
The wedding was the main thing, but then there were the celebrations. We started out the night before with a dessert party for everyone who was in Roche Harbor that night...about eighty people. It was held in a big tent down at the beach, with a campfire, lawn games and sugar in many forms. It was a chance for the two families to hang out and get to know each other a little before the wedding. This was my party to organize and I have to admit it was way beyond my comfort level. Fortunately I had the assistance of my large family. My parents, two sisters, four brothers and their families created quite a team for last minute food prep, transportation, set-up, maintenance and clean-up (whew). I want to especially thank my brother Tim's kids: Isaac, Madison, Kyle and Conner. They pitched in even when I couldn't remember what needed to be done and hung on through all of the phases of the event. The cornerstone planner and worker was my son Brendan's girlfriend, Michele. She has been helping me plan for months and did a lion's share of the baking and food prep. She also suggested and made six simple syrups that could be added to prosecco, club soda, or lemonade. They were the hit of the evening. 
My brother Collin helping me unroll my tablecloths. (Also in the picture: my sister Erin, sister-in-law Margaret and sister-in-law Lynne in full helping mode.) I pinned the tablecloths on swim noodles which kept them unwrinkled through all their travels. They were paired with ferns in clay pots, simple pillar candles and eight by ten back to back baby pictures of Joel and Becca. It was pretty simple and the wind blew most of the candles out, but it seemed alright.

Michele setting up her delicious syrups....lavender, ginger, blackberry, vanilla.... yum.

Here's my brothers and sisters..me, Tim ,Erin, Joe, Lisa, Andy, and Collin kneeling.

S'mores by the beach. I'm so grateful for my family.
The next day we partied again. The reception was of course much more elaborate, but really fun. It helped that I didn't have to be responsible for it.


We started with drinks and dancing on the patio. then did the hora (inexpertly), with the bride and groom on chairs, just like Fiddler on the Roof.



The reception hall really looked beautiful. Becca and Joel's friend Jenn did an exquisite job with the flowers. The dinner was very tasty. After the speeches (short, but pretty funny), and cake the serious dancing began. Someone told me that you can tell how good the wedding was by how full the dance floor is....by that measure this was a great wedding.