First dance. So professional!
Friday, April 18, 2008
IMG_4990
Susan and Mark reading a parable at the wedding. It was a beautiful Native American folk tale.
Friday, April 11, 2008
MATRIMONIUM MAXIMUS
Doug and I just returned from San Miguel de Allende, where we attended, what seemed to us, like the "wedding of the century." well, perhaps I exaggerate, the "wedding of the year." Jesse Oliver's marriage to Thom Armstrong, was celebrated in the above named, artistic Mexican hillside village - over a period of three days. Jesse is the daughter of our friends Susan and Mark Oliver, and I've known Jesse since she was eight.
Doug and I arrived for Day - 2 of the event. Actually, the partying began on Thursday, April 3. We arrived on Friday, April 2, for the Rehearsal Dinner which was held at "the Institute." The setting was a grand patio overlooking the city, where dinner was served, and the band played local and dance music. Many of the guests, friends and family, got up to speak. The food was plentiful, as were drinks and beverages.
Saturday was Day - 3, which began at 5:30pm and went on until 2:30 am Sunday morning. Jesse and Thom had rented a house, rather, a mansion. As guests arrived they could chat over drinks, while waiting for the ceremony to begin. The actual ceremony was held in a cloister on the ground floor level of the mansion. It was decorated with elegant colorful flowers. Parents spoke, and Jesse and Thom recited their pledges of love and loyalty. All was tastefully done. When the ceremony ended, guests were whisked up to the rooftop where we enjoyed hearing a mariachi band, imbibed more drinks and hor's d'oeuvres, and engaged in lighthearted socializing. After feeling totally stuffed, we headed for the "main" room of the wedding OR the Grand Salon. As one entered one could partake of a sampling of three different brands of tequila, as someone put salt on your hand, while you picked up a lime and your drink(s). The music was already being piped into the chamber, and a huge, disco sized dance floor was bathed in lights, strobe, neon, etc.
Across from the dance floor was a smorgasbord of food. I can't name all the creative dishes nor the ingredients, I just know it was delish! The same went for drinks. People came around with drinks mixed from gourmet cocktail recipes . I stuck to wine because I can't drink mixed drinks, BUT there was no dearth of alcohol.
What really knocked the socks off my feet was the lead- off dance Jesse and Thom did. It was of professional quality. Jesse looking ravishing in a white dress wearing red shoes, (not the same dress she wore for the ceremony). The dancing was INCREDIBLE and included hip hop, break-dancing, mixed with some classic moves. Sensuality was a transparent quality throughout the affair. We all ate and danced until we were ready to drop with lights creating a phantasmagoric effect. I was thinking I was too old for all this, and was ready to peel, but Susan (Jesse's mother) told me I couldn't leave until the second roof event. Eventually, we all found our way to the top of the house, where we were served a delectable dessert souffle, along with pastries, and more drinks, if you wished. All of a sudden the sky was lit-up and we heard the crackle of fireworks pierce the night. It was a spectacular finale to a 21st century marriage celebration.
Jesse and Thom are two generous, caring, and fun- loving people, as is, I'm sure, their dog , Jasper. We wish all three a lifetime of the happiness and love
I don't own a digital camera yet, I'm sorry to say, but for pictures go to Susan's blog at
http://ommusing.blogspot.com/
Not only will Susan have more detail and photos, but she'll have addresses where you might be able to have a "sound and light" of the whole event.
It was one of the high spots of my life.
Doug and I arrived for Day - 2 of the event. Actually, the partying began on Thursday, April 3. We arrived on Friday, April 2, for the Rehearsal Dinner which was held at "the Institute." The setting was a grand patio overlooking the city, where dinner was served, and the band played local and dance music. Many of the guests, friends and family, got up to speak. The food was plentiful, as were drinks and beverages.
Saturday was Day - 3, which began at 5:30pm and went on until 2:30 am Sunday morning. Jesse and Thom had rented a house, rather, a mansion. As guests arrived they could chat over drinks, while waiting for the ceremony to begin. The actual ceremony was held in a cloister on the ground floor level of the mansion. It was decorated with elegant colorful flowers. Parents spoke, and Jesse and Thom recited their pledges of love and loyalty. All was tastefully done. When the ceremony ended, guests were whisked up to the rooftop where we enjoyed hearing a mariachi band, imbibed more drinks and hor's d'oeuvres, and engaged in lighthearted socializing. After feeling totally stuffed, we headed for the "main" room of the wedding OR the Grand Salon. As one entered one could partake of a sampling of three different brands of tequila, as someone put salt on your hand, while you picked up a lime and your drink(s). The music was already being piped into the chamber, and a huge, disco sized dance floor was bathed in lights, strobe, neon, etc.
Across from the dance floor was a smorgasbord of food. I can't name all the creative dishes nor the ingredients, I just know it was delish! The same went for drinks. People came around with drinks mixed from gourmet cocktail recipes . I stuck to wine because I can't drink mixed drinks, BUT there was no dearth of alcohol.
What really knocked the socks off my feet was the lead- off dance Jesse and Thom did. It was of professional quality. Jesse looking ravishing in a white dress wearing red shoes, (not the same dress she wore for the ceremony). The dancing was INCREDIBLE and included hip hop, break-dancing, mixed with some classic moves. Sensuality was a transparent quality throughout the affair. We all ate and danced until we were ready to drop with lights creating a phantasmagoric effect. I was thinking I was too old for all this, and was ready to peel, but Susan (Jesse's mother) told me I couldn't leave until the second roof event. Eventually, we all found our way to the top of the house, where we were served a delectable dessert souffle, along with pastries, and more drinks, if you wished. All of a sudden the sky was lit-up and we heard the crackle of fireworks pierce the night. It was a spectacular finale to a 21st century marriage celebration.
Jesse and Thom are two generous, caring, and fun- loving people, as is, I'm sure, their dog , Jasper. We wish all three a lifetime of the happiness and love
I don't own a digital camera yet, I'm sorry to say, but for pictures go to Susan's blog at
http://ommusing.blogspot.com/
Not only will Susan have more detail and photos, but she'll have addresses where you might be able to have a "sound and light" of the whole event.
It was one of the high spots of my life.
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About Me
- Abby C.
- The most important thing to remember is I'm a New Yorker who is living in Tampa
