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The BIG EVENT Epilogue!!
In a word, the weekend was Fantastic.
Incredible people, amazing weather and a great time was had by all. A bit
overcast on Friday, but the sun came out just in time for the Ceremony and there
were even dolphins frolicking in the ocean! The atmosphere was festive and
extremely colorful! Just what we wanted.
Saturday's weather was even better, though a touch windy. (Would have been a
Four Corners day). Warmer and sunny: the best spot was outside by the pool, and
it was hard to believe it was January! The pig came from Roland's and was cooked
to perfection. Many many covered dishes arrived, and there was a little bit of
everything, with not too much of anything. Kids enjoyed the indoor pool too.
Some tested the ocean, but it was just a bit too cold to get in too far!
For those who stayed until Sunday, the weather got even better. No wind and even
warmer. Amazing.
As most of you know, there were a few memorable moments along the way. As we
receive photos and jot down thoughts about the event, there will be a
"Play-by-play" added to this page. (that's going to be fun!) If anyone
has something they want to share, or be sure we don't leave out, please pass it
along! We would love to hear your different perspectives of all the
"goings-ons".
THANK YOU for making our celebration a great success.
Words truly can't describe how special we feel, knowing how many of you came to
see us (or wanted to but couldn't) on these special days. It really really
really means a lot to us.
The cast of characters
The Groom: Bobby Edwards
The Bride: Renate Eichinger (will answer to Mrs Edwards
now)
Pastor: Nana-Paul Vincent
Father of the Bride: Manfred Eichinger
Best Man: Shawn Edwards
Ring Man: Johnathan Edwards
Best Woman: Dawn Bockert
Girlfriends: Jolene Fassbinder & Cindy Burnham
Flower Children: Katelin Uzzell and Caroline Edwards
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Music Coordinator: Kelly Edwards
Professional Video: Rick Allen
Stealth Video: Bruce Sanders
Insider Video: Cameron Bockert
Professional Photos: Cindy Burnham and Ray Scharf
Foot Photographer: Joe Poe and unknown others
Green Balloon point-man: Paul Payne
Red Balloon dealer: Cindy Burnham
Cake designed by Wendy
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Incidentals
The Event was toasted in Asheville Friday Night at the Charlotte Street Pub, by
Brittain Bates, the "most missed Girlfriend".
Renate's Shoes were worn non-stop for 4.5 hours, then a subsequent half hour
before ending the evening. Whomever won that bet, please let me know!! : ) |
"The Big Event" in Pictures!
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We did a dry-run earlier that day-
some good
practice in "the shoes" was necessary!
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Planning (yes, Dad was aware that
there was a wedding that day!)
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We even had it all
sketched out on paper! |
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Rick Allen covered the preparations and caught it all on
film! |
The Guests are here! |
Everything's ready to go... Hey...is that
Rick Allen again with the big Camera!? |
The Flower Girls: they had baskets of seashells, instead of
flower petals!! |
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The Crocs were necessary to get through the sand!! |
Nice color enhancements: done by Cindy Burnham! |
After the music was started, we realized that
someone was missing!!
Here's Bob making "the call" to Dad...
Where are you? |
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| OK, cue the flower girls again!! |
After the 1st attempt came to a screeching
halt,
we started it all over again... |
Jolene & Dawn,
carrying seashells filled with flowers (Flowers by Sandy) |
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There's a shark in the Boquet!!
(His name is Chomper!!)
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Finally! |
All of the guests were dressed
very well: colorful and casual!! |
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| The Ceremony begins.... |
Pastor Nina-Paul, Bob, Dad &
Not |
Bob & Not |
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| The Rings |
Johnathan, the Ring-Man |
The rings |
The exit (green balloons forever!!) |
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| Not & Bob |
Not & Bob |
Not & Bob |
Fantastic Guests! |
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BobNot
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The "Spanish Inquisition" over who handed out the Red Balloons!! |
Stewart & Vada |
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Joe Poe, Rosie! & Not |
Will, Wanda, Gigi, Not & BobbieJo |
Dad, Not & Rick (Film
Crew/ Paparazzi) |
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The bride's shoes and the groom's legs (You
should have seen him smile when he decided to wear shorts!!) |
Not & Bob |
Ray "Paparazzi" Scharf |
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"the Girlfriends" Cindy, Jolene, Dawn, Not&Bob |
Jolene (friend from CA) & Not |
Cindy, "the Camera" and
Not |
Not & Dawn (friend
from Charlotte) |
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| Bob's Family |
Renate's Family |
All-Family shot: Renate's Aunt Elfi, Aunt Elisabetta, Dad Manfred, Renate, Bob, Bob's son Shawn & wife Kelly,
Bob's daughter Bobbie Jo & husband Mark, and in front grandkids
Johnathan and Caroline. (Katelin is missing here and
2 other grandkids are not in the picture) And
yes, they've already called me Grandma! |
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| Some nice beach pictures... |
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The CAKE!! It had a treasure
chest on top with chocolate coins
and shells all over as decoration. VERY Nicely done!
Layers of White and Chocolate cake with
Whipped cream icing. Yummy! |
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| Later on at the Cool Fish
restaurant |
At Saturday's cookout, we got nametags, just in case anyone
was wondering! |
The Pig, After. |
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This is how the page looked leading up to the "Big Event"

updated 12/31/06 

What? Who's getting married???
We've
begun a Countdown to
"The BIG EVENT!" January 5-6, 2007
There isn't much that is traditional about our lives, so there won't be much
that is "traditional" for this event.
We expect it will be enjoyable and memorable!
DOWNLOAD
THIS WORD DOCUMENT FOR
EASY-PRINT DIRECTIONS (click
OK thru any authorization messages)
Weather Update:
On Monday, Dec 31, the forecast* for Fri/Sat is in the 60's with only a slight
chance of rain.*subject to change,
as we all know!!
12/31/06
FINAL WEBSITE UPDATES HAVE BEEN MADE. SEE YOU SOON!!
Important Info 
Friday January 5- Ceremony: 3:00pm /Dinner:
5:15pm 
It will be at the beach, but likely not "in"
the sand. Final arrangements will be set on Monday or Tuesday.
Estimated time: around 3 or 4pm, we'll be more specific as it gets closer. After
the ceremony, we'll travel to a restaurant in Beaufort (around 5pm) and enjoy a good dinner.
Since this is a Non-traditional event, the dinner will be dutch. There will be
cake.
Friday Ceremony- 3:00pm- Location: Fort Macon, Atlantic Beach.
It's at the far East end of the Atlantic Beach island, and inside the park area.
Once inside the park, turn right at the FIRST beach access area: marked
"Bathhouse". There is tons of parking, ramps and no need to walk in
the sand if you choose not to.
Friday Dinner- 5:15pm- Location: Cool Fish Restaurant,
in Beaufort. Around 5:15pm- until. Music and
dancing will be available. Due to the large crowd expected, we'll choose a few
"dinner specials" off the menu to select from. I'm sure anyone could order anything, but so that
she doesn't run out, we'll focus on a few items to keep things running smoothly.
Map of Fort Macon State Park
with Ceremony Location marked |
Front of restaurant menu: |
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The Dinner Menu at
Cool Fish will focus on a smaller number of specials for this evening, in
order to better serve a larger number of people. We've been working with
Mary, the owner of the Cool Fish to make sure she will be able to feed us
in good time and in good quality. There will be an insert inside the menu
offering suggested entrees. If you simply "must
have" something from the menu which is not on that list, it will be
available, but perhaps not as quickly. Mary will also be our DJ for the
evening, so anyone who causes a disturbance will be forced to dance the
Polka!
At the Cool Fish, there is a Bar Room in the back. Bobby and I will be
either sitting at the Bar or milling about. Family will seated at the back
room tables. The Cake will be there as well. The front room has plenty of
tables for guests, and anyone can pass back and forth as they wish. After
it seems that everyone has eaten, we will cut and serve the cake. At some
point a bouquet will be thrown. Anyone who wants to dance may do so, and
nearly any song is available upon request.
Dinner is Dutch, and prices are very reasonable. (Cake is on us).
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Directions to Cool Fish:
From Atlantic Beach: Go over the high rise bridge back into Morehead City.
Turn RIGHT and go through Morehead, past the State Port, over
another High Rise Bridge and then a Drawbridge. Keep going straight. (The
Beaufort Waterfront will be to the right). At the 2nd light (you'll see
the Fire Station) turn LEFT. Go through one light, and pass the
Piggly Wiggly. about 1/4 mile further look for the Cool Fish sign on
the RIGHT. The restaurant is small, with Neon signs on it. If you get
to the 2nd light and a Dairy Queen, you've just passed it. NO PROBLEM!
Just TURN RIGHT and double back a little ways IN that parking lot. Please
be considerate when parking, overflow can go towards the Dairy Queen.
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Saturday January 6- Cookout/Party: 11am to 4pm

From about 11am to 4pm, or until everyone has had
enough. This
will be near/on the beach, and a pig-pickin style shindig. A Pig and assorted beverages will be provided. Attendees are asked to bring a covered dish, potluck
style, so that no matter how many people arrive, we'll have enough to eat!
(There will be more cake).
Saturday Cookout Location: Summerwinds Condos, Salter Path/Indian Beach area, 10 miles or so west of
Atlantic Beach on Hwy 58.
Indoor Pool, Beach Games, Food, Music and Good Friends! Pig and beverages
are on us. Please bring a dish!!
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Map with Summerwinds marked
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Aerial View of Summerwinds |
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Directions to Summerwinds:
From the Atlantic Beach Bridge, go towards the ocean. At the light, turn
RIGHT. Go down Hwy 58 about 10 miles or so. You will pass through
Salter Path (will see more businesses and houses, and a small fire
station on the right, in a 35mph zone). Start looking to your left
for the Summerwinds entrance. If you start to see the buildings on your
left, you've passed the entrance. (Simply turn around and go back). Stop
at the Guard Shack and tell them you're here for the Edwards' Reception.
If there is no one at the gate, follow the instructions on the keypad
(something like "dial *150") and tell whoever answers the same
thing. Then the gate will open. Please look at the Aerial
view for the exact location within the complex, and go to the Pink
Dot.
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Volunteers are needed to be
at the pool during the Cookout.
We need for there to be an adult present at all times.
(The indoor pool
is in a different building as the cookout itself).
Anyone interested in
helping out, please talk to Renate at dinner on Friday, or call anytime. |
dress code 
Attire:
NO TIES OR SUITS ALLOWED.
Bright colors are expected, Hawaiian Shirts
encouraged. We want everyone to be comfortable and casual. Seriously!
Obviously, we don't know yet what
to expect with the weather. Be prepared for anything, but still try to make it
colorful and comfortable. This applies for the ceremony, dinner and the cookout.
No Monkey-suits! (But you could dress up like a monkey if you want). Grass skirts may require long underwear....
DON'T FORGET a SWIMSUIT/towel!! Especially young people! There is an INDOOR POOL
and we will be sure that the pool is under adult supervision during the
cookout.
relevant details 
This is an open-invitation event: if you know someone who didn't receive an
invite and would like to attend,
please just tell them about it and have them RSVP. 
12/31/06
FINAL WEBSITE UPDATES HAVE BEEN MADE.
SEE YOU SOON!!
By the way, Kids are welcome, and we look forward to meeting some of our
"future divers!" But be aware: the Friday dinner may be a bit more
crowded, so we will not be offended if anyone makes it an early evening on
Friday. Saturday there will be alcohol present at the cookout, but we are all adults and will
not be doing keg-stands. Not because we know better, but because many of us are
too old and may sprain something.
No, seriously. It's family
friendly!! Have them bring a swimsuit and use the pool!
registry info 
About our Registry:
Imagine that! It's non-traditional!
As many of you know, we are in the process of building
a boat. For the last few years, we have focused on funneling any extra time,
energy and money into that project. The plan is to take it to the Bahamas for
the winters, and run multi-day "island-hopping, fishing and diving"
charters there as well. Since we have all the dishes and toasters that we need,
our only wish is to finish the boat.
Therefore:
-Fiberglass cloth, Epoxy resin, Plywood, Lumber,
Sandpaper...
This stuff is what we dream about!
The stores we use in the area are limited to
-Ace Hardware in Beaufort, (Where
we buy the wood/lumber)
-Lowes in Morehead City and (Where
we will get what we can't find at Ace, and will get most of the interior stuff,
from lights to plumbing to fixtures)
-Ace Marine Rigging in Morehead City.
-We also order from Paxton and Lewis Marine, both are marine suppliers.
(Due to their huge markup, we don't use West Marine or other
retail boating stores).
As
dull as it sounds, gift cards from Ace/Lowes are the best idea.
Seriously! 
Lodging info 
Lodging Suggestions
The Summerwinds condos have many units available to rent. We have rented through
Connie, at 252-247-1000.
Homepage for the condo http://www.summerwindscondos.com/
and their amenity descriptions. Winter rates are very good.
There are also other agencies renting units:
http://www.bluewatergmac.com/Summerwinds/
or do an internet search for other companies that rent units in the complex.
Or stay nearby: (list in progress)
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The Sheraton |
Oceanfront |
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| The Windjammer Inn |
Oceanfront |
252-247-7123 |
800-233-6466 |
www.windjammerinn.com |
| Hollowells |
Atlantic Beach |
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| Hampton Inn |
Morehead City, Soundfront |
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Econo Lodge |
Morehead City |
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Holiday Inn Express |
Morehead City |
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Beaufort Inn |
Beaufort |
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Local Bed &
Breakfasts |
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Other
ideas on what to do while you're here: http://www.summerwindsnc.com/area_attractions.htm
additionals 
PS:
We have heard from many family and friends, some who will be there
and some who can't. Most recently we have heard that a group of divers from
Canada plan to come down, as well as family from Germany and Austria (via
Bolivia). We can guarantee that everyone in attendance will 1) know someone else
who is there, and 2) meet someone new.
There's even a rumor that some of the "most crazy" guys will be
wearing grass skirts....
As of December 31, we have had over 70 RSVP's and expecting about 18 family to
be there. And the list is still growing!!!
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