Foster and Fabian's Wedding (September 2004)

Note: Okay, I'm writing this months late. Foster and Fabian are on their honeymoon right now, which sounds like its not too much later than the wedding until I admit the wedding was in the summer and the honeymoon's in winter.

So it is substantially a picture essay. I'll add other things as I remember 'em, but hell, the photos are the best part anyways.

Friday

After talking about it for months we were finally going to LA and to Foster and Fabian's wedding. There was some angst for a little while - we all knew we wanted to go to the wedding but were a little frightened of the cross-country travel and hotel costs. Never fear as Demmert found us a sensational travel package with hotel and airfare for tres cheap.

Before going further have to say that I don't think I can convey how much fun it was to travel with these guys. All of them are easygoing, game to have fun, and just good old friends. After of course seeing the wedding, the prospect of a few days with them was one of the parts of the trip I was looking forward to most.

So D, Fergus, Demmert and I all met up around noon at Fergus' office to make the trek out to BWI. I'd brought Free Range with me, leading to stares on the metro and at work (he couldn't really fit into my bag) but some great photos along the way.

(above) At the parking lot at BWI, waiting for the shuttle. Demmert is unsure about the bird, but he gamely goes along with her inspection.

(Above) Fergus, D and Demmert with Free Range. Still waiting for the shuttle.

(Above) Me and D at the gate, about to board the plane. This was after we'd had a beer or so at the airport sports bar and before we dived into the mini liquor bottles we'd brought for the plane.

(Above) Three girls and a bird, on our layover in Denver. We left Free Range in the window the whole time we were there drinking and didn't get a single look.

(Above) But looks or not after spending the flight in Demmert's carry on the bird was clearly ready for a drink.

(Above) Lucky for him, I'm willing to share.

(Above) The three of us girls, now posing next to but not through that very bright neon sign.

There was a little trouble getting the rental car (we didn't know whose name everything was under) but we got the car, called Foster and Fabian to let them know we'd arrived, and made it to our home for the next couple of days, the lovely Ramada Inn near the Burbank Airport. After checking in but before bringing our bags to the room we stopped at the hotel bar for a drink.

Now before any of you start thinking we drank the whole weekend I want to describe the way that this hotel bar, Whispers, captured our imaginations. From the day we'd gotten info on the hotel and heard about it we were looking forward to seeing if it was half as cheesy as the description made it sound. And from the music playing from a boombox cassette recorder to the broken popcorn machine in the corner, Whispers didn't disappoint.

(Above) Me using Free Range to drink my beer. I mean the bar was empty, I was feeling creative, and its not like I was going to make the place any less classy.

I believe at this point we started talking about making people do shots either off or through the bird. These "poultry shots" didn't require any particular kind of alcohol, just the presence of the plastic chicken. I'm proud to say that this was one of those later night ideas we had the sense to disregard in the light of day.

(Above) D, giving Free Range a goodnight smooch.

Saturday

Saturday morning got up decently early (Demmert and I sharing a bed, D and Fergus in the other, all of us miraculously having enough room in the room for our bags). Fergus went out for coffee, I talked on the phone with my dad for a bit as I stood out on the hallway looking into the courtyard.

(Above) The view into the courtyard. There was also a pool but we didn't venture anywhere near it.

Don't know what the boys ended up doing but we girls headed to Foster's Aunt's house to meet up with her and Norika and then with the troop of family get our nails done.

(Above) Demmert and Norika, prior to getting all done up.

(Above) And Foster, of course, looking cute and gamely getting goofy (in a veil, no less!)

After getting nails done we had a little while before we had to go back to the house for the wedding. So with time to burn and no lunch yet we did the only thing you can do in Southern California - grab some burgers at In & Out.

(Above) D dishing the food out. Notice how we're eating outside. That's because the weather was amazing.

Soon it was time to get ready. Demmert and Porter (Porter and Leigh had arrived in LA days earlier and were staying at our hotel) had got to get the mini liquor bottles we'd need for the evening, and all of us got dressed to go out. Porter and Leigh had rented a huge car, so we could all travel over together. Hooray!

(above) All the girls ready to go and waiting by the tres classy elevator.

(Above) And Demmert and me, squooshed in the car's back seat.

Now, Foster and Fabian had told us how gorgeous the house was but not even their effusive praise was enough. The pool and backyard are amazing amazing with the waterfall and canyon and everything.

(Above) The waterfall and pool. Wow.

Per Foster's request we got there early. But since she was ensconced in all things wedding-y we had a lot of time to mill around the backyard. So of course we took photos.

(Above) D and me, with the house in the background

(above) D and Fergus by the side of the pool

(above) Norika and I, with Foster's Grammy partially in the background.

Snuck in for a second to see Foster who looked amazing beautiful and had her mother and other family fluttering around her. Then soon we were being guided to the side area where the wedding was going to be held. There were chairs all set out, a very pretty arch, and Fabian looking all excited and happy.

(Above) Fabian and his brother waiting for it all to get started.

(Above) And here came the bride!

The ceremony was beautiful, the vows completely them. Seeing their joy... it really was an honor to be there to share it.

(Above) The priest signed it so its official!

After the wedding came the party. Great music, amazing food, and a fun time hanging out with everyone.

(Above) Demmert and me going for the bar.

(Above) Me, posing with the happy couple.

(Above) Apparently a conversation that Fabian and D thought was funny, despite Demmert's shock.

(Above) And something more contemplative, this time with a glowing Foster also there.

(Above) Later in the evening - am not sure what this conversation was about.

(Above) but I guess it was something funny?

After this point my camera battery went dead but the party carried on. Foster a Fabian rented a huge limo and all us kids went riding around LA drinking, bar hopping, and making noise. D rode a mechanical bull, Foster's dress got mauled (but she still looked beautiful), Porter mauled his finger, and somehow somehow we all made it back to the hotel.

Sunday

Traveling back. Uneventful plane rides. Tired but happy travelers. And one very very happy newlywed couple back in LA!