I’m very excited to have received these pictures of Dory and Kate’s June wedding! My friend, violinist Liz Reid, and I were comparing thoughts recently, comparing teary and particularly memorable sentimental moments at this season’s weddings, and Kate and Dory’s was definitely one of those highlight memories for both of us.
“What greater thing is there for two human souls than to feel that they are joined together to strengthen each other in all labor, to minister to each other in all sorrow, to share with each other in all gladness, to be one with each other in the silent memories which cannot be spoken?” Mary Ann Evans, read at the ceremony by Lea Wood
In the picture above, Reeve Lindbergh reads a passage from “Gift From the Sea” written by her mother, Anne Morrow Lindbergh. “…When each partner loves so completely that she has forgotten to ask herself whether or not she is loved in return; when she only knows that she loves and is moving to its music-then, and then only, are two people able to dance perfectly in tune to the same rhythm.”
Other reading were given from the Bible – the King James version according to Kate’s traditionalist preferences.
Kate and Dory chose flute/violin duo for their ceremony and reception. Above is my friend and duo partner Elizabeth Reid. Dory and Kate chose for us to play classical selections for the prelude. They selected Bach’s “Sheep May Safely Graze” for their processional. In the middle of the ceremony, just after the second reading above from “Gift of the Sea”, they selected “Simple Gifts” – that was the point Liz most remembers getting teary-eyed. As a flutist, I’ve had to learn to make sure the faucet’s off at such moments!
There was a bit of discussion between Kate and Dory, in the pre-wedding planning stages, about the recessional choice. They compromised with a brief bit of Handel’s “Rejouissance” from the Fireworks Suite, according to Dory’s preference, followed immediately with “Get Happy” by Judy Garland.
As you can see, the wedding took place in a beautiful old barn – hosted by their very gracious neighbors. A light rain that morning had moved their plans indoors, though, as so often happens, the rain had stopped before the ceremony began. In honor of their British neighbor, Kate and Dory requested that I play a special selection to honor and thank the Wilson’s for their gracious sharing – the tune was “Jockey to the Fair” – which had been played at their own wedding in England many years before.
For the remainder of the reception, they chose for us to play 1 1/2 hours of music, including a mix of Broadway show tunes, Sinatra, Beatles and Celtic. Particularly special requests included: “Gonna wash that man right outa my hair,” “Till there was you,” “To Life,” “I Wanna Hold Your Hand,” “My Way,” “Fly Me to the Moon,” “A Fine Romance,” and “As Time Goes By.”
Kate and Dory have a lovely woodworking business, and designed for their cake a special stand – with branches to hold different levels of their cake. It was a great solution for a beautiful display of a home-made cake without the hastle of worrying how to support it! They create lovely boxes and trays in the Shaker tradition – you can contact them at swallowtailww@msn.com.
Another item of note: Some of the above pictures were taken by Dory’s brother, Richard Brown. Yes – actually that is the same Richard Brown noted for his nature photography! My husband and I have been fans of his work since the year we were married. We had a calendar of his photographs on our wall that year, and gave his book “Views from the Kingdom” to our families as Christmas presents that year. Most of his work is with pre-digital cameras and is truly phenomenal – he’s considered one of America’s foremost photographers of rural life, gardens, and the New England landscape. Do check ot his web site!
