Hawaii 2012
Quick 8 mile run (Oahu is depressingly short on good running for long distances), lunch from the excellent Kahuku Grill, then off to Kristen and Dave's wedding at Secret Island, Kualoa Ranch.
Like Kualoa Ranch's main ranch, Secret Island is also home to lots of movies. It's a lovely little place putting the wedding right on the Pacific Ocean side of the island, with the reception on the little cove inland. About 75 guests came, some semi-local from Kristen and Dave's University of Hawaii days, others friends and family who flew in to join them. A pavillion was erected to keep us out of the sun and rain...
The (annoyingly) intermittent rain cleared up in time for the ceremony, which quoted Dr. Seuss and Princess Bride, some slight issues exchanging the rings, and as usual, Kristen doing something silly like almost forgetting her bouquet as she walked back down the aisle.
Yummy appetizers and drinks started the reception, where it looked like not only were tons of UH friends there, but friends from George Washington University and other schools. Our family occupied most of the family space; Dave's somewhat smaller family looked to be a good group of people who we got along with. Throw in a few professors from UH and some others, and it was a nice reception.
First dance ended with a surprise dip, wedding cake slice tipped over as the newlyweds cut it, the promise between the couple to not smear wedding cake was left to the details (Kristen had someone ELSE do the cake smearing!), instead of a garter toss it was a coconut bikini with a $20 bill, and very unusually, for the "garter" toss and bouquet toss, even married people were invited-- and encouraged to renew their vows if they caught it!
Dinner was nice (fish and chicken, mmmm), but the desserts were awesome. Maple chocolate bacon cupcakes (!), macademia nut chocolate chip cookies, and the wedding cake was some mango-infused deliciousness.
Top it all off with random downpours and a creative photo booth, and it was a very nice wedding. Congratulations, Kristen and Dave!