Mary and Jimmy's Wedding Reception

The wedding invitation said 6:00 p.m. at Saigon Maxim in Philadelphia. However, at the wedding ceremonies this morning were told that we were expected to be fashionably late. I don't get that but I wasn't going to argue. So after a pow wow with other co-workers we decided that 7-7:30 would be a good time to arrive.

When we arrived of course there was the receiving line with the bridal party. Then I stopped to talk to Mary's grandparents once again and to tell her grandfather what a great job he did. He commented that he could have done without the bugs that were flying around. I agreed. Upon entering the hall we were immediately seated with my boss and her husband and others in our group. Our table and one other were mark reserved. Other than that it was free for all seating. Finally we figured out that seated at these two tables were those of us who were part of the immediate family and friends. In other words the only 'foreigners'. This was done on purpose as various Aunts and Uncles came over to make sure we were ok and to help us know what was going on and what would happen next. All the speaking announcements were in another language which we assumed was vietnamese. I will have to ask Mary to be sure. It was so nice the way the family tended to us all day (even this morning). Without our even realizing it (until tonight) we were always being looked after.

So tonight's festivities. First there was the processional of the family and the bridal party. Then a lot of recognition of people in the attendance. We clapped when others clapped but we didn't know what was being said. The first dance was to "Stand by me" and then there was the cutting of the cake. Finally, around 8:30 pm or so they began serving dinner. This is way too late for me, but I went along with it. I tasted almost everything and it was mostly very good.

After desert the bride and groom made their way from table to table and each table toasted them and posed for a picture. After Mary and Jimmy made it to our table we headed home. Dave has a 4:30 am wake up call for tomorrow.