A Very Short Engagement

This past weekend, my friend and co-worker, Stewart (of Noodle Shop fame) married Peach - who happens to be the Executive Secretary for my boss, the owner of the company and, also, Stewart's uncle.


It was probably the most bizarre wedding I've ever attended, but that's mostly because it wasn't supposed to be a wedding. Stewart and Peach had decided they were simply going to get engaged, have a small party, and wait a year to get married, so they could save money and the rest of Stewart's family could join. That's not how their plans turned out.

Everything started out normally enough with a dinner cruise, attended by close friends and family.

Here are Peach and Stewart giving a short speech.

After everyone was introduced and thanked for attending, dinner was served and a bottle of 18 year-old single malt scotch started to make its rounds - typically, stopping in front of Stu Gibson, a friend of ours who has worked with my boss Joe T (his last name is Torrance, but is referred to as Joe T. I'm Joe B.) for many years and actually, set up the factory I manage, now.

Stu is a bit eccentric. Here he is demonstrating a "Scottish Douche"

Apparently, when a bottle of fine scotch is empty - it is not really empty.


To savor every last drop, pour water into the bottle...


...swoosh it around.


and then, add the remaining drops of whiskey and water into your glass - not a single molecule wasted.

This last swig of Glenfiddich was likely the catalyst that sparked the events that were about to unfold.

Towards the end of the boat trip, Stu Gibson and my boss Joe T., got it into their heads that just getting engaged was a waste of time and the fiancees were much better off getting married, getting it over with, saving lots of money, and saving Stewart's family the hassle of flying to Thailand.

This is a picture of Joe and Stu getting off the boat, moments after finally deciding (without consulting anyone else) that the engagement was now a wedding. As you can see, they were very pleased with themselves.

After the dinner cruise, we sat alongside the river for drinks. This was when the wedding idea was introduced to Peach's family and the rest of the guests.

Here's a picture of Joe trying to convince Peach's mother. She doesn't speak English and he doesn't speak Thai. Joe later told me that to get Peach's mother to agree with changing the engagement to a wedding, he was somehow able to communicate to her that Peach was pregnant, but I don't believe him. Actually, I think both sides were happy to see Stewart and Peach just get married.

Here's a video of the final deciding moments, when Stewart and Peach, after much persuasion, bought into the idea.

Only one problem - it was 11pm at night, and we had no monks, no food for the monks, no water pouring equipment (for the traditional Thai ceremony), no props for the wedding parade, and no bouquet.

But, as often happens in Thailand - everything worked out fine. Peach's sister found some monks, her friend stayed up all night with hotel staff to make sure preparations were made, and at 9am the following morning, the wedding began.

One small problem - Stewart didn't realize he would have to take his shoes off and wore his holey socks.

Here's a video of the monks chanting.

After the Buddhist ceremony, there is often a ceremonial wedding parade called a Khan Mak. Stu Gibson, who went MIA sometime late in the evening, finally showed up with a busted lip and missing his glasses. Apparently, he didn't know how he got back to his room. I have no idea either - He's Scottish, but please pardon his French.

Here are some more pics from the rest of the wedding.

This is the dowry that is paid to the family of the bride.

These days, the dowry is mostly ceremonial and returned to the newlyweds to help them start their lives together.

Kid in the hotel lobby. Think I gave him a fright.

Some Irish guys showed up at the hotel painted in green. Was it St. Patrick's day or Easter?

Peach with her lucky spots.

I think Stewart just told Peach that Joe T had told her mother she was pregnant, so she would agree to have the wedding. Once again, I think he was joking about that.

And finally, the bouquet. I should mention that Peach caught the bouquet at my wedding, and my secretary caught the bouquet here. Unfortunatley, she got a sore nose for her efforts.