Wow!  I don't know how else to succinctly capture the amazing experience which we all had at Martin and Sandra's wedding in Barcelona.  For the 75 friends that flew in to Barcelona from the U.S. for the wedding, and for the 30+ family friends from Argentina and Uruguay, the trip was certainly made worthwhile.

It was more than just a wedding, it was a vacation, a reunion, and a moment that will bond all those that attended forever. People started arriving a week before the big event, and went together to a beach called Seyches where they aparently had a lot of fun.

I joined the festivities in Barcelona about 4 days before the wedding. It was amazing because the entire hotel was housing wedding guests, so we took over the place!  The pre-wedding festivities included a lot of intense night life, great Tapas meals, and a tour of Barcelona provided by our gracious hosts for the week, the del Valle family.  We were also all treated to a typically Spanish lunch by the Murphys on the day before the big event.  It was a great week of lots of fun.

The wedding itself, of course, was the best part of the week!  It was particularly special for me since I got to participate in a Catalan (?) ritual that has the best man go over to the bride's house right before the wedding to bring the wedding bouquet, and to read a poem to the bride (which I had to write).  It was a neat experience since I got to witness what the bride's side goes through before the big event.
 
 

Sandrita and I at her house before the wedding

Me taking advantage of the fact that I was the best man...  This is me with Sandra's beautiful sister, Tina, who I walked into the church with.

Then, I was given the rings and sent off to the church.  The wedding ceremony itself took place in a beautiful church in Barcelona, and the ceremony was given by the same Priest that had married Sandra's parents 30+ years earlier!
(I currently have no pictures in the church... Martin send me some)

After the church, 3 big busses picked up the wedding guests and took us to an amazing mansion/palace 20 km. outside of Barcelona, where the dinner and the real party began.  Everything was perfect: the place, the delicious food, the music, the dancing, etc.

People partying it up at the wedding

The UASers at the wedding: Garth, me, Phil, and Martin.

Well, it was tough to see the wedding finish.  It was such a special time... and such a special couple.

Martin & Sandra went off to a wonderful 2 week Honeymoon through Italy and cruising on the Mediterannean.  They are now in New York, settled into their new apartment and back at work...

For one last time:

CONGRATULATIONS, Martin & Sandra!!!

By the way, if any wedding attendees have pictures they would like added to this page, please send them to me (in digital format) ASAP!