The Wedding
It's taken me a while, but here's the update on the trip to Denver for Cameron's wedding.
Friday night Cameron's parents, Monica and Jim, hosted a "pre-wedding Fiesta" at Mi Casa in the city where the wedding was located, Breckenridge. The margaritas flowed like water, the dinner was *very* tasty, and the service was impeccable! It was a great chance to see quite a few people we haven't seen in a very long time, including a very relaxed bride-and-groom-to-be. We also had a chance to eat dinner with a couple we hadn't met before - a friend of Cameron's from college and his wife. Very fun people, but it makes sense, as Cameron's a fun guy himself.
The next morning, we got up and walked around the main street of Breckenridge. Cute little town, with lots of quaint little houses. We saw an interesting Starbucks that was located in cute little Victorian-style house painted bright yellow. I wonder what the Starbucks Branding people have to say about that...
We had a nice, leisurely breakfast at the Horseshoe II, and then walked back to the hotel along the creek. On the way, we stopped in at the Riverwalk Center and listened to the National Repertory Orchestra practice for a concert that evening. Ilana Setapen was performing as solo violinist, and *damn* she was good. The little taste of classical whetted our appetite for some additional concerts this summer. I think I need to take another look at what's playing at the Bowl.
Soon thereafter, amandalor made it to the hotel with her parents, and we grabbed a bite to eat before the wedding itself.
The ceremony was beautiful. It was held at Maggie Pond in The Village in the open air. It was perfect weather for an outdoor wedding, which is usually a risky proposition given the daily afternoon showers the mountains usually get. Cori was beautiful in her sleeveless gown, and Cameron dashing in his suit, tie and vest. A string quartet played the ceremony music, and the ceremony itself was spiced up with readings from a few of the couple's close friends. The officiant was pretty cool - she wore cowboy boots with her dress, which reminded me of my stepmom, Cindy. :) Check out some ceremony pictures that we took with our new digital camera !
On to the Reception...
C&C's reception was held in a tent nearby the wedding site. Passing through the receiving line after the ceremony, the group of us (amandalor, redqueenofevil, zedmanauk, and The Dreamer) gave the happy couple a little something for their honeymoon. Which consisted of a quarter from each of us. I hope they didn't spend it all in one place.
There was a wine and beer open bar, and a nice selection of cheese, fruit and crackers to nosh on while waiting for the newlyweds to be formally announced. We were seated at the tabled called "Mt. Holy Cross". It was very cute - every table was named after a picture that had been taken of C&C at that location. At each table was a booklet containing all the table names / pictures, and the stories behind each.
Here for couple paragraphs, I randomly philosophize a bit, so I stuck the discourse behind a cut in case you're not interested .
It's so interesting to see how different couples can customize their weddings and make the event uniquely their own. I was never a huge fan of weddings growing up and even through my early adult life. However, many discussions with The Dreamer early on in our relationship brought me to the realization of why they are important. The ceremony involved (be it Christian, Jewish, pagan, or entirely secular) changes the way society looks at the couple, and also how the couple looks at themselves. There is nothing innately magical about this moment, but it serves the purpose of preparing the couple for the role they are about to have in the future, and to (in theory) discourage others from trying to unmake the union in various ways. I guess this supports the old adage that the wedding is not for the couple, but actually for everyone else.
Now, in this day and age, there are those for whom marriage has a different meaning, and as such should be permitted to customize the ceremony as they wish or even not make such a huge deal about it at all if they want. I guess it all depends on how the couple feels about their relationship and what they want to get out of it. My wedding was structured as such. After my interesting but failed attempt at marriage earlier in life, in which the ceremony itself was clandestine and occured in a back alley imam's office with a Polish immigrant who barely spoke English representing my side of the family, I chose to have a big party with all my close friends and family. I've never been a big fan of large weddings, but after my previous experience I wanted to show everyone that I felt good about this relationship, and that I truly believe it is going to last.
Anyway, the couple appeared, and immediately went into their first dance. Toasts were made, and the couple shared their first bite of cake (without smashing it into each others faces - sigh, different strokes, I guess). The dinner was quite yummy - chicken breast with mushroom stuffed ravioli, if I remember right. The cake was scrumptious also! We then finished the evening off with some dancing and talking - a very enjoyable evening over all.
Check out a couple reception pictures !
Well, a week later now, and the couple are away in Fiji on their honeymoon. I hope the "little something" we gave them is being put to good use. And I can't wait to see pictures when they get back. Do you hear Cameron? Post them on your blog!!! :)
Friday night Cameron's parents, Monica and Jim, hosted a "pre-wedding Fiesta" at Mi Casa in the city where the wedding was located, Breckenridge. The margaritas flowed like water, the dinner was *very* tasty, and the service was impeccable! It was a great chance to see quite a few people we haven't seen in a very long time, including a very relaxed bride-and-groom-to-be. We also had a chance to eat dinner with a couple we hadn't met before - a friend of Cameron's from college and his wife. Very fun people, but it makes sense, as Cameron's a fun guy himself.
The next morning, we got up and walked around the main street of Breckenridge. Cute little town, with lots of quaint little houses. We saw an interesting Starbucks that was located in cute little Victorian-style house painted bright yellow. I wonder what the Starbucks Branding people have to say about that...
We had a nice, leisurely breakfast at the Horseshoe II, and then walked back to the hotel along the creek. On the way, we stopped in at the Riverwalk Center and listened to the National Repertory Orchestra practice for a concert that evening. Ilana Setapen was performing as solo violinist, and *damn* she was good. The little taste of classical whetted our appetite for some additional concerts this summer. I think I need to take another look at what's playing at the Bowl.
Soon thereafter, amandalor made it to the hotel with her parents, and we grabbed a bite to eat before the wedding itself.
The ceremony was beautiful. It was held at Maggie Pond in The Village in the open air. It was perfect weather for an outdoor wedding, which is usually a risky proposition given the daily afternoon showers the mountains usually get. Cori was beautiful in her sleeveless gown, and Cameron dashing in his suit, tie and vest. A string quartet played the ceremony music, and the ceremony itself was spiced up with readings from a few of the couple's close friends. The officiant was pretty cool - she wore cowboy boots with her dress, which reminded me of my stepmom, Cindy. :) Check out some ceremony pictures that we took with our new digital camera !
On to the Reception...
C&C's reception was held in a tent nearby the wedding site. Passing through the receiving line after the ceremony, the group of us (amandalor, redqueenofevil, zedmanauk, and The Dreamer) gave the happy couple a little something for their honeymoon. Which consisted of a quarter from each of us. I hope they didn't spend it all in one place.
There was a wine and beer open bar, and a nice selection of cheese, fruit and crackers to nosh on while waiting for the newlyweds to be formally announced. We were seated at the tabled called "Mt. Holy Cross". It was very cute - every table was named after a picture that had been taken of C&C at that location. At each table was a booklet containing all the table names / pictures, and the stories behind each.
Here for couple paragraphs, I randomly philosophize a bit, so I stuck the discourse behind a cut in case you're not interested .
It's so interesting to see how different couples can customize their weddings and make the event uniquely their own. I was never a huge fan of weddings growing up and even through my early adult life. However, many discussions with The Dreamer early on in our relationship brought me to the realization of why they are important. The ceremony involved (be it Christian, Jewish, pagan, or entirely secular) changes the way society looks at the couple, and also how the couple looks at themselves. There is nothing innately magical about this moment, but it serves the purpose of preparing the couple for the role they are about to have in the future, and to (in theory) discourage others from trying to unmake the union in various ways. I guess this supports the old adage that the wedding is not for the couple, but actually for everyone else.
Now, in this day and age, there are those for whom marriage has a different meaning, and as such should be permitted to customize the ceremony as they wish or even not make such a huge deal about it at all if they want. I guess it all depends on how the couple feels about their relationship and what they want to get out of it. My wedding was structured as such. After my interesting but failed attempt at marriage earlier in life, in which the ceremony itself was clandestine and occured in a back alley imam's office with a Polish immigrant who barely spoke English representing my side of the family, I chose to have a big party with all my close friends and family. I've never been a big fan of large weddings, but after my previous experience I wanted to show everyone that I felt good about this relationship, and that I truly believe it is going to last.
Anyway, the couple appeared, and immediately went into their first dance. Toasts were made, and the couple shared their first bite of cake (without smashing it into each others faces - sigh, different strokes, I guess). The dinner was quite yummy - chicken breast with mushroom stuffed ravioli, if I remember right. The cake was scrumptious also! We then finished the evening off with some dancing and talking - a very enjoyable evening over all.
Check out a couple reception pictures !
Well, a week later now, and the couple are away in Fiji on their honeymoon. I hope the "little something" we gave them is being put to good use. And I can't wait to see pictures when they get back. Do you hear Cameron? Post them on your blog!!! :)