A Wedding at Old First Church

Recently I saw a post over at The Frog and Penquinn, featuring Old First Church in Bennington, Vermont. Since that place held memories for me, I commented to Beatrice that I'd share something about the church on my next Memory Monday posts. So, here it is.....

It was July, 1989. Elbert and I had driven up from Alabama, stopping long enough in New York to pick up our daughter and her dress to head to her fiance's ski house on Stratton Mt. north of Bennington. There was going to be a wedding.

The big day arrived, hotter than usual for July. We noticed as guests arrived at the church that there was no air-conditioning. The church was built in 1805 and I guess they wanted to retain the old-fashioned charm.

 Limousines had been arranged for the wedding party... out of Albany, NY, some distance away. And, the driver of the one picking up the bride got lost! There we all are inside a rather warm church wondering where the bride is! 

Finally she arrived, absolutely beautiful, radiant. Of course, I'd say that! She's my daughter...but she was. Don't you agree?

The pastor was pretty impressed having a model from New York hold her wedding in his church. All her New York friends were there as well as from Africa, Australia and Sweden. The groom's Wall Street buddies were there as well. The Rev. was really enjoying all this. The ceremony began and he started to embellish on their chosen rites. After all, he had an audience... perhaps not so willing at this point. He droned on and on. Sweat began to trickle down our back and make our faces shiny.

Finally he pronounced them husband and wife and they headed down the aisle toward the entrance. We all were happy to get some fresh, cooler air.

The reception was held under a huge tent in the back yard at Hildene, Robert Todd Lincoln's home.

                  I am sure the staff there remembered that one for years to come.                                    
                                     New Yorkers do know how to party! 

The food was amazing and plentiful, the flowers so artfully arranged, the band played current music and the sunset over the mountains unbelievable. It was a day none of us will ever forget.