I've been joking that this is the year of weddings for my husband and I. Currently, I know about 6 weddings, most of which are in September and October - fairly popular wedding months in Massachusetts/New England.
After I finished the half marathon, I toddled on home for some rest and some cleaning up before going to shindig numero uno at the Wang!
This was a lavish affair in a gorgeous building (the outside is bland to make the insides even more stunning - click on the pictures to see larger images). The wedding took place in the lobby, while the cocktail hour was held on the second floor balconies overlooking the lobby. The ceiling and lighting was amazing. This was the building in which I had seen The Nutcracker Suite when I was a poor college student. I was as stunned by the beauty of the painting and architecture now as I was then.
The bride was resplendent in her gown and the groom spent the evening all smiles. The rabbi was humerous and had a great singing voice as much of the ceremony was in Hebrew. Much joking and comraderie was had by all.
It was actually a bit too much for me. I'm a basic, down home kind of gal with a luxury fiber addiction. I was there in a velvet top and black velvet pants, not feeling out of place because I was under dressed but a little bit because I wasn't made up (as in actual make up) to the nines. The flowers were gorgeous and I kind of wish I had taken one of the bouquets at the table before leaving for the evening. They were glorious, and structural enough to take a hat!
This was the first wedding I've ever attended that was Jewish rather than interfaith and the differences were more than I was expecting. It was the first time I had seen the Hora complete with chairs. There were more readings than at the interfaith weddings I had attended, and it was a little odd seeing the families of the bride and groom standing with the bridesmaids and groomsmen. That was certainly a touch I liked.
The dinner was simple and involved a very odd potato cube. This, of course, is just an indication of where I came from that I thought the cube funny. I was simply grateful that there was vegetarian food I could eat. 
The wedding was kosher, which was a new experience for some of us as well (I loved being at the table with all of my friends). I've made vegan cakes for my Coptic friends (and let me just tell you all that I love Wikipedia) for celebrations that occur during their fasts. The kosher cake was very similar to what I have done only on a larger scale.
We danced and ate and sang most of the night away, before my honey and I departed back to Braintree to celebrate with our cat (who left us presents of the dubious variety).
It was a beautiful wedding though I will say I liked mine more - I'm biased after all. Hopefully the happy couple are enjoying a less stressful time alone after all the hullabaloo that surrounds a wedding (of any magnitude) and will have many happy and healthy years together. Congratulations! Mazel Tov!
(And thank goodness for friends and family that can actually take a decent picture!)
