Back Home - A week ago today we were still unsure how our wedding would come together.  The staff and crew of Holland America's (HA) Veendam really came to our rescue as did the folks at the Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort.  HA provided us with ship to shore communications for us to rebook our pastor.  Wednesday evening our entire group was to dine in the Pinnacle Grill Restaurant onboard the ship.  They provided champagne for our group and a menu that was over the top.  This gave people a chance to meet one another and of course talk about what was going to happen the next day.  However, HA also gave us reason to worry.  They offered to print an invitation on some lovely cards I brought from home - just enough so one would be delivered per cabin.  It was to say:  Joyce Metz and Jeffrey Winterstein would be honored to have you attend their beach wedding on Thursday, September 23, 2010 at 5:00PM at the Sheraton, Nassau Beach Resort.  All spaced and properly centered.  but Thursday became WEDNESDAY and all of the invitations were printed wrong.  HA offered to re-print using their stationary and have them delivered to the cabins early the next morning (Thursday).  We received ours and everything looked perfect.  Until my Maid of Honor showed me hers....HER name was on top of hers rather than Jeff's and mine.  It seemed each invitation had the person's name on top to whom it was to be delivered - we now had 27 weddings.  UGH.  Our Australian friends organized two violinists from the ship to provide music on the beach while guests waited for the bride.  But not without a list of needs -  They didn't want to get sand on their feet, wanted an umbrella and out of the wind.  Dear Jenny explained it's not their wedding and here are the facts...she can be very persuasive.
Mind you - I hadn't been to Nassau in years - many years.  As a matter of fact, the hotel near town used to be a Sheraton which is where I thought we were going.  As I pointed it out to Jeff, all giggley and excited that at 5PM there's the beach, Jeff says "I thought we were being married at the Sheraton.  Why does that one say Hilton?"  HILTON - oh no - the wrong hotel....a quick call to the Sheraton to see where it is and thanks to Denise at the Sheraton, arrangements made for round trip transfers from the port to the resort.    Luisa and I had a wonderful afternoon at the ship's spa - the relaxation room, hair do's and make up.  While everyone else was heading to the resort, we had a golf cart waiting by the ship to take us off the port and Jimmy (our taxi driver) waiting to take us to resort to arrive about 10 minutes after the group.  Well, the golf cart decided the wait was too long so Luisa and I - all dressed up - hair do's blowing in the wind, dress hiked up, shoes off - RAN off the port (about a mile) to find Jimmy.  Thank goodness HE waited.  Through rush hour traffic in Nassau and out to Cable Beach and finally to the Sheraton.  Denise from the Sheraton had organized a lovely area of their beach with chairs.  Everyone was ready - Luisa walked down the beach first and I follwed escorted by my brother Dean.  The ceremony was beautiful.  The readings, the letters, and our private words between us before the vows meant so much.  There's wasn't a dry eye in the group - including mine. THANK YOU to everyone who helped "get me to the church on time".  Once back on the ship for cocktails on the aft deck - we watched the full moon rise and danced to music we compiled from everyone's favorite wedding song.  HA offered continued bar service for dinner as our cocktail "hour" was about 10 minutes because we arrived so late.  Chef Erik provided some special dishes for our private buffet - crab legs, shrimp, lamb shanks, steaks - a wonderful variety and delicious.  And of course our wedding cake - chocolate with lemon chiffon frosting with the words "Life is sweet with you". 
Jeff and I couldn't have planned a nicer wedding.  It is certainly one for the books.

Greetings.  Our group set sail from NYC Harbor on a picture perfect day last Sunday onboard Holland America's ship Veendam.  Sunny skies, calm seas followed us through the night and into Monday.  However we were still unsure where we were headed due to IGOR's visit to Bermuda.  Last night we found out - NOT Bermuda.  I write this using the business center at a lovely hotel in CHARLESTON, SC.  Yes - that is where we are.  Many of you know we were here last week for the graduation of Jeff's son from Marine boot camp. It's still hot and humid here.  One of our 40 guests sailing with us actually flew from here to NYC to board the ship.  She's back home doing laundry right now.  Tomorrow we go to - PORT CANAVERAL and visit DISNEYWORLD.  It's been almost 15 years since I went to the Magic Kingdom.  Our friends from Australia are jumping out of their skin with excitement seeing so much more of the US than they ever imagined.  Dave is the biggest kid of us all - it will be great fun.  Maybe Jeff and I can get mickey ears that say BRIDE and GROOM.  and Thursday - the day of our wedding that was to be in Bermuda - we will now be in NASSAU Bahamas.  Some friends can't make it.  Because of the short notice of this change (we really wished Holland made a decision earlier), there are limited flights available.  We were able to book flights for Pastor Tim and his wife Phyllis so he can officiate.  The folks at the Bahamas Tourist Board are on all the paperwork and we have our eyes on a beach.  IF we must go to plan D or E, we can get married on the ship while in port.  However, Jeff and I were really hoping for a lovely pink sand beach against the tourquise blue water.  So now it's a sugar white sand beach against blue waters.  Our magical mystery tour planned for Bermuda has taken a much bigger life as this whole cruise has been named the magical mystery cruise.  I really don't know what to make of all of this.  But Jeff put it all back into perspective for me - he said whatever it takes to marry you - it's all worth it!!! You gotta love him.