Chiriquí Chatter

Yesterday evening was a special time for me. I was invited to Jajaira and Angel’s wedding and the festivities afterward. Yajaira has been a special friend since I met her a couple of years ago at Optica Lopez. Subsequent to that I have gotten to know Angel when he attended a couple of my birthday parties with Yajaira.

I hadn’t realized, when I received the invitation, what a great event I was going to get to observe. The wedding took place at a local Catholic Church. While both Yajaira and Angel are from Bugaba, I have to believe that this church was chosen because it would handle a large group and being in David, it was convenient for the following activities which took place in a large building on the fair grounds.

I took only a couple of photos at the church because I didn’t want to disrupt the service. I did take a photo of the two flower girls that preceded the bride.

This is the bride and her father.

I took this photo to show what a lovely gown she had. Yajaira was an exceptionally beautiful bride.

I have to say that this is one of the nicest and weddings I have ever attended. The ceremony was well done, the music was pretty and participants were truly in love.

I did take a photo of the two lovely ladies that were my companions for the evening. On the right is Dr. Sussan from Optica Lopez and to her right is her mother.

Following the wedding a large procession of cars headed for the fair grounds. All cars had their lights flashing and horns announcing that a new wedding couple were on their way to celebrate with their family and friends.

This is the wedding couple as they had just entered the building.

I had to take a photo of the five tiered wedding cake and the bride and groom’s cakes. To the left was a large photo of the couple with a border that allowed all of the guests to sign their best wishes.

After Yajaira and Angel had entered the official photo taking session started. This was an experience for me. First was the bride and groom, then the bride , then the groom and then the real fun began.

I only took one of the group photos. It was the bride and groom and all of the young kiddos that were a part of the wedding.

Next they took photos of the bride and groom with:

· The groom’s parents.
· The bride’s parents.
· The grooms immediate family
· The brides immediate family.
· The groom’s Aunts and Uncles.
· The bride’s Aunts and Uncles
· The groom’s cousins
· The bride’s cousins

This hall was packed and from the photos that were taken, it was 80% family, 20% friends and one gringo. You think I didn’t feel special to be invited! The tables were numbered and I saw table 36, but I don’t know that was the highest number. With 8 to a table, that accounts for 288 people.

You can’t have a wedding without the traditional throwing of the bouquet.

Of course for me I appreciated the retrieving of the garter that would be thrown by the groom.

Here are a couple photos that will give you an idea if the table settings.

Here is a photo of the mariachi leader serenading the newlyweds.

There was a buffet line that all guests went through and the plates were heaped with pork tenderloin, chicken in a rich gravy, potato salad, rice, plantain, and ceviche cups. I am probably leaving something out, but you will have to forgive me. I have a hard remembering food when there was so much to consume.

Following the main entries there was a tour of the pastry tables. Here there were very unusual chocolates, some great flan, various cookies, some banana cake and other items. I will have to exercise this week. Oh I did forget on important item. It was something called drunken soup I think. It is a white cake that has been made several days before and soaked in rum and raisins. I would have had a second of that, but I had to drive home. I guarantee you didn’t dare light a match around that dessert.

I had a great time. It was definitely an experience that I will remember for a long time. Yajaira and Angel are a really nice couple and I wish them the best that their future can provide.

Here are a few video snippets that I took during the evening.

Tags: Events, People