Hello Everyone! Wow what a whirlwind weekend it has been. Starting with the bridal party hanging out here all day Friday by the pool.
The wonderful rehearsal dinner hosted by my husband and me was Friday night. I was awestruck when I walked into the room. It was decorated so beautifully and the flowers were gorgous. There were wonderful speeches, great food and wine, and even some dancing before the evening ended.
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| Dancing with her soon to be father-in-law |
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| Last night as singles. |
No time for late night fun though. We had to get home to be at the hair salon by 8:45 the next morning for hair and makeup.
From there we headed to the Elkins Estate to get ready. This is where we would spend the night and where the reception would be held. All I can say about this venue is 'wow'! I don't have alot of photos of the exterior and interior rooms, but if you get a minute check out their website
http://www.elkinsestate.org/ to see how beautiful it is.
To think that this was actually a home to someone is almost beyond belief. I was actually getting lost wondering around. It was huge. From the moment you drove through the huge iron gates and up the long drive, you knew that this was a special place.
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| The bridesmaids waiting for the bride to finish dressing. |
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| The beautiful bride. |
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| The lovely ladies in waiting. |
After dressing and sipping some champagne, we headed to the church. The bride in a Rolls Royce. We had a similar one on our wedding day almost 31 years ago.
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| Cinderella's carriage |
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| Arriving at the Church. |
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The day was beautiful, and the heat and humidy went away for us. The skies were blue, with puffy white clouds, and a temp of 80. Perfect. It made up for the rain the previous day, and I was willing to give up my rehearsal dinner cocktails on the terrace the day before, in exchange for this glorious day.
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| My two younger boys escorting me down the aisle. |
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| Here comes the bride! |
Everything went off without a hitch, and the ceremony was gorgeous.
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| Showers of lavender rice. |
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| Champagne in luxury transportation. |
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| The bride and groom arriving. |
Then back to the Elkins Estate for an unbelievable event. The bride and her family planned a flawless evening, accompanied by delicious wines to enjoy with the amazing food. I have been to a few weddings in my day, but never had food as wonderful as this in a banquet setting.
Here is the menu as printed on the lovely card inserted in our napkin:
First Course
A Trio
Watermelon gazpacho, chevre chaud salad, duck breast, polenta croustade, vanilla plumed cherries
Entree
Bleu cheese encrusted filet
Blasamic Reduction, mushroom roasted potato ragout
or
Jumbo Lump Crab Cake, summer peach salsa, cucumber salad
or
Vegetarian filo purse over vegetable coulis, mushroom-roasted potato ragout
Dessert
Classic vanilla pound cake with butter cream frosting
Crepe Station and Liquor Bar
Traditional French dessert with toppings of cherries jubilee, butter & sugar, nutella or vanilla and chocolate ice cream
Being the mother of the groom, I wasn't walking around with a camera all night, and I'm sure more photos will start to trickle in. But I wish I had photos of each hors d'oeuvre as they made their way around on butlered trays. Spoons filled with little scallops in a white wine sauce, little pieces of lobster, trays of tuna sushi, beef carpacio on tiny toasts, and tiny triangles of cucumber topped with smoked salmon. There was a raw bar filled with colossal shrimp, tiny crab claws and raw oysters.
The room was decorated beautifully. These photos don't show how magical it really looked and the flowers were exquisite.
It was a great moment as we were all announced and walked into the beautiful ballroom.
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| All the couples "danced" their way in to a special song of their choice. This is my baby, one of the best men, and the maid of honor. |
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| We danced in too!! We picked Tom Jones, "It's not unusual!!" |
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Mr. and Mrs!!
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| Cinderella and Prince Charming. |
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Later there would be a crepe bar, but I couldn't leave the dance floor all night. Those baskets of flip flops I made up sure came in handy!
It was a wonderful, magical evening of love, laughter and happily ever after. The newlyweds went to bed late into the night, and the bridal suite at the estate was beautifully decorated by their wedding planner.
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| The honeymoon suite at the Estate |
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| The brides monogrammed robe and a little something from Tiffany's. A gift from the groom! |
Yesterday everyone gathered at my house for pizza and champagne, and this morning my house is quiet again. Everyone is back to work, we're leaving soon for a week of some rest and relaxation at the shore, and Meghan and Ryan just left for the airport and their honeymoon in French Polynesia. Moorea, Tahiti and Bora Bora.
A kiss for luck and their on their way.
Give me some time and I'll catch up with all of you this week. Just wanted to check in and tell you that it was a wonderful day.
Thought for the day:
"Love does not consist in gazing at each other but looking in the same direction
together."
Antonne
de Saint-Exupery
Here are few more highlights....
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| Mother/Son dance |
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| Dancing with my uncle. |
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| My nosegay! |
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| The proud mothers. |
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| My special guy....my nephew! |
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| My family |
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| Parents of the groom |
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| The dress I finally picked! |
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| It was comfortable, and flattering. At least that's what I was told!! |
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| Back to the room to pack after a quick morning after breakfast. |
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| The lady and the gents. |
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| The flowers smelled lovely! |
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| Our bedroom suite |
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| We burst into the honeymoon suite. Time to get up!!! |
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| My husband on the other side of our large suite! |
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| The groomsmen waiting outside the Estate for the bride and groom. |
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| My baby is all grown up now! So handsome! |
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| Maids in waiting. |
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| Parents and grandparents |
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| Champagne and candles |
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| The brides bouquet with a cameo pin borrowed from here mother. |
