This summer was filled with -- you guessed it -- lots of traveling! Some trips were in search of sunshine, some were to meet friends who were over this side of things, and some were to witness the nuptuals of friends and family. Once a month from July to October, we hopped on a plane or a train an headed off to celebrate in a variety of styles. The ceremonies ranged from 10 minutes to 2 hours, the locations from a Tuscan villa to New Hampshire farm, the temperatures from a sweltering 90 degrees to a crisp 50 (all with sunshine, though!). Each very sweet in its own way, and each with a very different feel.
Elisa & Stefano: 10 July, Tuscany
Who? In 1994, I spent 6 weeks in Florence on the back of an invitation from my mom's cousin Joanne. During this period I spent most of my time with 2 girls named Elisa, with whom I have kept in contact over these 16 years. My 5th trip to Florence was for Elisa Paladini's wedding to her beau Stefano.
Where? While the ceremony was in Florence, we traveled out to the countryside for the reception to a villa with a stunning view. It was hot even inside the marble building, so we sat as still as possible during the Catholic ceremony (in Italian, of course).
What was unique? 2 things I got a big kick out of a this wedding: 1) the celebration on the church steps immediately after the ceremony - the ceremony musicians played a ditty while E & S danced and guests drank champagne from plastic flutes. Refreshing! 2) the parading of the pork - during dinner, the waiters paraded 2 very large legs of ham around the tables prior to taking it back to the kitchen and preparing it for service (see pictures in the album). Elisa & Stefano's friends and siblings also made the most comprehensive 'a day in the life of...' video parodying the couple that I have ever seen - I only wish I could have understood it!
Word. The word of the night was 'lingering' - lingering over cocktails, lingering over dinner, lingering under the stars.
What else? We made a long weekend of it, staying at Elisa Marchi's place (she very generously moved out for the weekend), and doing all we could to keep somewhat cool. July in Florence can get steamy, and this was the sort of heat where it's even too hot to sleep. We pretty much took it easy, doing some lazy wandering around the city, making dinners requiring as little cooking as possible, and driving to little villages in hills in search of a breeze and enjoying the air conditioning of Elisa's car.
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| The happy couple, just married! |
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| Francesco & Jason, keepin' cool |
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| Elisa M, Elisa P, and me |
Laura & Dave, 21 August, Lebanon NH
Who? Part of The Big Chill: 2nd Generation, Laura Franklin is the daughter of my parents' college friends.
Where? Laura & Dave got married on the Franklin family farm, where Laura & her 2 sibs grew up. It's on the border of NH and VT, on the NH side of the border river (that's the east side, for those of you who can't keep the 2 states straight). The ceremony was up in the orchards and the ceremony in a tent next to the barns.
What was unique? There were so many personal details so perfectly done. Over the past year, they grew flowers in the orchard to create a natural aisle, a very tasty gin concoction that they created was on offer at the bar, and they brought up their favourite piano man from New York to entertain during & after the reception. This is just a smattering of the details that Laura dreamed up to make the day uniquely hers & Dave's.
Word. The word of the night was homemade. Everything had Laura's personal touch on it - from hand-labeled jam jars to the larger-than-life 'scarecrows' modeled after the wedding party in the maize maze to the wooden dancefloor made by (I assume) the father of the bride, possibly with the groom's help.
What else? I flew to NH the weekend before the wedding, taking the chance to spend a little time with my family in Portsmouth. As things went, my aunt Eleanor lost her admirably hard fought battle with cancer the Saturday before the wedding, and so the week was spent with cousins, aunts and uncles, and my unbelievably strong Grammie, in the often somber and occasionally celebratory events that followed. Spending the week in this way made the wedding a much appreciated chance for the LeMays of Portsmouth to let their hair down!
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| Laura the bride, Linda the JP, and Dave the groom, in the maize maze |
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| Laura, Linda, and Dave in real life! |
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| Me, my bro, the bride, and Zac (late nite) |
1 comment:
Just started visiting your blog again! I'll make sure to check in weekly and follow your crazy travels coming up! So jealous. Thanks for this feature and your really sweet words! Lot's of homemade goodies and tons of love were put into the big day. I'm so glad it was a welcomed relief for your family and I was thrilled to have you there! Thank you!!!!
Oh - and my dad and dave made the dance floor, I picked out the paint and design, and mom and amy painted it. I've had three other brides ask for a tutorial. All I've been able to send them is "Hammer and some beers - then see where you end up."
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