Wedding bells....

Today was the wedding of J's daughter, the ceremony and reception held at an historic mansion right here in town. Gorgeous day for a wedding, with sunny skies and warm-but-not-broiling temperatures.

The ceremony was under hundred-year-old pecan trees on the grounds of the old mansion, the lawn cool and comfortable underneath those big old trees. The bride's uncle officiated the ceremony, bringing more than a personal touch to the vows.

The ladies on our road here all feel like we've gone (nearly) every step of the way through the preparations for J's daughter's wedding.... from the invitations to the engagement party to the dress-and-shoe shopping and now, this evening, we all did witness the marriage.

J's mother-of-the-bride gown was Gatsby-esqe and gorgeous.... a midnight blue with just enough sparkle here and a touch of gathering there.... I told J that she needs to wear that gown to one of our Waldorf Wednesday tea parties. Not likely to happen, said she.

And the bride.... an exquisite gown with a sheer overlay above a sweetheart neckline, the look of vintage lace and just enough of a train to add elegance without being bothersome or too over-the-top for an outdoor ceremony. Gorgeous wedding gown, and L looked like a bride not a starlet.

Tonight was a storybook ending to a storybook romance.... the bride being introduced to her groom by a friend who thought they'd be perfect together... and they were. They became engaged in Europe, on a "Sound of Music" trip where L twirled among the hills and looked for edelweiss.

Bride and groom will soon be living in Germany, where the groom is stationed at an Air Force base.... today was just the beginning of their journey.