Erin and Ryan's Secret Garden Wedding and Cozy Family Dinner Party in Newburyport and Medford, Massachusetts
When I was driving back from Erin and Ryan’s wedding last night, I imagined them in 40 years, on a hike with their grandkids, telling them the story of their wedding day. It was a good one, as far as epic stories go.
First, Erin would talk about trying to get out of the house to travel to Maudlsey State park in time for her first look. She tripped on her dress, fell down an entire flight of stairs, badly cut her arm, and passed out. Her brother ran across the street to the fire department to get some help. When the firefighters arrived, they were shocked to see a bride, hair done up, dress stained in some blood, smiling at them, while lying on the floor. “Tell me I’m pretty,” she said to the bewildered firefighters (which is my absolute favorite part). She’d put bandages on her arm, and delay getting stitches until after the wedding day was over.
Next, Ryan would talk about the rain. The unrelenting rain, which only picked up more during their ceremony, in a hidden rose garden in the middle of the forest at Maudsley State park, where their families gathered around them, leaning forward to hear the vows spoken amidst the downpour. When Ryan began to read his vows, the rain soaked the papers he had written them on, sending rivulets of ink flowing onto the stonework and the puddles. He had to wing the last few sentences, but Erin already knew his unending devotion and love towards her, no fancy words needed. Finally, they’d tell their grandkids about the great pandemic of 2020, and how it put their original summer camp wedding plans on hold until the next summer, but they still wanted to get married on August 29th. And so, epic falls, Covid 19, and storms be damned, they forged ahead, and what a wonderful day it was! Every family member was present, and so happy to be there. The little kids didn’t whine or complain about the rain- in fact, nobody did at all. The rain cleared up after the ceremony in time for dinner at Ryan’s parents house, and it was an indulgent one, with lobster tails, and steak tips and very good Mac and cheese. A big group of their friends surprised them at the house for a socially-distant parade with signs! And to cap it all off, Erin and Ryan served their families tea in the most beautiful tea ceremony.
This will be a story told for generations, and I felt so honored to get to capture the resilience of Erin and Ryan’s love through it all.