C&D get married (2 of 3)

[This post covers Chris & Dharma wedding day plus Saturday; prior post (via this link) covers the week prior; subsequent post (via this link) covers temple ceremony and following.]

Could this setting have been nicer?

Friday 17 November  - wedding day has finally arrived!  PJ and I start with breakfast-on-patio with Barb, Therese, Mark, Jim, Carol.  Then it's time to get busy - PJ joins the girls for all the prep and dressing stuff; I head to Walgreen's to pick up a few family photos for display at the reception; elsewhere the groom's party is doing this and that (golf simulator, lunch, etc.)

Leading up to photo shoot . . . 

Once properly dressed - we start gathering for the photo shoot with the professional photographer.  But prior to this is a nice moment as Chris gets his first look at the bride.  With the groom's party as witnesses.  The photo process does take quite a while - but everyone looks rather nice - especially impressive/unique is the attire of the bride and her party.

. . . photo shoot samples . . .  

. . . and more photo shoot samples . . .

The group next moves on to the staging area outside/back of the main lobby area as more and more guests arrive.  Yesterday was sunny and almost hot - which worked well in rehearsal garb - today was a bit cloudy but perfectly room temperature - ideal conditions.

Walking up to the wedding ceremony area.  A nice moment for us with CPG.

Then the wedding party formally enters the lovely outdoor area that they've set up and - once Sreedhar has escorted Dharma to the front - the ceremony starts.  Rose - as officiant - seems to have a real knack for this kind of thing (the wedding planners were inquiring whether she would take on jobs for others, which seems like a good sign).  Steve and Barb (godparents of CPG) do a fine job with their readings.  Short, lovely ceremony.  Happy.  We walk out in order; paperwork is signed - all is official!

I much like this view of the ceremony.

And also this alternative long view.

It was lovely.

Making it official (#1)

Making it official (#2)

The wedding arrangers at the Legacy resort did a really fine job in the outdoor reception area - it was absolutely lovely - and the perfect November evening temperatures were a plus as well.  The guest list included - in addition to family and locals - a long list of Chris's friends who we've known for so many years, plus a long list of absolutely delightful friends of Dharma's (OK they're all friends of everyone but you know what I mean), some of whom we've known for a while now, all of whom we look forward to remaining in contact with.

This fine grouping seems to be handling the transition from "wedding
ceremony" to "dinnertime" quite well.

That's a long way of saying it was just a fantastic group, and a group that certainly knew how to celebrate a wedding.  And that's what everyone definitely was in the mood to do - all were very obviously happy for C&D.

Dinner/dancing area  . . . outdoor settings were perfect.  Overall, the
resort has an old-time Arizona feel.

Indian food courtesy Marigold Maison - they did a great job.  Plenty of other refreshments.  The DJ did a great job.  Dancing.  Photo booth fun.  Dancing.  Plus a chance to say hello to so many of the guests, we truly enjoyed just wandering around trying to catch up with everyone.  Dancing.  Pretty hard to beat.

Another view of the reception area . . . the dinner portion is just getting started here as our heroes arrive.

Yes the dance was this much fun (#1)

Yes the dance was this much fun (#2)

Yes the photo booth was this much fun.

We had arranged for the golf club bar (right on premises) to remain open after the reception ended - and we had a great turnout there - ridiculously fun, as a few of the photos here might suggest.  Everyone is HAPPY about the wedding, and being together.

For some reason PBR was the featured brew.  For some reason we posed with
same.  For some reason people kept joining us.

After-reception party, with Elephant.

Several efforts were made to capture the next gen folk on film, so to speak.  As
with PBR photography, additional folks kept showing up.

That bar eventually closes, and a good chunk of the party moves onto a guest room where things continue for quite a while longer.  Yes this part also was quite fun.

After the after party.

We were sorry when it finally ended!  A great day.

Saturday 18 November - some of the Midwesterners arise early for South Mountain hiking (Fat Man's Pass) - not us.  Breakfast with PJ; then we gather in [somebody's] resort room where a good-sized group was assembled; we recap the previous day's events and chatter in general.  This generally was a "free day" for guests to do whatever.

The prior day's events left us with quite a bit to review.  Which we did.

Many gathered at the resort pool and ended up hanging out there for many hours - perfect weather, again - this was a good setting for catching up and whatnot.  Some gathered in Charlie's hotel room to watch ND football.

Perfect pool day.

In the evening - we proceed into downtown Phoenix for a gathering at the DeSoto Central Market - a fine turnout here as well, the place works just as planned - games, food, drinks, room to mix and mingle, etc.  Another full, fine day.

Distinguished guests on patio at DeSoto Central Market.

DeSoto Central Market

Saturday dinner at DeSoto, complete
with chattering.

C&D get married (1 of 3)

2017 was filled with major blessings - the three most significant being (i) the March wedding of Kerry & Luis (see here, and also here); (ii) the November wedding of Chris & Dharma (initially noted here, and I'm adding more description and photos starting in this post (and also in this post, and finally in this one); and (iii) a certain arrival in December (via this link).

Long-awaited:  we get to meet Sreedhar and Janu!  (Dinner at The Parlor.)

C&D wedding utterly unique among our four family weddings in terms of the setting, the ceremonies, the guest list; yet utterly similar to the other weddings in terms of the amazing turn-out from around the country (family traveling cross-country twice for 2017 weddings!), the enthusiasm of all of the guests, the perfect weather - the overall pervasive warmth and happiness.

Getting all legal.

And the best news of all from the wedding weekend:  Dharma officially becoming a family member!

Here's what happened -

Through Wednesday 15 November

Sreedhar and Janu arrive in Arizona from Bangalore on Wednesday 8 November; we meet them for dinner at the Parlor on Friday 10 November - seems like we've been anticipating this meeting forever, was great that it finally happened. So nice, in fact, that we gathered with them at Richardson's the next day; then PJ made dinner for them plus the in-town family group on Sunday 12 November.  A big plus that Sreedhar and Janu arrived early and we had some time together before the main events kicked off.

Artistry.

Lots of wedding prep activities during these days; I didn't contribute much to the process though PJ and I did meet up with Sreedhar, Janu, C&D on Tuesday 14 November for wedding license acquisition.

More out of town folks start arriving on Wednesday 15 November - Kerry & Luis; Patrick & Shane.  Bride-focused activities ensued - nails; henna (at C&D's house).  Also: tailoring on our kurtas.  Etc.  That evening there is a large and fine get-together at C&D's house - family, friends, food, fun.  During which the Houses arrive - the first Midwest family arrivals.  Sreedhar presents me with an outfit for Sunday's temple ceremony - the fathers will be pretty similarly outfitted, so thoughtful, a nice moment!

Thursday 16 November

The "day before" is always pretty wonderful.  Guests are arriving steadily; we are getting organized at the house to relocate down to the wedding hotel; PJ and I head down in early afternoon (and chauffeur Jon Blaha).  Rooms are lovely at the Legacy Golf Resort - in fact, the entire facility is.  Wonderful November weather.

Wednesday evening party at C&D's house - (1) sisters; (2) cake; (3) Sreedhar's gift
to me (to be worn at temple ceremony).  Nice.

Rehearsal . . . 

Group-of-seven at rehearsal dinner.

The wedding crew meets up at the main lobby area, then on down to the rehearsal area.  Officiant Rose seems to have things under control; we work through our paces; beautiful space for the ceremony.  Final tune-up - we dress for the rehearsal dinner and head over to Quiessence (just a mile or so away).

Some fine folks at the rehearsal dinner.

Rehearsal dinner attendees . . . 

This place exceeded expectations (which were quite high).  We start with drinks on the patio; it is wonderful as always to mingle around and say hello to everyone.  Then we move inside for the meal (the menu is amazing, see EPG's photo posted at bottom for details).  The pace is quite leisurely, so we start the process of greeting the guests and having them say a thing or three about C&D.

Sreedhar presents EMG with what I'll call a "shawl" - yet another mark of recognition 
and respect for the wedding's elder attendee - this was a nice moment.

Something about the crowd, and the small/rather intimate room, and mostly how everyone feels about C&D - but this part was really quite fine.  Lovely, thoughtful remarks from so many folks.  Sreedhar brings a shawl-type garment for EMG - their respect toward him throughout the weekend was as touching as it was gratifying - this was a nice moment, one of many.

Patrick did a fine job capturing all rehearsal dinner guests-at-table.

Back to the hotel!  Where a group of C&D's friends had taken charge of what we billed as a henna party - but it involved much more.  The henna part of course was quite fun, and many were able to participate.  The food-and-drink part also was quite fun.  Plus it's a much larger group of folks now in comparison to the rehearsal dinner, so we have a chance to catch up with many more people.

The henna party was FUN!

Let me repeat:  the henna party was FUN!

I really liked (so "borrowed") this collage of the skit etc. (originally appeared on FB).

We also learn that these parties often include skits - and the presenting team did a pretty wonderful job putting together a skit recounting C&D's courtship - just a great job, everyone much enjoyed.  Also a "quiz" for the betrothed couple.

The "quiz" was quite entertaining . . . 

All this extends late into the evening; after which we visit NOC/POC room where a fine party is going on; after which we call it a (great) day.

Rehearsal dinner menu (Quiessence)

a wedding in the family!

Will post much more as additional photos become available . . . in the meantime here's a placeholder with just a few photos - Chris & Dharma were married on 17 November!

Another incredible wedding.  Another batch of so-fun events before and after.  Another unbelievable turnout of family and friends.  Our family/friends set is pretty much a known quantity at this point when it comes to celebrating weddings (i.e. unbeatable) but there was a plus factor:  Dharma's family and friends (OK we consider them our family and friends now as well) - they made everything better.  Including a Sunday (19 November) ceremony at the Hindu temple (in Tempe) that no one will forget.

Slightly adapting what I wrote several months ago:  "an immense feeling of gratitude that we have Chris, and Dharma, and all the family and friends (old and new-ish, in both categories), and such warm and wonderful times together."

Swan Lake

Here I am at age 61 and had never attended a ballet performance.  Nedda has been planning to correct this, and it happened on Saturday 28 October - Ballet Arizona put on Swan Lake with the Phoenix Symphony at Symphony Hall (PJ, Nedda, PJr me attending).

PJr/Nedda had lined up seating in one of the little balconies - which I think made a big difference - the unobstructed view from somewhat overhead made it much easier to see the various patterns.  Plus the extra space was nice.


My low expectations were way off the mark - I don't know enough to judge intelligently, but I definitely thought it was a great show.  Tchaikovsky's music certainly is pretty wonderful, and Nedda advises that the lead ballerina was quite good.  The combination of dance and music was surprisingly effective.  Glad we went.

Followed by a late supper at Taco Guild - a converted church with entirely satisfactory food/drink.