Sunday, August 2, 2015

1034, Sun, 080215. Portsmouth, RI.

Everyone survived the festivities just fine, in fact it looked like it all went off as expected. But first:
Friday was set up day at the hall (Goose Berry Beach House) right on the beach where the reception was to be held. It took all day from early morning until well after the sun went down but by the time we left all was complete. There were a million twinkle lights to be strung with only a very rickety ladder (even I would have tossed the thing long ago) to climb up and down. David (the bride's father) and I hung strings and strings of little lights all over the building. We tried our best not to overload the curcuits which seemed to pay off on the night of the festivities. The group set up tables with ribbons, assembled center pieces for each table, scrubbed chairs and on and on. By the time we were finished there were people heading up from the beach poking their head in the door and giving us compliments on how festive it all looked.
David made up a very tastey meal for the group at dinner time with chicken with a mushroom sauce, pasta with parmesan, and asparagus. It is always a treat when David cooks.
Instead of making the trek all the way back to our campsite (the far end of town) we parked in the driveway where the Sierings were staying. Judge Greg Fatin (close friend of the groom's family) has a nice duplex that was given to the Sierings for the stay. It was fun being at the place Katie (the bride) was getting ready, especially since we had no responsibilities and could just sit back and watch.
It was time to head out to the wedding. Everyone was all dressed up and Katie looked like a princess. Her sister, Jennie, was maid of honor and was very organized and super helpful for her little sister.
The wedding was held in a park, weather was very nice although sunny. The rain had knocked down a lot of the humidity which made for a nice day. The ceremony went off without a hitch, a few tears of enjoyment by the bride then it was picture time. Katie knows what she wants, lots of pictures. In fact she planned out three hours just for pictures. She was very organized as she conducted everyone as to which group and which people were to be in the pictures. It was fun to watch as she orchestrated the whole thing.
As the bride and groom were off, more pictures here and there, and a visit with the Grandmother who couldn't make the gathering we all got a little break before the party began.
We arrived at the hall, greeted at the door with a drink and music going on inside. We enjoyed talking with family and lots of new people then settled down to a nice dinner. Sue and I had chosen salmon, delicious. Of course there was the cutting of the cake which was very civil as the bride and groomed fed each other their perspective pieces of cake. Then the dancing began. Sue and I did our best at keeping up with the youngsters as we did our share of enjoying the dance floor. Off to the side of the dance floor was a small room set up with a camera, lots of funny glasses and hats, where groups went to have crazy pictures taken. It was quite fun.
Each table had a table number corresponding to your seating assignment but at first glance the numbers didn't make any sense. Once you caught on to reading the explanation below the number you soon learned each number had something to do with the newlyweds, miles traveled to meet both sets of parents, the address where they were engaged, and so on. They love games so there were several sets of Jenga blocks to write little bits of advice. They had wine bottles to put notes in, one to be opened on the first anniversary then five years, ten years, and twenty five years. Lots of little things to look forward to.
We finally called it an evening, by then my shirt was soaking wet from all the dancing, and headed home to plop our heads down on our pillows by 10:30.
With all the work, play, and fun we are both feeling great today and are taking a day off from the travels to plan out our next section of the trip. I don't envy those who had to pack up and make their way to the airport today for the flight home. It is so nice to simply kick back in our little home....more later..