Our Wedding Day

Saturday July 5, 2008

We went to the tailor’s and Jayne picked up her dress that had a line running down the front of it. We were both displeased with them to say the least.

Then we went to the dry cleaner’s to see if they could clean it in an hour. They couldn’t, as the worker said it wouldn’t be until Wednesday. This wouldn’t do, so we went to the mini-supermarket to find something. Jayne bought something called Vanish.

Then we went to get some coffee (which was terrible at this café). We met two ladies (mother and daughter) who were at Tarquin’s place. We had seen each other during dance lessons. Jayne explained to them what happened to her dress plus more chit-chat.

Jayne stopped off at the hotel to see if she could get the dirt out while I went to the tailor’s to get my suit (where stitches had to be taken out). I also picked up a pair of pants that she had made for other wearing occasions.

Jayne was able to get most of the dirt out – thank God. There was a shirt I had the tailor made for for the wedding and that had a black dirt spot on it. She was able to get that out.

The dirt on my shirt was discovered the day before. I didn’t see it when I picked up the shirts (one for Matt, too) as it was folded and the spot was on the other side. The black spot was not there when we bought the material or I would have noticed it. Even if Jayne couldn’t get the spot out it would have been hidden behind the vest. However, this goes to show that this tailor and his wife are not careful of the work they do.

I had no problem with the shirts outside of the dirt and with the vest – they were both done excellent but with Jayne’s clothes they are not well made. The dress and the jacket for our wedding had to be refitted. The paints they had to put in another bit of material plus it was too big at the top. Then there was the dirt on the dress and shirt. Of course, they never said it was their fault.

In the morning during breakfast at the hotel there was another couple sitting at a table. Later we saw them walking on the street seeing the sights. When I got back to the hotel with my suit I met the guy with a policeman. I heard that they were robbed a little while ago. We were talking while he was waiting for his wife and he said that a man with a big knife robbed them. Among other things they took his camera that had all his vacation pictures on it!

He said that someone gave them a guide of places to go and streets to go on. You can be sure that this was a set up. I figure that the robber called his buddy to say if a couple looks like such-and-such comes by, get them.

This is one thing not to do – get advice from someone on the street, and not to have all your photos in your camera or on your person.

Anyhow, they had plans to go to Galapagos the next day and were deciding to buy another camera. Galapagos is world famous for its natural habitat. It’s a group of islands a couple of hundred miles off the cost of Ecuador.

Richard came by about 2.45pm to our hotel room. As soon as he got to the door he said, ‘Oh damn. I just discovered that I left my cell phone in the taxi! That is why I never like to take taxi. Each year I lose about $1,000 worth of stuff. I should have taken my car.’

Jayne said, ‘Calm down. Why don’t you try to call your cell phone?’
He said, ‘I never would have thought of that!’
Jayne said, ‘It might still be in the taxi and the driver might answer it.’

Richard made the call on my cell phone, it rang and the taxi man answered it. He said he would be by to drop it off. Sure enough he did. I said to Richard, ‘You owe Jayne one.’ (Just kidding)
Richard came as he will be walking Jayne to the table where the ceremony will be.

About 3.pm Rachael stopped by and I gave her the cameras. She took some pictures in the hotel. Then we waited around to the right time to walk to the restaurant. We only had two blocks to walk, which was good – no limo or taxi was needed!

We got there about 3.40pm. We saw a lady from the wedding store going to deliver the bouquet. This was great timing. Jayne, Richard and me had some pictures taken before we went upstairs.
When we got there, we saw that Matt was already there along with Tarquin and his family but no one else. The time was about 3.55pm and we told everyone that the ceremony will start promptly at 4pm. Matt said that he’s waiting on his wife (Amparo, and his two children). She should have been there as she was one of the witnesses.

The Judge in the meantime asked for my ID. I gave it to him, plus the money. The Judge asked who will translate and Richard said he will.

About 4:05 Amparo arrived.

Jayne was to my right with Matt to her right and Amparo was to my left. The band started playing Richard Wagner’s ‘Wedding March’ when Richard walked Jayne to the ceremony table. We started before the other guests arrived as the Judge said he had to be at another wedding. Well, the guests were told what time to be there for, but this is typical Ecuadorians. Since many Ecuadorians do this I couldn’t see why the Judge could start a few minutes later. After all, the other people, who are probably Ecuadorians wouldn’t notice the difference.

I noticed from someone taking pictures that more people showed up during the ceremony. Later in the ceremony the other guests had shown up.

After the ceremony I noticed that I forgot the CD in the hotel. I was going to have Richard go back and get it. This has the songs on that Jayne and I wanted. Matt said he would call the hotel and have someone come and bring it. This is what was done. I paid the hotel worker a tip for bring it.

Also after the ceremony I was asked if I wanted to have dinner start at 4.30 or 5.00pm. I said 5.00pm – big mistake! I didn’t realize how fast time would go by as I would have liked more time for the guests to dance. It also ran up my tab bill for the drinks.

The meal in Mea Culpa was excellent but the portions were small. We were told before we booked the restaurant that it would be Mediterranean style (which means bigger portions) but in reality it was French style (which means small portions).

My Best Man gave a speech followed by me giving a speech. I commented on how beautiful Jayne looked, I mentioned briefly how we met and I thanked all the guests for coming.
During the meal I noticed from the balcony, which overlooked Plaza Grande, another wedding couple was having pictures taken. Later, there was a mini-demonstration of some people having complaints against the government.

Jayne and I danced our first dance to the song ‘Welcome to My World’ by Eddie Arnold. Then we danced with the Maid of Honor and the Best Man to ‘Hawaiian Wedding Song’ by Elvis Presley. This is the song that my Mother likes.

We had a great time. The guests were quite and although there were four children they were well behaved.

I paid the band and the restaurant. The band had four people playing, which included a guitar, electric keyboard and drums.

During one break one of our guests, David, played two songs. He is an accomplished pianist; through this is only his hobby. That was nice of him to play.

Mathieu had invited us and some of the other guests to his house for after wedding drinks.

Jayne and I left about 8.15pm. Richard came back to the hotel with us to help us carry some of the things back. Then we walked to Matt and Amparo’s home which is about 5 blocks away. They have a beautiful home which was made to look colonial Spanish. It’s really a work of art.
We took a taxi home from Matt’s place as it’s not safe to walk the streets at night. Even walking in the wrong places during the day is not safe – as happened to the guests at our hotel.

It had been a thoroughly enjoyable Wedding Day, which Jayne and I will always remember!