Part 3: The Wedding

In honor of Romany and my first wedding anniversary on 8 January, I've decided to create a three part blog with our story from engagement to wedding.  I know it's long...I love words, what can I say?  I hope it's worth reading but otherwise, it was a nice exercise and nice way for me to memorialize the memories.

The last few days before the wedding was a whirlwind of activity. We had a couple of days of wrapping up invitations, hotel reservations, etc. before our out of town/country guests arrived. We were packed overnight with 14 people in the house and every bed and bench with someone to sleep in or on.

7 January 2013, The Day Before the Wedding – Coptic Christmas and The Pre-Party

Our friends had arrived the day before and we took the morning to get organized and relax. We planned our wedding the day before Coptic Christmas because it just turned out to be the best day according to out of town family's schedules. It was crazy! Traditionally, people take the day to wear new clothes and visit friends and family. The village was out in storm so we decided it best to stay indoors and enjoy the atmosphere and day together.

Weddings in the village usually have a party before the day of the wedding instead of a party afterward so a party for us would be held the night before the wedding and we decided to have a small family reception after the wedding.

Romany's parents ordered a DJ who posted himself outside of their house. Speakers were set up and lights were strewn across the alleyway. The music started at around 7:00pm and the party got started! According to culture, we showed up fashionably late around 8:00pm or so. They blasted the music and dancing took hold as neighbors and those passing by joined in the fun. At one point, we even had a man and his donkey pass through! After we were all tired and finished dancing, the party wound down around 11:00pm or so.

8 January 2013, The Wedding

My mom and I woke up early so that we could eat, shower, and she could start on my hair. My nerves were bubbling over. It wasn't getting married to Romany that made me nervous...technically we were already married. Instead, the church ceremony was a bit of an unknown. We met briefly the night before with the pastor and talked about the order of events, but I had little idea of what to expect and how it would go. With the nerves bubbling, my mom started on my hair. It took longer to finish so a friend helped to do my makeup and get me into my dress...then I was ready!

We went downstairs and promptly got into our awaiting car. Our out of town/country friends and family jumped in a bus and we all headed out to get our pictures done. We traveled about 30 minutes away to the heart of the city and took some pictures next to the Nile. After those pictures were done, our car and another one with a few other friends and family went to a military installation that had beautiful grounds so that we could take some pictures just the two of us. We got there and jumped out of the car. We went to a nice spot and started to take pictures until we got kicked out since they weren't so happy we were there!

From our pictures, we headed back to the village after a detour in Minia trying to find some candles for the children in the wedding. We went straight to the church where Romany jumped out and went to the front and my Dad escorted me in. The church was a bit of a blur but there were songs that followed each major part with a small sermon, vows, rings, etc.

After we were greeted and kissed by EVERYONE, we went back to Romany's parent's house for an hour. We diverted from culture an tradition a lot in our next move. We moved the wedding earlier than normal so that we could fit in a boat ride on the Nile before dinner at the hotel. The Nile boat ride was a great addition to the day and added a lot more dancing and fun. The dinner and the party at the hotel brought the day to a nice end! We truly danced until we dropped!

9 January 2013, Race to the Airport

Now it must be understood that I'm generally a great planner thinking of all the details. Unfortunately, in the rush to get things planned, I didn't realize until later that we would only have a few hours at the hotel before we would need to grab a train to Cairo so that we could make our flight to Malaysia.

Also, it must be understood that it rarely ever rains in Egypt. A little rain is exciting but also not something Egyptians, or their land is able to handle well...there is no drainage system in Cairo!

Romany and I took a few hours in the hotel. I think we were crazy! Our train was fashionably late...two hours or so. Then, because of rain the train stopped and started or went painfully slow the whole way. The four hour trip took us six hours. We arrived in a wet Cairo and had a choice to make...wait a few minutes or get a taxi and get to the airport early. We decided on the latter. Two hours later we were still stuck in traffic that wasn't going anywhere! Our taxi driver informed us that we were close but we wouldn't be able to get closer so we grabbed our bags and trekked over to another road where we could catch a bus to the terminal. We were promptly informed that they were sure our plane wouldn't leave in rain since planes don't fly in rain! Thankfully they were wrong, we were later than planned but early enough to the airport to get a coffee before our plane left on time!