For more information, visit Diahann's Wedding Page.
On the day of my little sister's wedding, I woke up early to video tape Diahann and her bridesmaids getting ready at the hairdressers. When I returned to the house my brother Rob, an usher, went over to the groom's family house to get his picture taken by the photographer. Rob came back, the limo arrived as did the photographer. Finally the bride and bridesmaids came only an hour behind schedule. It was then when Rob realized that he had brought the wrong tuxedo jacket back with him. I just saw him tear down the stairs and out the door declaring his frustrations under his breath. He made it back and we got dressed ready to head out to the church before everyone else for him to take care of the seating. But since we were already behind schedule, the photographer wanted us to wait until he was done with the bride, so that he could take a picture of the whole family. We waited until just 15 minutes to one before Rob decided that we couldn't wait any longer so we said our good byes. Just then the photographer came down the stairs with the bride in tow. After a few shots in the living room we raced out the door with my girlfriend Angela and made it to St. Joachim at 1:15 with several guests already seated and Frank, the other usher and the groom's brother, waving to us.
I frantically got the digital video camera ready and tried explaining how to use it to my friend Brian. A bouquet of flowers was blocking the view from the front of the bride's side so we defected to the groom's side. I positioned the camera to face the entrance and found the floor lopsided so I adjusted the tripod. The bride arrived on time at 1:30 and soon the wedding party came down the aisle. I turned the camera to face the altar and found it lopsided again so I had to wait for a break in the ceremony to readjust the camera which collapsed twice as I did not tighten the tripod handle enough. Luckily the camera microphone did not pick up most of my declarations of frustration. Father Mike and the Monsignor welcomed the guests to the three hundred year old church. Diahann had first asked Father Mike to perform the ceremony but the Daouds had wanted the Monsignor to perform the ceremony or at least make a contribution. After much negotiation, it was decided that both would perform the ceremony but Father Mike would lead.
Soon it was my turn to make the first reading. I made it through with only a few stumbles but it was only until I sat back down when I realized that my fly was open. However I think only the groom noticed as he had a perfect view in front of me as I, as casually as I could, zipped back up. Guistina, JP, and my dad performed the other readings without mishap.
At communion the bridal party was offered bread, the body of Christ, first. My dad consumed his before the priest indicated it was time. My dad was also in charge of the offering of wine to the guests. After the last guest had drunk from the cup, he was also responsible to finish the wine (can't let the blood of Christ go to waste) which he did, in one gulp.
Diahann and Chris were married. After the service, as I was filming the guests were filing out, Father Mike asked me to ask Chris if they had the money ready for the Monsignor. Chris didn't so I went to pay the Monsignor who declined the offer. Brian took pictures from my camera whose battery died as the wedding party was leaving the church. The guests left and all that was left was for the photographer to take pictures of the family. Unfortunately no one had told Chris's parents who had left for home. So the photographer took pics of the remainder of the wedding party while we waited in the 32 degree plus sun. We left for Stewart Hall, where we would meet Chris's parents whom had been contacted by telephone, but stopped off in Pointe Claire village for more pictures. Rob, who was dying for a shower and whose shoes were too small, declared his desire to go home as the time for the reception approached. Finally we met the Daouds at Stewart Hall, took the pictures, and headed for home. We had to detour around the street blocked by an overturned car. Mom told Dad to follow the car in front of us but I pointed out that he wasn't headed where we wanted to go. As the others refreshed themselves at home, I had to visit 3 stores before I found one that carried the battery my camera needed.
The reception, at the Olympia hall above the Casa Greque restaurant, went relatively smoothly. Dinner wasn't bad but the heat had sapped my hunger. I consulted with the DJ on the evening's programme incorporating requests from Diahann. Brian took over filming but had to leave to drop his sister to work. As I was the first to give a reading, I was also the first to give a speech during dessert. My speech went something like this:I'm the older brother of Diahann who's always out of town. The first time that I met Chris was about 4 years ago, when I was in town for Christmas. Later when Diahan asked me what I thought of him, I said, "Mmm...ok...but he's bigger than me so if there's any trouble, I'll need help. Back then we referred to Chris as Honey # 4 or 5...oh it's # 4, 5 was someone else. We've always called Diahann DD. I'm not sure why since her middle name is Simone and her last name is the very Chinese sounding Sancho which is derived from the British not understanding Chinese. My middle name is Dominic so actually I should have been DD but I guess she looks more like a DD. My mother has another pet name for Diahann which is Doo Doo Darling but I guess that would actually be DDD. My pet name is Pooch Boy which I guess I prefer to what she called my brother Rob, Sweet Boy. I also called Diahann, Dia-Hann, which is how it's spelt. Back to Chris and Diahann, Diahann called me about a year and a half ago to tell me that she was engaged. She went on for about 5 minutes before my room-mate was able to tell her that I wasn't home. When I got back, there was a message saying that I should call my sister back and she had something important to tell me. When I called back and she gave me the news, I said, "Wow...wow...WOW." Come to think of it, that's all I said. When I finally got over the shock, about a few months ago, I realized that she was going to be Diahann Daoud...DD. So you can see, they were destined to be together. Here's to Chris and DD.
Derek
13 July 1999
Updated: 2 August 1999
