K&A's Rehearsal Dinner | July 10, 2014

I just wanted to post a few photos from my brother's and his now-wife's rehearsal dinner. What was great about Kenzo's and Angela's rehearsal dinner was how many family members we had there. I had relatives fly out from Chicago, Toronto, and Saudi Arabia—and unlike my own wedding rehearsal dinner last year—I actually got to spend time with these relatives.

Russ and I both had so many relatives come out for our own rehearsal dinner/wedding last year but I don't think we ever fully enjoyed everyone there. We were too busy running around, smiling, making rounds, that we barely registered who we spoke to or who we posed a picture with. I'm sure it was the same for Kenzo and Angela this year. It's always overwhelming the days leading up to the actual date.

I was helping my dad set up decorations in our backyard before the rehearsal dinner and at one point he turned to me and said, "This reminds me a lot of last year." To which I responded, "Yes, but this one is more fun." Don't get me wrong—I loved our own wedding and celebrations but it was tiring. Now, seeing my brother and Angela be the center of attention this year is a huge relief. This time I get to sit back and spend time with some family I only get to see every few years.

Flowers 

Mini cheesecakes 

This photo makes me smile. The lady in the pink (left) is my grandma. The lady in the yellow (right) is Angela's grandma. Both grandmas don't speak English. My grandma only speaks 2 dialects from Philippines and Angela's grandma speaks a dialect from Italy. Still, they complimented each other on their hair and appearance through hand gestures and brief translations.

At the end of the night, many people spoke to Angela and Kenzo and gave them advice on how to start a healthy, growing marriage. It was heart-warming.