A Wedding in Monterey

Took part in my younger brother's wedding in at the exclusive Monterey Plaza Spa & Resort on Cannery Row last week (Aug 27, 2005). At this time of the year, the Monterey Peninsula is cool and breezy, perfect weather for a once-in-a-lifetime event. Additionally, it was the perfect timing for a gathering of the clan, hailing from places like Taiwan, Japan, Hong Kong and all across the U.S.A. for a rare Summer pow wow.

As with a typical, traditional Christian-style hotel wedding, the wedding party consisted of the bride and the brides maids; the groom, his best man and various groomsmen. Since my travel plans precluded me from participating in many of the elaborate wedding preparation activities, my brother wisely chose Bill, his childhood friend for 23 years, to be his best man. I was elated to be selected as one of his groomsmen. My job was simple: keep him from getting drunk and from running away from the alter. The bride, on the other hand, chose two of her best friends and her niece to be the bridesmaids.

As far as the men go, the wedding was a simple affair. As the event drew closer, we put on our tux and met for rehearsal at the seaside "chapel." While American weddings often are held at a Church, my brother and his new wife chose what is arguably the best hotel at their favorite Monterey as the setting for their union.