I just had a wonderful mini vacation in New England with my best girlfriends, and now back to work this week on some great weddings. While I'm not doing weddings, I'm still thinking about them everywhere I go..........
Sailing along on a Schooner in Newport, RI on a beautiful, sunny day I'm noticing white tents at many of the beautiful clubs along the coast; one of which was the site of the JFK wedding. I tried to imagine being a guest at the wedding and how beautiful it must have been. The sails taking us gently across the water was so very silent and peaceful, until the boat leans so far it feels and looks like we're going to tip over!
The ship had a captain and 2 mates, one big strong sailor- guy who loved to tell stories of the rich that owned the mansions on the hill; and a petite, but strong young 20-something girl who could handle the sails as well as a man. Noticing a wedding ring, I felt compelled to asked if she was married at one of those exquisite resorts up there, and that's when I heard a wonderful wedding story. ......................
She and her husband were actually from the California coast, but employement brought them to Rhode Island. Her husband is a ship builder, and she a sailing mate. In California; unlike Lancaster, engagement parties are the norm- and expected. Big engagement parties with formal invitations and large guest lists, and are hosted at great places.
This couple was having such a difficult time with planning the wedding because they just wanted to keep it simple and personal with lots of sentiment. Everywhere they looked, it just didn't feel quite like what they wanted. Then it came to them! They decided to create a wonderful surprise. They contacted their minister, told him their idea and he was in favor. Then they called the DJ they hired for the engagement party and he gladly jumped on board. Then the bride needed to tell her mom their idea, fearing she would be against it. Much to their delight she was very supportive and very excited. Now keeping the secret was the hardest part. The only other person she finally told was her very best friend.
The night of the engagement party came and the atmosphere was charged with fun and excitement as all the guests arrived and greeted the couple. Music was very light and happy, guests were mingling, eating, drinking and dancing. They didn't seem to notice that their hosts had slipped away.
Then music stopped and changed completely to a very romantic slow song. Through the crowd comes the beautiful bride in her wedding dress with a bouquet of flowers and her dad holding her hand. The guests step aside as she passes, with tears running down their faces, gently touching her as she passes by. Her groom comes from the other end to meet her in the center of the room. Right there in the Museum they were married. No bridesmaids or groomsmen. Just their friends and families as their witnesses. The music changes again and they immediately have their first dance as husband and wife. Butlers immerged with trays of champagne and caviar. Then a beautiful wedding cake was wheeled out and cut. The guests were stunned and the celebration went to a whole new level. The photographer caught every special moment. With so much love surrounding them they would not have changed a thing about their wedding.
" So no wedding gifts?", I asked.........
Wedding gifts continued to arrive at their home for many months following with thank you notes to the couple for making the experience so meaningful to them.
Now, who doesn't just love a good wedding story like this!?
