Wedding and trip to the West

Two weeks ago, I went to Calgary to attend Emily and Bernard's wedding. I've known both Emily and Bernard since university, and Emily has been one of my best friends. When I received an email from Emily asking me to be her Maid of Honor, I was both thrilled and honored. It would be my first experience as Maid of Honor. I couldn't be more excited. The wedding was scheduled for July 28, in Calgary. Since it's in the summer season, I decided to take this opportunity to also plan a mini vacation to Banff and Vancouver after the wedding.

I flew up to Calgary on July 25 to help the couple with pre-wedding prep. There wasn't much for me to do, except decorating the arc for the reception. Emily's cousin Ny also arrived early, the next day, Emily and Bernard took us to a nice Steakhouse, called the "Smuggler's Inn". As true for Alberta's fame for its beef, the steakhouse offered the best steak that I'd ever had. It was so tender and juicy. It will probably be the only reason for me to go back to Calgary again...

On July 27, all the other guests, including the groomsman and Emily's family arrived. The rehearsal was held in the afternoon, followed by a Chinese dinner.

On the wedding day, we got up extremely early. A hair dresser arrived in our room to do our hair. Around 9AM, we all went down to Emily's room (she stayed at the same hotel as us) to help her dress. Just her wedding gown alone had three layers, not mentioning all the jewelries that she had to bear for the day. At 10AM sharp, the groom and his "gang" came up to crash the door. As bridesmaids, our duty is not to let them in. As planned, we asked for $1314 as bribery (1314 sounds like "one lifetime" in Chinese). Instead of $1314, which was too much for them to chip out, the best man offered to do 50 push-ups. We didn't buy his offer and insisted on the money, despite his effort of completing all 50 push-ups. The groom got a bit nervous. Luckily his "gang" came up with an idea of separating the four digits in four sets of push-ups. Four of the "gangsters" including the groom did "1", "3", "1", and "4" push-ups each. OK, we shall let them pass, since their sincerity was clearly shown through their wits and physical efforts. We let them crash the door to get into Emily's room, where she was already waiting impatiently. Bernard handed Emily a nice rose Bouquet. She gracefully accepted it and held Bernard's hand to walk out of the room. Next, the couple performed the tea ceremony. In Chinese (especially Cantonese) tradition, the groom and bride need to offer tea to their elderly to show their thankfulness and respect.

By the time the tea ceremony was completed, the wedding ceremony was about to start. Ny and I followed the bride and groom's car to the "garden". The garden is an indoor greenhouse on the top floor of a downtown commercial building. When we got there, the wedding officiant and most guests had already arrived. In the sound of "Wedding March", the bride and groom walked to the arc, where the officiant was waiting. When the music stopped, the red and blue sand was mixed, the vows were exchanged, and the wedding certificate was signed.

Following the ceremony, the couple, the groomsmen and bridesmaids proceeded to "Mcgrill's" park for photoshooting. Under the flash bulbs, the couple posed and reposed to savor and to leave their best looks in memory.

At around 5PM, I accompanied Emily to the reception after a quick make-up touch-up as guests arrived in streams. Around 6PM, the couple, the family from both sides, the groomsmen, and the bridesmaids followed the lion dance into the dinning hall. We were seated at the long head table facing the guests. When the lion dance finished, dinner was served. It was a 12 course meal, including expensive fresh abalone. The two MC took control and filled the evening with games, slide show, singing performances, and speeches. I was certain that Emily and Bernard enjoyed the evening as much as we did.

Around 9PM, the evening finally wrapped up and ended a memorable wedding day, filled with excitement and laughters.