Norman and Elizabeth tying the knot

Well on January 30th, 2010, I married the love of my life Elizabeth.

If you do a search on here for “fiancé” you can find many articles that I have written that include her.

She has been an integral part of my life since 2001.

She has stood by me through thick and thin, she is my other half. She is the angel on my shoulder.

It is very rare to find a person that will stick by you no matter what. Elizabeth is that type of gal. We have had our ups and downs over the past nine years, but who hasn’t.

Hell on our first date, I picked her up on my motorcycle, and we rode to the Rainbow in Hollywood. She loved it. Since then she has been my backseat companion on rides for over a hundred thousand miles all over the country.

Reverend Don, Norman, Lawrence, Bud, Leonard, and Scott waiting for Elizabeth to come out

Everyone that has known me since 2001 also knows Elizabeth. She is always there with me on rides; she is my right hand, my sidekick. (She says I am the sidekick 🙂  ) While all of my brothers and friends ride by themselves all of the time because their old ladies do not like to ride, I got one who will not let me go without her.

She is something special.

Anyway getting back to the wedding story; we did our wedding the old fashioned way; I did not see her the night before our wedding. She stayed at a Hotel in her hometown of Burbank the night before. I stayed at our house.

Maids of honor, Reverend Don, Norm, and the groomsmen waiting for the bride to come out

We had a grand affair at The Castaway’s in Burbank, California, where the ceremony was held on the back patio with scenic views of the San Fernando Valley, followed by the reception in the Lagoon ballroom.

Both Elizabeth’s family and my family were present to witness the affair, along with colleagues and friends. We had about 200 people at the wedding. It could have been much bigger had I invited my many brothers from the motorcycle and martial arts world. We decided to keep it a small affair.

Norman and Elizabeth exchanging rings

There were members of a few motorcycle clubs present at my wedding, all of whom came dressed in traditional wedding garb with no cuts. Hell some of these guys looked fantastic in shirt and ties; one even had a tuxedo on.

My groomsmen consisted of most of my law partners, and a couple of my very best friends.

The actual wedding started about 1 ½ hours late. Unfortunately I got stuck in traffic on the way to the wedding.

On the way to the wedding, there was actually a rear ender car accident two cars in front of me on the 5 freeway. Two days after the accident and my wedding day, the guy who got rear ended in the car with his family called me about his case, and I am now his attorney. No shit, talk about coincidence!

What are the chances of this guy calling me when I was only two cars behind the accident he was in! Anyway, my law firm and competent staff will take care of him!

Norman and Elizabeth at the reception

Getting back to the wedding; it was great.

Since I was running late, I called Elizabeth who was busy getting ready at a nearby hotel with all of her bridesmaids, makeup and hair people, and the photographer. She was relieved since she was running late as well. Turns out neither of us slept very well the night before.

I finally arrived at Castaway’s an hour late. Yes traffic was bad. Most of the guests were still in good spirits. There was not a cloud in the sky and the view was fantastic. A couple of my friends were buying my mom drinks as well as themselves. Let’s just say that a few people were real tuned up when I got there.

I was walking around in my fancy tuxedo with tails and bow tie talking to people, while waiting for Elizabeth and her party to arrive. She was still running late. I guess the makeup artist and hair person had a hard time doing all of the girls in a timely manner.

Elizabeth and Norman's first dance as a married couple

I look at it this way; she waited 9 years for me, so waiting an extra hour for her was not a big deal. Let’s just say that I was not in my normal frame of mind the entire day. Most grooms know what I am talking about.

I finally received word that Elizabeth had arrived at Castaway’s with her wedding party.

We were told by the wedding coordinator to get in our positions. Myself, Reverend Don, and my groomsmen Lawrence A. Moy, Leonard E. Chaitin, Bud, and Scott Shaw lined up next to me. The audience got their cameras out and started to take pictures. Everything was great. However, Elizabeth was not coming out. My best man, and law partner Lawrence A. Moy went in to find out what was going on.

It turns out that Elizabeth had been up all night the night before, and she was not only sick with nerves, but she was freaking out inside Castaway’s. I guess she had looked through the glass, saw everyone outside and the crowd coupled with her being up all night really got to her.

Elizabeth and Norman's first dance as a married couple

So we stood there, and we waited; and waited; and waited. Finally The D.J. started to play “hear comes the bride” over the speakers. First her bridesmaids came out. Then, I could see her slowly walking down the stairs to the patio, with her cousin, who gave her away. The entire crowd had their eyes on her.

She looked awesome. This was the first time I had seen her in her wedding dress. She looked like the perfect bride. I took in her beauty up until she stood next to me. Then it was time for the nuptials. I was surprised that she grabbed my hand during the nuptials; I did not know that was allowed.

After the part where we both say I do, and I put her ring on, she started to wipe her eyes. There was a bit of a breeze outside, and I figured that she must have gotten something in her eyes. She kept on rubbing her eyes. I did not know it at the time, but she was crying. Stupid me, you see, Elizabeth never cries. She is one of the toughest women I have ever known in my life except for my mom and sister. I never see this woman crying.

Elizabeth tossing the bouquet

All I can say is after the nuptials and the part where I kissed the bride, my damm mouth hurt from smiling so much. It was crazy. Too many people at the wedding, too many people wanting to take pictures.

Poor Elizabeth, there was a line of people wanting to congratulate her, and to kiss the bride. I had it no better, but luckily I did not have to kiss as many people as she did.

After doing all of the after nuptial greetings, all of the guests went into the Lagoon Ballroom. We were held outside by the photographer and the wedding coordinator. We were told that we were supposed to make a grand entrance in the ballroom after everyone had been there for a bit. Great.

It was kind of a trip doing the grand entrance into the ballroom, and being introduced as Mr. & Mrs. Norman Gregory Fernandez. I have been with Elizabeth for so long it just felt like a natural progression.

Norman and Elizabeth cutting the Groom's cake

The reception was fantastic. Elizabeth and I had our own table at the head of the room, where we could observe all of our friends and family. Of course they could all stare at us as well. We had some good chow. Many of my groomsmen all had something to say with the microphone, and so did Elizabeth’s bridesmaids.

After chow, Elizabeth and I had our first dance to the theme song from the movie “Titanic” with Selene Dionne. I could hear all of the females in the crowding oohing and awing. It felt good to dance with my new wife.

After that, everyone joined in on the dance floor. Eventually, someone started the ubiquitous conga line. I am not a conga line kind of guy, so I went back to my seat and watched the shenanigans while I sipped on some lemonade.

We then did the traditional cake cutting; Elizabeth threw her bouquet of flowers, I got the garter, and there was a lot of dancing.

Norman and Elizabeth cutting the Groom's cake

Eventually the party died down and it was time for Elizabeth and me to depart as husband and bride.

Unlike most newlyweds, Elizabeth and I have had a rocky 8 months since the wedding. You see she is a first year law student. Now I know that there are many attorneys’s who read my blog. Anyone who has ever been through law school knows that law school is the worst friggen nightmare in history.

I have been through Air Force boot camp; I have been in the military. I used to play Varsity Football, and have done many sports in my lifetime.

Nothing was as difficult as going to law school for 4 years at night, working full time during the day, and then passing the California State Bar Exam.

Poor Elizabeth has been going through that nightmare since we got married, and even a few months before as well.

She is doing as well as can be expected. I am doing my best to support her. It will be dynamite when she becomes an attorney. It will be good to bring her on board in my law firm.

It took me a while, (9 years) and probably the longest engagement in modern times before I took the plunge and married Elizabeth.

I think I got lucky, but only time will tell.

By California Motorcycle Accident Attorney and Biker Lawyer Norman Gregory Fernandez, Esq., © August 2010

The post I got hitched first appeared on Biker and Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog.