Meghan & Scott wedding/weekend

Friday 13 April - just five days after wrapping up the Jon/Jaz wedding weekend, we all (except Romie-minder Nedda) gathered in Santa Barbara for Scott Turner - Meghan Stern wedding. Nicole & POC and Chris & Dharma are on our flight; at airport we run into lawyers from Nedda's new firm plus Melaine and Daniel.  Lunch at a public market in downtown Santa Barbara.  PJ and I join up with the group involved in the rehearsal (PJ being a reader) - lovely church up in the hills.  After, we meet up with a bunch of wedding folk at a bar, followed by the rehearsal dinner (at Santa Barbara Wine Collective) - nice event.  Back to hotel for chatting etc. 

Rehearsal; interior of 1930s church

Saturday 14 April - a group of us wander around looking for breakfast and end up having a fine if gluten-free time of it - lovely morning.  The ladies go do hair-stuff; the gentlemen gather for light lunch back at the public market, which fits the bill.  We prep and jump on a bus for the wedding ceremony - all quite lovely - then there is some time to kill prior to the reception, which is accomplished by a bus tour down to the beach and around (and around) downtown - but this is quite fun as it's a good crew and definitely in the mood. 

Bus ride with marachas and hydration options.

Bus people

Outdoor reception venue and it really is quite excellent (including, surprisingly, the meal) - very nice speeches, lotsa dancing.  Walk over to the "Wildcat" lounge for post-reception ear-splitting fun; then we walk back to the hotel.  Some late-night dining in our room and that's it.

With the mother-of-the-bride.

Sunday 15 April - a nice brunch is hosted down in the pool area - this was one of the better opportunities of the weekend to just sit around and talk (which was the idea).  Kerry & Luis with early departure time, unfortunately; also PJr.  Later the rest of us walk down pretty much all the way to the water; our group looking for lunch; enjoyed a tapas place; then it was back to the airport.

Fun to be together; nice to show up for the Sterns after the way they supported the weddings in our family; everything was so well arranged; nice.

Jon & Jazmin wedding/weekend

Back seat in the Uber.  Suit
coat shade screen helps.

Had a fine weekend with everybody in town (except Luis the Mae-minder).  Kerry arrived evening of Thursday 5 April and we had dinner at Richardson's; Patrick & Shane arrived Friday 6 April - which was the wedding day for Jon & Jazmin.  Lunch at Fuego; then we get organized for the wedding; most of us meet up at 706 for an Uber ride all the way out to Mesa - which ride turned out to have non-functional A/C on a really warm afternoon - we survive and refresh at Oro Brewing right across the street from the wedding venue.

Wedding was rather small in numbers but very fun - a really good crew - our group plus the ASU crowd responsible for much of the evening's momentum.  Matt gave a funny speech.  After everything wraps up there is another Uber back to 706, where we play Five Crowns; home at 3 a.m.

Saturday 7 April - a group of us meet for late breakfast at Essence; the main event for the day is a get-together at Chris & Dharma's place.  Lots of badminton; a fair amount of beer tasting (successful as inventory was assembled by experts); great food; lots of chatting all night.  On Sunday - late breakfast via 32 Shea and then folks start peeling off.  And I'd say all of us were rather tired after all the nonstop action - fun.

OK we didn't have any time to explore in depth, but Oro (Mesa) seems promising.

Reception just getting started.

Better behaved group (up to this point)

Reception unfolds.

Chris & Dharma with newlyweds.

Serious work by Saturday food prep crew.

Saturday crew (most of it)

C&D get married (3 of 3)

[This post covers Chris & Dharma Hindu wedding day plus Monday; two prior posts (via this link and also via this link) cover the days prior.]

Showing a goodly portion of the crowd . . . 

Sunday 19 November - breakfast with PJ at the golf clubhouse on a gorgeous morning; then it's time to get organized to check out of the hotel and head over to Tempe for the temple ceremony.  We didn't really know how many of the guests would travel to Tempe for a second wedding ceremony after what already had been a full/busy weekend - and the temple staff started by setting up a fairly limited number of chairs - but then more, and more, and more, guests kept arriving, and more and more chairs were put in place - we ended up with just a great turnout, this made us happy - I'll say again:  what a guest-grouping for this wedding!

ceremony #1

crowd #2

ceremony #2

The temple ceremony itself is difficult for me to describe - it of course is lovely, and exudes a sense of solemnity; deeply developed, longstanding traditions - it lasted quite a while, but seemed to just fly by.  I've included a photo of the document that explained the various parts of the ceremony for we visitors, and one of the temple persons did a good job of verbally explaining things section-by-section.  Chris - and, especially - Dharma - wore traditional outfits that were rather amazing.  Patricia and I joined Sreedhar, Chris and Dharma on what I'll call the "stage" for a portion of the ceremony - it was an honor to be part of, just plain fascinating to see; the process inspires respect and reverence.

ceremony #3

Folks found this quite helpful.

A few traditional Indian touches surrounding the ceremony enhanced things - including little things like Chris being required to pay to retrieve his shoes (from the shelves where we all placed our shoes prior to entering the temple).

Happy parents.

After the ceremony (and some photos): a South Indian style meal is served at the hall adjoining the temple - the food preparers did a great job with this also, everyone seemed to much enjoy.  In some ways this reminded me of taking a meal in the gym at St. Joe school after Sunday Mass - a similar feel.

Most - but certainly not all - of groom's family visitors.

Saris worked!

scenes . . . 

Next - we move onto Chris & Dharma's house - a few more Indian traditions are observed, including rice at the front door, and Chris being required to pay Janu prior to entry - nice!

these ceremonies were just great

We sit and discuss the day's and entire weekend's events; we fill out a calendar betting on Romie's arrival date; we talk and talk some more; folks move in and out.  Photos.

Romie-lottery; guests; badminton (dominant team) . . .

Eventually it's time for EMG's flight home - one further traditional Indian gesture, Janu has a way of so-quickly/gracefully lowering herself and touching EMG's foot and then - equally gracefully - rising and bringing her hand back up in a single motion - we could learn something from the sincere respect they show to elders - this moment really touched me and I think plenty of others (not just EMG).

Farewells to "Grandpa Gales" . . . here a lovely scene with Sreedhar, Dharma, Janu . . .

"Grandpa Gales" with folks from two generations younger.  Showing them, us, how it's done.

As the afternoon proceeds, quite a few folks are heading to the airport - we're sorry that the main events of the weekend are over, but v. happy about how well everything went.  We stay at C&D's place well into the evening.

the "Floppy" wave, circa 1970s, is resurrected . . .

Monday 20 November - most of the remaining guests are departing, but we are able to gather with a nice group (see photo below) at Phoenix Public Market for lunch before they leave.  Carol, Jim, and I do a bit of hiking toward sunset; PJ puts together a fine supper at 11419.

Perfect day, perfect setting, farewell lunch (Phoenix Public Market patio)

And that was pretty much it.  Just an amazing, unbeatable wedding experience.  Again.  We are happy for Chris & Dharma that everything turned out so well; we are happy for old and new friends and family - some great additions including especially our Bangalore visitors! - and most of all we are happy that Chris & Dharma have each other.  We feel lucky indeed.

Next up:  Thanksgiving . . .

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.