Up early this morning so we could bring the alcohol over to the reception hall and set up a bit.

Dennis discovers a lack of Gin:

We all went out for some quick breakfast and then Dennis and I went to pick up Alison at their hotel. I practiced my toast in the car while he helped her get ready.

Then we were off to Joe’s parents’ place where we all got dressed in our studly clothes. They sure make suite complex. What an odd human tradition - who the heck came up with it all?

The limo picked us up and we were whisked off to the church.

The wedding ceremony itself was quite excellent. Everything went smoothly and Joe and Lisa looked great. Alison was kind enough to take some pictures during and after the ceremony while I was busy guarding the newlyweds.

While Joe and Lisa took off to take family photos, Thai, Stephen, Dennis and I managed to drive four times, back and forth between the reception hall and Joe and Lisa’s hotel for the night. Originally, we just did the drive. Then we decided we should leave their rental car there so it would be there for them in the morning. Then Stephen realized he left his camera in the rental so we had go go back a third time. The fourth time was because plans changed and Joe and Lisa required the car to get to the hotel from the reception. Anyway, that managed to kill time =p

We did photos in the reception hall and as we were finishing them up, people were arriving - which was kind of cool. You could socialize while killing time between photos.

The dinner was delicious.

The speeches went well, too: Dennis’ was awesome while mine was decent. But even Joe and Lisa’s parents’ speeches were entertaining, which was cool.

After that, it was just a big party. Joe’s family is awesomely crazy - his dad definitely isn’t an oddball in the group. Still, it was fun. The DJ was a bit much for us youths but older crowd loved him and he was totally into them, too.

Joe’s first dance with…. his father?

Joe’s relatives brought special hats so they could put on a show during YMCA. That’s Joe’s dad in front right.

Stephen drove us all back to Steve Maddiss’ house and on the way, the highway was partially closed or something and we had to divert. On our way across the detour, we found the reason why: A dozen or more of those big digging machines were strewn across the highway, tearing down eating a bridge.

It was awesome.

You know what? Thai wrote it up much better right here.

[My complete pictures can be found here and some of the official photographer's photos can be found here]