Sarah (My Sunflower Daughter) and Dannel’s Fairy Tale Wedding in Kauai, Hawaii

September 28, 2013   


Location

 2445 Makana Ano Place, Kilauea, Kauai North Shore

Venue 

The Pavilions at Seacliff is located on 8 acres of bluff overlooking the breathtaking Pacific Ocean, facing north-west to where the sun sets beyond the ubiquitous Bali Hai. 

Hawaiian luxury is an understatement: each bedroom has an ocean view with en- suite bathrooms in limestone and marble. Wake up from a king size bed in the morning and see a rainbow arcing up from the sea. Smile to greet the day. 

Cherry wood floors, sunken lounge with a Grand Piano, and a gourmet kitchen to dream for. Create meals to the sound of slack-key guitar coming through perfect speakers throughout the house. All rooms have French doors opening up to the deck and tropical stage of ocean blue. 

A large tiled deck with comfortable cane furniture leads to a lawn with a slight slope and two tall coconut palms calling to be the place for ceremony. 

A large pool and hot tub are perfectly placed on the side to cool or warm the body. 

A private cottage and tennis court stands alone, tucked in adjacent tropical gardens. 

The National Kilauea Wildlife preserve is at the doorstep. Nene geese—the Hawaii state bird-- and their partners-for-life strut through the gardens (they mostly stay on the ground) and ascend for short glides through the heavens blue two-by-two. These geese are endangered and have struggled against extinction. What a privilege to have them in ‘our front yard’ for this occasion. 

Down below, where huge waves crash on rocks, the Kilauea Lighthouse holds tenaciously to the point warning sailors of danger forevermore. 

All of this is Sarah and Dannels for 5 days—graciously shared with their family. It was their searching, their finding, and their realization: a place to celebrate the HAPPIEST DAY OF THEIR LIVES--their wedding day. 

You-Tube link to see and feel the Pavilions at Seacliff:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3sd11Plcak 

The Day of September 28, 2013 

It rains on the North Shore a LOT! Morning dawns with another rainbow arcing the sky. But it is blue! It won’t rain today! This is the BIG day. It is 5:00 AM. Everyone is still deep in beauty sleep. 

This day will open up like a fragrant rose bud into a boutique wedding with 26 friends and family, who have crossed the seas to be there. There is a stirring in the breeze. A titillating feeling of excitement. 

The morning: 

The icing on the top-- 

I steal into the kitchen of dreams and clink clank too loudly at slicing the three refrigerated carrot cakes in half with a wet knife; ice in between the 3 layers to make 2 3-tier cakes. I have to make true the saying that something good is ‘the icing on the top!’ 

So I do what my sweet Irish mother taught me. Scoop sensible heaps of icing over the top of the cakes, spread it over the top and down the sides, and then take a fork and make a circular pattern—like a labyrinth—starting from the center round and round and round to include the sides. 

I then grate lime zest over the top and put the cakes in the fridge ready for the pastel white, rose-coloured English roses for decoration. How feminine. How Sarah. How these are truly ‘the icing on the top!’ 

Sarah goes swimming in the ocean--

I did not even see her leave. She slipped away to meet her girl friends for a swim in the ocean. I saw her come back wet and salty with a big smile. Like with me, swims in the ocean bring her center and calm and joy. It exhilarates, makes the body tingle, and refreshes the spirit. A start to her perfect day. 

My broken toe--

I have not been swimming for 10 days, because of a broken toe with a cut to the bone. Happened in Woodinville, WA when I went into our storage unit; opened the roll-up door and my bike slipped behind a heavy table, which in turn fell off a foot-high ledge and landed on my toe. Blood city is the understatement. I limped down to the manager and said: “I did not murder anybody at unit 543.” 

Enough said. No swimming, no shoes for this Mother of the Bride. A huge price to pay for someone who spends ½ her life in the water. 

Breakfast on the deck-- 

Coffee and breakfast is miraculously ready and served on the deck--informal. Russ and Ian are usually in charge, with me cutting up the fruit. Yum! Smell the French Roast on this sunny day of days. 

Sarah has a ‘meeting’ with the Moms. Lynn, Dannel’s Mom from Las Vegas is in charge of receiving flowers. I am in charge of the musicians. Copy this. 

Where is Dannel-- 

He has gone away to a place of quiet to work on his vows. Plus allocate, designate, coordinate: furniture and linens; leis for all; drinks for the wedding; getting guests through the gate and service people: furniture people, photographer, florist, musicians, and caterers. 

He is relying on Russ and Ian and his friends, Hans and Mark, to implement. And sterling help they are to say the least! Ian is on call for all. Call his name and he bounces into the present moment, picks up the task, and completes it as in lightning streak. He has the French Marais blood in him. He has flair. 

Where is Vanessa, the Bride’s Maid-- 

She is at the beach in Hanalei with her Honolulu friend, Keith Loo-Chan, and her cousin Frederique (Freddie) and Oscar--Freddie’s priceless 19-month old son—from Quebec, Canada. 

Vanessa, too, is an ocean girl and like Sarah, she surfs. Fun in the early morning sun. Hawaii 505! 

She secured a Condo at The Cliffs, on veritable cliffs, in Princeville and shared the cost with Freddie, Oscar, Keith, and Sarah’s friends--Katie and Dana. A smorgasbord she calls it. 

Hair appointments-- 

Both girls meet appointments for hair. Sarah will get soft golden curls swept to one side. Vanessa will get some kind of side weaving with sparkling hair pins, the other side loose. It lasted for the ‘entrée’. 

And then it is a scurry to coordinate, get dressed, and arrive looking cool and ‘Bride Maidish’ to support Sarah. Hearts beat fast. Faces flush. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. 

Where is Marilyn-- 

I am hobbling around with a swollen toe, still draining and looking like leprosy. Sarah, my private nurse took the stitches out yesterday--with Ian's assistance with light from his phone.



Ian, the assistant in beach attire, followed by nurse Nason, in ditto attire, help take the stitches out of my big toe. Achieved breaking toe and cutting it to the bone at storage unit in Woodinville, WA. Table fell on it. Now you  know. Smile.
 
It is time to tame my straw hair and try to come out looking beautiful--to make entry to a Vanity Fair event. Chic, stunning, suave? 

Make-up by Ms. Vanessa—with a variety of coloured powders—is my wish, but she is doing Freddie’s face at the Cliffs. She applied my makeup—special Terra something or other-- for the Bachelorette dinner and I looked like Queen E, the younger. Skin, Royally smooth. 

Alas, she is not here. I do not wear makeup. So have to scrounge. I put some ‘base’ on with SPF—not knowing the latter at night in camera light will turn gray and paste-like. This it did in a grand way. 

I look like a cross between an African Xhosa woman and a Geisha girl. Mostly I look like death warmed up on the wreck of the Hesperus. No colour, no eye shade, no mascara. The Vanity Fair opportunity has evaporated. I look like Cinderella before the Ball. 

This is not looking good at all! But I WILL force my foot into my pretty shoes just for the procession. 

Next wedding? I will reign royally! Wait and see! Smile. 

The magic afternoon: 

The sun still shines. It is hurry for the little wedding party to get ready. Russ and Ian are miraculously transformed with finishing touches missing. 

Getting ready-- 

By now the tropical heat is on. Dana and Katie are in the Master bedroom helping Sarah, and edging in for mirror space from behind. Vanessa has arrived and is dressed. She looks like an absolute angel—descended from heaven. 

Sarah is transforming into a stunning, sophisticated, beautiful, knock-out bride. Her natural beauty are taken up many notches with thought and care. 

Brian—the photographer--from LoveBliss Imaging is on site and snapping away in the dressing room. He captures the twin sisters in an amazing light: in a profile of love. 

Sarah gives Vanessa a gift—a botanic-based perfume called Florence. This is the name of their Grandmother, and Vanessa’s second name. Touching. Meaningful. 

What an amazing job Brian did in the end. See the link to-- Slideshow and You-Tube video. 

http://loveblissimaging.smugmug.com/Weddings/Sarah-Dennel 

Turn speakers on and click on right hand corner to get full screen.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ieEmLIcJrk&feature=youtu.be 

From now on, I will let Keith and my pictures tell the story. I give credit to Freddie, my niece, for a few borrowed from her too. 















































































































 






Sarah is adding final touches. Her gorgeous friends, Dana and Katie help her with detail as she gets dressed. They, too, must edge in to get some mirror space. Vanessa puts on her special powder-brushed make up. They look beautiful: an angelic Bride’s Maid and stunning Bride.

 Guests arrive to a welcome of leis-- 

Hans, Dannel’s friend from Portland is manning the gates to let people in to the Estate. Ian is driving back and forth to show people the way. Russ is ready, sans boutonniere as is Ian. But nobody notices. Friends and family arrive. 

Dannel, like the gentleman he is, welcomes all at the door with fragrant Plumeria leis he had made nearby. Frangipani or Plumeria is my favourite tropical flower. 

He looks like he is pulled through a gold ring with crisp, fitted white shirt; gray suite with a slight shimmer in sunlight; tanned Brogue shoes (I made that up) and belt. Boutonniere of orchids. Ooooh, so smooth. 
 

Taking in the setting-- 

Cherished family and friends—from far away—looking lovely for the Hawaiian occasion take in the setting leisurely.



 



Guests have arrived from across the islands or sea. Top down: Lynn, Dannel’s mother from Las Vegas. Vanessa and Isabella, my lifelong friend, from Honolulu and California, respectively. Ian my son and Diana, his aunt, from Washington State and California, respectively. Diana, Leigh, Patty from Washington State and their big brother Russ from Yacht Zulu in Fiji. Freddie, my niece, from Quebec, Canada. Priceless 19-month-old Oscar, Freddie’s son. He sports a red hibiscus shirt on white—a gift from me to him from Fiji. Too sweet. Katie, Sarah and Vanessa’s childhood friend, from Maui and her son Blake. Dana, Sarah’s friend and first Portland, Oregon roommate. Amy and Lisa, now nurses in Portland, were nursing students with Sarah in Ashland, Oregon. 

The place and procession-- 

 The Pavilion at Seacliff Estate is the place for the wedding. Front garden facing northwest over the sea to beyond the Bali Hai--breathtaking to say the least. 

Two palms mark the place for ceremony. Guests are seated and Oscar is the first one there! A spot of colour—in red hibiscus on white shirt from Fiji--sweetness against a backdrop of white petals. Absolute purity. 

The wind picks up and the swaths of white material adorning the arch dance back and forth held down by bouquets of Old English roses, hydrangeas, a few orchids and fern: DREAM. 

Keith captures these flowers through his mega Cannon lense in macro form. You can almost sense the fragrance. 



 
The place is the front lawn of the Pavilion at Seacliff estate. The photographs are a mix of mine, Freddie’s, and Keith’s. He has captured the flowers to the extent of smelling their fragrance. Oscar is the first to arrive at his seat. 

The procession begins-- 

The procession begins with Dannel and his mother, followed by Ian and Marilyn, Mark and Vanessa—Best man and Bridesmaid. Is something missing Vanessa? Like your bouquet?

The rich, sweet background violin and guitar music—however soft—marry with the wind in deep classical tones: the Spanish Recuerdos de los Alhambra, and Chopin’s Romance and Serenade. 

Then the Bride and her father walk down to Pachalbel’s Cannon in D. The heads turn and faces light up in smiles. The day to remember has begun. 



 
Top down: Dannel and his mother. Ian and I. Vanessa and Mark--Bride’s Maid and Best Man. Vanessa is there something missing? Like your bouquet? And then the father and the Bride walk down to Pachalbel Cannon in D. Russ is something missing? Like your boutonniere. And what is behind your back? Look carefully to the left of first picture of Mark and Vanessa: Ian leaps kangaroo-like over rocks to get my camera and bring it back to me before the Bride arrives. 

Fauxpas with bouquets and veils: Nasons have forgetful Jones moments-- 

I am seated and remember I need my camera. As usual, Ian is willing to make a run for things. He runs up the periphery and leaps Kangaroo style over the rocks (see to the left of the first picture of Vanessa and Mark above) and in seconds later is on the return trip before Sarah and Russ make their entrance. 

What next?? Vanessa does not have her bouquet!! She has levitated to angelic space state and forgotten it!! 

Russ and Sarah make a scheme. Russ will carry Vanessa’s bouquet behind his back as Father and the Bride make their way to the place of ceremony. The bottom falls out of the scheme here. What is the next move? Hmmmm, are they stumped? 

The wind blows the bottom of Sarah’s veil behind the bouquet Russ is holding. Sarah moves to the left while Russ holds the flowers tight on his back. Voila! The veil is pulled off. 

Russ-ette holds the bouquet while Vanessa tries to put the veil back on. But she was at the beach too long this morning and did not get Veil Training completed! I, then jump in like a bull in a China shop and rip the comb holding the veil into Sarah’s scalp. Ouch! That does not work. She throws her veil to the ground. 

There’s a plan for you! The four stooges at work! Forgetting the bouquet was not in the rehearsal exercise! OK Russ, hand over the bouquet to Ms Forgetful Jones. 

Sarah is frustrated, but is gracious to form. There is some comic relief and smiles are big. Imagine our family playing Cleopatra! 

OK, all is well on the front. Smile Sarah. Hold up your hands and breathe deeply. You are now ready to get married! 

Oops, Garen is not entirely off the hook. He is reading from a Draft, rather than final version of the ceremony! 

And add a thorn in the side: Ian and Russ forgot their suites on the plane in Honolulu! They scurried like rats headed for a storm drain and got them back. In the end Ian did not wear his jacket as he went Tropo. 

See Keith’s forensic photography of how Sarah’s veil falls off. 


Fauxpas with bouquets and veils add a ‘Nason’ element to uninvited comic relief. These are Keith Loo-Chan’s forensic photographs showing how Russ pulls Sarah’s veil off at the very moment the handoff is to be made. Smile Sarah. Hold up your hands and breathe deeply. OK you are now ready to get married! 

The ceremony-- 

Garen Fechter, our life-time friend officiates the wedding. Sage-like—a guest remarked—he brings spiritual essence to an already breathtaking place and event. 

Captivated family and friends listen and are touched by this ceremony of love and commitment. They witness love realized. 

 
 

Captivated family and friends listen and are touched by this ceremony of love and commitment. They witness love realized. 

Excerpts-- 

Garen interprets the meaning of Aloha! 

It is more than just hello or goodbye or love. It actually means ‘the joyful sharing of life energy in the present.’ So fitting this is. 

He also places Kauai in geological time: the oldest island of the Hawaiian chain and 4th largest. 

He reads about love from the bible: 1st Corinthians 13:4 

Love 

Love is patient, love is kind. 
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 
It is not rude, it is not self seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 
It endureth all things. 
Love never fails. 

And about marriage from The Prophet by Khalil Gibran 

On Marriage 

You were born together, and together you shall be forevermore. 
You shall be together when the white wings of death scatter your days. 
Ay, you shall be together even in the silent memory. 
But let there be spaces in your togetherness, 
And let the winds of the heavens dance between you. 

 Love one another, but make not a bond of love: 
Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls. 

Fill each other's cup but drink not from one cup. 
Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf 
Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each one of you be alone, Even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music. 

Give your hearts, but not into each other's keeping. 
For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts. 
And stand together yet not too near together: 
For the pillars of the temple stand apart, 
And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other's shadow. 

The groom and bride’s statements of promise are poignant. 

Sarah reads this poem to Dannel by Pablo Neruda: 

Sonnet XVII: I do not love you as if you were brine-rose, topaz 

I do not love you as if you were salt-rose, or topaz, 
or the arrow of carnations the fire shoots off. 
I love you as certain dark things are to be loved, 
in secret, between the shadow and the soul. 

I love you as the plant that never blooms 
but carries in itself the light of hidden flowers; 
thanks to your love a certain solid fragrance, 
risen from the earth, lives darkly in my body. 

I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where. 
I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride; 
so I love you because I know no other way 

Than this: where I does not exist, nor you, 
so close that your hand on my chest is my hand, 
so close that your eyes close as I fall asleep. 

Deep, rich words no other can speak, but Neruda—and Sarah. 

Garen reads meaning into the ring ceremony. 

Ring ceremony 

Rings are an ancient symbol, blessed and simple. Round like the sun, like the eye, like arms that embrace. Circles, for love that is given comes back round again and again. Therefore, may these symbols remind you that your love, like the sun, illuminates; that your love, like the eye, must see clearly; and that your love, like arms that embrace, is a grace upon this world. 

And he closes with an-- 

Apache Wedding Prayer 

Now you will feel no rain, 
for each of you will be shelter to the other. 
Now you will feel no cold, 
for each of you will be 
warmth to the other. 
Now there will be 
no loneliness for you. 
Now you are two persons, 
but there is only one life 
before you. 
Go now to your dwelling place 
to enter into the days 
of your togetherness. 
And may your days 
be good and long together. 

Tears of joy— 

Tears of joy well up in Sarah. She sheds tears of happiness. And the violinist and guitarist play Song of Happiness for their recessional. 

The wind blows her hair and dries her tears and she smiles with happiness and she walks away with Dannel, the love of her life. 

Vanessa—with her bouquet—and Mark follow suite to Song of Happiness.

Garen and Isabelle are framed by the place of ceremony. 

 

 

The ceremony is officiated by our life-long friend, Garen (Isabella beside him); includes Vanessa—Sarah’s twin sister—as bridesmaid, and Mark as Dannel’s best man. It focuses on: the friends and loved ones present; the breathtaking setting in Kauai; what love and marriage means; deep and beautiful promises made; witness given; poetry read; the ring ceremony; and an Apache prayer as blessing. There are tears of joy. Song of Happiness is played on violin and guitar as they ‘walk away’ as Mrs. and Mr. Christian. Vanessa and Mark follow, avec the bouquet. Garen and Isabelle stand framed in the place of ceremony. 

Happiness and merriment is aftermath, complemented with champagne and hors d’oevres and relaxation in a tropical paradise-- 

The musicians, Gordon Marron on violin and Kenny Rapozo on guitar bring sweet and rich music to match the beauty of the place. Classical, slack key, and Hawaiian music to include Elvis’ Falling in Love. 

Champagne, hors d’oevres--Ahi Poki, Kulua Pork, Starfruit on Breadfruit cake; photography; frivolity; laughter and celebration lighten the mood. And the music plays on, softly. 


 
The musicians: Gordon Marron, violinist and Kenny Rapozo, slack key guitarist play the sweetest and richest music to match the beauty and joy of this day. 




 
Let the bubbly begin with Domain St. Michelle! The winery is virtually in the back yard in Woodinville--so appropriate. Gorgeous, spirited Kat stands by waiting for a sip, while her handsome Hans pours the first glasses of champagne. He poses with the Best Man, Mark. These are some of Dannel’s best Portland friends. 

 
Dana follows up with chilled Willamette Valley Pinot Gris, to ready the palette for scrumptious food. Sarah’s Portland friend. 

 

Dannel and his Mom, Lynn, smile on this moment of happiness. 

 
 Sadie, Sadie married lady! First shots of Mr. and Mrs. Christian. SMILE. 

Vanessa and her friend from Honolulu, Keith Loo-Chan, take first steps together at dancing to the dream time music of Hawaii. 

 





 
 




Sarah shows Lyla—Dannel’s previous manager—the seating arrangement. Caterers set up for dinner. Guests drink champagne and Portland chilled Sauvignon Blanc and savour scrumptious hors’ de oeuvres: star fruit on breadfruit cake among other exotic selections. These and the tropical paradise make them heady. They laugh and play mock bride with the fallen veil until the sun sets in the west behind Bali Hai. 

Sun set: 

Kenny and Gordon keep on playing. The music incites romance and light heartedness. Spirits are lifted. There is love and laughter in the air. 

 




Kenny and Gordon keep on playing. The music incites romance and light heartedness. Spirits are lifted. There is love and laughter in the air. Garen and Isabella dance to Elvis’ Falling in Love Hawaiian slack key style. 

The kitchen is buzzing with gourmet caterers at work-- 

Sarah and Kat make their exit with a pose, leaving it to the professionals. 

 

The professional caterers are at work preparing a 3-course mouth watering formal dinner: field of green salad, Mahi Mahi with Macadamia nut wasabi crust on yams, braised beef short rib on kale, eggplant on greens for vegetarians.

The evening of fulfillment--scrumptious dinner, speeches, laughter, song: 

16 candles in exquisite holders keep blowing out so we remove them from the setting. A pity, as candle light softens the moment. But the moments are softened enough with a scrumptious 3-course dinner, speeches, laughter, and song. 

An evening of fulfillment with a scrumptious dinner, Sharecroppers Pinot Noir, and speeches that bring on laughter and tears. 

Speeches--

The order of ad hoc speeches—that bring laughter and tears is: Russ, Marilyn, Ian, Vanessa, Mark, Hans, Katie, Dana, Isabella. 

Russ stands up out of the blue first. I cannot hear what he is saying. He points his finger to Keith—Vanessa’s friend from Honolulu, who is taking photos, and pulls a container from under his chair. In it is a magnificent traditional Hawaiian lei, which he presents to a surprised Dannel. 

Dannel takes on a Hawaiian Chieftain look and is ready to take it off after the photo op, when Sarah gives him the ‘leave it on’ look. He wears it all night! 

Keith is shooting action shots from his Cannon. He captures not only the speakers, but the expression the impact makes on the bride and groom’s faces—and guests. 

Drink in the expressions. I wish I had all the words recorded to listen to another time. 



Russ presents a Traditional Hawaiian lei to a surprised Dannel from Keith—Vanessa’s friend from Honolulu, and adds words of congratulations of his own. After hugs there is one more thing to say—love and laughter. 

Marilyn offers fun quips on Dannel and Sarah’s first meeting, a gift of this quote from an unknown author, and a toast to all--

Translated from 6th century China 

And we will make our bed beneath the bright and ragged quilt
of all the yesterdays that makes us who we are, 
The strengths and frailties we bring to this marriage, 
And we will be rich indeed. 

And now Dannel and Sarah go into the days ahead. May you find strength. May you have wisdom. May you keep humble. And may you live and work together and, so striving, build a new and better world for tomorrow. 

Toast to the health of the bride, toast to the health of the groom, toast to Garen who tied (the knot), toast to all in this room. 

Ka mau ki aha. (May you never thirst again.) 



Marilyn offers funny quips on Sarah and Dannel’s first meetings, and a gift of quote from an unknown author translated from 6th century China. Toasts to all! Ka mau ki aha. (May you never thirst again). 

Ian’s speech was short and sweet, but heartfelt. Oh how he loves his sister Sarah. After his speech, Keith catches him about to relish his delicious beef on Taro greens. 



Ian’s speech is short and sweet. He loves his sister and says Dannel is a lucky man! Smile. Keith catches him later about to relish that beef on Kale greens. 

Vanessa laughs her head off for her introductory sentence. Her love, too, for her sister is unending. She had read her speech to me before the wedding and it was so touching, and fitting. But I did not hear a word she said when she presented. 

Keith clicked his camera button throughout, though, and catches the expressions that tell of words received. Thank you Keith!! 

Vanessa’s introductory sentence to her speech is laughter. She loves her sister so and voices words of love and endearment and humor on first meeting Dannel. 

Mark’s speech—Dannel’s best man from Portland—apparently is not only genius and hilarious, it is presented like a pro. Sadly, again being at the end of the table and hearing gone with the wind and wine….I miss the whole speech! Wish I could get it from him. 

His speech and all the other speeches too! I would make a book of them. 

The guests laugh loud and applaud him. Good on you Mark for bringing the dinner entertainment! The look on Dannel’s face on Mark appearing is “Oh no, oh boy! Here comes trouble.” 

On an aside fyi, Dannel, Mark, Hans and Kat, and Ian hiked the Kalalau Trail in two days. Beauty unsurpassed and memory imprinted forever. It brought the unsurpassable Napali coastline—drenched in green folds on blue--to them from a height, to say the least. 







Mark’s speech—Dannel’s best man from Portland—apparently is not only genius and hilarious, but he presents it like a pro. He brings the dinner entertainment and touches his best friend’s heart with tears of joy. 

Hans follows in Mark’s whirlwind. He is a roller derby speed type and does not allow any dust to get in his eyes. His speech is short and sweet and to the point. 

Of interest, Hans and his wife, Kat, are Dannel’s support team in city races Dannel runs all over USA. He wins and comes in 2nd thanks to Hans and Kat. Next run Puerto Rico? 

 

Hans follows Mark—a hard one to top. But this is no competition and he gives a short, sweet, and to-the-point heartfelt message. 

Katie’s speech—Sarah’s childhood friend from Woodinville, WA (now living in Maui)-- also brings laughter AND tears. Her memories of our home by the lake, always filled with music, is touching. Of all Sarah’s childhood friends, Katie is my favourite! A true blue beautiful person. 

 

Katie’s speech is so touching. She brings back memories of her and Sarah’s childhood friendship in our home on the lake in Woodinville, WA. Of all Sarah’s childhood friends, Katie is my favourite! 

Dana’s speech, like Ian’s and Hans’, is short and sweet and sadly I heard nothing. Again expressions tell the story. Thank you Dana for being there for Sarah! 

She was one of Sarah’s first room-mates in Portland and came ‘sailing’ with us in British Columbia. The wind went missing though and we mostly motored. 



Like Ian’s and Hans’, Dana’s speech is short and sweet and funny. 

Isabella’s song--I’ll be loving you, Always’--touches us all in an overwhelming way. It is a gift so simple and thoughtful, and tears flow like flood from all our hearts. 

She, like Garen, is one of my life-long friends, and has known my children from birth.

Isabella’s song—‘I’ll be loving you, Always’—touches our hearts in an overwhelming way. Especially Sarah’s, whom she has known from birth. Lisa, Sarah’s friend, too has a misty moment. 

The night continues into late: cut the cake; thank the caterer; dance with her twin sister; sign the marriage certificate, dance with the bride; and cool off or warm up: 

It is time to dry up the tears. Cut the cake and enjoy the scrumptious taste with coffee. Thank the caterer, sign the marriage certificate, dance the night away and for some—take to the water. For others call it a night and find bodies in your bed! Smile. 

Cut and enjoy the cake-- 

Carrot cake is Sarah’s favourite! She chose a recipe, we baked it and made the icing in the Pavilion’s gourmet kitchen. This morning, crack of dawn, I put the icing on and decorated it when the florist brought the old English roses. 

This cake has—besides carrots—walnuts, crushed pineapple, and shredded coconut in it. It called for cardamom too, but we let that one go as oversight. Sarah and Dannel cut the first piece, taste, savour, and give it the A-1 sign. Yum! 

Thank you Dana for helping cut and serve the cake. 

Do I have enough pictures of this cake?

 




 




Sarah and Dannel cut the first slice: taste, savour, and give it thumbs up. Scrumptious, I’d say! A-1? 

Sarah thanks the caterer for a job well done-- 

Much appreciated. Her profile is the same as when she was a little girl. See the picture with her and Vanessa in an old-fashioned hat. 

How the years fly. 




Sarah thanks the caterer for a job well done! Much appreciated. Her profile is the same as when she was a little girl here, with Vanessa in an old-fashioned hat. How the years fly. 

Twin sisters dance to share each other’s joy— 

Sarah and Vanessa dance, like they did when they were 6 years old in the back garden of their Woodinville, WA lake home. Ring-a-rosie! 

I do not have that picture handy, but they looked like they did in the picture above.




Keith captures the sweet energy of my treasure twin girls dancing. I ended the sequence of gaiety with one of mine. It reminds me of when they danced ring-a-rosie as children in the back yard of our lakeside home in Woodinville, WA. Treasures they are! 

Don’t you dare Blake—

I could be wrong, but looks like Sarah catches Blake helping himself to cake. Poor little chap. Can he not have his cake and eat it too? 

 
Ooops! Sarah envisions Blake getting stuck into the cake. Don’t you dare. Poor little guy. He wants a piece too! 

Sign the marriage certificate— 

Let me see, where do I sign, what is my name again? Sarah slips Nason in with her middle name and takes the plunge as Mrs. Sarah Alicen Nason Christian. Garen guides them through, sort of…it is getting late. 





Sarah and Dannel sign the marriage certificate. She takes the plunge with a last name of Christian. And hugs Garen for endorsing the license. 

Dancing with the bride-- 

Russ takes his priceless daughter’s hand in the name of Father of the Bride. A proud moment for sure in a dance of dances. They dance to Bruce Springstein's When You Need Me. Smile.

 
 





Russ dances with our beautiful daughter—father and bride--to Bruce Springstein's When You Need Me. A proud moment. Keith captures the happy and tender moment. 







Ian takes the pleasure of a dance with Lynn, Dannel’s mother; Diana, Russ’ sister does too; Isabella has a dance with the bride and Patty and Dana. Why did not I?? 

Goodbye hug— 

Time for Amy to say goodbye. Thank you for coming Amy—and Lisa too from P-Town. You are beautiful! 



Caption below Amy and Sarah--nursing students together, and now Portland professionals say goodbye. 

Darling, save the last dance for me— 

Sarah and Dannel express their love and tenderness in dance, set in a Kauai Island Fairy Tale dream come true. Breath, by Eddie Vedder is as in 'you are my breath, my life.' So poignant.



 

 
Sarah and Dannel dance in a Kauai Fairy Tale dream come true to Breath by Eddie Vedder.


Cooling off time— 

Mark, Ian, and Blake take to the pool to reboot and refresh. Others take to the hot tub to while the last of the night away. 


 
Cooling off time for Mark, Ian, and Blake; warming up time for others 

Dance on till the night is gone— 

As Keith says: “The Nasons know how to party!” It is dance on until the night has gone away. 



Ian and Sarah dance on. The night is yet long for some... 

I call it a night-- 

I do not know the time, but know it is time for shut eye. Into my room-with-a-view-I go to find bodies in my bed: Freddie and Oscar slipped in before me. Too sweet. 

It is a huge king-size bed, so room for all. Ha ha. I climb in on the other side. And then what seems like the next day, Russ comes crawling in between me and Oscar. First time I’ve slept four in a bed. 

What a day! What a night! What an occasion to remember. Thank you Sarah and Dannel. 

Thank you to all who traveled so far to be here. We think of those we love, who could not come. You are here in spirit. 

 Aloha! Here’s to ‘joyful sharing of life energy in the present’. 

 Happiness for Sarah and Dannel. May love last forever! 

The End of a Fairy Tale Wedding.