alternate wedding universe

i've said it over and over: i love the wedding we're planning. the traditional ceremony that includes our own touches, our loving friends and family, the classy but not stuffy reception, the little bits of us we're bringing into it-- it's all just right. but i do have some alternate wedding fantasies floating around.

without rules, with endless resources, with no limitations, and with guarantees of perfect weather conditions, our wedding could be....

-on the dock at lake george. reception is on the grassy area behind the beach (which is not one bit soggy) surrounded by those strung bare bulb lights, guests are seated at long picnic tables, food is grilled, there is corn on the cob and lots of summery salads. there are bunches of wild flowers and lanterns everywhere. our favorite bands play their happiest songs. there are very clean and classy bathrooms nearby. the rehearsal dinner is a square dance on the beach. we've rented out the entire association for the weekend, and no drama ensues. sunny weather is guaranteed and it turns into a warm evening with no bugs. wish boats on the lake at the end of the night. a midnight swim. a sail the next day.

-looking out over the capital region from thacher park lon a late september afternoon, on that point of land where we saw a wedding take place once. i have a long veil that blows in the wind, out over the edge of the cliff. we take a ride on your dad's motorcycle (i wear the helmet over my veil, which blows behind us). the reception is in a pavilion that is decked out with paper lanterns and draped white fabric. there is bocce and croquet on the lawn. cuisine is mediterranean with perfect tomatoes and fresh mozzarella cheese. everyone wears sun dresses and summer suits with bright ties. we are allowed to stay after dark, there are fireflies and sparklers and strawberry shortcake for dessert.

-wedding ceremony is at st. mary's church in northampton. afterwards we lead our guests through town, to the reception at the hotel northampton.  photos of us and the wedding party are taken throughout town (including, of course, crossing diagonally, beneath the calvin marquis, eating herell's ice cream, and listening to a street musician). reception music is provided by erin mckeown.

-another pioneer valley dream wedding: on the deck overlooking the river at the montague book mill. they actually do host weddings here, at the restaurant beneath the mill. the photos by the river and among the books would be amazing, as would everything about the setting.

-in geneva. ceremony in the hws chapel, reception in houghton house (cocktail hour in the sunken gardens). there is a silhouette artist on site- everyone receives a custom silhouette to take home. the gallery space features photos by us, our friends, and our families. all of our guests stay in the campus houses along the lake. we end the evening on one of the benches overlooking the water.

-black tie affair with the reception in the new york state museum, specifically
in the area surrounding the carousel
(in real life only available to non-profits- or so they said 6 months ago). catered by the gingerman, a jazz band plays, and there are gigantic preston bailey-style flower arrangements everywhere.  also, that old school photobooth and a cotton candy machine.