Last Friday, Sue and I traveled up to Salem, MA for the wedding of one of my college friends, Sean Lily. He was the last of the quad who lived together (Sean, Lou, Bill, and Derek) to get married, so it was a bit of a special time. Sean also I think has stayed friends with *everyone* from BC, so there were a number of people there who I hadn't seen in awhile.
Sue and I left on Friday morning, and took about 5.5 hours to drive up to Salem. On the way up, I had received a call from our friend Thor about doing lunch together with a bunch of people, so after checking into the hotel around 12:30pm, we walked down to "Finz," the restaurant where everyone was.
Once everyone who was coming got there, I think there was a total of about 16-20 people there for lunch. Old friends with their respective wives (Bill & Sarah, Lou and Sania with baby, Derek and Diana with Derek's parents, Theresa and Thor, and others!), some singles like John Wood, and some people I haven't seen in quite awhile, like Domingo, Guillaume, and Mario (who I've actually seen more recently, but really only see at weddings and the like). Sue and I had to sit at a side table, as it was a bit crowded at the "main" table, but we were right next to them, and people came over to our table to be received like royalty, as is their right!
Afterwards, Sue, Theresa and I wandered Salem for a bit, to be met up by Thor once he came back from the hotel. After a bit more wandering, around the village green (did the burnings happen there? There was no plaque...), we went back to to hotel to clean ourselves up. Sue and I were in a smoking room, but it really didn't smell bad, and because we didn't want a smoking room, we actually got an upgrade to a bigger room, which was nice.
So, after showering and getting all snazzed up, Sue and I walked the five minutes from the hotel to the church for the wedding. Even though it was a very warm day, it was not nearly as hot in the church as it could have been. Not to say that it was cool, but it was not boiling!
The ceremony, while being in a Catholic church, was not a mass. It was very nice, although I think some of the pieces of the ceremony were perhaps a bit out of order, but everything happened in the end. Unity candle got lit, all readings were completed, and a good time was had by all! And most importantly, Sean and Kelly got married! Yay!
Then, back to the hotel, where the reception was held, in a very nice room... Dancing, partying, rocking out, and fun was had.... Here's the best time to start showing the photos....
Aren't they adorable!!!!
The photographer had these marks on the back of his head. Alien abduction?
Enough of balding guy's scars! Back to the happy couple! They're married!
Lou and Bill escorting a bridesmaid. Menage a walking with a bridesmaid...
Theresa and Thor post wedding. They've been married almost 9 years now!
You know it's a good wedding when there's not one, not two, but THREE bagpipers there....
Bill on the left, and the mysterious John Wood. He says he works for a finance company, but we all think he's actually a secret agent.
Dr. Lou, caught in mid chew....
Bill, Derek, and Lou making their grand entrance... Muppet Show theme was the entrance music.
Happy Couple! It's their party!
You faithful blogger, and John Wood. I guess he's not blurry in all photos...
Thor laughing at something the lovely Sue has said...
Dance Dance Revolution!
The alluring stare of Dr. Lou....
Taken by Dr. Lou, a wonderful photo... It may be our Christmas card this year... Sania, Lou's wife, said to me at one point, "Sue is so much fun!" She's right!
Another rocking photo of the happy couple...
Derek, playing Mr. Cool....
Bill, taking some odd photos with the camera of someone else... Digital is fun!
Your faithful blogger... Looking hip, and having a blast...
On Saturday, Derek hosted a cookout at his place, which was a blast, much fun was had just hanging out, enjoying ourselves. Although, for some reason, I didn't take any photos... Sadness!
Sue and I ended up leaving slightly after 6pm, and got home by around 10pm that Saturday night. All in all, a quick trip, but one that was a blast, to see a good friend get married, and to spend time (gone all too quick) with friends from the college years...
Some final photos.... Driving from Salem to Boston, we ran into some nasty storms. Here's some photos Sue took while I drove...
NP: The Who - Join Together
