Uncle Phil and Aunt Anna's Wedding

Congratulations Phil and Anna! The wedding was amazing and planned with much detail and personality resulting in a wonderfully special weekend. Here is a picture of the newly weds celebrating with their favorite (and only) nephew.

This was Josh's first airplane ride on the way to New York. He did VERY well and enjoyed looking at everyone behind us on the plane. We were lucky to get bulk head seats so he was able to crawl around on the ground and keep himself busy with the remote control I brought from home. Desperate times call for desperate measures. As you can see, he had to get in the NY spirit for the trip.

Once we landed in New York City, we drove upstate to the Hudson Valley area. We spent the evening walking around the little town of Rhinebeck, New York. Upstate New York is beautiful. Big trees and mountains everywhere you look. The HUGE Hudson River running along the tree covered Catskill Mountains. Here is a website if you would like to read about the beautiful area. http://www.rhinebeck.com/

Friday we met with my family and Anna's to get ready for the wedding on Saturday. It was great to finally meet Anna's family. After some flower arranging and stringing of tiny Christmas lights we were off to the rehearsal dinner. The dinner was fabulous and it was such a treat having my in-laws there to enjoy the celebration and help with Josh. What a blessing! It was also fabulous to have many of our Irish relatives there to enjoy the weekend with us. This is a picture of Josh before the dinner. Quite handsome, I must say. He looks like a little man!!!

As we were driving around the area, we saw signs for "Alison Vineyards." So, of course I insisted any vineyard that names their wine " Alison" and spells it correctly must produce some FINE wine. We went for a quick tour and tasting on Saturday morning to get us in the mood for the wedding celebrations. We even got to keep our glasses that just happen to have "Alison" engraved on each glass. Sweet! Here is a link the vineyard site if you want some Alison wine. http://www.alisonwines.com/

The festivities were held in Stone Ridge, New York at the historic Wynkoop House.

http://www.wynkoophouse.com/

It is a beautiful house that once hosted George and Martha Washington ( that means it is REALLY old). As you walk the halls, you can literally feel the history around you and imagine the women in big dresses coming down the grand staircase. Amazing. Josh loved the sheep outside and the English garden in the backyard.

The ceremony was so special and unique. As you can see from this picture, it was held outside with a picturesque backdrop. Since Anna is from the Ukraine, and Phil is from Ireland, they incorporated elements of each culture into the ceremony. There was an accordion player, Irish blessings, and Anna's parents presented Phil and Anna with a traditional bread, called Korovai. Here is an explanation from a website about this tradition...

(Instead of the customary wedding cake, a traditional bread called Korovai, is served at Ukrainian wedding receptions. This sacred bread is decorated with symbols which represent the everlasting union of the couple getting married. A traditional bride in the Ukraine may be kidnapped from her wedding reception, by friends, to symbolize the invasions their country has suffered over the years.)

Side note: As I was looking at websites about Ukrainian traditions, I found one that said this....

" The biggest concern at the wedding is to have enough liquor. A Ukraine Wedding is an event where everybody must be drunk. No one will be surprised if people drink themselves to unconscious on the wedding - and many do. Having plenty of food is typical for any Ukraine function, and a wedding is not an exception. If you have enough liquor and food, the wedding is basically ready."

HILARIOUS!!!! Given that piece of information, and knowing that my family is Irish, you can just imagine the... shall we say "atmosphere" of this highly jubilant group of well-wishers.

The beautiful couple.
Phil cleans up quite nicely and Anna is such a beautiful bride.
PS... she MADE that dress. Yes, that is right, HANDMADE! Amazing!

My big brother! I'm so very happy for him!

Here is (a not so great) picture of the barn where the reception took place. This picture doesn't do it justice at all. The barn was completely transformed into a beautiful and classy space. It was very memorable.

Here is the wedding cake and the Korovai bread that was served along with the cake. Instead of a champagne toast, they provided bottles of Vodka and Irish Whisky to toast with. Again, assuring it was a successful Irish/Ukrainian union. Hate to disappoint the ancestors!

This is what Josh looked like at the close of the weekend. NO, it was not from drinking too much vodka or Irish whisky, just from not sleeping well all weekend. We had a great trip and I'm glad we got to share it with all of you!