I love weddings. I love pretty much everything about them.
In high school and early college, I used to work for catering companies. For maybe 6 or 7 years I was hired waitstaff, on an event-by-event basis, and about 80% of the events were weddings. I have been to an endless amount of weddings, likely more than the a-ver-age bear. By all accounts I should be a total cynic who is sick to death of them.
But I’m not at all. And I don’t think I will ever grow tired of weddings, there is just too much to love. My favorite part is watching the bride and groom stand up together as the realization slowly dawns on them – for the first time, really – of the momentousness of what they’re doing and what it really means to them. For me, when I walked out there on my wedding day, there is no way I could have anticipated how powerful that situation was.
I was invited to a beautiful wedding this past weekend, the marriage of my cousin Leigh and her husband, Sean. The wedding took place in New Jersey, on Long Beach Island; a location where my family has taken summer vacations for much of my childhood. It was just about the best possible weather one could have imagined, the perfect October day.
The ceremony was held in a secluded little area out on the dunes. Can you ask for a more beautiful day?
My Family decided to make a weekend of it. Or more. That’s Family with a capital “F.” In fact, I don’t know how many O’Malleys descended on that island over the weekend but it’s more than I can count on both hands and feet.
My wife and I stayed with an aunt at her beach house. My parents rented a great spot literally right on the beach.
Best thing about a New Jersey beach in October? It’s empty!
So I know this post is maybe more “freeform” than typical, even though “general” is my most commonly used category. But, this is what I did this weekend, and it was a beautiful thing that I wanted to share. So there it is.
You *do* know there was a ridiculous amount of food eaten, right?
Of course you do. Of course.
Incidentally, the pictures you see here are the last pictures you’ll ever see from my Canon Powershot Ancient-Brick-Piece’o'crap-S50™. It’s over. Dead. Kaput. Didn’t make it through the weekend. I am no longer the owner of a working camera. ANY working camera.
So, we’ll see how that goes. You may have to bear with me a little while on that.
Regardless, congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Leigh and Sean.
Do you have a favorite moment you particularly love to watch at a wedding?
