Monday, August 16, 2010

Always a Bridesmaid (Bouquet)

One of the six bridesmaid bouquets from Sunday's wedding. I tagged along with Mary, carried a few boxes inside the venue, and placed a few of the centerpieces on the tables. It's always fun to watch a wedding and reception take shape in front of you, seeing the caterers set the tables in stages, and of course, setting up the flowers. I also 'petaled' a couple dozen roses for use on the mantels, but I don't want to overstate my duties, lol. I was there basically to take some pics of the venue and the table settings for Mary's book and perhaps website. More to come in the following days. My camera was, of course, acting up, so it's taking some time to sort through what I have.

The grounds of the venue, Eolia Mansion at Harkness Memorial State Park, had some beautiful plantings. These two photos show planters full of gorgeous Coleus. Each variety was placed perfectly to lead your eye from one color to the next and the next.  Here's a link with a bit more information on this historic home. I'll have several more photos of the grounds and the reception set-up in the next few days.

8 comments:

  1. Beautiful, can't wait to see more. When I had my house I had a nice variety of coleus in the yard. Your photos made me think of my old place and miss it a bit, sold it about ten years ago.

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  2. It sounds like a fun day. I hope you were able to leave with some flowers - even if it wasn't the bridal bouquet. Competition for that can be pretty cut throat. I've got the scars to prove it.

    Seriously, I was the best man at an Eastern Orthodox wedding once. I've never been so nervous in my life. I had to be medicated.

    Have a good night,

    Marius

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  3. oh I had one of those nights too. I was looking through some boxes in the guest room that have piled up and I found some photos of my parents and their friends in the 1970s. My dad died in 1986 and my mom in 1999 but I could hear their voices clear as day as I was looking at the old polaroids and Kodak snapshots, hearing them laugh and hearing them tell me a million things. I had to go and distract myself. Sometimes I can handle the memories and sometimes I can't believe they've been gone for so long and miss them a lot. I would be such a disappointment to them if they were still around. But then other days I'm a bit more militant and think 'this is my life, not theirs' and I'm doing the best I can. Good days and bad days. Weak days and strong days.

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  4. Marius: I've been a 'groomsman' in 7-8 weddings in my lifetime, thankfully none since the padded shoulder '80s. I KNEW going in that three of them wouldn't last long for reasons that shall remain unsaid right now, lol. I'll just say that while I was never the Best Man, I was always pretty damn good. : )

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  5. Beautiful flowers and looking forward to more pics...
    More importantly, I am going to possibly overstep here, but need to tell you that as a parent myself, my children often think I have a particular opinion on their choices or will be disappointed, etc. I have a hard time believing your parents wouldn't be SO proud of the artistic, articulate, giving man that you are today (and that is only what I gather from your writing...I can only imagine in person.)
    I know i don't REALLY know you, and please forgive (again) the overstepping but just have such a strong feeling that they would be SO SO proud of you for the man you are.
    mare

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  6. Thanks, Mare. I always appreciate your comments.

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  7. I'M SITTING HERE NOT HAPPY. I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR VERIZON ON HOLD TO COME ON THE TELEPHONE AND HELP ME GET MY E MAIL. [THREE HOURS]ON AND OFF, WHO WOULDN'T GET MAD. THE E-MAILS WON'T COME UP. THEY WANT THE BUSINESS BUT NOT ENOUGH HELP TO HELP THEIR CUSTOMERS. WE'VE BEEN THROUGH THIS BEFORE. I JUST HUNG UP BUT I'M NOT A HAPPY CAMPER.
    NO E MAIL TODAY.
    YOUR FLOWERS HELP THOUGH. WEDDINGS ARE WONDERFUL. I ALWAYS LOVE THE FRILLS AND FLOWERS. AGAIN COLOR.

    GRANNY

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  8. Casey,

    I was going to leave the same comment that Marejohn did -- that from all that you've written about your parents I'm sure they would be proud of your talent and spirit. Cut yourself some slack!

    And those coleus look beautiful. We planted them in our window boxes this year and they are growing like crazy, even after being unwatered for the week that we were in Maine. They looked a bit droopy but after a thorough watering, they are looking great!

    Paul, New York City

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