My friend, Lisa, got married last night and I’m still smiling about it. She’s been divorced for nearly 10 years and it took her a while to find the right guy, but if you listened to the speeches and saw the love and light in their eyes, you’d know Mitch was worth the wait.
I felt badly for the happy couple as the rain poured down on our drive to Bouman Stickney Farms in rural Lebanon, New Jersey. But the deluge couldn’t put a damper on the celebration.
In fact, the steady raindrops made the affair seem even more intimate as the 100 or so guests clinked glasses under a tent and in a beautifully decorated barn, under twinkling lights.
The ceremony included their families and friends reading passages under a white linen chuppah sewn by Lisa’s great-grandmother. They read vows they had written to each other and giggled as the wind blew the barn door open behind them, with a beautiful backdrop of grass and trees.
A second wedding is an opportunity to say what’s really important in your vows and to your family and friends, because you’ve had enough life experience to know the significance of your words.
You actually know what it feels like to take care of a partner in sickness and in health, you’re intimately familiar with the challenges of weathering hard times, and you appreciate the joy of friendship and laughing easily.
Mother of the bride (right) taking it all in.
Getting married as a more mature couple also means you can plan the party exactly the way you want it– without any input from parents or in-laws– to reflect your taste.
And Lisa has amazing taste.
The beaming bride
I knew it would be special, with Lisa’s shabby chic, ethereal feel.
She loves bringing nature into her home (rocks, seashells, driftwood) so the setting was a perfect combination of raw nature and elegance and one of the most gorgeous parties I’ve ever attended.
From the white roses and pink peonies under the chuppah and in the bouquets, to the wildflowers in Mason jars and metal buckets on the tables….
From the Oriental rugs on grass, and distressed furniture for seating and food display…
Lisa loves inspirational quotes and this one was perfect for the rainy night
….to the amazing details like ribbon streamers to wave at the ceremony, matchbooks saying “A Match Made in Heaven” and linen pillows with the couple’s initials on settees around the tent.
They asked all the guests to wear white which somehow added sophistication to the farm setting– very Out of Africa…..
The food was healthy and delicious and served on mismatched Grandma’s china plates. My watermelon vodka drink came in a beveled goblet with a colored paper straw.
A three-piece country band and a DJ played all night and the barn turned into a dance floor after dinner.
I loved every detail, but more importantly the night was filled with love between and for the new couple.
There were lovely speeches and toasts….
Lisa looked overwhelmed as her kids made a speech.
and the bride and groom were beaming and dancing all night.
Congrats to Lisa and Mitch!
You’ve inspired Wilson and me to renew our vows someday. Keep the barn door open!
carpool candy 