If you remember from earlier Orkney posts, I had brought back a Harray Potter quaich to celebrate the blending of our families during this week of festivity.
I had bought a bottle of Bowmore single malt, a mildly peaty, smokey, salty scotch from Islay, an addition to my luggage which meant I had to go back through the whole security thing again because of course I had to check my luggage through. That first evening after we had eaten our fill of Chinese take-away and emptied a couple of bottles of wine I suggested that we have the quaich ceremony while we were just family and just getting to know each other. Geoff and Monica had already told me that they had planned a similar ritual using wine during the wedding…seemed a good idea not to try to do both at the same time!
Bottle and quaich were brought out, the scotch was poured, the bride and groom presented it to each other, then each passed the bowl to their future in-laws with many a slainte pronounced. After this, conversations flowed easily and friendship was assured!
Thursday the yardsmen were there all day tidying up the already pristine environment. Lawns were mown, every stray leaf and fallen petal whisked away, every fading palm frond removed. Shero…oh, I haven’t mentioned Shero, have I…had to be kept inside because dogs were forbidden although a wedding without her was inconceivable.
Geoff and Monica’s friends began arriving, the barbecues were fired up and delicious food set out. Shero got to go outside again and chase the squirrels and cottontails,
which made her a happier pooch.
Friday morning all Monica’s friends pitched in taking her theme of green and white, burlap and leather, and created the elegant table settings that Martha S. herself could not have improved upon.
Chris was the main architect of this beautiful setting
The guys went off on a bike ride up the coast
Some of us sat around and just enjoyed the beautiful day, some took a dip in the pool,
the photographer, the “officiant” and the guitarist arrived.
The bride arrived back from the hair salon and at 3:30 we gathered on the lawn. The officiant Miriam introduced us four parents with descriptions gleaned from conversations with Monica and Geoffrey in a manner that suggested a fortuneteller “And you, Cynthia, are a free spirit, aren’t you?” was one, then asked me to repeat the quaich ceremony (I had been desperately trying to fashion a gracefully casual presentation after learning that this was to replace the earlier plan to use wine); fortunately I have no photos of this episode!) and finally married the two of them with Isabelle and Christian as ring bearers.
The reception and hors d’oeuvres over, we then, with many toasts, most notably Peter’s and Isabelle’s, sat down to an excellent dinner.
followed by dessert…the cake, a basil-lemon flavored one, so good (and fabulous cupcakes as well)
The rest of this amazing week will have to wait until the next post!