Vicki`s wedding was really neat. Since everything starts basically on time here, hers was punctual too. Unfortunately for me, I jumped into a cab with a driver without GPS or any concept on how to read the map to the wedding even though it:s supposed to only be a 3 minute cab ride. My 15 minutes early became 5 minutes late.
Vicki walked down the aisle in the traditional white wedding gown and Yukio in his Formal Air Force uniform. They exchanged vows and then signed the register and that was about it. No pastor or JP. The wedding guests then moved outside the restaurant for the receiving line and photos while the staff changed the restaurant over for the lunchtime meal.
Vicki had a small army of little Japanese women dressed in black suits and wearing an earpiece doing all the regular duties bridesmaids usually have. We nicked named them the WIB (Women in Black). When it was time for the wedding bouquet toss, I was asked by a WIB to head up and when I was up at the front, one single gal didn:t want to come up so a WIB beside me bent down, pressed her hand against an ear piece and whispered into the mic urgently. Funny stuff. I think the WIB is cool. Who needs bridesmaids when you can get the WIB?
Family sat at the rear of the restaurant according to Japanese custom. The meal was a fusion of Italian and Japanese food and had a wine or champagne paired with each course. Near the beginning of the lunch, Yukio had a ceremonial opening of champagne with sword. I think everyone agreed that the food was great and my favourite dish was dessert. Champagne sorbet with fruit.
Later on that night, there was a second wedding party for the young`uns; all you can eat and drink for 5000Yen. Food was cooked over top small tabletop clay pots with coals in them. I sat next to a very drunk air force helicopter rescue pilot whose english wasn:t very good. It was entertaining to converse with him until he started complimenting my and Winnie`s … ah… endowments. Needless to say, I moved to a different table and started chatting with some of the Vicki`s coworkers. Angela and I closed out the night by going to the third party at an english bar after the bbq party was done at 8.30pm.
Bertha