Wedded Bliss.

Well after nearly two weeks of wedded bliss its time for some analysis.

Well what went wrong – too much. Some our fault, some the hotels and some unforeseen problems.

Things started to go wrong from the start. We reached the airport with only two bags that required checking in but I had already paid for 4 so that was a waste of money. The Kimberly realized she had no passport so after a few tears Kimberley managed to persuade the security staff to let her on to the plane although it did mean a body search which we have had a good laugh about since.

We finally boarded the US Airways flight to Las Vegas only to find they have not remaining overhead storage so all additional carry on bags had to go in to the hold too.

Viva Las Vegas

After a short flight we land in Las Vegas to be greeted by slot machines at the airport. A quick cab ride to the Mandalay Bay hotel and drop off our bags before taking a limousine ride to the Justice of the peace office for a marriage certificate. Upon arrival we discover that Kimberly requires ID again but she has no passport or any other acceptable ID with her. Frantic messaging to Adam in Phoenix to bring Kimberly’s ID with him the following day so We can get the marriage certificate on Saturday morning before the wedding. I am finding it impossible to contact my family in Las Vegas to check they have arrived safely too.

Friday night is spent relaxing with some drinks and a bit of Kimby Karaoke before turning in early.

Saturday arrives so we are off in a cab to find Adam and Kimberly’s ID. He drove all night and is located in some cheap motel on the outskirts of Las Vegas. We collect Kimberly’s Passport, more on that later, and her ID and then head off for the marriage License. After $100 taxi ride we arrive back at the Mandalay Bay Hotel with our marriage license and head off to the wedding chapel.

Guess what? The wedding chapel is not open but one of the staff arrives early and accepts our license and presents us with champagne.

Still no news from my family. The maid of honor arrives but has no hotel yet. Kimberly and the Maid of honor go off for a spar and some pampering while her step mom arrives with the wedding dress etc.

I arrange a hotel room for Adam in the Mandalay bay for the night then start get ready. I then get a phone call saying the Maid of Honor will be getting ready in my room too! I get dressed etc and make myself scarce while the ladies get ready – Still no sign of my family members.

4.20 pm I head for the pre-arranged place to meet & greet guests before heading off to the ceremony – Still no sign of my family.

Minister arrives but he does not seem to know what we or he is doing. It appears he has only just received a copy of the ceremony. Still no family and no best man. Time to get a stand-in Adam! Adam agrees to do the honors for me and the ceremony begins.

No ring!

Kimberly has forgotten my ring so we make do with an emergency replacement meanwhile the minister is making a mess of the ceremony. Kimberly has forgotten her vows and when to say them. Unbeknown to us the live streaming of the event is not working either.

Ceremony over – we are married!

The missing guests had turned up just as the wedding began. They had been directed to the wrong place by the Wedding Chapel staff! Time for the photography to begin. Excellent photographer took some wonderful pictures which we both love. Meantime the guests are at the reception waiting for us to arrive.

The reception was excellent. Raffle’s put on some excellent food for us which everyone enjoyed.

We spent some time with friends and family over the next two days before they all returned home. The problems did not end there though. I managed to book a show on the wrong night so we missed it. After nearly a week we headed back to Phoenix via US Airways again. This time I pre-checked in only 2 bags as that’s all we needed heading out but Kimberly put all her liquid products in to her flight bag so has some taken off her by security. *tears* That was my fault of course! :). Then we had the same problem boarding the plane – no space so all the bags ended up in the hold anyway!

Phoenix!

We checked in to the San Carlos hotel. Its one of the oldest buildings in downtown Phoenix with lots of character. Kimberly was especially interested in the ghost tours of the hotel as it is supposed to be haunted. After a couple of days into our stay a family from hell moved in! And by family I mean the extended family taking up about 6 rooms around us. Kids were running around, shouting, screaming and slamming doors. Parents and grand parents were doing nothing to keep the under control. Kimberly looked to see what was going on and found them setting up a banquet in the hall way. She complained to the hotel staff who said they would do something about it but after another 30 minutes of door slamming etc. we decided to check out.

The Clarendon.

We checked in to the Clarendon which we have used on several occasions as we like the facilities. After a nights rest we began the task of clearing up Kimberly’s apartment with the help of her Dad. Monday it was off to the Vets to get the Cats medical certs etc. Monday evening a message from the vet says the cats need their paperwork stamping by USDA. Tuesday a letter from the British consulate asking for form information RE: Visa application. We got the required paperwork together and sent it overnight via courier. Then get another letter from the British Consulate asking for Kimberly’s passport and Photo in relation to a different set of paperwork. Then we discover the vet should have obtained the USDA stamp on the certificates for the cats and not us so Kimberly does not have her visa, The cats certificate will have expired by the time she gets it but she cannot send off her visa application until all the paperwork has been returned. Given all that Kimberly decides to stay in Phoenix until the paperwork can be completed.

Heading Home.

Thursday is spent chasing Vets, Banks, Pharmacists and bus drivers to get thing sorted before I leave for home. We agree Kimberly will not travel to the airport so a quick teary goodbye at her apartment the a taxi to the airport.

“Terminal 4” I tell the driver.

“What airline?” he asks.

“British airways” I reply.

“That’s terminal 2” he says

“No its terminal 4”, I say, “I have flown it often enough”

“We will check the signs when we get there” he says.

I arrive at Terminal 4 and check in. I am told the flight it an hour late but it should be able to make most of it up as it was caused by head wind. I have a connecting flight at 3pm so I need it to get there by 2pm.

After the usual torture of aircraft travel we approach Heathrow only 15 minutes late. The we are put on hold for 15 minutes so catching the connection will be tough. Finally touchdown and the plane sits on the runway while another plane clears its docking birth. Finally off the plane at 3pm as boarding closes for my Manchester flight. I am me by a very nice lady from BA who rushes me through security etc to book a later flight to Manchester. I now have to go through security again and they don’t like my camera. They take swabs and x-ray it twice before asking me to dis-assemble it which I am not happy about as I don’t have the dust covers with me. They finally pass it and I travel home from a Wet Manchester at 8pm.