Summer Weddings - Later

To Continue with Summer Weddings:

Cara and Aubrey,

In the spring of 2005, Mom and I learned that there would be two weddings in the summer. Cara and Aubrey were to be the first in July. Less than month later, Lauren and Shawn were to be married.

Mom switched the wedding planning machine into high gear, and the preparations began.

Cara's wedding was at a rented farmhouse in Vermont. Our family arrived the day before the wedding to help with the preparations. We helped Cara and Aubrey arrange potted plants and flowers around the house. There were already large trees and a small pond on the property to add to the country setting. Mom helped with cooking, Natalie helped Cara arrange flowers in her hair and Carl helped barbecue the chicken.

Cara's wedding was to be informal (no tuxes or dress suits). Aubrey and I did wear ties with our short sleeve shirts and casual pants. I learned to my great relief that there would be no complicated wedding steps for Dad to remember.

The day of wedding started with an overcast sky and we all worried that rain would ruin the plans. It did sprinkle, but not enough to interfere with the outside activities.

The ceremony took place on the front lawn of the farmhouse with the guests located just beyond a low stone wall, below the bride and groom. My part was ever so simple - I just accompanied Cara to Aubrey and the minister and retreated to the side.

My best memory of the day came after the ceremony when we walked to the side of the house just before dinner was served. Aubrey's dad offered a toast to them and then invited me to do the same. Although there were many things I wanted to say, most of them fled my mind or were more appropriate for a personal conversation with Cara and Aubrey.

Mom took my place. With tears in her eyes and emotion in her voice, she said, "Cara looks like I've always pictured her at her wedding - with flowers in her hair." I think she was sharing a mother's vision of a most important time in her daughter's life.

We all enjoyed good food and good visits with family and friends of Cara and Aubrey. Later Cara and Aubrey cut the cake and the party continued into the night.

Cara was very beautiful in the dress mom made for her and with flowers in her hair. Aubrey was a handsome, beaming young groom. They made a lovely couple.