Following on the hen party we had last month, in the twinkling of an eye, our dear Gabby got married last Saturday. It was especially exciting for me because I had the honour to share this special day with her and Ben by being one of her bridesmaids! She had 7 in total, with 3 from her home of Ecuador, and 3 English, and hehe I was the odd one out being the only Asian girl amongst her entourage. I had my first hand experience of an English-Spanish wedding and it was so so nice. A really happy day indeed.
Initially I didn't know what to expect and was quite nervous, but everything went on well, I didn't trip and fall when I walked down the aisle ;) whew. (and some kind soul told me "don't worry, you are not the centre of attraction you know..." Thanks man, I feel so good hahaha)
So, let the pictures roll!
We reached the hotel to get ready with her in the morning. We should have expected her entourage from Ecuador to be there too, but oh well, the more the merrier! Her 75 year old grandma flew all the way from Ecuador to attend her wedding, how sweet! And when she spoke in Spanish in a trembling voice with teary eyes saying this was the happiest day of her life, all of us just couldn't help but also shed tears of joy with her. What a dear old lady. She just reminds me of my grandma at home- they both have curly permed hair!
Liandi volunteered to help with her wedding makeup, and as she herself got married last year, she knew what needed to be done, and it was amazing to have her around because Gabby was freaking out like mad, with the amount of things to be done (including making all the hand bouquets herself the day before).
Excitement was brimming in everyone's hearts~ oohlala
2pm was the church ceremony. It was also the cue for us bridesmaids to walk down the aisle when the music started playing. The vicar told us to walk really slowly and not rush through.. and we tried our best while maintaining a smile on our faces. Then came Gabby with her brother Ephraim walking down the aisle and I saw Ben shed some tears when he saw his bride. Very touching. (I personally cannot take church weddings with a dry eye.. somehow seeing the bride walking down the aisle just melts my heart so much.)
When it ended, Mr and Mrs Geeson went out of the church where the congregation blew bubbles to welcome them. And then the photo taking started. Which was f.r.e.e.z.i.n.g... it was barely 5 deg and we were in our tube dresses draped over with a thin black shawl *shiver*
Back in the hotel, the guests were treated with a free flow of sangria and people mingled
around. More photos *flash flash*
The dinner reception started at 5pm and now this is the biggest difference comparing to a Chinese wedding back home. The dinner crowd here is only meant for closest family and friends, and the couple had maximum 60 people (which is considered quite a lot already). Back home, it is so common to have hundreds of dinner guests and the whole dinner is a very distant affair. But with a small crowd such as this, the atmosphere was cosy and the couple with the main family members sat at a long table facing everyone.
Dinner was a 3 course meal- a HUGE roast dinner with yorkshire pudding. Gosh I couldn't stuff all of it into my stomach. And a family member of both sides made a short speech each, followed by the couple. It was very sweet. And the best man rounded up the dinner with his speech of Ben and talked about how their friendship started, mainly revolving around funny bits of Ben's life till how he met Gabby.
And before the post dinner reception started, the hotel had to clear the tables to make space for a dance floor. Taking this chance, the whole group of us sneaked upstairs to the hotel room to clear away all our stuff which we've left after getting ready in the morning, and made the bed for them, basically transforming the hurricane-hit looking room to a clean and ahem romantic one. Thanks to again, Liandi and Joel's suggestion because they know how tiring it is at the end of the long day. heehee I think we are all such good friends, and they kept saying Ben will love us for it.
South Americans love dancing especially salsa and it was great fun with everyone basically dancing the night away. It was a good idea when they started handing out flower garlands, masks and whistles, for the "carnival" as their definition of "happy aka crazy hour" and injected a fresh round of fun in the crowd.
I have to be honest to say my energy level dwindled quite a bit towards the end. All of us slumped in the chairs and kicked off our shoes, and couldn't wait to crash into bed to end our happy (and long) day...
Our very best wishes to the couple, Ben and Gabby Geeson :)
p.s. Current photos are all from Facebook, I will add more once I get them as there were tons of photos taken on that day.
Initially I didn't know what to expect and was quite nervous, but everything went on well, I didn't trip and fall when I walked down the aisle ;) whew. (and some kind soul told me "don't worry, you are not the centre of attraction you know..." Thanks man, I feel so good hahaha)
So, let the pictures roll!
We reached the hotel to get ready with her in the morning. We should have expected her entourage from Ecuador to be there too, but oh well, the more the merrier! Her 75 year old grandma flew all the way from Ecuador to attend her wedding, how sweet! And when she spoke in Spanish in a trembling voice with teary eyes saying this was the happiest day of her life, all of us just couldn't help but also shed tears of joy with her. What a dear old lady. She just reminds me of my grandma at home- they both have curly permed hair!
Liandi volunteered to help with her wedding makeup, and as she herself got married last year, she knew what needed to be done, and it was amazing to have her around because Gabby was freaking out like mad, with the amount of things to be done (including making all the hand bouquets herself the day before).
Excitement was brimming in everyone's hearts~ oohlala
2pm was the church ceremony. It was also the cue for us bridesmaids to walk down the aisle when the music started playing. The vicar told us to walk really slowly and not rush through.. and we tried our best while maintaining a smile on our faces. Then came Gabby with her brother Ephraim walking down the aisle and I saw Ben shed some tears when he saw his bride. Very touching. (I personally cannot take church weddings with a dry eye.. somehow seeing the bride walking down the aisle just melts my heart so much.)
When it ended, Mr and Mrs Geeson went out of the church where the congregation blew bubbles to welcome them. And then the photo taking started. Which was f.r.e.e.z.i.n.g... it was barely 5 deg and we were in our tube dresses draped over with a thin black shawl *shiver*
Back in the hotel, the guests were treated with a free flow of sangria and people mingled
around. More photos *flash flash*
The dinner reception started at 5pm and now this is the biggest difference comparing to a Chinese wedding back home. The dinner crowd here is only meant for closest family and friends, and the couple had maximum 60 people (which is considered quite a lot already). Back home, it is so common to have hundreds of dinner guests and the whole dinner is a very distant affair. But with a small crowd such as this, the atmosphere was cosy and the couple with the main family members sat at a long table facing everyone.
Dinner was a 3 course meal- a HUGE roast dinner with yorkshire pudding. Gosh I couldn't stuff all of it into my stomach. And a family member of both sides made a short speech each, followed by the couple. It was very sweet. And the best man rounded up the dinner with his speech of Ben and talked about how their friendship started, mainly revolving around funny bits of Ben's life till how he met Gabby.
And before the post dinner reception started, the hotel had to clear the tables to make space for a dance floor. Taking this chance, the whole group of us sneaked upstairs to the hotel room to clear away all our stuff which we've left after getting ready in the morning, and made the bed for them, basically transforming the hurricane-hit looking room to a clean and ahem romantic one. Thanks to again, Liandi and Joel's suggestion because they know how tiring it is at the end of the long day. heehee I think we are all such good friends, and they kept saying Ben will love us for it.
South Americans love dancing especially salsa and it was great fun with everyone basically dancing the night away. It was a good idea when they started handing out flower garlands, masks and whistles, for the "carnival" as their definition of "happy aka crazy hour" and injected a fresh round of fun in the crowd.
I have to be honest to say my energy level dwindled quite a bit towards the end. All of us slumped in the chairs and kicked off our shoes, and couldn't wait to crash into bed to end our happy (and long) day...
Our very best wishes to the couple, Ben and Gabby Geeson :)
p.s. Current photos are all from Facebook, I will add more once I get them as there were tons of photos taken on that day.
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