o Greek formals. The ones with the pom-poms on the shoes -- you know the kind.

Subject: RE: BS: I survived my Niece's wedding
From: MMario
Date: 13 Oct 05 - 08:38 AM

I have slideshows of the two sets of photos we have so far - mostly the rehearsal; which I will have with me. The tux went back to the rental place tuesday - so no tux at getaway -

I did sing two songs for the father/daughter dance ('Where are you going' and 'sunrise, sunset' - and sang my own 'Sir James' Reply' at the wedding itself)

The wedding tale part 2 should come out sometime today.

Subject: RE: BS: I survived my Niece's wedding
From: LilyFestre
Date: 13 Oct 05 - 07:26 AM

You ARE bringing photos to WYSIWYG's house tonight, right? (please, please, please!)

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: I survived my Niece's wedding
From: gnu
Date: 13 Oct 05 - 07:13 AM

What about at the Getaway this year?

Subject: RE: BS: I survived my Niece's wedding
From: Pauline L
Date: 13 Oct 05 - 02:32 AM

We're all eager to see photos of you in your tux. We may also require you to wear it for a brief appaarance at the Getaway next year.

Subject: RE: BS: I survived my Niece's wedding
From: wysiwyg
Date: 12 Oct 05 - 11:25 PM

You must be thirsty after all that.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: I survived my Niece's wedding
From: katlaughing
Date: 12 Oct 05 - 11:23 PM

Pix, we wanna see pictures!!!

Subject: RE: BS: I survived my Niece's wedding
From: Rapparee
Date: 12 Oct 05 - 10:06 PM

Didja wear a suit? A tux? A classy highlander's kilt?

Subject: BS: I survived my Niece's wedding
From: MMario
Date: 12 Oct 05 - 02:19 PM

cast of charactors:
Pete =BIL
Sue = my sister
Peter III/Rabbit = nephew
Nino = brother of me, uncle of the bride
Jen - friend of the bride - in charge of makeup for bride - Helga's personal seamstress
Helga - the wedding dress
Wicket - niece's teddy bear





Thursday - Kim (niece) and Jessica (psuedo-niece/friend of the bride)arrive In Rochester. Kim from Philly - Jessica from California (flying out after having spent the day MOVING! What a friend! ) Pete feeds them Sushi - while Sue and I are at home with Chicken Cashew Salad. (Warning - in typical fashion this is probably going to be more of a menu with occasional comments then a true literary attempt). Nice visit with Kim and Jessica that evening - and they emptied the dishwasher! I love those girls! The tux corrections did not come into Pappillion in Geneva - they are calling their company to find out why the correct items weren't on the truck. The Groom's vest is silver - Kimmie leaves a message regarding this as she had ordered antique gold by preference - but "anything except silver" The young ladies bed down on the living room couches.

Friday - Heard from Rabbit - he was on Cape at the Big House - picking up Momma and Grumps. Heard from Hiroki and his folks - they had flown into Philly - about an 18 hour flight - then Sakai cooked Hiroki and Hiroshi a meal, and did the Dishes!!!!! I suspect Kim is happy that Hiroshi is the cook of their pair. We have Crab and Scallop cakes for dinner with a salad. The girls empty the dishwasher again. Did I mention I love them? I filled my day with shopping for Gramma, Shopping for the family - two trips to the local nursery for various cornstalks, pumpkins, gourds, squash etc and create a 'Harvest Display' on the deck. The young ladies (still Kim and Jessica at this point) help empty the car from the various shopping expeditions . Jessica appoints herself 'Personal Assistant' to more or less everyone and makes lists for all, crossing items off as they are completed, adding tasks as they develop.   we hear the tale of mak-rak-oon (have no idea of spelling) and Hiroki's threats to unstuff Wicket. Tux corrections HAVE arrived - they got picked up on one of the Geneva trips - Pappillion calls - seems Hiroki called and changed the vest order to silver. Hmmmmmmmmm....
Beef goes into the pot for tomorrow's dinner. Kim and Jessica still camping in the living room. I believe this is the night Scampers (our 24 lb tuxedo 'panther' decides to play tag with the two elderly orange barn cats turned housecats - across Sue's head.

Saturday - rain. wet. rain.   we brunch on seafood quiche and various leftovers. Render Bacon for Sunday's chowder. Girls eat the bacon - I stash the grease in the fridge and warn my sister and mother later that it is NOT to be thrown out. (Just being cautious )
Peter, Grumps and Momma arrive. Rabbit checks in with Gramma Tierney but decides he will probably sleep up at Bear Haven
Hiroki, Hiroshi and Sakai arrive. They get checked in at hotel and come up to the house.
Alberto and Jen arrive. Jen will be joining the hen party in the living room - Alberto is checked in down at the Budget Hotel.
John, Jim, Kay and Anya arrive at their hotel late,late - after several phone calls to get directions. We don't see them this evening. Dinner is beef stew with fresh muffins, salad and (eventually) rice. next time I will know. Check with various peoples if rice will be required with chowder. It will not.
Eventually the Baba's head back to the hotel - the chopsticks for the wedding favours get picked up and when I crash the young ladies and "Maid of Honour" Peter III are stuffing wedding favours. Sometime in there we met Helga - the wedding dress. She is quite imposing. The hen party in the living room continues -comforters, pillows and sheets all over the couches, but Peter is upstairs. Mom and Dad/Momma and Grumps are up in Kim's room.

Sunday - the female contingent goes to church. Pete is ?somewhere? Dad drowses to gospel music on the TV - I assemble chowder, decide to add an additional pot of seafood chowder to the planned corn chowder, shop for more salad makings (the younger ladies are BREAKFASTING on salad. But they empty the dishwasher for me - did I mention that? When Mom Pola doesn't beat them to it. ) Make rye bread, bake pillsbury biscuits. assemble massive salad with the help of the young ladies. The other two young couples arrive from hotel, Pat Hanen arrives, and we eat.    Janet Richards has arrived from the cape and visits a bit before heading back to her hotel. the day goes on -Pat, Hiroki and Kim head to the Esperanza for their counseling session and when they get back Sakai and the ladies whisk Kim into the bedroom where it take an hour to get her into the beautiful kimono the Baba's have given her - which she will wwear for the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. Hiroki, his father and Rabbit try on their tuxes. Only minor difficulties - Thank goodness! (Pete and I had three items between us that had to be exchanged) We are 45 minutes late for the original rehearsal - 15 minutes late for the revised rehearsal time. We get to St. Luke's and do the rehearsal thing. "Locals" warn "visitors" that yes, Pat *does* mean it when she says she will make the congragation repeat themselves if their responses are not full voiced. Miricale of Miracles --- Pete Kim and I *do* fit in the aisle (St. Luke's is a tiny, tiny church) so I will be walking her down with her father. Paul Enos (neighbor) is standing in for Angelica (photographer) during rehearsal and rehearsal dinner - clicking away with the camara. Those attending the rehearsal comprise almost half the guest list - so we're pretty sure things will go well Monday.    Rehearsal done we head off to the Valley inn for the rehearsal/birthday dinner. Lots of chit-chat, food, drink,talk, picture taking - an enormous bouquet of balloons that keep getting moved around - and Nino arrives from Georgia! While we are waiting for dinners to arrive after we order Pete and Kim do their father daughter dance. Nino is overcome by the thought that the Braves had lost their ballgame that day (that's his story at least!) Mom Pola misses it so Kim and Pete do a reprise and Nino manages not to need a hankie this time through. Meals arrived - broiled scallops were pretty popular, as were prime ribs, I did see hot roast beef sandwich go by, and several shrimp cocktails. Party eventually breaks up - Nino takes mom, dad and me back to Bear Haven where Dad leaves his leftover spaghettin in the back seat of the rental car. Cats are all sulking becaue their routine has been disturbed.

The Wedding Tale will continue ----