Oaxaca Wedding Glimpses

I flew to Oaxaca on February 23rd, 2009, to meet my sister, Nicole, her then-fiancé-now-husband Mark, and our families. We gathered there for Nicole and Mark's wedding, for a wonderful week of delicious food and happy urban wanderings and a few moments of perhaps more stressful wedding preparation. Sometimes, I may have looked a bit concerned, or at least a little bit squinty:

We stayed all together at Casa de la Tía Tere, a favorite Oaxaca hotel of Nicole and Mark and located dangerously close to Tlayudas Libres. Nicole and Mark know the staff well, having stayed at Tía Tere every year of the last five (six?) visiting Oaxaca, and we were not disappointed by their warmth and care in every part of the stay. The wedding was held on the roof of the hotel, with panoramic views of the city, its valley, and all the mountains surrounding.

The rooftop ceremony was carefully planned with seating and flowers and papel picado. We had considered the sun and heat and where photographs should be taken. We did not account for that Saturday of their wedding, that February 28th, 2009, having extreme winds unlike any other day. I think my mother's hair gives you a fairly good idea:

Despite some difficulty hearing over the wind, and the beautiful shredding of the papel picado, Nicole and Mark said their vows, we signed the copious Mexican paperwork, rings were exchanged, kisses were kissed, and all was right.

We retired to the courtyards below for a more calm clinking of wine and champagne glasses, and some snacking on light, delicious dishes from Cafe Gaia. After a few toasts and few more photographs, we loaded up taxis and headed to dinner, where I had foam dishes not once but twice. And I toasted Nicole and Mark successfully, in that I made people laugh and I made people cry. Go me.

So, in short, they totally got married and it was totally awesome. Truly, I cherished the opportunity to spend time with mi familia d'Avis as well as finally meet Mark's family, the Andersons. And I have added Oaxaca to my list of destinations for return visits. Joy!