Two problems in planning my wedding, and how the bike became a solution

[Grog]

HOW TO GET FROM THE CEREMONY TO THE RECEPTION
My lovely partner and myself got married on August 18th in Vancouver, BC. The thought came when I started wondering how we'd go from our ceremony venue - our residential college, located on a cliff above the ocean - to the golf club where the reception was held, 3 km inland.

I was appalled at the thought of going there in a car, it was way too close. I never take a car for such a small distance, why would I on our wedding day? We'd ride. My sweetie, despite being an even more avid cyclist than myself, was not too thrilled at that stage. Riding a bike in a suit is not quite his thing.

I shared the plan with a girlfriend on a club ride and she lit up: "My partner and I," she said, "have a pair of beach cruisers! We'd be delighted to lend them to you!"

Delighted I was as well, and my husband-to-be became excited about it when he saw pictures of the bike he was going to ride, a silver-gray Marin one-speed cruiser. I was crazy about the three-speed Electra myself, which had a basket for my flowers!

So the plan worked wonderfully for the first part.

http://picasaweb.google.fr/BrigitteG...05697415664578

WHAT TO DO AFTER YOU'VE GOTTEN MARRIED AND THERE'S STILL DAYLIGHT?
The ceremony being in the morning, and the reception for lunch, what were we to do in the afternoon? Well, of course, a bike ride! But not on the cruisers, objected Sweetie. We were to leave the ceremony on our road bikes. Our going-away outfit, therefore, would be made of bike jerseys and shorts! I toyed for a while with the idea of buying the PrimalWear bRide2b and Ritz jerseys (a lace-like sleeveless jersey for myself, a tuxedo-like jersey for the groom), but my size went out of order everywhere in the country. Sweetie suggested that we get custom jerseys made. Two months in advance, this didn't seem like a do-able project until I thought about the wool jerseys from Portland Cyclewear. The owner was very nice and did the job very promptly, before his vacation. We got jerseys embroided with our name and our wedding year on them, and hopefully we will be able to wear them for years to come. They're a wonderful keepsake, and useful, too. My mother and aunt also worked on a veil for my helmet.

http://picasaweb.google.fr/BrigitteG...06749682652194

WHY IT WAS WONDERFUL TO DO IT? (and why you should do it if you get married (again) sometime)
- Reduces the greenhouse gases created by the wedding. A wedding is already a big consumption event. Riding to the reception, along with a bunch of guests, was a bit of a way to reduce emissions.

- I got to wear a shorter dress. Hey why do I spend so much time working on those legs, if to hide them??? When the women at the bridal store would try to pressure me to get one of those big white things with a train, I'd say: "well I'm not sure this will work, I have to ride my bike to the reception." They stopped bothering me with the long dresses after that, and even suggested cutting the dress shorter. (For those who wonder, it's officially a bridesmaid dress from Alfred Angelo.)

- My new husband and me got to spend some relaxing time after the ceremony. It's very stressful, of course, in the weeks before the wedding. That moment was just candy. So much laughter.

- The bike ride together afterward was of course not very intense, but another opportunity to spend time together and to unwind, telling each other stories of the wedding. It also prepped our appetites for dinner, which we took at a restaurant we had told each other we should visit "sometime"... on the day we met! We rode only about 30 km, but that was one memorable ride!

The wedding as a whole was a wonderful day, and we spent a few relaxing days in Tofino afterward, before going to Ironman Canada to watch a friend (and Wahine!) race.

You can check out more wedding bike pics here:
http://picasaweb.google.fr/BrigitteGemme/WeddingForTE

[Veronica]

You look absolutely beautiful and radiant.

Congratulations!

V.

[LBTC]

Fantastic!!! What great ideas you put into motion! And you look fabulous!

How was the dinner at the special restaurant?

H&B
~T~

[snowtulip]

Congratulations! You and your husband look great on those bikes (both the cruisers and road bikes). I love the jerseys and you've given me a great idea for an anniversary.

[Sheesh]

I LOVE it! Congratulations! Sounds like you found a great way to make your special day even more special.

[mtkitchn]

That is fabulous! Thanks for bringing a smile to my face! You guys look great!

[sundial]

Awwwwwwww, what an absolutely charming wedding. You look so radiant and beautiful on your cruiser. You brought Princess Di to mind.

The jerseys were such a nice touch too. I don't think you could have planned it better. What a lovely way to begin your lives together.

Thanks for sharing your pictures and wedding plans with us.

[RolliePollie]

Wow! You guys are fabulous! What a neat way to incorporate cycling into your wedding. I'm impressed and inspired! Now I just need to find me a guy to marry...

[jcorbiser]

How wonderful!! What an amazing idea.. When I get married--someday--I will definitely consider "borrowing" your idea! Enjoy you new life together!

[Zen]

Wow! You guys are fabulous! What a neat way to incorporate cycling into your wedding. I'm impressed and inspired! Now I just need to find me a guy to marry...

No you don't.

[KnottedYet]

Congratulations!!! Lovely pictures, and what great ideas!

[Trekhawk]

WOW!!
What a great wedding and fabulous photos.

Grog you look beautiful.

[Grog]

How was the dinner at the special restaurant?

hihi pretty good actually, and being able to drink my glass of wine without standing up to greet gazillions of people was also great.

[Grog]

You brought Princess Di to mind.

I think her dress would have gotten caught in the chainrings.....!!

thanks you all for the nice words. it was a joyous day and I felt like sharing it with you guys!

[Tri Girl]

Congratulations!!!! So cool that you rode bikes to the reception and then rode away on your bikes in custom jerseys! VERY neat. If we were to get married again now- I'd love to do something that cool!