Ali's Wedding

We had the privilege of attending a great wedding the last weekend in June. The wedding was that of Evan's sister's husband's sister (did you follow that one?) Allison and her now husband Richard. I know it may seem weird to some people that we were invited seeing as we are not part of the immediate family but it seemed normal to us. Dave's (Evan's sister's husband) family has a great relationship with Evan's family. In fact, Dave and Allison's parents hosted Evan and I's engagement party at their ranch in Bedias.

Originally, we were not sure we would be able to attend the wedding because we thought we would be in D.C. this summer. Since our plans changed and we have been in town we were excited to be able to go. Ali and Richard also asked me to sing at their wedding. It started out that I was just going to sing with Dave on a song he wrote for them that was to be played during the lighting of the unity candle. It turned into singing all the mass parts and the songs during communion too. I had only sung at one wedding before (my brother's) but was honored to do it, even if I was a little nervous. Thankfully, I was able to meet and practice with the pianist the Wednesday before the wedding and from that point on, I felt really good about the whole thing. Peter, the pianist was incredibly talented and I knew he would make both of us sound great :) I was also really thankful that Ali and Richard were happy. They attended the practice and it was the first time either one of them had heard me sing so I was relieved that they were satisfied with me and the music Peter and I suggested.

Leading up to the wedding was a little stressful because while it was supposed to be at 3:30 PM, there was a quincinera at 2:30, and then we had to be out in time for Saturday mass at 5:00. We all knew that we would have little if any time to set up microphones, music stands, flowers, etc. I would just like to brag on Evan and the wonderful job he did stepping up to help get everything set up when we were able to get into the church at about 3:15. Everyone was actually ready to go about 3:32 but the priest was late because he was caught in traffic. I am not sure but I think it was about 3:50 when the wedding started.

The wedding was BEAUTIFUL!!! The church, the bridesmaids, the BRIDE!!! It was all wonderful. There were a few moments of confusion like when Dave and I ran over to sing the unity candle song but the priest didn't realize there was going to be a song so he encouraged Ali and Richard to light it while he talked about the symbolism. All the while, Dave and I were on edge waiting for an opportunity to start but it didn't come until after they were finished. We still got to sing the song and it went really well. Dave did a great job writing and performing the song and it was an honor to get to sing it with him. The wedding was over with about 7 minutes to take pictures before 5:00 mass started. I am sure that the average spectator didn't even notice how stressed some of us where about the time and the confusion due to the fact that the priest couldn't make the rehearsal the night before. Page (who was a bridesmaid) and I talked about how it was probably only people like us, who were involved enough to know and who were prone to over-stress about plans and preparation, that cared or even noticed. Thankfully, my fall onto the piano bench also went unnoticed by just about everyone. I was getting up from my seat to head to the microphone for what I thought was the unity candle song and while I successfully cleared the cord that I was trying to step over, my heel caught the back of my dress and I came tumbling down. Thankfully, again, the piano bench was where it was, otherwise my whole body would have landed on the tile floor instead of just bruising my knee. I was terribly startled and embarrassed convinced that I had caused a huge distraction. Thankfully, the piano was pretty much out of sight and not even Evan, who was only about 10 feet away but out of sight because of the alcove we were in, knew I fell. I did rip my favorite dress, but I have a great tailor who was able to repair it. You can only tell it was repaired if you look at it really closely.

Here are some pictures from the wedding:

Ali and Richard's Rehearsal and Wedding

Congratulations Allison and Richard!!!