Happy Anniversary, Honey! Scenes from the Rehearsal Dinner
I did promise you pictures of the wedding, and here they are a year later. Didn’t want to rush you. Yes dear readers one year ago today my sweetheart and I were fixin’ to get hitched…
I did promise you pictures of the wedding, and here they are a year later. Didn’t want to rush you. Yes dear readers one year ago today my sweetheart and I were fixin’ to get hitched.
Here we are for the rehearsal in the olive grove by our house at Rancho La Zaca, in Los Olivos, California. I am wearing my happy-dork face…
… and the dress Lee Anderson made for me, in the spirit of Barbie meets Can-Can girl. It is very poufy-outy. It has its own zip code.
The dinner afterward was in the barn. I have to tell you, His Grace (my husband for new readers) was dead against the barn-as-venue. He just couldn’t see through those stalls and straw bales and what not to the the sexy, 1950s-El Morocco-inspired night club we knew it could be. We being the uber-talented and ultra creative team of Mindy Rice and Lisa Vorce, with me tagging along.
But he had a point, seeing as how this barn has all the charm of an army barracks.
Oh ye of little faith, we said. It’s nothing 72 thousand yards of gray polyester won’t fix.
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Club El Rancho!
You see what I mean about the gray polyester.
If anybody needs any gray polyester, please let me know.
The seating cards were on a table just outside
What is prettier than Yves Piaget roses? I can’t think of anything.
The mirrored table was a hint of things to come. This crazy mirrored bar was right at the front. It was a knock-out.
But I think my favorite thing was the shiny zebra dance floor. Woo-hoo!
That and the Club El Rancho sign. No home should be without one, right? Although finding exactly where in the home was kind of a problem. We eventually hung it in HG’s office. You can ’bout see it clear from Santa Maria.
Did I mention the 72 thousand yards of gray polyester?
In keeping with a night clubby feel we did banquettes along the sides where the horse stalls are. We let the horses out first.
At least I think we let the horses out.
I have been having a zebra moment for sometime now. I may be in a permanent zebra moment. There are worse things I reckon. Like what if you were in a permanent Hello Kitty moment. That would be awful.
The banquettes had zebra pillows. To match the gray polyester.
Very cool how the mirrored plinths reflected the dance floor. Roses, orchids and palms, simple and elegant.
Here are Preacher and Partner. And Ike, who goes everywhere with them and I mean everywhere. He is very well behaved and does not eat much.
I know. Don’t say it. Goodness gracious heavens above we do love caviar.
In order to move things along, we passed the first course before sitting down for dinner. My favorite in the world cauliflower soup, recipe here. So delicious this time of year. Our own Stephanie Valentine did every morsel of food for this dinner. She is a genius and an angel.
The main course was roast lamb.
If only my friends knew how to have fun. This is Richard Keith Langham with Haffye Coxe all the way from Tarboro. Haffye was one of my mama’s best friends.
My beautiful sister Duvall Fuqua, left, with our beautiful daughter-in-law Allison Dittmer. I think that nose on the right is attached to my handsome cousin Bill.
Aww.
Not to brag, but my cowboy is the best dancer in the universe.
Meanwhile one more shot of Club El Rancho, nestled among the oaks. And horse stalls and hay bales and what not.
All photos by the amazing Aaron Delesie. Coming up… pics of the big day. Til then, if you are curious or have entirely too much free time, please visit my darlin’ friends Nina Griscom and Carolyne Roehm, both of whom wrote about our happy day, which was so sweet of them.
You wouldn’t happen to know where I could lay my hands on some gray polyester, would you? Lovely, lovely photos of what must have been a magical evening. Happy Anniversary:-)
BEAUTIFUL! Happy anniversary to the most beautiful and wonderful couple. Wishing you many more years of love, laughs and health! Xx
You are really something!!! Atlanta misses you. xo
If only I could send these beautiful chock full of personality photos to my sweet mama. I often forwarded your blogs to her and she would have adored this one! X
Happy Anniversary Frances!
Oh, Frances,
How fabulous! After pulling that off, I am sure His Grace realized there is nothing that his beautiful new bride cant do! You actually topped El Morocco!
The photo of Duvall is so fab! And I agree , Bill is such a handsome young man! I know your Mama was looking down and is so proud of both of her beautiful girls. I just so wish she could have lived longer to have enjoyed more time with you two and your families. She did such a fabulous job of raising her girls! I am so so happy for you that you met and married this wonderful man! Hugs, CC
Oh, how I wish I could have been there!! The pictures here are as beautiful as the ones I saw last year!! Happy, happy first year!
And I have heard that you will be speaking in Greenville next May– it is a wonderful event that I have been attending for the past four years. You will fit right in with the grand speakers that they have had- Lee Wooruff, Marlo Thomas, Vicki Lawrence, etc. Cannot wait to hear and see you!
Much love to you both.
Frances, you certainly know how to raise the bar(n)! Tres chic, indeed!
Oh happy day to you!!!
In a word … BRILLIANT!!!
LOVE the photo of you two dancing – makes me all teary. And of all the good things you’ve ever mentioned about your cowboy sweetheart, the fact that he’s a great dancer is the best of the best!Is there ANYTHING more fun than dancing with someone who’s got the moves?
Beautiful photos … thanks for sharing and happy anniversary. Looking forward to meeting you in person in May 2014.
Happy Anniversary and a bazillion gazillion more! Magnifico! The photo of you two dancing, the way you are looking at each other reminded me of my parents’ wedding portrait and they were one of the happiest couples ever. Wishing you and His Grace many, many years of joy and health!
Showing this to my daughter Frances….she says please, please, please just leave it all there, especially the zebra dance floor, so she can get married there in a few years! But her friends don’t know how to have fun either so may not work 🙂
xo c.
So wonderful to revisit that magnificent evening… Still hard to believe – like a mirage… or Brigadoon.
Frances,
Haffye and I are sitting in her living room looking at your fabulous pictures. She is absolutely ecstatic and loves you to pieces.
Haffye says hello to Tom and Happy Anniversary tomorrow! Hugs from us both! Haffye and CC
PS Thank you for a reason to come by to see Haffye!
So beautiful! and I love the zebra floor and the caviar and the roses…I loved every picture…you look so happy..can’t wait for the next installment..
hope you can make it to NAC on 11/7
xo
Croft
Thank you for sharing the photos and I can’t wait for more. You are indeed the “transformer.” Kudos to you and His Grace for enjoying your first year of marriage. Happy day and night to you both. xox, Nancy
Happy Anniversary! You are too hilarious. I love your description of your dress. Everything was styled so beautifully. You certainly know how to through a fabulous bash. Going back now to get that Cauliflower soup recipe. His Grace is a lucky fellow indeed.
Happy Day to you both!
Wishing you many years of love and joy!!
(And caviar and dancing)
XO
Bruce and Jefferson
Wow, what a fantastic transformation, what a party. Stunning!
Think you all could sell the gray 72,000 yards to Christo?
Happy Anniversary and wish you many great years together.
XO, Linda
Happy Anniversary you two love birds! His Grace LOOKS like an amazing dancer. Love the gray! can’t wait to try the soup and see more photos. Thank you for sharing.
This puts Mickey and Judy “putting on a show” in the Barn to serious shame! You look beautiful! And.. Your sister looks just like you! Thanks for letting us in on the fun and Happy- Happy Anniversary.
Jim and I were discussing your wedding, today and wishing we could do it all over again.Bill and I never had a better time in our lives.Happy Happy Anniversary xoxoxMW
Worth the wait! Love these pics – anniversary love to you! xo
Happy Anniversary! Miss seeing you in NC.
Happy Anniversary to you and your cowboy!! The photo of the two of you dancing is stunning. The entire party is just over the top. A dress with a zip code….the best.
Happy anniversary!!! I love this post and all the great pictures!!! XO
Frances, thank you for sharing these beautiful memories…Happy Anniversary to you both! Best, D
Dang Girl! Y’all sure did put on the dog.
Lovely!!! And I too love me some caviar!
Happy Anniversary!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Frances, Happy Anniversary! What a wonderful party—love that dance floor. Thank you for sharing your exquisite evening.
xo, Lissy
Wow Frances, too beautiful for words…
Happy Aniversary! Love the pics and the commentary – thanks for sharing! And look at Miss Haffye!
Such a great night- had so much fun helping Chef Stephanie…always fun to help out at Rancho La Zaca- it is such a privilege to come on to the Ranch and feel the history. <3
72 thousand yards of polyester??? Are you serious or just making a point. The venue looks fabulous and with my daughter’s wedding coming up next spring, I might just take you up on the extra non-biodegradable fabric in storage – recycling at its best.