Tanglewood: 1 Year Wedding Anniversary

The Forest walking towards Edith Wharton's Estate, The Mount

I don't mean to start this beautiful celebratory piece on the macabre side, but after visiting Lenox this past weekend for our one year wedding anniversary, I now know where I want my ashes to be released (not the exact spot, but I sure do know it's in the Berkshires). You might be asking why start this blog post with the image of death, but for me it more validates that this anniversary trip returning to the place Charles and I got married only validated that we chose right, not only in life and love but yes, even in death.

We chose right to be husband and wife, we chose right to stay together for 9 years going strong, we chose right in choosing each other to complement the other, and we chose right for Lenox. Our decision to get married in the Berkshires ultimately came down to who we are individually and as a couple, our interests and values and who we want to be moving forward together in our union. The Berkshires are a splendid respite to the daily chaos, a natural setting filled with culture, arts and peace.

We started our anniversary weekend at Tanglewood. We arrived a little late, but we made up for it staying past the wee hours being the last ones to leave the grassy field. When we arrived the lawn was filled with picnic-goers enjoying the classical music from the Boston Symphony Orchestra. My God, it was something unearthly to be in this majestic heaven of greens and blues -- these bright colors from nature while listening to the most glorious music. Everyone was silent and at ease. We were amongst people taking a few moments listening to music as to quiet the mind. I was so moved by the scene I found myself in moments of tears behind my sunglasses. Tears of joy that I needed nor wanted anything other than to be right there... right then... with the man I love. It was a moment of gratitude.

This was much too planned to be our picnic. Sure is nice though

We decided to take off last minute from the city so we didn't do too much planning, yet our quick picnic was just enough. We brought a sheet for the grass with some colorful placemats for a little decor since another blog I read went in depth about what to bring for the true "Tanglewood lawn" experience. It said to bring candelabras, a floral arrangement, fine china and glassware -- and everything to be in white and pink. I think that was more for the evening lawn concerts if that happens at all any longer, and either way we didn't get it together in time for that, but I did bring two wine glasses and our wedding napkins as a memento. We stopped in town

August 27, 2011 feels like yesterday

at Nejaime's Wine Cellars for some fantastic cheeses, olives with herbes de provence, smoked duck, grapeleaves, crackers and realllly good dark chocolate with sea salt.

When the music was done we stayed on... it was too special on our grassy spot to leave just then.

Not a soul in sight but us & the squirrels.

So we read The Sunday Times and drank more wine. Even a ladybug stopped by to visit. We went into the world renowned acoustic pavilion or more widely known as the "Shed,"

and admired the sound quality as if our loud echoes were like those coming from a deep canyon. Charles made a great comparison about this great institution that was also celebrating an anniversary, its 75th. He said this is like Fenway, two great Massachusetts landmarks made with the highest quality and full of talent and history.



Wines we brought perfect for a sunny afternoon: Bogle Riesling & Nautique Esprit de Blanc

Definitely check out the New York State blend of 6% Pinot Grigio, 88% Chardonnay and 6% Riesling -- the Nautique Esprit de Blanc -- great quality, fresh & crisp, and the price is right

Last ones walking to the car at 7PM. There's a wonderful order to Tanglewood, yet in that order is freedom & respect. We easily came and went with no guards or strict rules. No one is forced to leave or sit anywhere
specific. People bring wine & beer -- yet there is no littering at all and everything was controlled & fine.

      

What a spectacular tree. The trees throughout the Berkshires
are phenomenal. Each has its own personality, with a story to bear. 

Thanks Mom! Thank you for giving us such a special first anniversary that meant so much to us. 

Floral Wedding Bliss

One of the most magical days of my life was my wedding day. It was so special because of all the love Charles and I felt all weekend long with our family and friends in the Berkshires. As the bride, what made the wedding so spectacular in my eyes, was having all the details we worked so hard at over the past year come together on that day, and transport us to a gilded era of a black tie affair with Champagne flowing, flowers everywhere, a big brass band playing and having all of this done at the Elm Court, a Vanderbilt Estate in Lenox, MA. 

Since this blog is dedicated to either flowers, food or wine I wanted to post an entry about all the flowers at my wedding from the centerpieces and bouquets to the creative pieces spread around the estate. Maybe this will inspire others searching for a similar theme, or if anything it will allow me to relive the magic.

My beautiful flower girl Cloe & lovebug Gigi

Our wedding on August 27, 2011 was the weekend of Hurricane Irene! I didn't believe in having a "plan B" for rain prior to knowing there was going to be a hurricane heading our way. So we set up for the ceremony   as we originally planned in the back of the Estate with a 50 foot red carpet and a vista over looking the mountains and trees behind the cresdenza. 

Thankfully I have a pic of what we envisioned, because the rain drops started to  come down and we moved over to a spontaneous plan b on the terrace. 

A Red Carpet as opposed to white adds a stunning backdrop
against the bride's dress & tuxedos for photos.
A way to save money & time on flower pots is
bring the pots to a local landscaper to do them for you. 

Although the ceremony didn't take place where I had envisioned it, I didn't even notice when the time came and my father walked me down the aisle. I guess that's the magic of the day when everything just feels perfect.

Colorful Gladiolas for the Ceremony.

         

I had known I wanted the reception done in white with bursts of deep eggplant and some sage green for slight accent colors. So I decided I wanted the ceremony to be different with lots of color. I love gladiolas -- they're a flower that just makes me happy when I see them -- they're lively & fun! Incorporate your favorite flowers in your wedding because it will make a difference when you see them in the photos.

Butterflies remind me of my late yiayia (grandma in Greek). When my yiayia Mary died, soon after I was suddenly seeing lots of butterflies  around me, sometimes in the most random places that you wouldn't expect a butterfly to be. And every time I saw them they made me smile and feel warm. So on our wedding day we let out butterflies as a gesture to my yiayia being there in spirit. 

A big reason Charles and I chose Lenox as our wedding destination was for its natural splendor. We loved Lenox for Tanglewood, and its overall arts and culture, but Nature is very important to me, and we both appreciate natural wonders. So we wanted to incorporate the majestic scenery all around us in our wedding photos. 

My next blog will be about the reception flowers that were throughout the interior of the Estate.


I will end this blog with a poem by ee cummings that one of my best friends dedicated to Charles and I and read during the wedding ceremony.  


i carry your heart with me


i carry your heart with me (i carry it in
my heart) i am never without it (anywhere
i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing, my darling)
                                  

i fear no fate (for you are my fate, my sweet) i want
no world (for beautiful you are my world, my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows
higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)