(written on day 22, 17th May 2010)

OKINAWA WEDDING

I almost couldn’t sleep the night before. So much excitement. We reported early in the morning at 7.30am at Aquagrace chapel. I got my makeup and hair done before Tobs did his and then we both got dressed. There was a brief run-through of the sequence of events and a mini rehearsal along the walkway. Then we met the pastor and the staff (attendant, organist, vocalist, photographer, videographer, etc) before everything was set to begin.

I originally wanted both my parents to walk me down the aisle but in the end settled for my dad because it might be strange to have both parents. When the chapel doors opened, I was momentarily stunned by the beauty of the place I almost wanted to cry. The chapel faced the ocean and with its with interiors and full length glass windows, it was picturesque – almost too good to be true.

The walk down the aisle was ridden with problems primarily because my dad did not follow the rhythm so in the end we were totally not synchronized. This was one of the most unpleasant part of the whole ceremony. On hindsight I should have just whispered for him to get on the right foot. It would definitely look super awful on the video.

When it came to the time for the vows, it was such an emotional moment for the both of us. Tobs choked several times on his words, overcame with his emotions, and that made me cry too. So by the end of the ring exchange, we both needed tissue paper, which the very-experienced pastor supplied readily.

Once it was set into motion, the entire ceremony actually went by quite quickly. And it was almost as if I did not get to fully savour every moment. If only I could do it all over again, I would make sure dad got the march down the aisle correct and I would take my time to enjoy every single part of it. But I guess it is inevitable that the nerves and excitement would make everything fly by so quickly so to future brides, please enjoy the moment as much as possible! You cannot relive the experience in reality.