“when the plate doesn’t matter.”
platters of vegetables: grilled eggplant, mozzarella, and tuscan salsa; grilled zucchini and yellow squash with rosemary oil; grilled portobello mushrooms with roasted peppers, wilted spinach, and balsamic reduction.
On Saturday, one of my closest friends got married.
Of course, there was an abundance of food at the wedding, all lovely, fresh, and flavorful – a nice surprise considering typical fare at gatherings such as these. Truthfully though, I didn’t think much about my plate.
Before we walked down the mansion’s striking staircase and through the grass that made up the aisle, we in the wedding party were upstairs, readying ourselves in the bridal suite. Family and friends, we painted deep merlot onto our lips and brushed peach across our cheeks. We sipped champagne, tied up matching bows across our waists, gushed as women tend to do. Flashes went off here and there, and for every photo taken, a smile never seemed forced: there was too much excitement, too much joy in that room.
My dad, who was in attendance, often comments that he doesn’t tend to eat much at catered affairs. Personally, I was distracted.
There was the grandeur of the house: the parlor with its old piano, the pure white of the wraparound porch, the statement made by the central stairs. There was the atmosphere, set by the sounds of 1940s tunes, the quotes recalling classic films – Casablanca, It’s a Wonderful Life, The Hucksters – adorning every chair, the white wine glasses clinking over and over again. There was the beam of the groom as the bride walked to meet him. There was the glow – and it was a real glow – of the bride.
Nearing my 25th birthday, I am not looking for marriage. But then I think: neither was Laura, and there I was, giving her one last hug before she walked out and said, “I do.” Life catches you by surprise.
As I filled my dinner plate, after pictures had been taken, toasts had been given, first dance had been completed, I thought once that the food certainly looked wonderful. But when you’re mulling this new adult adventure, the one that is setting the stage for the rest of a best friend’s life – well, the food on the plate becomes a little insignificant. So I ate for a short time, my thoughts and attention focused elsewhere. There was so much other beauty to take in.
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leslie, this was a beautifully written recap of the ceremony from your viewpoint. it gave me the chills! i guess i’m more of a sap than i admit to be? :)
for someone as food-focused as myself, i know an event is truly meaningful when food is the last thing on my mind. weddings of close friends are those types of events. hopefully i’ll be as moved – and totally unfocused on food – at my friend’s wedding this weekend as you were.
oh, and that’s a great shot of laura + the groom. what a sexy couple!
This was one of the most well-written blog posts I’ve ever read! I can’t imagine going to my best friend’s wedding, but I guess I only have a few years left until events like that will begin to unfold in my life.
Thanks for an enjoyable read and a mini flash forward :)
aw such a well written post on the wedding! glad you were able to enjoy the beauty of the wedding, and most importantly, yourself <3
i loved ur recap too!! u made the wedding sound like a fairytale which clearly it was!!! <3 another heart melting post!! with the most gorgeous photo at the end <3
This is such a vivid and beautiful recap of your friend’s wedding! I can almost picture the classy scene. I can understand your wedding catharsis, whenever one of my peers ties the knot or has a child I just start evaluating my own adulthood and what I want out of it.