Dear Readers;
The weather certainly didn't look promising and the stats didn't help. 7 sunny weekends in a row is a bit of a record. However as Saturday moved along so did the clouds. It seemed Bill and Janice were going to be lucky with the weather. Regardless though they had decided to have their wedding ceremony in the Sheepshed...if it wasn't going to offer protection from the rain it certainly was going to provide shade from the sun.
With Pat Hacker officiating, Andie Forgey serenaded Janice as she walked down from the barn to the Sheepshed.
After the ceremony guests were invited to come to the back bar in the barn for wine tastings with trays of cheese, fruit, and breads with humice, artichoke and pate spreads supplied by Currahs . The wines offered were Huffs Estate Merlot and Off Dry Reisling and Sandbanks Baco Noir, Shoreline and their new Mouton Noir .
The tables were decorated to reflect the bride's taste.
The head table was simply set as a table among friends. Everyone's name card had a key the caterer (Currahs) could use to know at a glance who was having which dinner option (from the 2 name tags I can see most clearly above...looks like they both chose the same entree).
Drew from Blooms on West Lake was highly supportive adding little touches everywhere. The sign-in table for example had lavender plants (from Drew's shop) on it as gifts for the guests to take home and plant.
I took this photo early - so you can see Lynne's extensive notes clearly visible centre right. There was a memory table set up where guests were invited to light a candle for a family member or friend no longer able to be at the event.
I must say, at the end of the evening, as I put things away for the night, there were still a few candles lit...and I truly felt I should have left them lit...funny how a very simple but thoughtful act can leave such an impression...
But back to the wedding. Janice and Bill opted for our open bar package and within it, we served a new red from Sandbanks instead of their Baco Noir. We offered the Cabernet Franc - somewhat drier - it was very well recieved along with the Sandbanks Dunes white. Meanwhile as guests were served a plated meal Andy Forgie played his guitar beautifully. With a long history as an entertainer he is very accomplished as a singer with a very large repetoire to draw from.
Andy then switched to his capable skills as a DJ. Although it is not very often that a DJ has centre stage - because he was playing both recorded and singing live it was exactly the place for him (and this is exactly how the barn looked from his vantage point on the stage).
As the lovely early June night drew to a close, the sounds of Scottish music filled the air. Bill and Janice were married and I think the evening turned out as they had hoped... Janice kindly wrote the following note Sunday morning:
'Mark and Lynne
Where do I begin. Bill and I have thoroughly enjoyed our Fields on West Lake experience. From the initial planning of our wedding to the final moments of the night, spectacular. You made all our dreams come true! Our guests from near and far loved Fields on West Lake. They thought it was the most beautiful and magical location for a wedding. Thank you for an excellent experience. We will see you soon. Sincerely Janice and Bill'
and we do wish them the very best from everyone who worked that night - Pam and John, Montana and Drew...and of course Lynne and myself...
As a final note Janice had us place signs all around the Hall and I thought maybe we would close with the following: Oh and Ashley, I am thinking we have been having such a good run of weather - its bound to be perfect here in the County for the 9th Saturday in a row.