California 2018 : Wedding

The wedding itself went really well. The Newport Beach Temple was easy to find. Thankfully all of the essentials we needed for the wedding were in the two suitcases and the travel-on luggage that we had, rather than the one suitcase that was still somewhere between London and Los Angeles. Thankfully Michael needed only a little convincing to wear a pink tie, and Jamie knew how to fold a pocket square.

The ceremony itself was lovely. It was great to see David and Shannon get married. Some of us got a little sunburnt getting photos taken (it was hot but not unbearably so). The official photographer took loads of photos, to which hopefully we'll have access later. Michael was excited to get into the temple to use the toilet, after we couldn't get into the Stake Centre.

One of Shannon's family had been very thoughtful and had some packed lunch foods available. I may have eaten tomatoes on a sandwich for the first time in 35 years.

We then drove over to Temecula Creek (about 60-90 mins) to the Wedding Reception. We took a slightly scenic route (I was with Jamie, Roz and Emma), and it was a beautiful drive. Roz laughed when Emma was shouting Taps Aff at a guy who had no T-shirt on when we stopped to try and get decent picture of some of the views.

I think it was a golf venue, but it was a lot classier than the pub at Glenrothes Golf Course, or any Golf Course I've ever been to. The venue was lovely. David and Shannon had been keen on an outdoor reception, which worked really well. Sarah and I were sat beside some Adams and David's ex-girlfriend and her husband, which was a lot less awkward than it sounds - they were both really nice. The kids had a kids table together with Sarah's cousin's children, who Michael and Emma enjoyed playing with for the rest of the night. It was fun to see Emma and the other girls wondering around the nearby trees and bushes in their dresses.

Sarah had brought over some See You Jimmy hats for the second cousins which went over well.