The Wedding

There was quite a buildup to the wedding.  The bride and groom live over an hour away, so they came Wednesday morning with the dance floor and bridge in tow.  They spent the next three days constructing and decorating.  They had plenty of family and friends to help.  Meanwhile, there was a porta-potty dropped off, lighting put up, tables and chairs delivered, and gardeners doing the final cleanup.  The rehearsal was Friday evening with a casual dinner here afterward.

Saturday morning brought flowers and table decorating.  The bride and her bridesmaids got ready in the cottage, while the groomsmen got dressed in the basement.  The DJ, singer, bartender and photographers arrived with time to spare.  'First Look' photos were taken.  As the guests arrived, they were meant to get a drink to keep cool before being seated.  However, the bartender arrived without cups!  After using all the plastic cups I had on hand, someone was sent to the store for more.  This was our first inkling of how the caterers were going to let everyone down.  

The ceremony was lovely.  The wedding party walked over the bridge and took their places.  The bride and groom stood in front of their forest arch and said their sentimental vows.  The happy newlyweds walked back over the bridge to cheers and applause.  It was perfect.  

After the ceremony, hors d'oeuvres were supposed to be passed while the families took their group photos and the guests wandered, played a couple lawn games, or took snaps at the photo booth.  BUT the caterers had literally just arrived--three hours late!!!  And they'd also shown up without plates and silverware!  While no cups was a 'snag', this was a rip in the fabric of all the planning!  Someone was hurriedly sent out to buy plastic plates and utinsils.   And it went from bad to worse.  Besides the food being served very, very late and cold, it was not at all what the couple had sampled when they'd met with the caterer.  And THEN, they ran out of food!  Disbelief and dismay!  But the fix was simple--we ordered 22 pizzas.

But nothing deterred the party-goers; everyone rallied and hit the dance floor.  With the DJ in his booth (tent), the music began.  It was lively and noisy and fun--all signs of a good party!  I think I can say that a good time was had by all.  As a concerned neighbor, I did cut the music off at 11--just as the party bus arrived to whisk away the revelers.  

The night was magical, with balmy weather and moonlight.  The event was a success and my garden proved a good setting.  The newlyweds did a wonderful job of set up and I hope it was all that they hoped for.  They should have wonderful memories--even with one small blip--that they'll laugh at in years to come.