The wedding was in Rhode Island - a short drive from where Pam grew up and about an hour from Providence proper. The Whispering Pines Conference Center, a part of the University of Rhode Island W Alton Jones campus. After a long, winding drive through pine forests, old fields cut up by huge stone walls, and over creeks and by ponds, you arrive at the compound of grey log lodges, at the side of a small lake.
It was sunny and rather warm for early April (especially considering travel had been held up the previous day by a monster snowstorm through the NorthEast (but that managed to miss RI)). There were small fluffy clouds that met the strategic lighting needs of the photographer (and Pam, on the other side of the camera for once). The bride was stunning in a 50's style cream & gold dress made by a friend and jewelry that caught the light wonderfully. The groom was super sharp in blue sharkskin and a gold tie.
The lodge was gorgeous, sun streaming in many windows, tables and mantles decked with ferns and white lilacs and other green & white combos. The squirrel decor could have been creepy but wasn't bad.
Everything was thought of. Sonny & Pam provided awesome guest baskets made of recycled magazines and full of Rhode Island treats, homemade cookies, and other personalized treats. They filled the soap dispensers in the rooms with coconut soap.
The ceremony was perfect for them. Rev Bill, the officiant, filled it with quotes from great jazz, blues, and rock artists - managing to turn lines from songs into questions for the new couple. They were (are!) sooooo happy.
The food was incredible. Should I list it all? Circulating plates of flatbread pizza, clam chowder, beet & goat cheese phyllo purses, coconut shrimp not over fried so you could actually savor the coconut. A spinach, pear, bleu cheese, candied pecan salad. Pecan-crusted chicken w/ cranberries. Butternut squash ravioli. Yummy pastries and cake from Pastiche.
Fun music from The Moonlighters out of NYC - Hawaiian steel guitar swing. Perfect volume. Gifts that reflected the wonderfully variety of the guests in their wrapping.
Sonny and Pam had a joint speech, where Sonny told of their first "date" - a day spent on a spur of the moment cranberry excursion. He told about how he made sure the friend who made the ring incorporated cranberries and Pam's favorite bird, the woodcock. Pam told of a surprise trip to NYC "for a show", that wound up with a proposal in a photo booth. We gave a standing ovation (led by J).
They are so happy. Everyone there loved them so much. It was totally awesome.
Next - Part 2 - Providence. Our gift to the couple.
I'll be putting more pics on Facebook
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