wedding!
I know i promised a recap of that entire day, so here you go. The main reason we went to Tokyo was because one of Chris' closest friends, Seif was getting married. We had an itinerary and everything for that day and unfortunately we had to be ready early, like around 10.30 :(
Anyway, we all met downstairs in the lobby (me and Chris, Val & Alex, Peyton and Mike) to walk down to the ceremony area. It was a traditional Shinto ceremony, which I could not tell you anything about because the friends got the crummy seats, but from what I could tell, the family sat up on the "stage" with the bride & groom, there were pipes playing music and some form of sharing tea and then a ring exchange. It was all in japanese and they only translated some of it. Still, it was interesting. Everything is so symbolic in the Japanese culture, even down to the cake cutting.
After the ceremony, we were ushered to the "cocktail hour" basically. We got our placecards and a table chart and then just stood around and talked for awhile while we had some drinks. There were only about 85 or so people but it was neat because all of these people had come from literally every corner of the world to be there. Saudi Arabia (not just Chris, Seif's entire family is from there), London, India, Texas ;) and of course, Japan: all over.
After the cocktail hour we were ushered into the reception area which was kind of dark at first untilt he couple arrived, the bride had now changed from the traditional white gown to a beautiful kimono with bright colors. They sat up at the front and got introduced.
Then...they were going to serve food, except the MC guy had to tell us what EACH meal represented. There were 10 courses and each one had some symbolism and don't ask me to tell you what they were. Basiaclly it was a mix of sushi, fish, soup, beef, all being given to us accordingly. The drinks were never bare, we had about 5 glasses, one each filled with champagne, white wine, red wine, beer and then tea if you wanted. By the 7th course, we were so full. 
In between all this time, they had raised the shades to show the amazing japanese gardens behind the couple, they were so beautiful! 
Also, there were speeches that were made, Alex - hungover and not prepared gave one... and then the cousin (head of Seif's family) and Aya (the bride)'s dad gave one. Then they had surprise speeches (people who were unaware they had to speak...and Chris was one of them, haha. but he did very well). Then the bride left AGAIN to change, and she came back in a wedding dress, and Seif was wearing a tux. (He had been wearing some sort of Japanese robe) 
They did some sort of light ceremony which basically turned some orange gel stuff on our table to glow in the dark something or other, then they cut the cake which symbolized the groom taking care of the bride, and the bride keeping the groom well fed (that's basically what the guy said) and I laughed. The the bride read a letter to here parents, and then Seif made a speech and then it was finally over about 5 hours later. lol.
We had a break between the reception and the dinner, so Chris called and booked us massages. What a treat! I had no idea what the woman was saying to me but I figured it out and totally relaxed, it was awesome. After the massage, we took a nap, then I got up to shower and ready for the dinner. It was at this place called Gonpachi. Seif basically just ordered food and said if we wanted more to get more of it. The food was the most amazing thing(s) I have ever eaten - tuna, beef, prawns, shrimp, I just about died. Add some sake (which after about 2-3 bottles tastes ok) and you have a mixture of good times. While at dinner, one of Seif's cousins told us he had arranged for all of the younger people to go out to a club. I'm not really sure WHAT his family does - but owning the largest pest control company in Saudi Arabia must have perks. His cousin got us bottle service and a private room where we just all talked and drank and danced. It was SO much fun! I have no idea when we left the place, I guess aroudn 4 and then apparently Chris had said we should all get breakfast and everyone met and we didn't, haha. Oh well.
It was one crazy day that was nonstop and so much fun!! I thought i was really great they had things for all the out of towners to do. Very fun!
I had my first bridal shower and then my bachelorette party this weekend! I'll recap about that soon as well. Everything was beautiful and fun and I had such a good time! :)
Also congrats to Shawna & Oliver!! They got engaged this past weekend! Yay! :)
Anyway, we all met downstairs in the lobby (me and Chris, Val & Alex, Peyton and Mike) to walk down to the ceremony area. It was a traditional Shinto ceremony, which I could not tell you anything about because the friends got the crummy seats, but from what I could tell, the family sat up on the "stage" with the bride & groom, there were pipes playing music and some form of sharing tea and then a ring exchange. It was all in japanese and they only translated some of it. Still, it was interesting. Everything is so symbolic in the Japanese culture, even down to the cake cutting.
After the ceremony, we were ushered to the "cocktail hour" basically. We got our placecards and a table chart and then just stood around and talked for awhile while we had some drinks. There were only about 85 or so people but it was neat because all of these people had come from literally every corner of the world to be there. Saudi Arabia (not just Chris, Seif's entire family is from there), London, India, Texas ;) and of course, Japan: all over.After the cocktail hour we were ushered into the reception area which was kind of dark at first untilt he couple arrived, the bride had now changed from the traditional white gown to a beautiful kimono with bright colors. They sat up at the front and got introduced.
Then...they were going to serve food, except the MC guy had to tell us what EACH meal represented. There were 10 courses and each one had some symbolism and don't ask me to tell you what they were. Basiaclly it was a mix of sushi, fish, soup, beef, all being given to us accordingly. The drinks were never bare, we had about 5 glasses, one each filled with champagne, white wine, red wine, beer and then tea if you wanted. By the 7th course, we were so full. In between all this time, they had raised the shades to show the amazing japanese gardens behind the couple, they were so beautiful! Also, there were speeches that were made, Alex - hungover and not prepared gave one... and then the cousin (head of Seif's family) and Aya (the bride)'s dad gave one. Then they had surprise speeches (people who were unaware they had to speak...and Chris was one of them, haha. but he did very well). Then the bride left AGAIN to change, and she came back in a wedding dress, and Seif was wearing a tux. (He had been wearing some sort of Japanese robe) They did some sort of light ceremony which basically turned some orange gel stuff on our table to glow in the dark something or other, then they cut the cake which symbolized the groom taking care of the bride, and the bride keeping the groom well fed (that's basically what the guy said) and I laughed. The the bride read a letter to here parents, and then Seif made a speech and then it was finally over about 5 hours later. lol.We had a break between the reception and the dinner, so Chris called and booked us massages. What a treat! I had no idea what the woman was saying to me but I figured it out and totally relaxed, it was awesome. After the massage, we took a nap, then I got up to shower and ready for the dinner. It was at this place called Gonpachi. Seif basically just ordered food and said if we wanted more to get more of it. The food was the most amazing thing(s) I have ever eaten - tuna, beef, prawns, shrimp, I just about died. Add some sake (which after about 2-3 bottles tastes ok) and you have a mixture of good times. While at dinner, one of Seif's cousins told us he had arranged for all of the younger people to go out to a club. I'm not really sure WHAT his family does - but owning the largest pest control company in Saudi Arabia must have perks. His cousin got us bottle service and a private room where we just all talked and drank and danced. It was SO much fun! I have no idea when we left the place, I guess aroudn 4 and then apparently Chris had said we should all get breakfast and everyone met and we didn't, haha. Oh well.
It was one crazy day that was nonstop and so much fun!! I thought i was really great they had things for all the out of towners to do. Very fun!
I had my first bridal shower and then my bachelorette party this weekend! I'll recap about that soon as well. Everything was beautiful and fun and I had such a good time! :)
Also congrats to Shawna & Oliver!! They got engaged this past weekend! Yay! :)
