The Week of Wedding

Set in idyllic Kohala Coast, the happy groom had planned a fairy tale wedding for his adoring and appreciative bride. And like every fairy tale, there were twists and turns before the happy ending. David and Allison arrived in Hawaii Saturday morning after an 18 hour journey including a 5 hour layover in Narita including a tour of the temple complex in the dark and an authentic sushi experience. Dizzy with exhaustion and cold medicine, the lei-ed couple bumped into Allison’s brother and crew on the beach to swim and frolic with turtles and the weeklong festivities began.

Sunday night the Despard and Ratner clans met and mingled for the first time as Boyd nearly smoked down the joint grilling chicken briquettes! Monday diving was curtailed by strong winds that blew into Tuesday disrupting plans of sunset boat cruises and beach side ceremonies. Showing amazing teamwork and poise, the couple (led primarily by the stunningly handsome David and supported ably by the bride’s parents) replanned the wedding in a mere 24 hours. Wedding goers luau-ed the night away to a fabulous feast and spectacular display of dance and music.

Thanks to the gracious hospitality of Matron of Honor Liz Guida and the bride's mother, Wednesday the girls lounged and nibbled in the exclusive bungaloes usually inhabited by movie stars the like of Kevin Costner while making Waterworld. The boys played “roadkill”, a derivative of softball, on the lush Mauna Lani pool lawn side. That evening, to give a taste of what could have been, the sun shone and turtles tagged along for the rehearsal on the beach followed by an evening of good grub at Tommy Bahamas hosted graciously by the bride's parents.

The wedding day started overcast and sprinkling. The couple kept their hopes up for the beachside wedding while being repeatedly told that a downpour on you wedding was good luck in Hawaii. This was actually verified by the hotel historian/naturalist. ( How can I get that job?) While the bride and her matron of honor were primped and pampered, David and Loren, the amazing wedding planner, negotiated with tiki torch vendors and staff to set up outside, set up inside, as the rain came and went in ½ hour bursts. The wedding took place inside, with water on the outside in the form of rain and in the inside in the form of tears. In the usual topsy-turvy brought on by such affairs, the normally composed bride could not stop crying while the tender and sensitive groom held together quite nicely. The two favorite exchanges of the evening included David stating to BJ right before the ceremony that “It’s in God’s hands now” and BJ replying “Honey – it always was…” The second was when flower girl/niece Lindsey inquired of the bride “Why were you crying?” She replied “Sometimes you cry when you are really happy.” To which Lindsey replied emphatically: “That’s silly!”

The gods deciding they had tested the couple thoroughly and they had passed, took pity and the rain cleared for a beautiful photo shoot of the setting sun. Back at the reception, the food was fabulous, the toasts original and touching and everyone danced! But that was not enough – the groom’s best pals (all actors by trade) were the highlight of the entertainment. Dressed as Japanese Geisha they performed the skit of Allison & David meeting on match.com, quoting liberally from “How To Get A Straight Date” authored by the bride and her friend Marija. The permanence of the written word was embarrassingly clear! With aching feet, the couple danced to their song “At Last” by Etta James a second time and wished everyone goodnight. The perfect end to the perfect day was swimming in the ocean in the moonlight with turtles, honu maku or spiritual guides for the now married couple!

The next day after a yummy brunch, the persistent wind foiled whale watching from the boat, yet the group preserved in their quest on two buses. Ocean Sports (led by Kaye Brooks who was now fast friends with David due to the minute to minute phone calls) provided marine biologists and the gang learned more than they could imagine about whales! Lots of tails and spouting water were spotted, but a true breaching whale was only seen later by some lucky attendees that decided to fit in a round of golf! The beach filled with the wedding clan and everyone stayed till sunset to bid their adieus for some who left that evening and many who left over the next two days.

Thank you all so much who came, those who sent hearts via Liz and those who sent their best wishes. You were all there with us in spirit. The best part was being surrounded by people we loved all week. The hardest part was trying to spend time with everyone all at once and missing those who couldn’t make it.

Please, please, please send us your photos…. By e-mail or mail us a CD if that’s easier. We want the original digital photos if possible. We will continue to update the blog with added photo links – so check back!

Official photographer slideshow (he did an amazing job): eyeexpression.com/slideshows/davidandallison.html

Official wedding photos: http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=hggnkpd.6dxm6tg5&Uy=2o1nn3&Ux=1

Wedding ceremony reception: kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=hggnkpd.a3574ba5&Uy=4v8dtg&Ux=1

Rehersal/Tommy Bahamas:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=hggnkpd.3dlxtyhp&Uy=-oikhr1&Ux=1

Girls party: kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=hggnkpd.545baqil&Uy=-qbj5bv&Ux=1

Fun in the sun: kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=hggnkpd.7psx1xi5&Uy=-fmxb14&Ux=1

Hawaii diving /snorkeling:
kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=hggnkpd.c8xcgap9&Uy=-anyr3e&Ux=1

Narita photos in the dark http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=hggnkpd.b76owbp9&Uy=-oiloll&Ux=1>