Cool Wedding, Fun Reception, Special Cake

L to R: officiant, Greg and Rich

Here in Maryland, the weather was perfect on Oct. 21, which marked the wedding reception for our friends Greg and Rich (who were married this past January in New Mexico). They held their reception outside in 76 degree Fahrenheit sunshine - a perfect and unusually warm October day here (average high is 62F). Oct. 21st marked 14 years together - an appropriate day to celebrate. 
  I (Rob) counted backward and remembered that I met them 10 days after their first date in 2004. (Tom met them in 2005 when he and I started dating).   

Rob and Tom 

CEREMONY AND READINGS - Not your average ceremony- Much more memorable!
  The ceremony had three readings (by Victoria, Jeff and Julie), and they were a mix of native American and Buddhist sayings. We loved the Native American references to Mother Earth and Father Sky. The ceremony was special and touching. 
  Their reception was held on their long front lawn (they live in a country-area) surrounded by a long drive. They rented a tent and hired a caterer, and a friend acted as a deejay. We enjoyed a great barbecue meal.

Wedding cake with 4 birthday names

Wedding cake w/photo of Rich and Greg January 2017 N.M. vows

3 birthdays on the cake: Rob, Judy and Jeff

Greg and Rich

A SPECIAL CAKE - The cake was fantastic. It  was three layers, and using fondant frosting was made in the design of an Aspen tree. - Since they plan on retiring in New Mexico years from now, and go there often,  they love the local aspen trees. Cool idea. What we didn't expect was that they purposely had 4 names of friends written on the back of the cake, because this week marked 4 birthdays: Rob's (mine), Jeff (Greg's brother), Judy (their long-time friend) and Mike (whom we didn't know). How thoughtful and special of them to do that. 

the big tent for the reception

  





CHEROKEE WEDDING PRAYER
God in heaven above please protect the ones we love. We honor all you created as we pledge our hearts and lives together. We honor mother-earth and ask for our Marriage to be abundant and grow stronger through the seasons;

Kevin and Jeff

We honor fire and ask that our union be warm and glowing with love in our hearts. We honor wind and ask we sail through life safe and calm as in our father's arms; We honor water to clean and soothe our relationship - that it may never thirst for love; With all forces of the universe you created, we pray for harmony and true happiness as we forever grow together. 


NATIVE AMERICAN BLESSING  - 

The officiant

Above you are the stars, below you are the stones. As time does pass, remember,  Like a star should your love be constant. Like a stone should your love be firm. Be close, yet not too close. Possess one another, yet be understanding. Have patience with the other for storms will come, but they will go quickly. Be free in the giving of affection and warmth. Make love often, and be sensuous to one another. Have no fear, and let not the ways nor the words of the unenlightened give you unease. For the Great Spirit is with you, For now and always. 

Nice fall decorations in the yard

more fall yard arrangements 

Jeff doing a reading