The anniversary of our handfasting
Sep. 17th, 2013 05:54 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
rowanfRussell and I were handfasted 30 years ago, September 17, 1983, in the apple orchard at Eclectia with 70 or so guests. I did the invites on the computer with my mad graphics skillz. A friend sewed Russell a new wedding robe. I wore my favorite velvet dress. We exchanged rainbow headbands (head), plumeria leis (heart) and had our hands tied together (hands). I baked 7 trays of lasagna and tossed salad for the feast. We had 7 chocolate grand marnier cakes from Cocolat. A chef friend gave us two trays of antipasto as a wedding present. We bought a case or three of champagne. Friends brought instruments and jammed. It was a wonderful party. But it was very DIY and we couldn't afford a honeymoon for another year.
So for our 30th anniversary I really wanted to have a fancy GIANT ANNIVERSARY PARTY (as it said in my calendar on the 14th). I have spent the last couple of months finding a venue, buying a dress, arranging a band and generally putting a fair bit of energy into having a party. Evidently the universe was listening because OMG WE HAD A REALLY, REALLY WONDERFUL, AMAZING, FABULOUS, TRANSCENDENT PARTY!!!!!!!!!!
Ahem. Sorry for shouting. But wow, I couldn't be more thrilled and satisfied by the result. I had had various ideas about bands for the event and had checked into some 60s cover bands but ultimately went with our friend Fontain and "Fontain's MUSE" the band that is she and her husband Farhan with occasional other folks. When they lived in San Jose our bellydance troupe, House of Inanna, was their "house troupe" and we often performed at their concerts. They do amazing trance-dance music with a beat.
So, I dont' dance with House of Inanna any more but evidently Fontain and our troupe leader, Petra, conspired to put together a set list and the five dance sisters I had invited to the party put together a SHOW!!! Wow. Just, I have the best friends evar.
And people came, around 60 people. Friends who were at our original handfasting and friends we've made since. Friends who are local and friends from afar. I had hoped my parents could come but my Dad's medical woes made that impossible. But my brother Ralph came up from San Diego.
We had it at a local hotel at whose restaurant, The Island Grill, I am a regular. The Grill catered it and the food was luau themed and amazing. People kept telling me they couldn't believe this was hotel food.
And we all danced. And chatted. And looked at photo albums of our past. And drank champagne and ate and chatted. And danced. And watched dancers. Rinse, repeat.
I really wish I had hired a photographer but other than that I am very happy with the event. We billed it as "Russell & Rowan, First 30" (so said our cake anyway) and promised to have another in 30 years. LOL We probably won't wait quite that long, but it was definitely a party to last a decade or two.
So for our 30th anniversary I really wanted to have a fancy GIANT ANNIVERSARY PARTY (as it said in my calendar on the 14th). I have spent the last couple of months finding a venue, buying a dress, arranging a band and generally putting a fair bit of energy into having a party. Evidently the universe was listening because OMG WE HAD A REALLY, REALLY WONDERFUL, AMAZING, FABULOUS, TRANSCENDENT PARTY!!!!!!!!!!
Ahem. Sorry for shouting. But wow, I couldn't be more thrilled and satisfied by the result. I had had various ideas about bands for the event and had checked into some 60s cover bands but ultimately went with our friend Fontain and "Fontain's MUSE" the band that is she and her husband Farhan with occasional other folks. When they lived in San Jose our bellydance troupe, House of Inanna, was their "house troupe" and we often performed at their concerts. They do amazing trance-dance music with a beat.
So, I dont' dance with House of Inanna any more but evidently Fontain and our troupe leader, Petra, conspired to put together a set list and the five dance sisters I had invited to the party put together a SHOW!!! Wow. Just, I have the best friends evar.
And people came, around 60 people. Friends who were at our original handfasting and friends we've made since. Friends who are local and friends from afar. I had hoped my parents could come but my Dad's medical woes made that impossible. But my brother Ralph came up from San Diego.
We had it at a local hotel at whose restaurant, The Island Grill, I am a regular. The Grill catered it and the food was luau themed and amazing. People kept telling me they couldn't believe this was hotel food.
And we all danced. And chatted. And looked at photo albums of our past. And drank champagne and ate and chatted. And danced. And watched dancers. Rinse, repeat.
I really wish I had hired a photographer but other than that I am very happy with the event. We billed it as "Russell & Rowan, First 30" (so said our cake anyway) and promised to have another in 30 years. LOL We probably won't wait quite that long, but it was definitely a party to last a decade or two.
