weddings
1. happy anniversary to robert and Angela, and belated congratulations to the Horstings and Van Opstals.
2. Robert (Bob) and Sara Nardo (nee Butler) were married on a lovely Saturday a few weeks ago in Budd Lake, New Jersey. I totally forget all sartorial details of the bride's dress, except it was white. The bridesmaids were attired in fetching sky-blue dresses, while the men eschewed the traditional morning coat in favor of light tan suits--a wise choice for a warm day.
The ceremony took place at St. Jude Roman Catholic Church in Budd Lake (chosen, it must be whispered, for its proximity to the reception site rather than for any ties to the wedding party). Amazingly, the wedding started on time, and thus your correspondent missed the procession. Oops. Attendants included several long-time friends of Sara and Bob. Besides the bride, other U of C folks in the wedding party included Shonda Werry and Jon Ryan Quinn.
I don't remember much about the readings or music, except they were traditional for weddings. (Was the 1st Corinithans passage read, or simply referred to by the priest in his homily?) Chairs were provided on the dias for the wedding party, and the bride, groom, and attendants sat for much of the ceremony, an innovation I thoroughly applaud.
Mass was not celebrated, so after a homily and exchange of vows the wedding was over in a jiffy. Everyone present assembled on the steps outside the church for a group photo, then we piled into cars and decamped to Schooley's Mountain Lodge for the reception.
Schooley's Mountain seems more of a large hill, than an actual mountain, but rolling hills and swaths of forest made for a very pretty reception site. The Lodge has a large dining area opening onto a wide patio/verandah. Guests sat in patio chairs and availed themselves of hors d'oeuvres and soda before dinner. Although the reception had assigned seating, food was served buffet-style, so all guests lined up for BBQ (chosen at the groom's request). Dessert was wedding cake and a variety of cheesecakes.
There were caterers, but they seemed responsibile for the main course only--beverages and desserts had been brought (or were at least served) by the bride's family, and they did all the clean up. I couldn't pass up this opportunity to help do something, so I was one of the later people out the door that evening. Although avoiding conversation was part of the plan, helping out also meant that I didn't get as much chance to talk with the other wedding guests as I liked, especially the few U of C folks I knew (like Shonda and Margaret). Sigh.
I usually introduced myself as a "friend of Sara's from college," but was called out a few times by other U of C students who didn't know me. So I amplified that I knew her from work at the library, at which point their eyes widened and they exclaimed, "oh, you were Sara's boss at the library?" Mrs. Nardo, if you ever read this, what lies did you tell these people? :-)
A good time was had by all (I believe), although I did get lost both coming and going. At present, the bride and groom have finished their honeymoon, and are back at work in New York City.
ps. Mr. Kluz, I did pass on your regrets, and Sara was sorry you could not attend.
2. Robert (Bob) and Sara Nardo (nee Butler) were married on a lovely Saturday a few weeks ago in Budd Lake, New Jersey. I totally forget all sartorial details of the bride's dress, except it was white. The bridesmaids were attired in fetching sky-blue dresses, while the men eschewed the traditional morning coat in favor of light tan suits--a wise choice for a warm day.
The ceremony took place at St. Jude Roman Catholic Church in Budd Lake (chosen, it must be whispered, for its proximity to the reception site rather than for any ties to the wedding party). Amazingly, the wedding started on time, and thus your correspondent missed the procession. Oops. Attendants included several long-time friends of Sara and Bob. Besides the bride, other U of C folks in the wedding party included Shonda Werry and Jon Ryan Quinn.
I don't remember much about the readings or music, except they were traditional for weddings. (Was the 1st Corinithans passage read, or simply referred to by the priest in his homily?) Chairs were provided on the dias for the wedding party, and the bride, groom, and attendants sat for much of the ceremony, an innovation I thoroughly applaud.
Mass was not celebrated, so after a homily and exchange of vows the wedding was over in a jiffy. Everyone present assembled on the steps outside the church for a group photo, then we piled into cars and decamped to Schooley's Mountain Lodge for the reception.
Schooley's Mountain seems more of a large hill, than an actual mountain, but rolling hills and swaths of forest made for a very pretty reception site. The Lodge has a large dining area opening onto a wide patio/verandah. Guests sat in patio chairs and availed themselves of hors d'oeuvres and soda before dinner. Although the reception had assigned seating, food was served buffet-style, so all guests lined up for BBQ (chosen at the groom's request). Dessert was wedding cake and a variety of cheesecakes.
There were caterers, but they seemed responsibile for the main course only--beverages and desserts had been brought (or were at least served) by the bride's family, and they did all the clean up. I couldn't pass up this opportunity to help do something, so I was one of the later people out the door that evening. Although avoiding conversation was part of the plan, helping out also meant that I didn't get as much chance to talk with the other wedding guests as I liked, especially the few U of C folks I knew (like Shonda and Margaret). Sigh.
I usually introduced myself as a "friend of Sara's from college," but was called out a few times by other U of C students who didn't know me. So I amplified that I knew her from work at the library, at which point their eyes widened and they exclaimed, "oh, you were Sara's boss at the library?" Mrs. Nardo, if you ever read this, what lies did you tell these people? :-)
A good time was had by all (I believe), although I did get lost both coming and going. At present, the bride and groom have finished their honeymoon, and are back at work in New York City.
ps. Mr. Kluz, I did pass on your regrets, and Sara was sorry you could not attend.