We decided if we wanted to be together an Airbnb would be the best bet, so we booked a McMansion! Yes, it was still cheaper for 11 to 13 of us than a hotel since 3 out of 4 grandchildren made it as well and the bride and groom joined us a day after the wedding. Everything in the place was the latest in electronics without instructions! … Even to the controls on the window shades in our bedroom, where the secret was ‘open’ meant ‘closed’ and vice versa… except when it didn’t. Here’s a wide angle shot of the property as well as the white grand piano in one of the downstairs living rooms where grandchildren Aidan and Lucy reprised their early childhood duets.
Mallory, the bride, found a place called “The Nature Friends” Los Angeles Branch. It is actually in Sierra Madre, California, a suburb of Pasadena which has practically become a bedroom community for Los Angeles as well. “The Friends” were founded in Vienna in 1885 to afford families a place to enjoy and study nature. Germans, Swiss and Austrians, in particular, find “walking” (hiking) a national sport which my German parents introduced me to at a very early age. I did not appreciate it as a small child but learned to love it later in life. These clubs spread throughout Europe and then migrated to the U.S. This branch of “The Friends” began in the 1920’s and originally included Germans and Hungarians. They decided to add a dance hall to their club house which was perfect for the wedding. Also, to accommodate families there is always a hostel attached with many bunks in the same room, but the bride and groom assured us that they had a more private space for their first night of marital bliss!
An actor and a therapist have a budget to work with and they made it work! Didn’t hurt to have a slew of relatives from both sides of the family helping out. Penelope’s and my first role was to wrap the cutlery in napkins and tie them together for 120 plus guests. Then we went on to drape the tables in different patterned oil cloth with a runner down the center and get the plates out and be ready for guests. Other family members and friends were working on moving tables and chairs to set up outdoors and bringing in some of the drinks and decorations.
The rehearsal dinner was held in the garden of a friend of the Bride & Groom. Since many of the couple’s friends from high school and college had come from all over the country there were lots of reminiscences. From a balcony in the house, Mallory and Hunter greeted all with profuse thanks for having gathered for the event.
The next morning there was more work for us at the wedding site, half way up a mountain side, definitely a venue for those in good shape. The youngsters loved the challenges of the steps and hills. The ages went down to 4 months but those had the luxury of being carried.
The wedding ceremony was enchanting, held in the open space under a tree. The place was terraced so people could watch from different angles and heights. The Officiant, Rachel McBride, was a friend of Mallory’s from college at Berkley. She and her husband gave the couple a Pendleton Blanket with the following explanation via her draft for the ceremony:
“The pattern on the blanket moving through the guests is based on an embroidered manta, the garment worn by Hopi women in ceremonies to bring tranquility and harmony to the entire world. It is made of wool, a sacred material which keeps us warm in the winter and cool in the summer. The spiritual meaning of wool is one of warmth and protection, often associated with maternal tenderness. This blanket, imbued with positivity and well-wishes, signifies the warmth and support of family and friends that are needed to sustain a healthy relationship. It represents a bond between the bride and groom; a closeness that will continue to develop day after day. This blanket creates comfort and surrounds the couple with beauty, a keepsake that will remind Hunter and Mallory of the comfort and beauty they bring to each other and will continue to provide each other. Will Hunter’s parents please bring the blanket? Hunter and Mallory are wrapped in blanket by Hunter’s parents.”
That is exactly what we did. After they were wrapped in the blanket the ring bearer, Mallory’s nephew, Emmerson, 11 years old, stood by and they were formally wed.
As evening approached a taco dinner was cooked on the balcony of the Hostel by the caterers. Maybe a little something should go wrong at every happy event to keep it real. Why else would it be tradition to say “break a leg “to an actor before they go on stage? The taco supply ran out! Some unfortunate souls arrived too late at the food table and had to settle for cheese quesadillas which were also very tasty.
Then as darkness fell, family members and friends were asked to give toasts and stories about the newly married couple. All gathered as the parents of the bride, Barb & Mike Gross, told their tales.
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