Awe Geez: Double Whammy Wedding Post

This post contains some destination photography as well as photos of wedding celebrations. Last weekend the lot of us Union’s trekked down to the Dominican Republic to celebrate the uniting of one of Chris’ brothers with his beautiful girlfriend Randa. T’was a wild and lovely affair.

So I will first enchant you with scenery. We stayed in a beach resort that we were advised not to leave until we go to the airport to fly home. Charming huh?

It was very large and very beautiful and Chris’ family members and the wedding party seemed to make up a quarter of the hotel's guests. As you wandered from meal to meal each day, you would pass Randa’s sweet mother or perhaps a gaggle of Stephane’s groomsmen. You would give each other knowing smiles and then continue on to the pool or the lunch buffet.

We spent two days lounging by the pool and beach and having grand dinners with the family and friends.

At night, us young folks stayed out late dancing. Ellen stayed true to character and went to bed before everyone else leaving poor Chris to dance with himself. Thankfully I was there to step in and Chris twirled and spun me so well that people cleared the floor to watch us dance. It was very embarrassing. I spent my downtime befriending other 4^th string wedding guests. I was, after all, the groom’s brother’s wife’s sister and not really an old friend of either party. Stephane and Randa are world’s kindest people though and not only invited me but made me feel welcome and like I had been their friend all along. All of their friends were lovely and their families seemed happy that “Elle’s whole family came!” I’m sure it’s not hard to imagine that Dad was a favorite among the groomsmen and I was complimented on him regularly.

On wedding day, Chris was sent off to the bar with the groomsmen and Ellen was captured for several hours of intensive grooming and making over. Mom, Dad, and I hung out by the pool, had lunch, took naps, and then threw ourselves together a few minutes before the wedding. The wedding was here on this rooftop.

It was a very fast ceremony during which the sun blazed down on everyone’s sunburned skin and Randa’s rowdy boy cousins managed to kick over an isle marker, sending warm water rushing out of the vase and down the isle with a loud shatter. Dad thought it was a riot and later gave them warm pats on the back for a job well done.

We made our way from the wedding sight to a ballroom where we were served a lovely dinner that we ate during speeches and first dances. To help you understand the crowd of people present, I can tell you that few people even finished their dinner before they were on the dance floor. Lots of Chris’ aunts and uncles forwent their sirloins in favor of shimmies and twists and by the time dessert came no one was in their chair. Mom was up and dancing just after her dessert, though she took a quick break for wedding cake and was back on the floor in no time. Even Dad busted a few moves much to the delight of all of his new friends. I barely saw Ellen that night. It was the only night of the trip she was out late talking and dancing and she was so invested in the fun she didn’t notice that it was 3 a.m. when she went to bed.

I took about 7 pictures the whole time. These photos I have were all gathered from Facebook pages and various peoples girlfriends who sent me things because I asked them to. I feel guilty taking pictures at weddings with my good camera. I don't want the photography team to feel like I'm challenging them so I just make myself wait to see the pictures like everyone else.

Before I just leave a bunch of photos, you should know that Ellen posed with an iguana while a monkey sat on my head. The little monkey, Brenda, stabled herself by sticking her little fingers in my ears and I was so happy I couldn't stand it. I've always wanted to hold a monkey.

Also, I'd like you all to stop and appreciate Chris' Popeye face.

All right, here are wedding photos. Starting with the newlyweds.

These are all of the Villard boys and their new brother-in law, Nader, over on the left there. Next to him is Claude, Chris, Oliver, and Stephane.

These are all of the Villard boys' girlfriends. Randa and her giant smile on the right, Amy next to me in the green is engaged to Oliver, and Jessica (the most lovely human. Actually, they're all very lovely.) is talking marriage with Claude.