Harlen Rundown

Ceremony
Venue: indoor
Type: non-denominational
Colors: green and gold
Music: trumpets
Maid of Honor: Meagan, bride's friend
Best Man: Michael, groom's brother
Bridesmaids: 4 (green dresses)
Groomsmen: 6
Flower Girl: no
Ring Bearer: no
Officiant: justice of the peace
Programs: yes
Bouquets: ribbon
Boutonnieres: no
Walk down the aisle: father of the bride
Bride & Groom position: standing at altar
First reading: no
Second reading: no
Gospel: no
Vows: personal

Reception
Venue: indoor
Attire: semi-formal
Music: band
Cocktail hour: no
Open bar: yes
Guestbook: book with stickers
Escort cards: no
First dance: You'll Never Walk Alone by Gerry & The Pacemakers
Father-Daughter dance: no
Mother-Son dance: no
Bride & Groom table: no
Speeches: best man, maid of honor and bridesmaid, father of bride
Centerpieces: flowers, lanterns, candles
Table labels: no
Menus: no
Dinner: no
Cake cutting: no
Bouquet toss: no
Garter toss: no

Favors: gift bags /apples

Harlen

Today (rather tonight) was Marge and Chris's wedding! Both the ceremony and reception took place at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (Mass MoCA) in North Adams. It was a beautiful venue, fitting of the bride and groom. The ceremony, which started at 7:15PM, was short but unique to the couple. They wrote their own vows which made me tear up (of course). They also performed a ribbon ceremony which is a Chinese wedding tradition akin to exchanging vows in our culture. They both hold ends of a ribbon and face three different places and bow three times in each position. First they face the east, then their parents, and then each other. Margaret's dress was beautiful: it was a calf-length lace dress that she wore with green heels for the ceremony. The bridesmaids wore green cocktail length dresses and carried bouquets made of ribbon that Marge's mother made. To tie in with Chris's Scottish heritage, Margaret's mom used some plain ribbons.

After the ceremony, we were all ushered into the lobby for the reception. Because it was so late at night, they served hors d'oeuvres but no dinner. The couple had their first dance and then the maid of honor and bridesmaid made a speech as well as the best man and the Marge's dad. Margaret's father's speech was one of the best I have ever heard. Matt and I danced for a few songs to the band that Marge and Chris had hired, but ended up leaving early. (I wasn't feeling well.)

It was a wonderful night, though, that celebrated the love of two amazing people. Congratulations Marge and Chris!

program (front)

program (inside)

program (back)

temporary tattoos