The Perfect Wedding...

Have you ever experienced just a perfect day on Earth? When you were in awe of the perfection of Nature and human kindness and the harmony of friends and family gathered together to celebrate something wonderful?

A few years ago a dear family friend of mine relocated to New Hampshire to begin her medical practice after graduating from Johns Hopkins medical school after many years of living and traveling all over the world. She fell in love... and in her true lovely bohemian style... decided to throw an Indian inspired, New Hampshire rustic farmhouse, country wedding...in her backyard.

She was so happy and relaxed about the event (not the typical bride in that respect) so the tone was set for an amazing day...these pictures just don't do the setting justice but I decided to share them anyway...it was just magical!

Prior to the big event a huge tent was delivered....

  Kate lived in Nepal and traveled in India for many years so she loved infusing elements of those cultures in her attire and the food for the day.... her friend catered the entire reception with delicious Indian cuisine.

  As soon as they arrived children were given kites to fly as they roamed the huge expansive property...

  Bubble stations, Streamer Kits and Arts and Crafts areas were set up for the children as well...

 Fresh rose petals were given to each guest in these delightful orange boxes for the end of the ceremony to throw as the bride and groom walked down the aisle...

  Kate's niece played her violin as she walked down the aisle....

 There were a number of wonderful old structures on the property...but my favorite building besides the old rambling farmhouse was the building you can see here with a painted flag on it's wooden siding....

The bride and her Mother walking down the aisle...sadly her Father had died the year prior. He would have LOVED this kind of wedding...completely his style!

                        John and Kate....

                                   John's daughter...and the Maid of Honor.

 ....and then the band started to play..they hired a Zydeco band to play throughout the reception. Zydeco is a form of uniquely American roots or folk music. It evolved in southwest Louisiana in the early 19th century from forms of "la la" Creole music. It was funky and fun and suited the day perfectly.

  Instead of a traditional wedding cake they had a table of cupcakes for dessert....made by a  kind cousin of the bride in a variety of delicious flavors...

Fans were everywhere to help with the potential heat...the day was perfect so instead everyone had fun with them as a fashion accessory....

As the day turned into evening plates were rinsed with the garden hose and stacked on the lawn for future cleaning...

 ..and while the clean up was underway and as the guests were saying their goodbyes... the bride and groom slipped off with a few of their friends that were up for a swim in their pond......

 and as if on cue the most beautiful sunset appeared in the western sky....as we said our goodbyes later that evening I felt so peaceful and at one with the world... with the people I love most in the world beside me as we walked to our car... up on the gravel road...I decided life affirming days like this one are simply treasures!

and John and Kate flew to Iceland for their honeymoon ......

                                     and they lived happily ever after......