Will & Sean's Wedding Rehearsal

I couldn't resist adding a few of my favorite pictures of the Will
and Sean, taken by Larry Barns last summer

The wedding croo trickled back from the "Bachelor Party" during the day on Friday and got right to work getting ready for the wedding. We did get to see some pretty funny pictures taken the night before - especially those involving the wedding dress! Peter - you looked good! Signs were finished, the path to the reception was decorated, the bar was set up, appetizers were prepared and the tables set up and decorated for the dinner that night. Brent made 2 kinds of guacamole and Sean made his famous hummus. George made a huge green salad and his "Papa sauce" (secret dressing). We ordered pizzas from Ramunto's in Rutland - tons of it. For dessert we had several kinds of ice cream and lots of Heather's chocolate chip walnut cookies and oatmeal/raisin/walnut cookies.

A more "formal" shot, also by Larry Barns

The rehearsal itself went along well. We all went though the program and learned where to stand/sit/wait. No one actually said their parts so all the surprises and discoveries were kept for the wedding itself. Sean and Will had everything figured out perfectly!
Then everyone adjourned to eat and drink. After dinner we had several great toasts; Jack, Zoe and Nina. Josh was supposed to speak as well but got delayed bringing Paula back to her hotel. Thank you Josh!
Afterwards most everyone drove over to the Holiday Inn bar to socialize with the other wedding guests (and they brought lots of pizza too). They had a live band playing and a lot of people showed up and had fun.

This was featured on their Save The Date notices - last one by
Larry, the rest are mine on the rehearsal day.

Celebrants John Shellito and Gretchen Colby Rode with Emily
Frank and Emily Tyler working on the appetizers

Gary and Cathy DeKrey arrive for the rehearsal  in the midst
of the signs

Most of the Wedding Croo were there. From Left Peter Clough, Jack McLaughlin, Emily Tyler, Anthony Carter, Zoe, Derrick
Smith, Julie Wolf, James, Cathy & Gary, Will and Emily Frank.

A little discussion on arrangements

Practice in front of the wedding arch

Maya, Cookie, Josh, Shira, Daniel and Michal - all the
grandchildren ran around with the poles with ribbon streamers
to welcome guests to the wedding.

Sunflowers watched over everything

Anthony, Nick and Peter check out the
appetizers

George and Zoe

George, Zoe, Tommy, Cookie, Michal and Cathy

Jack, Derrick, Emily, Anthony and Nina on the deck (maybe
Piper behind Nina)

Another shot of the table above looking down to the gazebo

John, Emily, Piper, Will, James, Morgen, Derrick and Nina

Heather, Tommy, George, Zoe, Scott and Cathy

Everyone gathers around for the toasts

Jack gives the first toast. At the table on left, Will, Sean, Peter
Jill Rode (Gretchen's wife) and Gretchen. On the stairs; Piper,
Maya, Shira, Michal and Cookie.

Will, Sean and Peter at the table, Nick and Daniel behind.

James and Morgen, Piper, Maya, Shira, Michal and Jack. In
front are Wandi and Wilma

Zoe gave the second toast and not surprising, got quite a few
laughs. Josh was supposed to speak as well but got delayed
driving Paula back to the hotel.

Nina gave the last toast with Michal and
Cookie listening carefully

Sean & Will's Wedding Preparations

Let's Celebrate Love!

The love we feel for you, and the love we feel for each other. 

Here in Vermont,

Where our love was hatched,

Under falling stars,

Over mountain trails,

On swimming docks,

And in laughter with friends.

The gardens are all decked out

Sean, Scott and Will at our first dinner on Saturday the 8th -
James arrived later by train from Washington

The rainbow flag waves proudly

The Hors d'oueves sign waits for customers and plaid buntings hang from the railings

Will and Sean's wedding on August 15th was amazing - a true reflection of their love for each other, the love they have for their friends and family - AND the love we have for them. They had planned every detail of the wedding and it was perfect. Then they worked all week to make it happen!
Sean, Will and James came on Saturday the 8th. Wilma, Brent and Wandi came on Sunday mid day. Later on Sunday Paula took the train up all the way from Maryland and James picked her up down in Bellows Falls at 5 PM. Will's parents, Cathy & Gary DeKrey came on Wednesday. Josh, Michal, Daniel, Cookie, Maya, Jonathan and Shira arrived late Wednesday. Zoe, George, Nick and Tommy came on Wednesday too. Morgen arrived Thursday along with Piper, Derrick and most of the wedding party. The "bachelor party" was Thursday night - unfortunately I wasn't there and don't have pictures but we heard it was a lot of fun! The photos here are mine and are just the preparations for the wedding. Next blog post will be the rehearsal dinner and then the Sunday Brunch. As soon as I receive the wedding photos themselves, I'll get them online. Every minute of this week was a joy!

Sean and Will fill the casks with the signature drinks to age

Wilma and Brent arrive to help out

Cookie, Heather and Maya arrange flowers for the house

Derrick, Piper, May and Cookie make the ring basket

Daniel displays his find!

Wilma, Shira and Maya work on the sticks which
will have ribbons attached later

And Shira helps Michal with dinner too

Cathy, Donna, Maya, Cookie and Heather arrange the flowers
for the wedding reception - 46 or so!

Cookie found and rescued this little caterpiller

Brent cooked dinner for everyone on Tuesday night with a
little help from Maya

Cookie, Daniel and Nick hang out 

Cathy and Gary enjoying the sunshine

Emily works on the gift bottles of maple syrup

Paula came for 2 weeks and stayed with
us most of the time, but joined the wedding
group at the Holiday Inn during the wedding
weekend. 

Most everyone cools off in Spring Lake - here Zoe, Maya and
Tommy 

Nick and Shira

James strikes a pose with Morgen. He made the arch
with George and organized all the signs

Zoe, Tommy, George and Nick

Scott made fabulous blueberry and chocolate chip pancakes for
breakfast.

Josh, Shira and Jonathan at the Lake

This sign pointed out the path to the reception

View up to the house

With sunflowers looking on

Looking down at the wedding arch

Other side of the garage

View down to the garden shed/bar

And the bar is ready for the drinks and bartender