GalesAZ: 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.