Tom got married!

[fbhjr]

It started Friday night when we had the wedding rehearsal.


It was a simple ceremony so it didn’t take a whole lot of rehearsing. The biggest problem was getting people there in Boston area traffic.
The church, there for 350 years, if undergoing major renovations, but Tom said that fit with the whole “Halloween” theme.

Soon we were off to a nice dinner at the place where the reception would be.


We got home just after midnight and quickly fell asleep.
In the morning, we found the trees had something they didn’t like and coughed up a whole pile of leaves all over my car.


At the rehearsal Tom had said that he wanted all the Phoenix people at the wedding to do a sword arch for their entrance. We had thought only half a dozen or so. But, needing more swords, we stopped by the practice grounds and picked up all the others.

Given how bad traffic had been the day before, we left lots of time getting there. So, we got there an hour early. Given our preferences and the location next to the parking garage, we went to the museum.


No, not the Witch Museum. That is one of the very few museums I’ve ever been to that I don’t like.
We went to the Peabody Essex Museum, which is much nicer.
Granted, we didn’t see much except the gift shop. But, I like their gift shop too.

We then headed over to the city common to meet the others.


But, even with the museum visit, we were still early and had to wait for the others to show up.


It wasn’t all that long before the bride and groom arrived.


I did feel bad that some of the wedding party was not really dressed for outdoor photos in New England in the fall.


But, that just encouraged people to get the photos taken and head to the church.
With that in mind, we took the bridge across the bay to get there.


There were already a bunch of Phoenix people there waiting.


Soon others arrived, some in costume, some not.


I thought it was very nice that the ceremony started with them lighting a candle in memory of Tom’s father. I hadn’t seen that in other weddings and thought it was a nice memorial.

Some of the wedding party had to do readings.


Vows were said and Tom and Brett were married.


The reception had a halloween theme.



It started with a pumpkin carving contest.


I had to explain to some people that dinner didn’t start until pumpkins were carved. And, dressed as they were they might not want angry mobs in Salem.


Offers of pox not impressing me, they carved their pumpkin.
My own work on the pumpkin was intended to impress the judges with a straightforward bribe.


But, other folks at the table decide to improve on my theme and explain why there was a 20 on the pumpkin.


danielgreenwolf was on hand to entertain the crowd before dinner and everyone seemed to enjoy that.


In general, people seemed to be having a good time.



Instead of a wedding cake, they had wedding cupcakes.

But, they had a large one on top so they could do cake cutting.


Eventually the pumpkins were carved to the bride and groom’s satisfaction and we were fed.


For entertainment, there was a talent contest for the guests. Several of us were pressed into sword fighting the groom. (Nice enclosed space for a sword fight, but we’ve done worse.)

Tom’s family comes from Martha’s Vineyard where they were fisherfolk and whaling folk. So a bunch of his family got up and sung sea shanties as their talent.


I knew two of the three quite well, one of which is my favorite. So, staying off to the side, Tom told me to sing along.
There was also poetry reading and dancing.


We’ve had Casey juggle for us for years. But, I’ve never seen him do it to his wife playing the French Horn before.


Several folks there had been in productions of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, so there was a Time Warp performance as well. No photos of that as everyone with a camera was up there doing it.
I’m told everyone won the contest.


It was a good time. I’m very happy for Tom and Brett. I know both of them have looked for the right person for a long time. I’m glad they’ve found each other.
And, I’m glad we could all be there to share it.

Comments

[64tbird.livejournal.com]

OH MY GOD - I love love love love love the photo of you and Holly by the mantle!!!

Now - where are the sword arch photos?

[fbhjr.livejournal.com]

As all the Phoenix people present were holding swords, none were holding cameras. So, no photos of it from me. If I get any other photos from other sources, I'll let you know.

I'm glad you like the photo. My wife, who hates having her picture taken, actually posed for that one!

Wowzers- what a party!

[evrgreen.livejournal.com]

congratulations Tom and Brett!

Looks like you all had a grand old time - definitely a unique and memorable
ceremony & reception !

[palusbuteo.livejournal.com]

YAY!

Bro and I had a good time, too.

I agree with 64tbrd - the photo of you and Malterre is great! (I wonder who took it??)

I also like the photo of Brett and Tom arriving at Salem Common - adorable!

I agree, I'm glad they found each other as well