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Wednesday, August 05, 2009

the wedding

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We planned and rehearsed.














It took a lot of coordinating.




Some things didn't go according to plan. For instance, Don planted a thousand sunflowers, some for the ceremony site, some behind the barn for cutting for the reception tables. These by the ceremony bloomed. The hundreds behind the barn did not. What would we do for the reception tables? All those empty canning jars, bottles and vases we'd collected.





The morning of the wedding Don welcomed the fellow with the straw bales for a farm wagon our good neighbor Bill loaned us. I watched Don climb high up to help the power line stay clear. I pictured him breaking a leg.


We set up table and chair groupings around the yard with the chairs we collected through Freecycle. Remember when we were going to collect enough chairs for all the guests? We didn't get that far. You can see rental chairs set up for the ceremony there in front of the tent. We used old doors we found in the barn on straw bales for tables.






















Flowers from the florist waited in my studio.





Lesley's paper lanterns floated and tossed in the wind that started picking up on Saturday. Clouds accumulated, the sky darkened. The wedding was at 6, and by 5:30 we had phone calls from folks driving in through a torrential downpour. We women were in the house getting dolled up, and Lesley and I tried not to stress about rain.










By the time guests arrived, a soft rain had begun to fall. The chairs had been moved from the original ceremony site into the tent around tables. Most guests never knew it was meant to be outside.






They picked up their table seating cards from the laundry line.














A few minutes after 6 it was time to go! Don and I escorted Lesley from the house to the tent in the sweet rain, under a big golf umbrella. The photographer wouldn't let my hair get wet, although with all the product on it I don't think anything could touch it, nor could it possibly frizz.





The ceremony inside was cozy and romantic under the high reach of the tent.












Lesley's dad and grandpa, and Brian's grandpa (pictured here) joined them in planting a wedding plum tree. At that moment I knew the rain was a blessing, watering the tree at the start of a new marriage. Several guests informed me that rain is considered auspicious for a wedding.

Many people expressed how special the rain was. And I agree.









When the couple were married and the ceremony ended, the rain had stopped.

It was time for appetizers, wedding portraits and running around the farm.
This wedding arbor Don built saw a lot of people walk under and get their pictures taken.




Guests sat and chatted at the seating areas. These are Brian's relatives from Texas, including his mom in brown. Lesley is so fortunate to have Julia for a mother-in-law.














My three sisters and I had our picture taken with our daughters.







These vintage windows from the farm were hung with some snapshots of Lesley and Brian.






















Lesley's brother Peter was Man of Honor, and her best friend since age 10 Michelle was Matron of Honor. If happy, fun energy made the world go 'round, these three alone would keep it in operation.

Peter was also in charge of the music at the reception and played his guitar in the ceremony. The wedding party processed to "Viva la Vida" the Coldplay song, Peter playing it on guitar.

It was fantastic connecting with old friends we don't see often, as well as family from distant places. Dennis, below, was Best Man at our wedding.









My dear friend Inge made the rounds. Here she is with my nephew Nathan who officiated the ceremony.






Twenty-five percent of the guests were children. You think they didn't love Don's birds?

I wish someone had gotten a picture of just the parking lot next door. Our neighbors let us use their field.



When the sun set and the moon rose, the tent and the farm became like a fairyland. I love this photo of my nephew Paul's.







Don and I completely missed the cutting of the cake. We were looking for crayons and paper for the kids playing in the studio. You can see that there are sunflowers on tables. At our suggestion, a few guests cut some of the ones by the original ceremony site and placed them in the glass vessels.




Lesley's cousin Todd and his wife Lisle were host and hostess. Lisle is a teacher, so they played the role of teacher and principal, it was so cute.





I wish I could dance. Well, I did dance, but that doesn't mean I can dance. Now Julia, Brian's mom above in the brown silk suit, she can dance. Peter's playlist was fabulous, and I think most of the guests danced, especially the kids. He had some special songs so Julia could show us her line dance steps. I have no idea where they got all their energy. You can see Nicholas here dancing at Peter with his grandma, my sister Ginnie, looking on.







What is a wedding?

Is it flowers? Hairdos? Lights, cake and a lovely homily? The loving, attentive guests who fly in from around the country?

Yes, those things make up a wedding. But the marriage - now that it is different matter entirely. But wow, I love how this one began.











I have to acknowledge the "it would not have been possible without them" gang:

Lesley (planning)
Brian (planning)
Don (everything)

Peter (music, painting, cleaning, organizing, humor)

Nancy (envisioning, planning, scraping, painting, cleaning, sweeping, light hanging, what did I miss . . .)

Jennifer (painting, weeding, weeding and weeding)

Bootsie (scraping, painting, staining, photographing, what did I miss . . . )

Grandpa (hanging windows)
Pam (lights, etc.)

Barb (lights, etc.)
Sally (lights, etc.)
Dan (lights, etc.)

Diane (lights, etc.)

Mike (lights, hanging windows, barman, etc.)

Chadd (bar - oops)
DeeDee (taking pictures with my camera)

Special thanks to Bootsie (Ginnie), Paul and Jaclyn for sharing their photos. I did not have my camera in hand, of course. And the official photographer's images are a couple of weeks away. I tried to label each picture with their names, but I had a hard time with formatting and gave up, I apologize to the photographers. You can see their albums at the sites below.

Ginnie's wedding album is
here.
Paul's wedding album is here.

123 comments:

Claudia said...

So lovely! Such magic and happiness exuding from these wonderful photos! And I adore the picture of the kids playing with the turkeys :-) Congratulations!

Heidi Spence said...

It looks like it was a perfectly lovely day...rain and all! Love the photos, and your beautiful description of it all!

Loring Wirbel said...

Great sudden ad hoc for the rain, and you're right, it almost made it better somehow!

photowannabe said...

How magical....I belive your Leslie had the dream wedding. Love just oozes out of every picture. Thanks for sharing and letting us be a part of such a wonderful beginning to marriage.

The Bug said...

Lovely - I got tears in my eyes...

♥ Kathy said...

Absolutely beautiful Ruth!

Kat said...

I thought of you all weekend, planning, working hard to make everything perfect for your daughter's special day. What a wonderful way to get married, at home. Now you can rest.

alice said...

Oh, so many photos to see! I'll come back tomorrow when i'll have more time to enjoy. I've just note about the rain and in France we are used to say: "Mariage pluvieux, mariage heureux" ("rainy wedding, happy wedding", do you say that too?)

Nancy said...

What a beautiful and charming wedding. It looks absolutely perfect! The bride was stunning, the groom handsome, and mom looks beautiful. Dad did a spectacular job on the yard. Well done!

Anet said...

This brought tears to my eyes!
I always cry at weddings:)
It's so lovely and romantic.
I loved every photo!
A beautiful bride at a beautiful farm wedding:)

GailO said...

Thank you so much for inviting us to the wedding here Ruth!...and thanks to the photographers! First and foremost...you looked gorgeous!...what a beautiful dress!...The wedding looks and sounds picture perfect...

My youngest daughter's wedding one year ago was planned for outdoors...and Tropical Storm Hanna made us all squeeze inside for a very hot,humid, and wet...but unforgettable wedding...we were glad to be able to say that her signature drinks for the reception were Dark & Stormies:)..

Judy said...

wonderful!
beautiful!
so specical!

Thanks for sharing!

Susan said...

Oh, I'm sorry...I think I just got about a bucket of tears on your post. I can hardly speak, I'm so verklempt. Oh Ruthie, it was so beautiful and relaxed and happy and just....comfortable. I love, love, love that picture of you, Don and Lesley getting ready to walk under the tent. And the one of the tent lit up after dark with the moon peeking through the clouds....that needs to be framed. A fairlyand for a fairy princess!

Oh, dang, now I'm getting the keyboard all wet and salty!

Jill of All Trades said...

Just beautiful. Thanks for sharing the beautiful day.

cathyswatercolors said...

Oh my goodness Ruth, How lovely, really, your daughters dress and veil,your dress so beautiful and vintage too. The lights,tents,flowers, bales of hay just wonderful. Rain, I love rain, more memorable. Everything looks just so great. What a terrific day and now time to reflect. I need to look at the rest of the photos, how exciting,thank you for sharing.( My son got engaged this weekend,wish I lived on a farm:)) xox Cathy

Unknown said...

Ruth,
The day was pure magic. I could see it in everyone's faces. The rustic charm of the mismatched chairs, bales of hay and sunflowers created such a wholesome, honest wedding.

Absolutely beautiful!

Pat said...

What a beautiful couple! There were so many special touches to this wedding. I, too, love the picture of the wedding that was taken at night at a distance with all the twinkling lights. It looks so magical. Congratulations on a job well done. Looks like everything turned out perfect. I heard that it's good luck if it rains during the ceremony!

Dakota Bear said...

Ruth,

It looks like it was an absolutely wonderful day and you had a grand time at your daughter's wedding. Congratulations!

The decorations are fantastic.

rauf said...

oh its lovely Ruth, congratulations, please convey my best wishes to the couple.

6 in the evening ? i think its a bit too late Ruth. Fine in a city or a town, where the whole thing is indoors but too late for a farm. very late for pictures. i mean you get good pictures, for better pictures it should be a bit early and for convenience of the guests.

well planned weddings are very boring. A bit of chaos adds to the charm. Good to see children enjoying the farm.

Arti said...

What a lovely and unique wedding. These pictures look like movie stills! Sunflowers, paper lanterns, and old doors as table top on straw bales ... Again, all best wishes to the newlyweds, and parents too!

*jean* said...

oo what a special and magical day it must've been...thank you for sharing your special event, it was very sweet to see it after all the details you've been writing about!!!

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful wedding! Makes me sad that mine will take place in Japan, away from my family.

CottageGirl said...

I'm enthralled with the wedding details and pictures. I think I've relived it at least 3 times so far!

What a unique, wonderful way to celebrate Lesley's special day!!

It didn't matter about the sunflowers behind the barn, or the rain ... things came together and made the day even more special! The powers that be were smiling down on you all.

Lesley looked so beautiful and very chic. You looked so pretty!

Congratulations to you all ...

and thanks for the virtual trip to a lovely wedding in Michigan!

ds said...

Oh, lovely, lovely, lovely! What a beautiful way to begin...

sandy said...

I've been looking forward to seeing and hearing all about it and you did a great job putting photos in order and taking us on a talking tour of the day. Great job Ruth and the bride was beautiful!...as was her mother!!
Everything looked wonderful. Rain is good! It rained on our niece's wedding here at the house, low damp fog, drippy, moisture and with the torches lit in the yard it looked a bit like Ireland.

Loved seeing and reading all of it.

Ruth said...

I'm glad you feel it, Claudia, the joy was so strong. That photo is Paul's, and the three girls are his nieces.

Ruth said...

Hi, Heidi, and thank you! You heard about it long enough all summer, I'm glad you came and heard my "final" story. (BTW, the bubbles were hard to blow. Butterflies would have been so cool.)

Ruth said...

I think so, Loring. BTW, we had two kinds of beer (wheat and amber), made for us by a local brewery just getting started, and the beer drinkers loved it. Wish you could have been here, even though you only know Don and me.

joaop1960@gmail.com said...

Ruth, everybody needs milestones in their lives, the banality we let society impose on our acts, must be fought with all our ingenuity. I'm very happy for you and your family because you accomplish just that.
We need ceremonies, parties, dramas, tears and laughter to feel alive...let emotions flow.
I want to send you all my nicest roses, they're here : http://www.flickr.com/photos/joaop1960/3785447184/

Ruth said...

Dear Sue, welcome home from Kenya! You must have had some eye opening encounters. I look forward to seeing your images and reading your thoughts.

It was the wedding Lesley dreamed, and her skills for planning saw us through, even though the final event had to be adjusted. I'm thankful there wasn't horizontal torrential rain, just a soft one that was like a special guest.

Ruth said...

How sweet, Bug. Even though I wore water proof mascara, I did not cry at the wedding. I think I was too pent up. I had a big cry before a nap two days later, a happy, relieved kind of cry.

Ruth said...

♥ Kathy, the visuals are nice, and maybe they capture some of it, but if you could have been here, the feeling of having so many people around us that we love was thrilling.

Ruth said...

Dear Kat, bless you for thinking of us! Don and I looked exactly like his hens running around Friday and Saturday (all summer really), until about 3pm on Saturday. Suddenly we knew we'd done all we could do, and it was pretty good. We are gradually feeling rested, but this was profoundly exhausting, in a deep way. And profoundly satisfying.

Ruth said...

Alice, maybe there is a saying in English too, but I didn't know about it. I think ours could be "rainy wedding, happy marriage."

Throughout the planning of this wedding I kept saying to Lesley, Don and Peter, this is about a marriage, not a wedding. That helped us keep the day in perspective, that anything that didn't go as planned just didn't matter too much. And even in a marriage, mistakes and failures can help us, and it, get stronger.

Ruth said...

Nancy, thank you! It was not perfect, in fact there were some major things we forgot, which you can't see. For instance, I intended to give a little speech at the reception thanking the ones who worked so hard with us, and it completely slipped my mind. Also, I never made it over to my in-laws table to sit and chat, and I don't know if I can forgive myself for that. But I am trying. It is too late now, but I can write them. I did get some good time with Julia, but not the rest of the Texas clan.

Ruth said...

Ah, Anet, you have watched the planning of this wedding for many months, I'm so glad you liked this resulting post about it. I wonder if you got the heavy rain that evening like Okemos did? I'm very grateful we did not.

Ruth said...

Oliag, thank you. Your daughter's wedding was memorable, I bet no one will ever forget that experience. Sometimes I think we were crazy to plan an outdoor wedding, but it came out all right. At one point I pictured us in the barn where there are lightning rods, standing for the ceremony. That would have been fun too!

Ruth said...

Thank you, Judy, for sharing it with me. I can't believe it's come and gone.

Ruth said...

Susie Q, my dear friend. Your tender heart touches me! I wish you could have been here bodily to keep me steady. I was flitting around like a moth, not alighting anywhere for long. I had so much pent up energy - emotional and physical - that I was like a wound-up toy.

When Lesley & Brian rode away in the Town Car, the arbor lights reflected on the car's shiny black side, the red taillights pulling out on the gravel drive, I wanted to jump to the moon, I was so happy! Thank you for all your interest and support through this event, sweet friend.

Ruth said...

Thank you, Jill. It's remarkable to have you share this with me.

Ruth said...

Dear Cathy - congratulations to your son! I confess I am a little grateful that if we have another wedding, I will be mother of the groom. :) But I would not trade this experience for anything. Thank you for your kind words.

Ruth said...

Kim, I have to smile at your comment. I appreciate it so much, because we wanted homey and rustic. But it's funny, because in the end it is a performance, isn't it? I did struggle to keep it simple, but the struggle was a lot of work. Of course we needed to tidy up and get a few things painted. But we left the old barns weathered. Anyhow, I'm glad you liked it and could feel how happy we all were.

Ruth said...

Ah, thanks, Pat! I wanted to show the magic, because that's what I felt too. I'm glad you felt it.

We forgot many things, so much fell through the cracks - really important stuff. But I think no one will remember those things but me.

Ruth said...

Thank you, Dakota Bear. I think there is a little farm in all of us, and we want to relax and feel comfortable. The Plaza Hotel would be a gorgeous place for a wedding, but children would probably not be welcome. I'm glad you liked it!

Ruth said...

Thank you, rauf.

Yes, I think it was a little late for a few guests. I was amazed the ones with little children stayed quite late. It was a tough call to choose the time. It can be very hot in August, and we wanted to avoid the heat of the afternoon since we planned it in the yard. The original ceremony site comes into shadow just at 6pm. So that might have been more convenient time-wise, but less comfortable I think. It gets dark around 9, so there were about 3 hours for pretty good photos - but it was very hard after dark to get good ones in the tent. I am interested to see what the official photographer got. She does not use a tripod!

I am glad the "chaos" of rain turned out so well. Wish you could have been here to share the day with us.

Ruth said...

Arti, that is interesting because many times I thought of movie makers who have to build the set and make sure everything looks fine. Thank you so much for your good wishes!

Ruth said...

Jean, thank you for your interest and kind words. It is fun to share with you.

I can only imagine what you would create in such an event! Your creativity and design sense is incredible.

Ruth said...

Ohh, Kanmuri, your family won't make it to Japan for your wedding? That is hard. I hope they can visit soon after at least.

Ruth said...

Thank you so much, CottageGirl, for your sincere interest in this wedding, it touches me! Your kind words are like the soft rainfall and make me feel blessed.

Ruth said...

DS, the day matters, and it also doesn't matter in the long run, I mean for the marriage itself. Yet beginnings are important and set the tone. I'm glad you are here to share this.

Ruth said...

Sandy, you're a doll. I know you have had more than one wedding at your place, it takes some patience and long term planning. Then when the weather does its own thing, you adjust. How sweet to think of Ireland in an arid place like California. Strange how these things come together. Thank you so much for your interest and kind words.

Ruth said...

Dear João, I agree with you, and your words fell sweetly on me this morning, just as your posted music of Menuhin and Shankar, and the insight of Emerson, opened a splendid window onto the morning. You have a beautiful perspective on the world. Your roses are a poem, and I will enjoy exploring your flickr photos. Thank you for these gifts.

Annie said...

Thank you for the photos! Such a wonderful setting and a beautiful bride!

Babs-beetle said...

One word - Beautiful ;)

Oh I can't leave it at that! It looks like it was such a magical day, and I love the sunflowers.

I am going to a wedding tomorrow. Not on a farm, but at a beautiful countryside hotel. I'm looking forward to it.

Ginnie Hart said...

How wonderful, Ruth! You really captured the spirit of the event. I love it all! I know you missed having your own camera in your hand, but hopefully the rest of us were able to make up for it. You certainly were one of the belles of the evening! :)

California Girl said...

Ruth: So glad you posted this. I was about to send a personal email to you asking when the wedding images would be uploaded and decided to double check your blog. Voila!

What a wonderfully inventive wedding. I think I'm going to forward the post to one of my clients who does arrangements & decor. She'll love it.

Love the acknowledgements. But who did the flowers and table settings and thought of the old doors & window frames and all that? Inquiring minds want to know.

P.S. Congrats! You make a gorgeous mother of the bride.

Leena said...

I looked at photos with Melli and she found one princess - YOU ! It is a picture, where you, Lesley and Don are.
Lesley was "smiling girl" in many photos, we agree with each other, that it has been a happy happening - and you probably guess, what was a best photo in Melli`s opinion - children and "ducks" ( sorry, Don, Melli loves ducks )

And certainly the rain during the wedding is a qualification for a happy, long marriage!

Congratulations Lesley and Brian !

caroldiane said...

wonderful description of the magical day - Lesley and Brian are off to a great start - so glad you shared it with us with all the photos!

Vagabonde said...

What a sweet wedding for a lovely couple. Thanks so much for inviting us. So many beautiful memories for all of you to share.

freefalling said...

Yay!
Thanks for showing us the photos.
Everyone looks soooo happy
and Ruth, you look like a real spunk!!
(see Australian dictionary).

Ruth said...

Thank you, Annie! Hang in there with the two little ones. As you said, they are small only a short time, and soon they too will move on with their adult lives. Where did the time go?

Ruth said...

Babs my dear, when you say that word, I am happy.

A countryside hotel wedding sounds romantic too. It would be nice to be "just a guest" at a wedding right about now. :)

Ruth said...

Boots. No one will know, except you, just how much work you did for this wedding. I watched you, but you lived it. The hours driven from Atlanta (12 each way), the painting, staining, cleaning, all the back breaking stuff, and then carrying that humongous camera lens around and capturing it on sensor - so I could post the gorgeous photos here - really incredible. Your love is a steady stream rippling over me. I love you.

Ruth said...

Thank you, California Girl. It was a team effort, labors of love from the many people listed. The list can't possibly tell the story, but I felt compelled to make it here anyway.

A local florist named Corinne did the bridal bouquets. Her company is Sebasta Design - Lesley found her through theknot.com.

As for the windows, doors, etc., they were my idea. :)

Thank you so much for your kind words and interest. I love sharing the wedding with you.

Ruth said...

Dear Leena, I think Melli too would have spent a long time feeding the "ducks" and watching how funny they are. Oh how I would have loved to have you walking with me around the farm while she was playing with the other kids. You are precious. Thank you for your good words and wishes. We had a very brief email from the honeymooners in Perth, Scotland today - Lesley was double parked and Brian didn't have time to write much.

Ruth said...

Thank you for your interest and comment, caroldiane. It is such a bonus to share the story and images with friends.

Ruth said...

Thank you for your interest, Vagabonde, and your kind words.

Ruth said...

Letty! Thank you for yet another term for my Australian lexicon. I like this one. :)

mystic rose said...

Thank you for posting this Ruth! What a beautiful ceremony that must have been. Full of light and joy and love. And rain.
Congratulations to all of you, especially Lesley and Brian. May they have a long and happily married life.

And you look very lovely! I was wishing there were some more pictures of you.

Ruth said...

Thank you, Mystic. You've heard me talking about this day for a long time. You saw a picture of the dress almost before anyone. Thanks to my sisters who spent so many painstaking hours altering it. It felt weightless, and that was just what I needed to be in the moments of the wedding and be thoughtless of it. There are more (too many) photos at Facebook. :)

Silly, isn't it, how much time and energy goes into the outer shell. It is just a symbol of the beauty we desire inside, no?

California Girl said...

Ooooh, Boots left you a comment with elegant imagery. I like it!

Bob Johnson said...

Awesome wedding Ruth, and well told in image and prose, guess what? I can't dance, but I did that night, and it wasn't that bad, mind you I think I was drunk.. Oh I didn't see a telescope anywhere during the night,lol.

Bob Johnson said...

By That night I meant my daughters wedding, didn't crash your daughter's wedding,lol.

Gwen Buchanan said...

Wow! now that is what I call a wedding!!! I'm so glad you shared this wonderful event Ruth.. it almost made me cry!! everyone looked so happy... so beautiful... who could ask for more.. it was delightful!!! I'm sure with a setting like that your guests probably never wanted to leave...

Congratulations to Leslie and Brian... and the whole family... I'm so thrilled for you all!!!!

Ruth said...

California Girl, my sisters are made of gold.

Ruth said...

Bob - you were that guy?? Hahaha. Yes, I had one teeny glass of wine, but that's not what got me on the dance floor. I had so much pent up energy!

Ruth said...

Gwen - hello! Our time couldn't have been better, I know it sounds like a cliche, but it's true. And every time I felt my dangly earrings touch my neck or shoulder, I thought of you. I felt surrounded by loving energy. Imagine your earrings like a breeze off the Bay of Fundy touching me way down here on our farm.

renaye said...

wah .... so beautiful pictures... maybe i will look as pretty as the bride on my wedding day. :)

pls collect ur award from my blog.

VaNeSsA said...

Oh Ruth, tears are threatening to pour down my cheeks as I read this entry. So, so beautiful. I have been waiting for this day to come, and to see the pictures. I cannot imagine a more perfect wedding. I am sure that Lesley and Brian couldn't either!! It is absolutely crystal-clear that the guests had a ball, and while I am sorry that you missed the cake-cutting, I LOVE that you were looking for crayons for the kids. It's unreal how beautiful this wedding was. And, may I say, how beautiful you and your daughter looked in your finery. Your family is blessed in so many ways. Lovely, Ruth. Lovely.

NJ said...

Ruth, I really have to say that this looks like one of the loveliest weddings I have ever seen. How special to have it on the farm. Everyone looks so relaxed and happy. You have really done a great job. Even though I keep telling my kids to go ahead and elope this makes me what to do something similar sometime!

J.G. said...

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful! It's so "them" yet with plenty of tradition, serious and joyful.

And the rain is definitely good luck! I have heard that said many times.

shoreacres said...

I've looked through all the photos (loved Ginnie's in the boat) and read every word, and am sighing a deep sigh of satisfaction. It seems to have been perfect - which is quite different from flawless, of course.

I was so happy to see your "light" photo and poem. I should have known you'd be one to start moving right back down the road, rather than trying to cling to such a wondrous time.

We've all loved taking part in Leslie and Brian's happiness, and I wish them everything good in the future.

Gwen Buchanan said...

Ruth, you are so lovely!!!! I am so glad that a bit of me was there...at least in spirit!!! Thank you!!!

VioletSky said...

Thank you for sharing all these memories. I thought it was rather brave to plan an outdoor wedding... so glad to see the rain didn't dampen anyone spirits. It all looks so casual, yet elegant at once. Interesting mix, for a woman who now lives in NYC!

kenju said...

What a gorgeous outdoor wedding! You all look so beautiful and happy - that's why I love weddings so much - no matter whose it is.

shoreacres said...

Ruth, I am laughing and laughing. I saw Ginnie's wonderful sepia photo of Lesley and Brian in the little boat. Just now, I went over to Pink Graffiti and was browsing Lesley's blog.

I saw in one post that her daemon is the lynx and Brian's is the owl.
My gosh - it's the Owl and the Pussycat, heading off to sea in their pea-green boat! That silly little poem of Lear's is perfect:


'Dear pig, are you willing to sell for one shilling
Your ring?' Said the Piggy, 'I will.'
So they took it away, and were married next day
By the Turkey who lives on the hill.
They dined on mince, and slices of quince,
Which they ate with a runcible spoon;
And hand in hand, on the edge of the sand,
They danced by the light of the moon,
The moon,
The moon,
They danced by the light of the moon.

gma said...

Beautiful. All the work and planning paid off. It looks like a lovely wedding. Best wishes to the newlyweds.

Oh said...

Congratulations to a couple I've never met in my life but this blog entry was so beautifully wrought (as is this blog site) and I write for a glossy bride's magazine (here in St. Louis) and your story and pictures and pre-wedding prep for this wedding stopped me in my tracks.
Lovely.
Best wishes to all involved and thanks for sharing this...
nope, I don't even remember how I foudn this blog but glad I did!

Unknown said...

What a wonderful story and look at all of the special comments. Talk about an amazing place and an amazing day!

Stiggy said...

WOW!

What a fantastic day!

I know you, Don and everyone concerned with the wedding must have put in an awful lot of effort, because you can see all the little details that have been thought of around your farm!

All the little lights twirled round things, the washing line with the name tags, the arbour that Don built...

...absolutely STUNNING wedding!!

Well done to you and Don, and congratulations to the bride and groom!

:D

Nautankey said...

have been reading and re reading this post from morning :-) just could not get my eyes of the happy faces and beautiful farm...how I wished I was lucky to be a part of that ceremony :-)...lovely pics from a lovely occassion,best wishes

A Bite of Country Cupcakes said...

I have been reading Dons blog for ages Never knowing I was missing out on your gorgeous one!
Whilst I thought my wedding was beautiful,Boy oh boy That one looks divine!
Just so Personal and Romantic....
The photos are fantastic and Ahhhhhhhhhh All just looks so surreal.
It would have to make for a great start to wedded bliss!

Ruth said...

Oh hello, Renaye! I will have to pick up my award (how wonderful!) when I get to work. My connection here at home is not strong enough to load your site. I'll be over! :D

Ruth said...

Renaye, sadly, even on high speed at work, I was unable to load your site. :(

Thank you for the award - unseen!

Ruth said...

VaNeSsA, oh thank you. It touches me how you watched over our wedding (I first typed "weeding").

During the hours of the event I kept scanning my inner landscape and realized how hyped up I was. My outer behavior was eratic, if you'd followed me around. I couldn't sit still. So it isn't much of a wonder that we weren't under the tent for the cake cutting. I do wish they'd waited. :( But in the long scheme of things, it will be forgotten.

Ruth said...

Ha, NJ, we always told our kids to elope too. But this was fun, even if it was work, because it felt very personal here at our own place. I admit I'm not all about weddings that are in formal churches - even though they're beautiful. But having it at your own place is more responsibility and pressure than any sane person would ask for. :)

Ruth said...

J.G. - thank you for that. One very good thing about having a wedding at home is that it tends to reflect the family and individuals more readily.

Ruth said...

Linda, let me respond to both your good comments here.

Since reading your comment about "perfect" as different from "flawless" I have quoted you a few times. I so appreciate that thought, because it is profoundly true. Of life too I think.

As for your brilliant Owl and the Pussycat connection, I am laughing too! I will share it with Lesley & Brian when they return from Scotland, because it is priceless. The connections in the little poem are quite something! Even the Turkey, the moon! How fun is that!!

Ruth said...

Gwen, ohhh, I loved it too!!

Ruth said...

Thank you, Sanna, we called it rustic elegance, hehe. I guess you can't take the country out of the city girl (and vice versa).

I hope you'll be feeling better quickly.

Ruth said...

Kenju, oh thank you. From one who does wedding florals, I really appreciate your comment. Yours today are just gorgeous. And you're right, even the farm cleans up pretty, like most people. (Gosh, I'd love to have a stylist do me every day I need to go out.)

Ruth said...

Thank you, sweet Gemma. I was serious about an adult coloring book with your images. You are super gifted.

Ruth said...

Welcome, Oh! I have seen you many times at shoreacres' The Task at Hand and DS' Third Story Window. It is an honor to have you visit synch-ro-ni-zing.

An even greater honor to receive such a generous compliment from you about the wedding. Thank you!

I'll see more of you at your literary blog. Even though I was an English major, I am a poor reader, but in my mind I read dozens of books a year. Only in my mind, mind you.

Ruth said...

How good to see you here, Expat!

Half the joy of blogging is the comments, don't you think? Wonderful blog friends come here.

Ruth said...

Thank you bunches, Stiggy! As a man who attends to detail, I appreciate your comment immensely. We had a TON of help, and that is part of the joy of it - great love and joy.

Ruth said...

Nautankey - back are you??

Ah, your comment made me so happy. Partly because you have upcoming nuptials yourself. I was wondering if you'd like to rent the farm? I would give you a great deal, especially considering how far all of you would have to come. And say, bring rauf with you?

Ruth said...

Welcome, Cupcakes! Is that how you want to be abbreviated? Or would you rather I call you Bite?

I've seen you at Don's, and it's great to have a good Aussie visit. Did you get your tea?

So glad you liked your first visit here, and yes, it was a tremendous wedding, mostly due to Don's incredibly hard work. The rest of us helped.

I'll see you around at our three places, bye.

Country Girl said...

What a GREAT wedding!!! You all did an amazing job, my kind of wedding. SO glad Don referenced your blog. Beautiful family, friends, pictures. LOVE IT!

A Bite of Country Cupcakes said...

Coffee?? and Cupcakes is fine! lol!
I am popping back regularly to read what I had been missing...Lots of Back posts...
Lookingh forward to catching up on the reading.

julie king said...

everything is picture-perfect ruth!!!

Dutchbaby said...

This is the one post I was looking forward to reading upon my return from my great adventure. I can't imagine a more perfect wedding. The farm looked glorious with all those homegrown and loosely arranged sunflowers, makeshift hay-bale tables (brilliant!), vintage windows (inspired!), and twinkling lights. Even the rain seemed to have created a more vibrant palette. This wedding exudes love and joy! Congratulations to you and Don. I wish the happy couple many years of bliss. Bravo!

christina said...

i have the biggest tears in my eyes. mostly because i love reading about these types of gatherings, where family comes together for love. i miss my family, dearly. this is the most beautiful wedding i have ever felt. it will sit beside my heart for a very long time. thank you for sharing with us, sweetie.
ps: your daughter is beautiful and so are you.
xo

Ruth said...

Hi and welcome, Country Girl! I'm glad Don referenced this blog too, because you came for a visit. I've seen you at his for ages.

Thank you! It is really a huge comfort to have this wedding to look back on. Now the kids are home from their honeymoon, and back to work tomorrow.

Ruth said...

Country Cupcakes, wow, that's so cool! Be sure to dust off the shelves while you're there, won't you?

Ruth said...

Oh thank you, Julie!

You are the coolest artist!! Your work is original, skilled and very inventive. I'm following you.

Ruth said...

Yay, Dutchbaby, yay! It pleases me to no end that you feel that way about our farm wedding.

One of the joys after the fact has been seeing the different photo "albums" that have gone up on blogs and Facebook. Each persons photos seem to tell a different story. After seeing your collections of the floral displays and home tour in SF, your photos of our event would be so great.

Anyway, I really appreciate that you looked forward to this, it touches me.

Ruth said...

Christina, that is so wonderful, that you can feel the love across the Lake. I am not surprised though, you have such a sensitive heart, and there was a lot of big love at this wedding.

Jeanie said...

Ruth, this is simply one of the most beautiful weddings I've ever seen! Rain notwithstanding, it looks like it was the most glorious occasion (and those sunflowers are brilliant!)

Unknown said...

what a beautiful memoir of the day, so wonderful. thank you for doing this blog post, it is so perfect. i love you so much! over 100 comments, awesome!! :)

Ruth said...

Thank you, Jeanie! We had the love of family and close friends that made it beautiful.

Ruth said...

Wesrey! I love you. I'm so glad you're home. :)

myonlyphoto said...

Hey Ruth the most cozy and beautiful wedding set I ever ever seen. Looks like every one had a blast, and the bride is beautiful and happy. Ruth thanks for sharing I really enjoyed it. Anna :) PS all the weddings should be like that, so nice and personal and sincere.

Ruth said...

Oh thank you, Anna, it pleases me so much that you felt it from there. :)