Following Saturday’s wedding ceremony, we were all invited to follow a nearby path through the woods to the home of the bride’s family.
We did.
A simple path in through the trees
that turned into a gravel lane.
We meandered past Salt Creek
with candles strung here and there to mark the way,
until we came to this welcoming entrance.
It was a good way to reflect on the ceremony, the happiness of the bride and groom, their family and friends, the passage of time, the renewal of life, and the wonderful beauty of the day and perfect weather it produced.
We found our place cards here.
I stood, amazed, at the wedding cake, which was generously baked and decorated by a friend.
The two lightning bugs on top lit up while spun sugar tickled the cake.
These were the favors,
and the flowers.
We talked and laughed and ate and toasted, wishing the best life has to offer to the bride and the groom, and then
we danced by the light of the moon.
Everything looks lovely – how smart of you to bring your camera along! With a wedding planned with so much happening outside the weather really was a blessing, especially considering how erratic it has been lately!
I take my little camera everywhere these days, it seems, Janet, and there always seems to be something worth capturing. Saturday was one of those perfect days, rare around here as you well know. It was fun and quite lovely.
How beautiful. This wedding was obviously put together by someone very creative and talented. The walk in the woods was a very innovative touch.
There were a great deal of creative hands involved, from the invitation to the music and more. The walk in the woods was so simple and sweet and the weather, that fickle fellow, cooperated for once. I wouldn’t have know that the cake, for instance, was spun with sugar in I wasn’t seated across from a woman whose father had owned a bakery in Chicago. I just love those incidental moments in life.
By the way, the gorgeous flowers and the favors make me think this must be a fellow garden club member!
It wasn’t, Janet, though I wish they both were. He had grapevines and the wine served was from them, plus is a bee keeper, and she is the gardener and it is a large, extended family of many skills.
Do they keep bees right there on their property?
Yes, they do, Janet. The actual hives are in boxes that are stacked. He has them in a corner of the property. The bees go in and out, doing what bees do and making honey. Pretty fascinating stuff. We had a beekeeper give a talk at a garden club meeting just last month, so I knew what to look for. I wouldn’t be surprised if there are bee keepers in Elmhurst.
How magical, in every way, from the enchanted walk through to the favours, flowers and cake. I hope this couple will be very happy.
I’m certain they will be, Juliet. The wedding ceremony was so lovely, spiritual and meaningful, rooted in scripture with the officiant speaking directly to them in a way I haven’t seen before. The reception was casually elegant with so many touches I could imagine you writing about in your own unique voice.
I can’t imagine how delightful this must have been! How beautiful! I love the walk into the woods, and those beautiful candles tied to trees! How creative of the bride and groom! I’ll bet it was a really relaxing evening. I love a good wedding reception for just that purpose. We are going to an outdoor wedding this next Sunday and I’m looking forward to it! Debra
It was, Debra. There were moments when I just excused myself to wander around and soak it all in, then moments of laughter and dancing. We sat with another couple for about an hour, under the trees, lit with lights, some which cascaded down like shooting stars, and were just so comfortable and relaxed and happy. They were fortunate to have perfect weather. Outdoor weddings are risky here in the Midwest, but it was a most perfect event in every way. I am sure you will enjoy the wedding next Sunday, Debra, and have some moments of fun and relaxation with all that is going on there.
I love weddings like this one, Penny, where they feel so relaxed and welcoming. Your pictures are lovely, and that cake is gorgeous.
The cake was so beautiful and whimsical, too. I’m not crazy for fondant icing, but, it was so different. From your writing, Andra, I’m sure you would have loved this. I wish I could have gotten a good picture of the trees lit up with shooting stars dripping from them.
Wow! This does sound enchanted: it seems these two know the real value of things. The things they see as beautiful really are. What a wonderful experience, Penny.
It was, Kate, and a lovely couple, indeed. The bridal family dog even made an appearance at the reception.
Simply stunning, my idea of perfection.
Marilyn, you describe it perfectly.
Not many things in this life are perfect, but this certainly is. I love every single part of the walk.
The walk really put folks in the mood for the reception, Nan. It also allowed for some time, at least for me when I wasn’t taking pictures, for reflection.
Dear Penny, the lyricism of your writing and the photographs and the whimsy of the bride and groom make this, for me, almost into a fairy tale. Thank you.
Peace.
It had a bit of a fairy tale feel to it, Dee. The bride and groom are, however, very rooted in their believes. The officiant was a Brazilian who heads a mission outreach program in South Africa. We were all impressed with his attention to the couple. They did something I’ve never seen before at a wedding, and I’ve been to many over my years of many denominations and ethnicities, they washed each other’s feet. As I observed, I suddenly thought of you and your lifelong care of all people.
Dear Penny, how kind of you to think that. There is a service in the Roman Catholic Church that takes place on Holy Thursday–the Thursday before Easter. The celebrant washes the feet of several people to recall that action by Yeshua at the “Last Supper.”
Somehow, taking off our shoes before the burning bush of another’s sacredness and bowing low to wash the feet of others brings everything into perspective.
I have a thick piece of glass on which is glued a wonderful sentence from the artist Sister Corita. It was given to me when I left the convent. The sentence reads: “To understand is to stand under, which is to look up to, which is a good way to understand.” That line has always spoken strongly and forcefully to me. Peace.
I do know that service, Dee, and truly appreciate your own perspective on it. It was a very special way, I thought, of the bride and groom honoring each other.
That is a wonderful quote Dee, and a guidepost for all of us. How interesting that it is also glued to glass. I think I have mentioned that I keep a book of quotes. I will pen Sister Corita’s quote into the book right now. Thank you.