Friday...Wedding

Nothing much happened Friday morning beyond my exercising on the treadmill, and Hubbie giving Shih Tzu a bath. We didn't want to start any projects, since we needed to leave mid-afternoon to go to a town east of us for a grandson's evening wedding.

Mother opted to stay home with Shih Tzu while we were gone. We left around 3 p.m. and arrived in time to shop at a video/book store and at the worldwide discount chain warehouse before going to Daughter's for a supper of deli turkey and cheese sandwiches, sliced tomatoes, fresh cucumber/onion pickles, and white cheese dip. We brought along locally grown cantaloupe to add to the meal.

The wedding was several miles from Daughter's house, where we understood we were to be by 6:30 p.m. for photos. Hubbie and I arrived before the appointed hour, but few others, including the photographer, were there as far as we could tell. As it turned out, the family photos weren't taken until after the ceremony.

The wedding took place at the home of Grandson's boss...a beautiful, large place, overlooking rolling acres of grassy lawn leading down to a small lake. Flocks of Canadian geese and swans make there home on and around the lake, but tonight they were gathered on the opposite bank. Grandson had hoped the birds would grace the lake near the gazebo where the wedding was to be held, but no amount of coaxing brought them near.

The gazebo was nicely decorated. The four posts were wound with white netting intertwined with strands of ivy and pearls. Globes of tea lights completed the effect on each post. In each guest's chair was a small bottle of bubble blowing liquid.

After a horrendous stretch of 100 degree temps, tonight was mild with a gentle, cool breeze blowing off the lake. The wedding was scheduled for 7:30 p.m., and by that hour we were all seated and waiting in anticipation. But glitches must have held it up, because it was close to 8 p.m., before the mother of the bride and a young daughter of the bride walked to a small table draped with white and pink clothes and holding a large vase and four smaller ones (two of green sand, two of white). Mother and granddaughter each poured a green and a white one into the large vase, mixing the sand together. Then Daughter and Great-Granddaughter (daughter of Grandson) did the same.

Following this ceremony, the Maid of Honor and Best Man walked to the gazebo. Then, from the parking area way up near the house came a convertible car, slowly making its way down the hill, stopping just short of the gathered guests. The bride's father opened the car door, and his daughter stepped out to be walked down the aisle to the gazebo.

Opting for simple wedding attire, the bride wore a white sundress, and silver flip-flops, and the groom was dressed in jeans, a white shirt, untucked, with sleeves rolled up. He was also wearing flip-flops.

The Maid of Honor wore a pink sundress with green trim. The daughters of the bride and groom wore sundresses in the same colors and in a similar style. The mother of the groom wore a dressy capri-pants with jacket outfit that complemented the wedding colors scheme. The mother of the bride wore a floral print dress with jacket that also fit into the color scheme. Those of us in attendance were urged to dress casually, which everyone did. Purely by happenstance, the pink and green of the very casual capri pants and shirt I wore were the same color as the sundresses.

Following the wedding vows, the bride and groom poured the other two vases of sand into the large vase. This symbolized the blending of two families...bride with two daughters, and Grandson with one daughter. After this, guests were encouraged to blow bubbles at the couple as the groom escorted his bride to the convertible for the ride back up the hill.

The rest of us (except those who preferred to be shuttled in a golf cart) trooped back up the hill on foot. The reception took place on the wide expanse of lawn. In one corner of the lawn was an inflatable bounce house for the kids.

A long refreshment table was set with platters of fruit, chocolate covered strawberries, chocolate chip dip with chocolate crackers, cocktail weiners in barbecue sauce, and ham roll-ups. A multi-tier white cake graced another table, along with the groom's chocolate cake in the shape of a ball and chain.

On a separate table, were pictures of the bride and groom as a couple, and one of each as a child or baby, along with the guest book, and small white cartons tied with pink ribbons containing candy kisses for each guest.

By the time the bride threw her bouquet and the groom tossed the garter, it was 9 p.m. and time for us to head home. Even though it was late when we got back, Mother was up and watching television.

It was a good day, but we were ready to wind it down.