The wedding was at a charming little place called The Hitching Post, in the middle of nowhere, North Carolina. It would have been a rather upper class farm house or plantation house (on the small side) at some point in it's history, but now serves as a special events facility. Yellow, front porch, house shaped in a t, stone basement, upper porch as well, original flooring (wood, of course), dutch doors throughout, and lovely gardening and landscaping all over the property. The ceremony (thankfully brief, given the heat) was held off to the side of the house. No one was filming, so I used the camera to record the (five minute) ceremony before we were whisked inside for lemonade and finger foods. Some dancing and small talk, more light summer foods, cake, a champagne toast, more talk, more hanging out, and then the folks with the longest drives (Virginia, Tennessee, Atlanta) started casually drifting towards the exits.

The bride and groom looked relieved that everyone was leaving. I've never seen someone look happier to get out of her dress and back into her regular clothes. And they looked so sweet everytime they'd smooch and whisper "I love you" to each other.

I was dead on with the gift, though: the two accidental themes for the gifts (no registry) were locally or handmade and pottery. I found a potter in Hickory, NC (one point) and gave a vase and a bowl (two points) in a nice basket stuffed with red paper with polka dots (did not know the color scheme, but it turned out to be red). Almost an accidental trifecta! And the hope chest dad made for Kim is possibly the best one he's made so far.

So it was lovely and went off without a hitch. And from what I hear, it looks like we'll be going to another one (Kim's big sis) next year, although this will be in Chattanooga; far shorter a trip!

I will post the video for my out of town family to download and watch.