A Snapshot Of A Day

Today Hubby Tony has crossed off 80 out of 100 days on his Countdown to Retirement calendar. In honor of the day I pulled out the photos from our 1980 wedding. We spent time going through them and reminiscing.

The photos were at the bottom of a box that was at the bottom of a pile in the spare bedroom closet. After I found the correct box I had to dig out both the large official album and the three snapshot albums that held the set of proofs. After dinner was cleaned up Tony and I moved to the couch. Jackson the Cat was curled up in the corner and not happy about giving up his spot. We offered him the opportunity to look with us but he declined.

Tony opened the official album and we entered Memory Land. We got married in the morning with a standard Catholic mass. It was a very hot day, and everyone had to work hard to keep from getting sweaty. My dress had a sweetheart neckline, lace sleeves, and a long train (which was bustled for the reception). The two-tiered veil reached down to my hips. All the bridesmaids wore the same dress, but the Maid of Honor's was a different color. The groomsmen wore white tuxedos with vests, and Tony's had tails. We were chauffeured around in the back seat of the Best Man's car. 

After the ceremony there was a reception line in the church vestibule, then the wedding party went back into the church for photos-the only location we used. I remember how long it took to get all the permutations of family, bridesmaids, and groomsman. When the photos were finally wrapped up we went back to my mom's house and rested.

Our reception was that night in a Knights of Columbus hall. The room was set up cafeteria-style with rows of long tables covered with white plastic and arranged in front of the dance floor. There was a table against one wall for gifts, and others in the back of the room for the buffet line. The live band we hired was quite good.

The dinner menu was 1980's St. Louis wedding standard. Sandwiches with a variety of breads, meats, and cheeses. An assortment of salads. A relish tray. Crudites with dip. A chafing dish of mostaccioli. Fresh pineapple chunks speared with toothpicks and arranged back in the shell. And of course cake-the main tiers on a tall stand, with six smaller ones arranged around it. All were covered in white icing and accented with the same colors as the bridesmaid's dresses.

It was a lot of fun going through the albums and reminiscing. Everyone looked so young! We talked about the people we hadn't seen in years.  When we had gone through all the photos Tony helped me put everything back for safekeeping.

Five years ago today: Mapquest Maximized