For those of you who know Whitney, you know that she is always smiling, always happy, and lights up the room upon her entrance. Last night, as a bride, she sparkled like the water and was radiant in her couture gown, flowing blond locks and on the arm of her beaming husband. I have known Whitney since I was 14 when I worked at her parents grocery, The Marion General Store in Marion, Massachusetts. Her mother Betty and I hit it off right away and she and I spent many years decorating the windows of the General Store with whimsical and lovely seasonal vignettes. I think of her every time I drive through the village, especially at Christmas when I see the wooden nutcrackers standing guard of the tree decorated with glittering bagels.Whitney and her sister, Amy of course were always in the store, helping out and sometimes raising a bit of hell in the back aisles while Jack was busy in the butcher shop. It is hard to believe that so many years have passed and such a rich history is shared between all of us.
When Whit called to ask me about helping with her wedding, I was flattered and emotional to be working with this family that I am honored to call friends. She and I spent coutless hours chatting away about the details that would be done in the cool shades of the ocean, with pops of bright orange.
The day of the wedding was filled with lots of things to do and I was happy to receive a special invitation to chill with the ladies in the Presidential Suite of the Renaissance Hotel, where Whitney and Stephen along with their guests would later celebrate the marriage. I loved seeing the make-up artist, Dianna Quagenti Scapicchio working on Whitney with her airbrush make-up technique to give Whitney a flawless glow. The final fluttering make up detail, Whit's faux lashes, made her dazzling blue eyes twinkle like sapphires.
When she walked into the pavilion at The Boston Harbor Hotel on the arm of her father, I could not hold back the tears as she radiantly made her way down the aisle. The string quartet played, The Prayer, by Andrea Boccell for the entrance of the bridesmaids and the cutest flower girl carried by her mom, Amy, The maid of honor and the bride' sister. As a special tribute to her Mother Whitney walked into "Wishing you were some how here again" from Andrew Llyod Weber's, Phantom of the Opera. Whit carried a lush bouquet of gardenia, hydrangea and of course, white roses. I could feel Betty, Whitney's mom with us, smiling down on her family, beaming that her youngest daughter was marrying the man of her dreams. The ceremony was filled with romantic touches that moved all of us. I cried again when my friend, Drew sang "True Companion" a capella style for the guests. Charming as he always is, he made eye contact with his wife, seated among the guests and smiled and winked at her in just the right moments of the song.
I shagged a ride to and from the Renaissance hotel with my bride and groom and good friends Sarah and Ryan who I worked with last summer on their Kittanset Club Wedding in Marion, MA. We had a lot of fun catching up with friends over signature cocktails and yummy appetizers at the hotel. My personal fav, the vegetable crudite with ranch dressing served in shot glasses. YUMMY and it coordinated with the wedding decor. My hubbie came with me to the wedding, something that he rarely if ever does. I had to beg to get him there, but once he was, he had a great time chatting with all Steve's work friends over dinner. Just as the cake was being served my Favorite band, The Manhattan Touch, hit the stage and took the party to the next level.
I stood with Whitney's father and we watched her swirl around the dance floor, beaming. He was so proud that it gets me choked up again just thinking about it. He always did love his girls. In this family of blue eyed beauties, it is hard not too. Thank you my darling Whitney for having me help you with your wedding. To you and Steve, best wishes and lots of love, ALWAYS.
