Saturday evening arrived and it was finally time for the wedding. While I didn’t take pictures during the ceremony, I can assure you it was a beautiful and elegant affair. Catherine and Jake were married in Westminster Presbyterian Church, which is the church they attended while at UVA and the church her parents were married in some ah…well, years ago (also while attending UVA).
The wedding reception was a sit down dinner for 165 guests at the Veritas Vineyard and Winery in Afton, VA. My cousin Vicky and her husband Steve really know how to throw a party! We were awe struck by the views of mountains and vineyards from the veranda and equally impressed by the dinner spread, which was a blend of traditional American and Greek delights (thanks, in part, to the bride’s Yia-Yia, aka my dear Aunt Itsa). With the help of a great band, the Smith sisters spent hours with our family, dancing (at least Carol was dancing), laughing and telling stories. It was indeed a celebration of love and happiness and there was no place I would have rather been.
Pictures from the reception:
Mike and Leslie on the veranda
Ah, the view!
Sisters or movie stars??!
Uncle Joe and Shirley
Thomas and his father, my cousin Eric (the next generation Whitesells are lookin’ fine!)
These two are still newly weds, 1.5 years for Leslie and Mike
The father and mother of the bride (aka cousins Steve and Vicky) and sister, Carol
Seating for 165!
Thomas and Aunt Itsa showing off some very fancy footwork
Cousin Lynn and her husband Jerry
Dancing Whitesells…from left, Alex (Lynn’s son), Lynn and Eric (lawyer by day, dancer at night) and Thomas.
Finally, the beautiful bride, Catherine and her handsome Prince Charming, Jake, who only had eyes for each other. Congratulations and hope you had a great time in St. Martins!
