So, I got married,
I figured I should probably write down a few impressions for posterity and for other people about to get married. My impressions will, of course, be from the groom’s perspective.
I woke up at 08:00 on Monday morning and made breakfast to all present (scrambled eggs, salad and tea). I was already very anxious so after Ilana left to get her nails done (round 10:00) I headed out to my sister where my brother and sister arranged to spend some time with me to help me get less anxious. They hoped. So we talked for a short time and then I went to the hairdresser. I was worried about this part since the hairdresser I went to the previous week to check out her work made a mess of my beard. This guy was OK for my hair (even though he did spray it with something that made it rigid) but he had no proper equipment for beard fixing. So my sister asked her cosmetician and we got a name of a guy who did old fashioned shaving (with foam and a razor). He did a fine job on my beard and my face except he shaved me too fine, and against the growth - my skin got red and I received quite a few cuts. All in all I paid 140 NIS for both hairdressers - almost as much as Ilana paid to get her hair done.
After that my brother drove us to the mall where we got some takeout from Aroma (it’s important to eat on your wedding day even if your too excited to think on food) and we headed back to my sister’s where we watched ‘How I Met Your Mother’ and ‘Simpsons’. Initially they wanted to take me out to a restaurant or some other way of passing time but I really wasn’t in the mood. I just wanted to get to a safe place and watch some TV. Then it was time for me to head back home and shower and get ready.
I got home at 14:15 (we were supposed to all ready at 15:00) and showered. Ilana was already in the final stages of her makeup (beautiful job by Nur) and Hila was here to help us out as well as Diz who was getting her hair smoothed out when I arrived. I got into my suit which was approved by all present and Ilana started the process of getting into her dress. The Photographer Neomi arrived and then I got some make up done. By the time Avi, the video guy showed up Ilana was all ready and we showed off the invitations and my swords. We then stuffed Nur’s car with XL and Figeling and headed out to the Utopia orchid park for the pre-wedding photo shoot. It took 45 minutes to get there and I was again very anxious by then since we were losing light, it was getting late and we didn’t know how long the weather would hold. We started with a few outside shots at the maze with Diz, our squire, carrying the ketubah, a sword, a dagger, Ilana’s veil and bouquet (of orchids - gorgeous) and an umbrella. After only a few shots it started dripping so we quickly got inside and continued the shoot. We got some nice shots but it was hot and humid so I quickly started to sweat. When we finished inside, since it apparently stopped raining, we went outside and had a few more full body shots. I felt pretty hurried at this point since we were closing on 18:00 and the reception was due to start at 19:30.
As we headed out to Shfaim it started raining in Ernest and we also encountered some bad traffic so we got to the wedding hall at round 10 min to 19:00. We found our room and started getting settled with my parents and yuda and pettri etc’ and I ran through the rain to get stuff I forgot from the car and then I ran to the office to get the guests sitting stickers and pay for the waiters tip and for the event manager (2110 nis) and give a deposit in case we had more people than expected (another 5000 nis). I got back to the room to find Ilana’s mom has arrived in a particularly foul mood for being driven by Nur who lost her way, drove recklessly and then started working on Diz’s makeup rather than on hers (To sum up). My parents, Yuda and me worked on the stickers and then we headed to the reception which already started, taking Ilana’s mom with me after she already made Ilana cry and got into a shouting contest with Diz. I didn’t have time to say hello to anyone sine I was trying to herd my family into the hall for the pre-wedding family portraits. That was awkward sine almost none of Ilana’s family has arrived yet. So we had my family shots with me promising to give at least as much time to Ilana’s family once they arrived. We wandered around the reception dazedly for a while hardly seeing the lovely fairies dancing in the middle not having the time to really have any of the wonderful food we arranged for the reception like fish and chips (though Ilana had one fry), and then Ilana’s family arrived and off we went for more photos. I then had words with the bar service to send people to help out take the XL and stuff from Nur’s car and told them that the blue drink was called spice and the green one was Diz for Diz’s Birthday which was on that day. Then the Rabby arrived and I herded all necessary people inside for the ketubah signing. After finding all the necessary people it turned out I forgot some more important documents in the car so off I ran again to the car to collect them.
The signing went without a hitch with Yoram, out Lawyer and Yuda serving as witnesses. The only thing was that the fountain pen I bought to sign didn’t seem to write on the ketubah I designed and printed so we used a regular ballpoint. It was slightly after 21:00 at this point so we started the Huppa.
You may notice at this point how harried and confused it all sounds and that is exactly how I felt. Not unlike a big Con where I am one of the staff whose job it is to run around and make sure everybody is happy and satisfied.
So we waited at the doorway and got to personally meet the knights that stood there and the fairies that were going to hold Ilana’s trail. I was instructed on how to walk to get to the Huppa and reminded to stop and cover Ilana’s face with her veil before we step up. ‘Inner light’ started and we started walking. We started too fast and I strove to walk slower with Ilana and her fairies in tow. I was talking to Ilana the whole time, calming her down and telling her it’s almost over. We climbed the steps and the ceremony started. I made sure to ask for Tirosh since I do not drink wine. Yuda and Yoram were asked to say some of the blessings and my brother and Diz were mentioned to speed and hope for their own nuptials. There was the funny part with the Rabby describing Icon and saying I met Olga there (Olga? Who’s Olga?) and Ilana’s immortal words before she gave me a ring ‘Told you so’. She did to - the very first day I met her she told me she will marry me and have my children and the first part is now done.
After the Huppa there was a flood of well wishers that nearly swept us off our feet and we exchanged hugs and well wishes with people as the huppa was being dismantled around us to turn that space back into the dance floor. There was ‘I’m a believer’ as the after Huppa music (‘when I wanted sunshine I got rain’ - very apt) and then Shlomi, our wonderful DJ rickrolled the entire wedding.
Right after that Ilana and I hurried back to our hotel room so that Ilana can change her shows (they were hurting her terribly at that point after wearing them the entire day) and her dress into her dancing dress. We stayed there for what appeared to be a short time but by the time we came back most of the eating was done and we missed the time warp. We said hi to a few people (intending in theory to visit all the tables and see our guests but having the time to see barely 3 tables) and then went for our first solo dance (‘truly, madly, deeply’ by savage garden) and then we just proceeded to dance till we dropped. Ilana made me drink two shots of whisky and she had considerably more of various kinds of alcohol.
Ilana’s mom came to complain that people were having desert and our wedding cake wasn’t out yet so I made sure it was brought out and we ceremoniously cut it and served each other with Ilana smearing some cream on my nose for effect (she might have already been a bit tipsy at this point).
It seemed like no time at all before people all disappeared. Neomi the photographer wanted to shoot us at the end of the wedding so the people who were left sat and talked about nothing much for a while. I still had to write checks to Jovle (the production company that brought the fairies, knights, harp, props like leaves and giant mushrooms etc’) and the bartenders (including tip) so it’s a good thing I stayed sober.
Then we went to bed. And slept. But Ilana did give the waiters that came up bearing the leftovers of the wedding cake and some food trays a show by making out with Hila on our bed.
All in all it was a wonderful wedding and I wish I could have enjoyed it more, all the food and people and music. I (and many others) can’t wait for the pics and movie - it might give me a better idea of what actually happened.
I’ll be happy to receive your own impressions of my wedding - for posterity and just to let us know how it looked from a perspective of a guest.
I know you had fun and I’m happy you were there to share it with us.
I woke up at 08:00 on Monday morning and made breakfast to all present (scrambled eggs, salad and tea). I was already very anxious so after Ilana left to get her nails done (round 10:00) I headed out to my sister where my brother and sister arranged to spend some time with me to help me get less anxious. They hoped. So we talked for a short time and then I went to the hairdresser. I was worried about this part since the hairdresser I went to the previous week to check out her work made a mess of my beard. This guy was OK for my hair (even though he did spray it with something that made it rigid) but he had no proper equipment for beard fixing. So my sister asked her cosmetician and we got a name of a guy who did old fashioned shaving (with foam and a razor). He did a fine job on my beard and my face except he shaved me too fine, and against the growth - my skin got red and I received quite a few cuts. All in all I paid 140 NIS for both hairdressers - almost as much as Ilana paid to get her hair done.
After that my brother drove us to the mall where we got some takeout from Aroma (it’s important to eat on your wedding day even if your too excited to think on food) and we headed back to my sister’s where we watched ‘How I Met Your Mother’ and ‘Simpsons’. Initially they wanted to take me out to a restaurant or some other way of passing time but I really wasn’t in the mood. I just wanted to get to a safe place and watch some TV. Then it was time for me to head back home and shower and get ready.
I got home at 14:15 (we were supposed to all ready at 15:00) and showered. Ilana was already in the final stages of her makeup (beautiful job by Nur) and Hila was here to help us out as well as Diz who was getting her hair smoothed out when I arrived. I got into my suit which was approved by all present and Ilana started the process of getting into her dress. The Photographer Neomi arrived and then I got some make up done. By the time Avi, the video guy showed up Ilana was all ready and we showed off the invitations and my swords. We then stuffed Nur’s car with XL and Figeling and headed out to the Utopia orchid park for the pre-wedding photo shoot. It took 45 minutes to get there and I was again very anxious by then since we were losing light, it was getting late and we didn’t know how long the weather would hold. We started with a few outside shots at the maze with Diz, our squire, carrying the ketubah, a sword, a dagger, Ilana’s veil and bouquet (of orchids - gorgeous) and an umbrella. After only a few shots it started dripping so we quickly got inside and continued the shoot. We got some nice shots but it was hot and humid so I quickly started to sweat. When we finished inside, since it apparently stopped raining, we went outside and had a few more full body shots. I felt pretty hurried at this point since we were closing on 18:00 and the reception was due to start at 19:30.
As we headed out to Shfaim it started raining in Ernest and we also encountered some bad traffic so we got to the wedding hall at round 10 min to 19:00. We found our room and started getting settled with my parents and yuda and pettri etc’ and I ran through the rain to get stuff I forgot from the car and then I ran to the office to get the guests sitting stickers and pay for the waiters tip and for the event manager (2110 nis) and give a deposit in case we had more people than expected (another 5000 nis). I got back to the room to find Ilana’s mom has arrived in a particularly foul mood for being driven by Nur who lost her way, drove recklessly and then started working on Diz’s makeup rather than on hers (To sum up). My parents, Yuda and me worked on the stickers and then we headed to the reception which already started, taking Ilana’s mom with me after she already made Ilana cry and got into a shouting contest with Diz. I didn’t have time to say hello to anyone sine I was trying to herd my family into the hall for the pre-wedding family portraits. That was awkward sine almost none of Ilana’s family has arrived yet. So we had my family shots with me promising to give at least as much time to Ilana’s family once they arrived. We wandered around the reception dazedly for a while hardly seeing the lovely fairies dancing in the middle not having the time to really have any of the wonderful food we arranged for the reception like fish and chips (though Ilana had one fry), and then Ilana’s family arrived and off we went for more photos. I then had words with the bar service to send people to help out take the XL and stuff from Nur’s car and told them that the blue drink was called spice and the green one was Diz for Diz’s Birthday which was on that day. Then the Rabby arrived and I herded all necessary people inside for the ketubah signing. After finding all the necessary people it turned out I forgot some more important documents in the car so off I ran again to the car to collect them.
The signing went without a hitch with Yoram, out Lawyer and Yuda serving as witnesses. The only thing was that the fountain pen I bought to sign didn’t seem to write on the ketubah I designed and printed so we used a regular ballpoint. It was slightly after 21:00 at this point so we started the Huppa.
You may notice at this point how harried and confused it all sounds and that is exactly how I felt. Not unlike a big Con where I am one of the staff whose job it is to run around and make sure everybody is happy and satisfied.
So we waited at the doorway and got to personally meet the knights that stood there and the fairies that were going to hold Ilana’s trail. I was instructed on how to walk to get to the Huppa and reminded to stop and cover Ilana’s face with her veil before we step up. ‘Inner light’ started and we started walking. We started too fast and I strove to walk slower with Ilana and her fairies in tow. I was talking to Ilana the whole time, calming her down and telling her it’s almost over. We climbed the steps and the ceremony started. I made sure to ask for Tirosh since I do not drink wine. Yuda and Yoram were asked to say some of the blessings and my brother and Diz were mentioned to speed and hope for their own nuptials. There was the funny part with the Rabby describing Icon and saying I met Olga there (Olga? Who’s Olga?) and Ilana’s immortal words before she gave me a ring ‘Told you so’. She did to - the very first day I met her she told me she will marry me and have my children and the first part is now done.
After the Huppa there was a flood of well wishers that nearly swept us off our feet and we exchanged hugs and well wishes with people as the huppa was being dismantled around us to turn that space back into the dance floor. There was ‘I’m a believer’ as the after Huppa music (‘when I wanted sunshine I got rain’ - very apt) and then Shlomi, our wonderful DJ rickrolled the entire wedding.
Right after that Ilana and I hurried back to our hotel room so that Ilana can change her shows (they were hurting her terribly at that point after wearing them the entire day) and her dress into her dancing dress. We stayed there for what appeared to be a short time but by the time we came back most of the eating was done and we missed the time warp. We said hi to a few people (intending in theory to visit all the tables and see our guests but having the time to see barely 3 tables) and then went for our first solo dance (‘truly, madly, deeply’ by savage garden) and then we just proceeded to dance till we dropped. Ilana made me drink two shots of whisky and she had considerably more of various kinds of alcohol.
Ilana’s mom came to complain that people were having desert and our wedding cake wasn’t out yet so I made sure it was brought out and we ceremoniously cut it and served each other with Ilana smearing some cream on my nose for effect (she might have already been a bit tipsy at this point).
It seemed like no time at all before people all disappeared. Neomi the photographer wanted to shoot us at the end of the wedding so the people who were left sat and talked about nothing much for a while. I still had to write checks to Jovle (the production company that brought the fairies, knights, harp, props like leaves and giant mushrooms etc’) and the bartenders (including tip) so it’s a good thing I stayed sober.
Then we went to bed. And slept. But Ilana did give the waiters that came up bearing the leftovers of the wedding cake and some food trays a show by making out with Hila on our bed.
All in all it was a wonderful wedding and I wish I could have enjoyed it more, all the food and people and music. I (and many others) can’t wait for the pics and movie - it might give me a better idea of what actually happened.
I’ll be happy to receive your own impressions of my wedding - for posterity and just to let us know how it looked from a perspective of a guest.
I know you had fun and I’m happy you were there to share it with us.