WEDDING OF A LIFETIME"
Sandy, October 2014
Gratitude and Grace. Those words will always mean something profoundly special to me having just experienced both at the wedding of our daughter on October 25.
It was almost miraculous that ther...e was an available weekend in October for our event on such short notice, so we booked it immediately not having any idea of how one goes about creating a wedding in a barn. We had a very short time to pull everything together, since her engagement was announced midJuly. But with Ron Riddle's help, cooperation and easy ways, the wedding of a lifetime was created in the span of just a few months.
To begin with, the house is amazing, truly amazing beautifully appointed, gracefully and so lovingly decorated, that when our guests entered it was obvious how happy they were to be there instead of a hotel/motel somewhere waiting for the big event. Twelve of our guests stayed at the house with us and everyone just loved it.
The house is a fine example of Victorian architecture that has somehow managed to survive the ravages of time without a bit of deterioration. One can only guess what the Riddles did to refurbish or tweak the place, but they did it beautifully. And she's a grand old lady, that house. . . welcoming, comfortable and simply lovely with a fantastic kitchen- gathering room. We found ourselves spending most of our time in that space where we could look at the barn across the yard and imagine what was to occur. Just standing on the grass between the house and the barn filled me with such peace and joy that at times I was overwhelmed.
The freedom we all had to enjoy the entire complex, although it was too cold to use the inviting swimming pool, immediately provided everyone with a sense of true relaxation. And that last word is hardly ever synonymous with wedding planning, particularly for principles like the bride, groom, and their parents. But, relax we did as we savored the sheer beauty of the surroundings.
We loved, loved, loved the barn. There's a sense of nobility about it that's hard to describe. And the event that took place there, under the archway for the ceremony with the cornfield and beautiful foliage in the background, was a photographer's dream. The photos taken outside are some of the most beautiful I've ever seen. And the reception we held inside was nothing but magical. Our guests were able to relax and enjoy everything about being in a venue that was the antithesis of stuffy or stiff.
So, if you're the kind of person who thinks out of the box, you can see Gratitude and Grace as a blank slate on which you can create the event you want with almost no restrictions.It is with great admiration and appreciation that I applaud what Ron Riddle and his bride Andrea created in this place. My only regret is that both of my children are married now and I can't have another wedding there. Hmmm....maybe a vow renewal though!
With gratitude and respect Thanks for the memories, Ron.