Island Weddings.... with the Governor of Nevada?

Island Wedding and I meant to say with possibly the next Governor of Nevada.

How did we end up at this beautiful island wedding in the first place?
First off, an island wedding can be fantastic if you have it in the Philippines. Why?
Dresses, catering, wedding halls are extremely affordable. But what's also fantastic are the spectacular locations where you can have the wedding ceremony. Think about it: a morning sunrise wedding on the beach or an evening sunset on the beach? How about a ceremony in the surf, under a waterfall or under the sea? Oh, don't let me forget. 'Yes' you can still have a wedding in a church... or City Hall. So the Philippines is a fantastic place for having an island wedding.

Let me get back to my original question, 'How did we end up at a beautiful island wedding?' The other afternoon after Rose and I ran an errand for a friend in the USA, we stopped at Binucot Beach Resort for a sunset cocktail (by the way, this is a great place for a sunset wedding ceremony). Lucky for Rose and I, Anna was making one of her specialty drinks that we really enjoy. The drink is nicknamed 'To-Take-my-Clothes-Off-and-watch-the-Sunset'. Why is it named that? We will tell that story in our FREE newsletter. Let's get back to the story....

As we sat down and ordered our drinks, a good friend of ours from Austria introduced us to his guest, another Austrian (who happens to be a businessman from Las Vegas). 'Greg & Rose, meet Dietmar Scherf and his fiancé Sarah. They are getting married on Thursday in Alcantara.' Greetings were exchanged, beverages were consumed, the sun was setting, photos were taken, and it created a perfect atmosphere for creating a new friendship.

'Greg and Rose, would you please come to my wedding Thursday? I would really like it if you two would be our guests. What do you say? It starts at 2pm.'

'Of course Dietmar. We'll be there early so we can get a good seat.'

At 1:40pm on Thursday we arrive at the church. We walk in... and the only person there is Dietmar. 'Greg, Rose, I'm so glad you are here. I forgot my corsage in my hotel, can you do me a big favor. Can you go back to my hotel and get it for me. I would do it, but I don't have any transportation?'

'Not a problem. That's what friends are for.' 

​Rose and April take a seat in the rear of the church - their favorite seats in church - and I dash off to Dietmar's hotel. Fifteen minutes later, I return with the corsage as guests are just beginning to file in. 

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'Thank you my new friend for this favor.' As I help him pin on the corsage, Dietmar calls to a guest filing in, 'Ed, please come here and meet my friend. Greg and Rose, please meet the Mayor of Alcantara,' and greeting are exchanged.

'Greg and Rose, nice to meet you. How do you know my friend and the future Governor of Nevada?' We smile and explain that our friendship is the result of the cocktails, the sunset and the atmosphere of this tropical island paradise. 

At 2:53pm (it's still 2 o'clock according to Filipino Time) and the wedding begins. Seventy-five minutes later as April tells me she's hungry and Rose is returning from the call of nature, we hear 'You may kiss the bride!'

Cheers erupt and then all the guests file out before the happy couple can take their first step off the wedding stage. 'Where are they going?' I ask Rose.

'Maybe they are rushing off to the reception so they can get a good seat. I know I'm hungry.' Needless to say, I insist that we wait for the new bride and groom to come down the aisle so we congratulate them. 

'Greg, can you do us another favor?'

'Sure, what do you need.'

'Can you drive us to the reception? If not, then I guess we'd have to walk.'
We all laugh and minutes later I drive to the front of the church where we all pile into our dirty 1992 Toyota Surf (think 4Runner). After a quick Gatorade stop, we pull up to the front of the reception hall. April has negotiated a deal with Sarah where April can help Sarah carry the train of her beautiful gown into the hall.

As the bride and groom work their way to the front of the hall to sit for the reception, Rose, April and I work our way to the last table in the back of the hall - happy that we are able to find a seat. After settling into our seats after the blessing is completed, one of the bridesmaids comes to our table. 'Excuse me, but this is not your table.' 

'No problem. Our mistake. Please excuse our rudeness.' And we get up ready to leave...

'No, you don't understand. The bride and groom have reserved a table for you up front by them. You are their honored guests. Please follow me.' Up to the front of the hall we go to a table that is beautifully adorned with more than we could have ever imagined. 'If there is anything you need, please let me know. Thank you for being here today.' I look at Rose and April, and I can see the excitement in the smiles. 

The reception is a 'Hit', and we all have a great time. So much so, that we are in the last group of guests to leave. But as we are about to walk out the door, I hear Dietmar. 'Greg, Rose, April! Can I ask you a question?'

'Sure.'

'Can you give us a lift to our hotel? If not, we can always walk.'

'Give me a minute, and I'll retrieve the enchanted carriage,' I joke.

'Enchanted carriage?' Sarah asks.

'Think Cinderella,' I smile. 'This is your magical night. It's possible your ferry godmother has let me borrow her Enchanted carriage. If not, then you're going to have to settle for a ride in the back of our Toyota Surf.'

We all laugh on the way to their hotel, because we have enjoyed the wedding, the fun with friends and not riding in the back of an enchanted carriage.

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