While our night of festivities passed within the blink of an eye, I think it will last for quite a bit longer in the memories of those that joined us.  Because what is any ceremony or successful completion of one of life's stages without a party?  Nada I say, nada.  You've gotta get those drinks flowing, music pumping, faces smiling, and hips swaying, to really celebrate in style.  My husband and I might remember the verse of so-and-so that was gracefully said by our wonderful notary public during the ceremony (memory will be helped thanks to the printed transcript given to us after the wedding), but I guarantee the thing that our friends and family remember most for days, and weeks, and maybe even years to come, is not some collection of words, but rather, the fun that they had that night.  And maybe you think that this is a bit crass and in violation of the sacrament of marriage, but I would have to disagree.  Shouldn't the union of two people bring about a whole bunch of fun, not just a bunch of words?  I think  I'd toast to an eternity of fun any day :)  

I must sincerely than Rob and Tane and Cam for all of the beautiful photos that they took and were kind enough to share with me.  You guys are all incredibly talented.  THANK YOU!  (Photos in this post come from Tane Sinclair-Taylor and Camrin Braun)

In Medellin, the word sabroso is a commonly used adjective.  This word, meaning tasty or full of flavor, is not relegated to just the description of cakes or meats or Sunday's waffles, no, almost any great thing can be sabroso.  You might tell your friends that their new apartment is sabroso, or a ride on your cousin's motorcycle could be sobroso, or a picnic on a beautiful day could be described as sabroso.  Because in the figurative sense, couldn't you consider all these things to be full of taste?  The fresh white walls and wood floors of a new place, or the wind rushing through your hair and the little bit of fear you feel with an acceleration.  You don't have to taste only with your tongue.

Most definitely I would say that our wedding was sabroso.  The cake (half lemon, half vanilla, with coconut and blackberry frosting), the company of friends and family, the paella, the dancing, the music, the glowing tent, and of course the aguardiente were all completely and utterly sabroso.  We had a day filled with tasting the goodness of life with our hearts.  So much love and work was contributed to building our wedding, from loved ones traveling across the globe to be with us, to Pablo's dad physically constructing everything for the party, to months spent nursing flowers which would later fill centerpieces.  It was a day overflowing with the flavor of love.

sisters!!

appetizers

paella!!!

photos by Rob Stokes

On June 14th, 2014 in surrounded family and friends in the hills of Antioquia, we became husband and wife.

Our idea for the wedding was to have a simple and relaxed event that celebrated the coming together of our friends and family.  We weren't interested in white-gloved waiters or matching dresses or fancy silverware.  The one adornment that we chose to decorate the event was flowers.  And how could we not when our big day was to take place on the family farm, a farm that specializes in hydrangeas?  And oh' what flowers they grow, I have talked about this in posts past and you can see them in the photos here, but the flowers that are grown on the farm, the same flowers we used to decorate our tables and tent and bouquets and boutonnieres, are spectacular.  There are not enough words to describe them.  

Months ago I had discussed with my mother-in-law-to-be color arrangements and likes and dislikes, but from the day before the wedding up to the walk down the aisle, I was forbidden from seeing the decorations or partaking in any of the preparations.  They wanted to surprise me with the splendor.  And oh did they.  With every color of flower imaginable and little chalkboard signs displaying the nationalities present at the event, and tables just covered in arrangements, it was a fairytale come true.  

photos by Rob Stokes

I liken profesional beauty skills to magic.  With an array of mysterious powders, liquids found in small colorful bottles, pieces of twisted metal, and studied magician-beauticians to wield them, one can approach the asymptote of perfection.  While I had had many an updo for proms in some past life, the day of my wedding was the first time I had ever been fully made-up.  I'm the kind of girl that usually leaves the house with no more than a splash of mascara or blush or more often, nothing at all.  For me, makeup seemed like a waste of time and something that only an actress would care about.  But after I met Daniella, a family friend who insisted on gifting me and the ladies of my tribe with a free makeup doing, I was perhaps convinced otherwise.  In the right proportions, a bit of this potion blended with a bit of another layered on top of something that primes and another something that highlights can really do wonders.  At first I was skeptical.  And I was scared.  The very last thing I wanted on my wedding day was to feel not myself.  But when I saw that natural beauty can be enhanced, not covered or smeared or caked up, with a few incantations and infusions, I trustingly put my face in the hands of a professional.  Now, I am not saying that I have been converted to the religion of foundation, hell, if I wielded the beauty wand I would probably end up looking like a clown, or blowing up the house, but when a special occasion comes knocking on my door, I might just seek a little bit of magic.