Here's a little photo summary of the events!
Thursday, June 16: Mendhi
Janine was getting her Bridal Henna done at the apartment they rented in Vancouver. She invited her mom, a couple friends, and myself to join. The other girls couldn't make it, so it was just Janine, Pam and I. Neil's parents also came by for a bit, so I got to meet them before the wedding too! I had never gotten henna done before, and I'm always eager to try something new so I was excited. Janine got it all over the fronts and backs of both hands, as well as the tops of her feet. It was beautifully done. The artist is clearly very talented! While we waited for our henna to dry we gingerly ate bagels, candy, and chatted the afternoon away! So so nice to catch up and hang out before the craziness of the wedding. It had been a LONG time.
Isn't this incredible?!
Gorgeous bride-to-be
So much focus for the detail-work
View from their beautiful condo in Coal Harbour
I got a MUCH simpler pattern done on my hands!
View from the balcony. We were right close to the Harbor Air, so we could see float plans taking off and landing out the window.
After our henna was done, I texted my brother Jeff and it turns out he was in the area, so we met up at Tap & Barrell for a quick bite to eat before I drove home. No better way to skip rush-hour I'd say!
Friday, June 17: Sangeet
I took Friday (as well as Thursday) as vacation days from work, as I didn't really know what to expect for the wedding back when I had to book my vacation. Friday morning David and I were both off, and we knew his sister, Allana, was running in the Dog Agility Regionals in Langley. We zipped out there for a couple hours to watch her and some other friends run their dogs. News-flash, Allana & Fynn qualified for Nationals and they'll be going to Montreal to run with the country's best in August! Amazing!
After this, we were headed home and started getting ready for the Sangeet in the evening! Sangeet is like the pre-party for the wedding. It was another beautiful event with delicious food! I like the idea of having a gathering the night before the wedding, as we got to meet many of Janine & Neil's friends and then hang out again the next day! Janine talks about her close friends a lot, so it was nice to be able to put faces to names for those I hadn't met before. It was also nice to introduce myself and have people say, "Oh!! YOU'RE RENEE! I've heard so much about you!" Haha... okay! Awesome! :)
Getting our sun-burn on at agility. You can't tell here, but Sherlock was chattering and whining rather significantly out of excitement at this point.
My henna was looking good on day 2!
Shameless car selfie
Excited to get the party started! Michelle lent me some Indian clothes to wear to Sangeet and the wedding ceremony. This was a comfortable, and more casual outfit of pink and gold!
I almost died when I walked in and saw all the sparkles! I need those table-cloths in my life. I wanted to steal them and wear them the next day to the wedding. I NEED TO KNOW WHERE THEY COME FROM! I just want my whole house draped in sparkles. This is a new revelation for me... I never knew I was quite so excited by shiny things.
Beautiful dessert table put together by Une Petite Gaterie (Michelle & Monica's dessert table business)
My first ever non-alcoholic beer. I also had to go find the table with the most sparkly table-cloth to sit at...
Oh the food... I gotta say, I've been craving Indian food since I found out I was pregnant. This did NOT disappoint! It was all so delicious. I'm drooling again just thinking about it! Servers came around with appetizers while everyone socialized, and then dinner was served later in the evening. Janine and Neil know how to keep their guests happy! Open bar and constant food!
It was (unfortunately) dark by the time we got the bride & groom for a photo op, but we were happy to have some photo evidence that we were there anyway!
Janine looked stunning in her saree (is that spelled right? is that even the right word?... I'm so un-cultured...).
I suppose Neil looked alright too, but check out those colours on Janine's outfit! Gorgeous!
Aww... I miss the "Janee" days.
Saturday, June 18: Wedding Day!
It was an early start to get ready for the wedding day, and I zipped out to Michelle's so she could help me tie my saree in the morning before getting ready. We were off to the New West Quay for the ceremony to start at 10:30 or so. It was a very pleasant surprise to find there was a breakfast and coffee bar set up in the ceremony! Is this an Indian tradition? If so... it should become an EVERYONE tradition! This was especially welcome as the ceremony started late, but nobody seemed to notice. We were all happy socializing and munching away on the surprise goodies!
The wedding ceremony was a traditional Hindu ceremony, and it was quite the spectacle. I loved every second. I couldn't wipe the smile off my face! I'm sure some people who are used to these sorts of cultural events weren't so excited, but I couldn't get enough of the bright colours, sparkles, new traditions, and seeing how happy the bride & groom were/are!
Not to mention the fact that the groom rode to the ceremony down the docks at the quay on a HORSE! How cool is that?
After the ceremony, everyone went their separate ways until the cocktail hour at 7pm. There was time to kill, so we went out to lunch with Crystal, Kelly, Robin & Jordan at the Paddlewheeler Pub. From here we went back to their hotel room where Robin, Crystal and I huddled in the bed and I took a little power nap before getting dressed for the reception.
The wedding reception was a more classic Canadian reception. It had cocktails, appetizers, Scotch bar, and Italian food! The bride wore a white wedding dress (obviously it was just perfect), there were speeches, first dances, and a special performance from a break-dancing group! How fun! I had originally intended on being rather intoxicated this evening, but as you all know my plans had to change! I was stone sober which was a first for me at a wedding! There's a first for everything right!
I was more and more grateful as the evening went on that Janine and I could spend time together on the Thursday, as it was near impossible to get a second with her at the reception. There were many friends she (and Neil) hadn't seen in a long time, and it was just so fun seeing everyone have a blast dancing, drinking and visiting! I could go on and on about how wonderful this day was, but I figure you get the point. On to the pictures!
Just beautiful. I wish I could have gotten married with a set up like that!
Someone was smart (and kind) enough to print out programs for all the guests to be able to follow along with the ceremony and the traditions. I'm a dork, so I really enjoyed following step by step and actually understanding what was happening and what the meaning behind each symbol was.
Naturally I got an aisle seat next to the most sparkly table runner ever.
Look at that handsome guy all dressed up!
Here comes the groom! His "side" of the room went outside to sing and dance him in, while the bride's guests watched (enthralled) from the window! It is a shame it was pouring rain, but everyone was great sports about it!
Check. Out. That. Dress! Janine looked (obviously) incredible as she was walked down the aisle by her brothers. My crappy iPhone pictures just don't do it justice!
They would rent a Rolls Royce!
Robin, Crystal and I decked out in our Indian outfits! I wish I could wear such beautiful clothing every day. I haven't felt so pretty in a long time! (Also... it was sparkly. I'm sensing a theme here)
Aaaaand a costume change into a "normal" dress for the reception!
I love the thought and attention put into all the details making everything look perfect.
My virgin vodka cran (AKA 7-up and cranberry juice with a lime)... Michelle & I wanted to feel like we were participating!
And in our regular clothes again! My dress is not very forgiving and you can totally see my bump. I'm convinced by this time of day it's chicken strips. bagels and pizza showing, but I got lots of comments from people who knew saying it looked cute... Might as well rock it!
A dream team photo with the bride!
All the work girls!
A less-than-flattering photo of me, but anyone standing next to Janine at this point is going to look like a slob!
I love my J9, and was so happy to be a part of this day to celebrate Janine & Neil's wedding. They are a beautiful couple, and their love for each other is undeniable.
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