Day 5 Sat (cont.)

Day 5 Wedding Day (continue)

The reception was given in the backyard of a friend in La Jolla, California. Brandon and Sophia had spent days cleaning up the backyard of over grown weeds and grass. They also trimmed this beautiful HUGE tree in the middle of the backyard which was PERFECT for the reception.

When we got to the house, the street was full of cars…and of course Brandon was waiting for US !! to arrive….sorry

They introduced the wedding party and finally the newlyweds. They looked so HAPPY !! Husband and Wife. They sat on the back porch while the rest of us looked up from the yard. It reminded me of all those middle age movies of the King and Queen watching over the festival. The tent all the way in the back of the yard also gave it this medieval festive look.

After everyone served themselves of some food and there were some speeches. Starting with the Best Man, Austin Suarez. He spoke of Brandon as being his leader and taking care of each other and now it will be up to Sophia to take care of his “bubba”….followed by the Bride’s maid of honor and Sophia’s brother and finally Steve the father of the bride (He gave a great speech….very glowing of the couple).

Then we played a trivia game set up by Bradley and Billy of MIT basketball team and frat brothers.
First they reassigned us to tables where there was one member from the Suarez family, one from the Harrison family, a frat brother and a gymnast….that was fun to meeting different people. Then we had 4 rounds of 6 questions. First it was Brandon, date of birth, summer jobs, pts scored in game, etc. Then Sophia, date of birth, bones broken, champion in what event, missionary work in what country, etc. Then questions about the two or them….Sophia’s answer when asked on first date (No !!), her first words when asked to marry, how Brandon got hurt with the two of them doing something, etc. And finally 6 pictures of the two of them flying, in front of bridge, playing basketball, etc. Aunt Susan from Boston table won with my table a close second. It was so much fun and we all learned so much about the bride and groom. Great job guys.

Then they cut the cake made by one of Sophia’s friends and the champagne started flowing.

Finally they broke down the back porch into a dance floor and the bride and groom danced their first dance as husband and wife. You could tell they had had dancing lessons and had practiced this song.

Then father and bride danced. And mother and groom danced. Then they open up the dance floor. We had a blast with Paul Hamm leading the way. The DJ did a nice job of mixing it up and keeping the dance floor going. Even Uncle Mel did a few dance and Uncle Charlie danced with Cristina Zakis.

Brandon requested our family favorite “We Are Family” and the Suarez family welcomed Sophia into our little circle (one of the highlights of the weekend for me).

Then the new couple left to get their picture taken at sunset by the Pacific Ocean.

What a perfect day.

Day 5 Sat Wedding Day

Day 5 Wedding Day

Sat. Aug 20, 2011

We were surprised by Brandon’s presence at 8 am breakfast. The Suarez family was there since we were still on Eastern time. Father John also joined us.

Sophia and the bridesmaid were at the church at 8 am and Brandon and the groomsmen were there at 9 am.

I loaded up the van at 11 am…but where was Fr. John ? He came down at 11:15 saying that the maid had thrown away his father’s collar….lol

We got to the church at 11:30 as instructed by the mother of the groom. The wedding scheduled for 12 noon. B&S friend from Boston and husband of the photographer was playing the piano. The view of the window behind the alter was just breathtaking. Like one of the brothers said, it was a natural mural.

Matt (Sophia’s brother) escorted his mother to her seat and Austin escorted Kathy to her seat. I was seated next to Kathy with Margy, Xavier and Cristina next to us…Mel, Susan and Charlie and the Hammies a row behind us. The 10 or 12 MIT guys all sat together.

Then it happened Brandon and Austin came out with the minister and Fr. John, and I started to cry.

The bridesmaid were escorted up by the groomsman and then Sophia with her father, Steve. She was just radiant. The sun from the window behind the alter just lit up the church. What a beautiful bride !! and the red flowers she was carrying just brought out the red in her cheeks.

It was a beautiful service and Fr. John gave a wonderful sermon. You could tell that Brandon and Sophia were in love. They moved around the alter as one. I especially liked the sign of peace when everyone kissed….the bride and groom making their way to the wedding parties. I went back and gave the MIT guys a thumbs up. We did it !!

Everyone cheered and clapped as the newlyweds went down the aisle beaming with happiness.

They decided to have a receiving line outside the church and we greeted many people. Some from Sophia’s lab where she works at and some from Brandon’s job in San Diego. And finally all the pictures by the alter.

Load up the van again and off to the reception….oops have to go by the hotel for some people to change into cooler clothes.