Reception numero uno
Our return to Massachusetts and the Dream House has been full of wonder and joy, and also a crapload of unpacked boxes. You must believe me when I say that I’d be happy to be unpacking right this instant…if only someone would tell me where all this stuff goes.
Instead I thought I’d thank you all for your lovely comments on the wedding posts and give you the report on the California reception. (The Massachusetts reception is bearing down upon us at lightning speed, no brakes—and let me tell you, there’s nothing like the exhilaration one feels when one is desperately unpacking a two-story house while staring down the barrel of a bazillion guests descending upon one in a matter of days! But you know what I always say: if a thing’s worth doing, it’s worth overdoing!)
And so, without further ado:
In the beginning, there was me, the cake, and Alex’s mother (who prefers to remain anonymous on the internets, and who can blame her really? Would you—honestly now—want your name associated with an outfit like Knit Sisters? I thought not.)
Gratuitous shot of the eight-point bustle.
Dear friends Marchelle and Stephen with their daughter. Love the hat, Miss Baby! And also the discerning expression. If Miss Baby could speak in complete sentences, I think she might say, “I don’t know ya, and I’m not sure I wanna know ya neither.”
My cousin Chris and his delightful and lovely wife Sophie show off their adorable son. And yes, I am there too, sunburned and trying desperately not to chortle and spew wine all over the camera lens. The sunburn, by the way, was the result of a vast blind spot that afflicted me on our wedding day. The sunscreen was in the blind spot. Ergo…
Alex with Susan and Matt, some of our very good friends from the Bay Area.
To illustrate one of the difficulties of cavorting about out-of-doors in a complicated dress with an overlayer of tulle, I have included this picture of my sister and I attempting to expel a bug that had somehow gotten in between the overlayer and the underlayer, creating an unsightly black “stain” that moved of its own volition. We were ultimately successful. And the “perfect day” was saved!
Alex with family friend: “And so you see, the FOURTH consideration is…”
With my old man and some of his high school chums. I’m sure you’d never guess that I’m well over a decade older than all these people. What’s my secret? Knitting. And Oil of Olay.
Speaking of knitting, here is Sarah at the reception, using her time wisely. Very fine sock, Sarah. Love the color combo!
With our parents and a few of my grad school buddies, I photograph my father-in-law while he photographs me. The spectator is specularized and the object of the gaze is reflexively empowered through technology! We’re also just, you know, funny like that.
What do you think of the bridal industry, Maxine?
Love this woman.
The Bales family parties hearty with Alex’s mom and my dear friend from college, Jennifer.
When you’re the coolest person in the room, it shows.
The ceremonial cake barely making it to the plate. This is what happens when you unleash amateurs upon multi-layered pastries.
Alex pauses before he feeds me the cake.
And finally, the get-away car with its traditional appointments.
More from the Dream House, and the second party, when we return…
July 3rd, 2007 at 12:10 pm
Looks like a great time was has by all! Good luck with the boxes!
July 3rd, 2007 at 5:23 pm
I have read all the blogs and I wish Sarah would not divorce. Her husband, Rob is very handsome. She will probably be destined for a life alone with her son and her spinning wheels until her last day.
July 3rd, 2007 at 5:26 pm
What a fun time!! Wonderful pictures! Wonderful friends and family!!! Beautiful bride and beautiful backyard!!! WOW! CONGRATULATIONS! So fun!
Oil of Olay! Ageless wonder! Love it!
Sarah, love the sock – the “magic loop” technique, I presume? I started my first sock (I’m finishing the heel and on to the toe) and believe me – FIVE double pointed needles is NOT the way to go! I feel as if I’m knitting with a bunch of branches with the tree trunk still attached! UGH!
Have a wonderful honeymoon!!! Did you take your knitting : ) ?
July 3rd, 2007 at 6:27 pm
While I appreciate Ann’s sentiments, I think we should all be careful in our comments about expressing strong opinions about the complex lives of others, especially those we do not know well or personally, those to whom our only relationship is on the internet or through a blog.
Nor do I take such a bleak view of my sister’s future.
I would also like to add that there are far, far worse things than being on one’s own. I did it for many years myself.
July 4th, 2007 at 2:31 am
What a lovely narrative of the first wedding reception installment. Looking forward to the Mass reception.
July 4th, 2007 at 12:51 pm
I counted 53 people at the California reception. (Not that I’m fixated on winning the wedding-reception-reception attendance count lotto, or anything.)
Seeing Sarah knitting a pair of socks at her sister’s wedding reception impressed upon me that she really – IS – one knit-aholic. I can just imagine her sense of panic at being caught somewhere for 20 or 30 seconds with nothing interesting to do and NO KNITTING available. I suggest you always keep a couple of toothpicks in your coin purse, Sarah, for just such an emergency.
I am glad to see that Ellen was able to restrain herself from knitting at the reception. We’ll have to wait and hear from her if she was able to make it through the wedding night without pulling out a pair of socks for a quick round.
Wonderful shots of the reception – you have a nice looking bunch of family and friends!
July 4th, 2007 at 1:07 pm
The R. family consensus is that everything is absolutely beautiful: gorgeous patio, cake, dress, family, friends. (Really, unusually beautiful.) While we understood prior concerns, we think we did not realize how much this reception had going for it 😉 But then, we are not at all surprised by the success of a Balerstein production.
July 5th, 2007 at 3:46 pm
…but don’t we get to see your mom with the rhinestone roses? Darn.
July 6th, 2007 at 11:35 am
It looks like a swell time was had by all. I am distracted by the fact that I want a turquoise and lime giant polka dot sundress, though I don’t think I have as much panache as the young lady in the picture. I might not be able to pull it off.
I’m sorry, were you not talking about my wardrobe needs? Right. Wedding.
As I was saying – looks like a wonderful party, the best kind of good time.
July 16th, 2007 at 11:53 pm
Just read the blog entry… I hope that the reference to the gratuitous shot of the eight-point bustle is to your dress and not mine. ;o) I noticed Marsha’s comment above and can confirm there were many more than 53 in attendance.
I also just saw your photos of the MA reception… lovely!
Much love and best wishes.