We had a great Thanksgiving together with Nana and Papa coming down from NH as well as Kristina (my niece) and Sareth Bhimineni (her significant other) joining us from Worcester. There were many things from simple to large for us to be thankful for, but our greatest thanks was for the upcoming wedding…tick..tick..tick..tick.
Kristina was one of the bridesmaids and more bridesmaids started showing up on Sunday when Jess and PJ picked up Erin in Boston and spent the day touring Boston—brunch, museums, duck tours—tick..tick..tick..tick.
When they got back to the house some time over the next few days was devoted to making the programs and the table cards.
Andrew and Sarah (double duty as sister and a bridesmaid) flew into Hartford from Australia on Wednesday. Since they were going to have a bit of jet-lag we decide to have them check into the hotel in Hartford next to the wedding site. We loaded up three cars with lanterns, decorations and a wedding dress on Thursday and headed to Hartford to join them; |  |
We unloaded the decorations at the Society Room—the wedding site—in Hartford and then to met with the event manager to make sure everything was timed, arranged and ready to go.
PJ’s parents, Larry and Ditas flew in that evening as well as his sister Veronica and her husband Matt (one of PJ’s groomsmen) and their daughter Ana (the flower girl)…tick..tick..tick.
 Then back to the City Steam where we met Sean (one of the groomsmen) for a final evening libation. | For a little pre-weekend outing we went out to Saluts, a very nice Italian restaurant within walking distance.  |
Friday was a quiet day seeing some of the Hartford area and late in the afternoon more groomsmen—Sean, Ryan—and the final bridesmaid—Jen—arrived. The ladies—Jess and bridesmaids—went out for an evening together at a local tapas restaurant.
Not to be outdone, all of the guys got together first at the City Steam Brewery which is attached to the Wedding Headquarters (the Marriott Residence Inn where many of us were staying). After an indeterminate amount
of time the group (minus a couple of members) moved first to The Russian Lady—a local, loud nightspot where I was probably the oldest person in the building (the guy hustling one of the pool tables was possibly older)—then as we headed back towards the hotel we were drawn into Vaughn’s, an Irish Pub, where we met up with the remnants of the ladies night out. We ended up the last evening before the wedding weekend fully began by closing down the pub and then heading back to the hotel…tick..tick..tick. | Saturday started out somewhat quiet as well. The ladies headed out for manicures and pedicures and then a luncheon while I provided a brief taxi service between the airport and downtown for Dan and Paula Chang—leaving Paula with the ladies at Agave’s a Tequila bar while Dan and I headed back to City Steam. |
   | We had the rehearsal Saturday afternoon and then had some time to head back to our rooms to get ready for the rehearsal dinner. The dinner was at The Dish, a restaurant in the block next to the hotel, and they provided an outstanding meal. Keeping with the tradition that we started at Sarah’s wedding (now we are two for two) the fathers gave toasts at the rehearsal dinner leaving the welcome toasts to the mothers at the wedding reception. I turned to PJ at one point and commented, “tick..tick..tick..tick” and he quickly came back with, “Don’t cut the blue wire!” You could tell we were getting closer and didn’t want to take any chances. We were fortunate to have the restaurants, hotel and a brewery cafe all within short distance of each other and just across the street from the Society Room. |
Since we once again had many people
traveling from around the country to attend the wedding we had another “after-dinner” get together in a private room at the City Steam. It was a great way for many people that haven’t seen each other in many years to reconnect before the wedding. And the visiting continued back in our room (you can see Joe Speelman and his son Geoff joined us from Texas).The initial activities on Sunday (Wedding Day) began with Jess sending PJ a note and package (that wasn’t ticking)…
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the Bridesmaids getting their hair and makeup done and then starting to dress…
And so did the Groomsmen (without the makeup part)…
Then it was off for the “First Look” and photos (they had decided to see each other and do all the photos before the wedding so we would move smoothly from the service to the reception)…tick..tick..tick..tick.
…but Wait!
While the wedding party was off to the Society Room some nefarious friends were preparing the bridal suite. Balloons, bells on the door, champagne, welcoming signs…short-sheeting the bed…
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Then it was time for the “First Look”….PJ being told to look away as Jess approaches and when he can turn to see the bride…BOOM!!
With the initial explosion over, the picture taking began in earnest…
| The flowers in Jess’ bouquet and on the bridesmaids’ lanterns were handmade from paper by PJ’s cousin Diana. Ana the Flower Girl, being from Phoenix, was a little cold being outside in December in Connecticut. Using Tito PJ’s coat helped a little...  |  but she really didn’t care for the cold and was glad to get back inside for group photos and then the wedding.  |
The Wedding and Reception
  and then all turned to watch the bridal party enter down the stairs… The Bridesmaids with lanterns…    Ana with her round bouquet… and Jess and I had that last moment together with a little hug before heading down the stairs… | PJ was escorted in to the service by his parents…   Andrew, our son-in-law escorted Cheri in…     |
The service was beautiful with our friend The Reverend Jamie Harrison presiding...
The wedding party then retired to the Bride’s room to put feet up and the bustle up for a few minutes…
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While the main room was transformed into the reception hall…
The bride and groom were announced and entered down the stairway from above and were then spot-lighted having their first dance…
   Sadly I missed PJ’s rendition of “Dance like Mick Jagger”, but at least someone got a photo…  |  There was a father of the bride dance and we soon asked other fathers and daughters to join us. Followed by a mother and son dance. Dinner was served, the wedding cake (topped by a likeness of Jess, PJ and Maggie) was cut, and the dancing began in earnest.  |
The dancing went well into the night and when the reception closed down the guests lined the walkway from the Society Room back towards the hotel with sparklers and wished the newlyweds on their way.
The next morning we had a brunch for all those who stayed overnight, and it gave people a chance to see Jess and PJ again before traveling back to their homes around the country and the world (Jess and PJ are honeymooning in late January / early February when they attend their friends’ Jessica and Jake’s wedding in the Dominican Republic).
The newlyweds arrived appropriately attire for the brunch and the day..
Let the expanded Adventures continue…
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