Wedding Guests

Wedding guests, and no, this is not a costume! Wedding number three, and the grand finale to our very busy October! This time, Tim and I headed to upstate New York for a classic New York wedding, complete with an elegant ballroom filled with guests in floor-length gowns, a spectacular venue, and a party that kept going well past midnight.

As we looked back on all three weddings we were lucky enough to attend this month, we marveled at just how wonderfully different each one was. From the rustic barn wedding tucked into the woods of New Hampshire to the beach wedding featuring a beautiful traditional Chinese ceremony, and now this grand, classic affair, each celebration had its own personality. And that was the beauty of it. Each wedding was a perfect reflection of each couple, their style, and the love they were celebrating. Somehow, we were fortunate enough to witness the beginnings of three beautiful marriages in just one month. What a lovely reminder that there is no one-size-fits-all way to celebrate love.

And speaking of style, no, my dress was not a Halloween costume! Although it was a little more orange and a little more sparkly than your typical wedding guest attire, it was absolutely perfect for the occasion. A touch of Halloween spirit without crossing the line into costume territory. I felt fabulous, even if I did find myself wishing my shoes had been just a wee bit more comfortable by the end of the night. Ah, yes, the price of glamour! Sometimes beauty really is pain, especially when there is a dance floor involved.

And what a dance floor it was! The band was fantastic, a ten-piece ensemble complete with horns that kept the energy high and the music flowing all night long. Both Tim and I danced until we could dance no more, or at least until my feet started reminding me that they had not signed up for quite this much activity. The music was infectious, the crowd was lively, and the party continued well beyond midnight, followed by an after-party for those who still had some energy left....yes, of course we went! 

But one of the absolute highlights of the evening was seeing our grandsons all dressed up in their tuxedos and out on the dance floor. Priceless! Those boys were something else. They looked so handsome, and watching them bust a move had us laughing and smiling from ear to ear. Little Timmy was shuffling his feet and legs like he was channeling James Brown himself. Move over, James Brown! There's a new performer in town!

Maybe there really is such a thing as a dancing gene, because if there is, those boys certainly inherited it from their Grandpa. Watching them let loose, completely in their element, was fantastic. And since they were the only children at the wedding, they quickly became little celebrities, attracting plenty of attention and stealing the show from just about everyone. Well, almost everyone. The bride, of course, was in a class all her own!

She looked absolutely spectacular in her gown, every bit the beautiful bride, with a smile that lit up the room. She was positively beaming with happiness, and it was impossible not to feel the joy radiating from her. After all, that's what these celebrations are really about: two people beginning a new chapter together, surrounded by the people who love them.

The venue itself was another showstopper. Housed in an old bank, the building was enormous, ornate, and full of character, with a wonderfully unique vibe. It was the kind of place that made you stop and look around, taking in all the details. Paired with the incredible band, the elegant guests, and a dance floor packed with people having the time of their lives, it made for one heck of a celebration.

And just like that, our October wedding marathon has come to an end! Three weddings, three completely different celebrations, countless happy memories, and a whole lot of dancing. We feel incredibly lucky to have been included in such special days and to have shared in the joy of three couples beginning their lives together.

Now, thankfully, we can hang up our wedding guest attire for a little while, give our dancing feet a much-needed rest, and turn our attention to something else that's been rather neglected amid all these wedding plans: Tim's birthday! Somehow, his special day got lost in the shuffle of dresses, shoes, travel, and wedding festivities. But don't worry, Tim, your turn is coming! After all, October may have belonged to the brides and grooms, but there's still time to celebrate my favorite dance partner.

“Love doesn't make the world go round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile.” — Franklin P. Jones