Cake is for eating, not wearing
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My daughter, Hannah, and I, recently attended our first winter wedding. The wedding was for a good friend of Hannah’s she met in college. Han’s date for the event was unable to attend, so I went as her plus one.
I was thrilled! I absolutely love weddings. I love seeing how creative people are and can’t wait to see the colors chosen, the dress styles and what personal touches have been included to make the couple’s special day memorable. Anyone who knows me, knows I am constantly taking pictures, no matter what the occasion, so I was ecstatic.
The wedding was held in a small country church. I was enamored the moment I stepped through the door. The decorations were beautiful and tastefully arranged. The altar was decorated with various sized evergreen trees, with strands of clear lights, while evergreen boughs were artfully draped, interspersed with pinecones.
There were twin vases containing white and pale pink carnations, with greenery and baby’s breath. The pink carnations with baby’s breath theme was replicated on the reception tables, with the flowers encircled by tea lights, resplendent with white tablecloths.
A gentleman softly played piano before the ceremony began. There was a young woman who I surmised was the photographer. She was pleasant, but I was dismayed when she didn’t capture what I felt were some of the most treasured moments of the day.
I was heartbroken when she failed to snap a few shots of the groom escorting the grandmothers to their respective seats. I thought perhaps she was caught unaware, but my devastation was complete when she failed to take a picture of the groom walking the moms down the aisle.
It was at that moment I decided, right then and there, to make it my mission to record every single moment after that. Because, after all, who doesn’t like a creepy old lady, who is a complete stranger, jamming her camera in your face?
What made the ceremony special for me, was the pastor who performed the ceremony, was the groom’s father, as well. I met the bride and groom for the first time that day, but they greeted me graciously, with warmth that implied they had known me forever. The reception immediately followed and was every bit as charming as the young couple.
It was a crisp winter day, so a hot chocolate bar was the perfect touch, complete with crushed peppermint, marshmallows and Reddi Wip. And, if craving additional sweets, one could partake of miniature peppermint patties and Hershey’s kisses.
The meal was catered locally and, let me tell you, my taste buds did a prolonged happy dance. The menu consisted of turkey, ham, sweet and sour meatballs, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, coleslaw, dinner rolls and a vegetable tray.
Coffee and lemonade rounded out the buffet. There was a birthday cake to celebrate the bride’s younger brother, Asa’s, birthday, and gluten-free cupcakes.
One of my favorite parts of this day, was when the bride and groom cut their wedding cake. They didn’t shove the cake in each other’s face and rub it all over. They simply took a slice back to their table and shared it. I don’t know when it became custom to smear the cake all over, but I have never been a fan of that practice.
To begin with, I’m fat. What a waste of delicious cake! More importantly, money has been spent on a dream gown and a suit, it seems ridiculous to deliberately risk getting food on the expensive attire.
The wedding reminded me of a “traditional” wedding. After the reception, the bride changed into her going away outfit, a stunning pink chiffon confection, with sheer sleeves and delicately embroidered bodice. There was even a table with a basket containing paper cones filled with rice, to shower the couple as they drove away from the church, headed to their honeymoon destination.
I know rice is not digestible for birds, but this long-lost tradition was the perfect end to a perfect day.
Congratulations and my best wishes to the newlyweds, Luke and Kori Hartman.
