Maid of Honor Rosanna, Bride Mercy, Groom Will, Officiant Steve, Ring Bearer Connor, and Best Man Tim
After a two year delay due to Covid, our son Will and daughter in law Mercys wedding day finally arrived. My blog from 2020 (see 2020 California Road Trip) I described our road trip to California where Will and Mercy got their marriage certificate from the Orange County clerk on 5 Aug 2020. And now their wedding celebration was happening! My previous blog (see Prelude to the Wedding...in San Diego) recounts family members arriving from all over the United States and assembling in Temecula in the Southern California wine country. Now our time in Temecula continues.
19 May 2022 Thursday. Today the main events were the rehearsal at 3 PM at the Ponte Winery followed by the rehearsal dinner. So, sisters Judy and Carol, husband Steve, and Linda and I had most of the day to tour around the vineyards for which Temecula is so famous. While we were touring, Mercy and my daughters Tamara and Rosanna spent the morning at my son Will and daughter in law Mercys home in Tarzana getting manicures. By 2 PM they all rejoined us at the Ponte Winery. The rehearsal itself was short and sweet. The wedding coordinator took us step by step through the ceremony, lining us up in order,
and telling us when and where to walk and when to pause in the processional to the gazebo by the lake. It took about 30 minutes. Afterwards we drove to the Blue Water Grill in Temecula for the rehearsal dinner. Seating was at a long table, so me mostly talked to those near us. I sat next to Linda and Judy and across from Mercys parents, who spoke no English. I mostly talked to my sister Judy. Everyone was talking and laughing, so a good time was had by all.
20 May 2022 Friday. We were awoken with a call from Rosanna saying that family pictures would be at 1:30 PM, before the rest of the guests arrived at 3:30 PM. Firstly, Mercy, Rosanna and Linda got their hair styled and faces made up at the Ponte Winery. The rest of us had a leisurely breakfast at our hotel. I decided to fill up with gas in case I didnt have time later in the busy schedule. Upon my return to the hotel at 10:45 AM I received a call from Will informing me that I was supposed to be at the venue by 11:30 AM for Parents of
the Bride and Groom pictures. I quickly changed into my suit and drove to the venue, just in time. I was wondering what the schedule was!
There were two photographers, one for Mercy, who was beautiful in her wedding gown that was covered with diamonds (at least they sparkled), and one for Will, who was handsome in his bespoke tuxedo, as they got dressed. They looked the happiest Ive ever seen them. Their day had finally arrived. Then there were pictures with the parents...thousands of pictures! After this I had time to drive back to our hotel to pick up the rest of the family for Family Pictures at 1:30 PM. Afterwards we had an appetizer at the winerys outdoor restaurant, in lieu of lunch as we would be fed royally starting with drinks at 3:30 PM. At that time the guests started to arrive.
Earlier that day we were informed that most of Wills guest from his law firm had to cancel as one down with Covid, and the others were exposed. Covid continues to affect plans, but at least most of us, including Mercys parents who flew in from China on 4 May, were
able to participate. Guests were served wine as we waited for the magic hour. At 4 PM guests were seated, and the wedding party lined up as practiced the previous day. Flower Boy Logan threw rose petals on the Bride and Groom as they passed. Soon we were in our places. Steve, my brother in law pastor, who had also performed Rosanna and Evans wedding ceremony in 2012, then started the ceremony with a few appropriate words and the reading of portions of I Corinthians 13, the love chapter. Then Mercy and Will said their beautiful, heartfelt vows to each other.
