Joe and Nicole’s Wedding!

This post has very little to do with food and a lot to do with family. This past weekend at my dad’s upstate house  (very fondly dubbed “The Ponderosa” by his new wife) my dad Joe and his long time girlfriend Nicole finally tied the knot! The Saturday wedding was a touching ceremony officiated in tear jerking words by my uncle Rob. The possible rain storm held out for the all-day party, giving way to a beautiful backdrop of green trees and autumn gold foliage perfect for the even more beautiful moments between the two newlyweds.

There were nothing but smiles (and more than a few tears of joy) all around as Joe and Nicole shared handwritten vows, modeled off of traditional Italian wedding vows. Cheers erupted and bubbles filled the air when they shared their first kiss, and a few of us had to rush for tissues and handkerchiefs to dry our watery eyes. Drinks flowed, and while I said this is not a post about food at all, there was of course ample incredible food in the form of porchetta rolled with fresh herbs and candied citrus, a crostini bar, broccoli rabe with fried garlic chips, and of course fresh and warm hand pulled mozzarella cheese.

My family couldn’t be more excited to welcome Nicole and her family into ours, and instead of continuing to struggle to put into words how beautiful the ceremony was, I and going to let the pictures speak for themselves. The touching moments captured in these photos prove just how joyous of an occasion this weekend truly was.

The night before the wedding we had a pizza party of course!

 

Nicole whipping up some amazing cheese plates for the guests.

 

Making pizza the night before! Soon that handmade copper soldered ring will be on that finger.

 

Pizza party the night before the wedding.

 

The morning of the wedding! Apple cider donuts bring smiles all around for the bride and groom.

 

Boutonnieres for the boys and a corsage for me (the flower girl); Marissa puts the finishing touches on her gift to the bride and groom in the form of wedding favors: mini pizza cutters!

 

Treats for the per-ceremony crostini bar; fresh ricotta cheese with figs and honey.

 

Tomato bruschetta and fava bean hummus.

 

Getting ready for flower girl duties (yes, I was the flower girl) with my aunt Diane, aka the Pastor’s Wife (also on the left, check out my future sister-in-law Julie’s new engagement ring!).

 

My cousin Charlotte helps Pastor Rob (her dad) with his bow tie.

 

Wedding rings: my dad’s, soldered by him from a piece of copper wire the day before; Nicole’s, my grandmother’s ring complete with inscription from my grandfather to grandmother. Pastor Rob drops them into his pocket for safe keeping.

 

The bride getting ready; check out those heels!

 

Nicole’s sister Simone and nephew Buster stop by to help her get ready; she puts a few items away for safe keeping.

 

The groom getting ready, complete with his father’s tux, his uncles silk shirt, and of course black combat boots.

 

The ceremony is beginning with walking down the aisle! My dad goes first, followed by me with my flower girl duties.

 

Siblings at the altar! My Uncle Larry, Uncle Mick, Uncle Rob (the pastor), Aunt Camille, my dad Joe the groom and my uncle Cliff the best man.

 

The bride walks down the aisle next, accompanied of course by her father.

 

Nicole and her Papa Dave!

 

Rob beings his tear jerking ceremony.

 

Tears all around as Dave speaks; he then wipes the tears from his daughter’s eyes.

 

My Uncle Cliff, the best man, gives a joyous speech.

 

The reading of the vows.

 

Tears all around!

 

My brother Ben, the ring bearer, struggles with the rings (tied together with tulle) and calls out “Does anyone have a knife?!” Of course more than a handful of my family did.

 

The placing of the rings!

 

These two rings are quite sentimental; one is handmade by the groom, the other a family heirloom.

 

“I now pronounce you man and wife!”

 

The crowd erupts into cheers and bubbles!

 

Look at those happy faces!

 

Woohoo!

 

Time to party!

 

My cousin Alexander was adorably tearful after the ceremony; on the right he’s pretending to be all cool again with our cousin Dana.

 

Nicole with her niece Maddie on her lap; My Aunt Diane, cousin Dana, Jill and Aunt Camille.

 

All of my beautiful cousins!

 

Partying! Patti and Diane; Mary and Dave.

 

Wedding food! Fresh mozzarella and porchetta rolled with herbs and candied citrus peel.

 

Mary and Anne; Dana, Nancilee, Charlotte and Larry.

 

Partying with the family! Simone, Bridgette, Dave, Maddie and Nicole on the left; Dave, Josh, Bridgette and Nicole on the right.

 

We don’t do the feeding of the cake in this family, we do the feeding of the fresh mozzarella cheese.

 

Nicole’s wonderful family! Josh, Simone, Garrett, Dave, bride and groom, Maddie, Bridgette and Buster in the middle!

 

My brother Ben and his fiancé Julie; they just got engaged last weekend, the next bride and groom!

 

Pastor Rob embraces the groom and bride!

 

Beautiful couples! My mom Phyllis and her partner Debra; My Uncle Larry and Aunt Diane.

 

Parents and children! Nicole whispers a secret to her dad Dave.Bridgette plants a smooch on her daughter Maddie.

 

Beautiful families.My uncle Larry and Aunt Diane with my cousins Dana and Michael and his girlfriend Jill; Michael and Jill.

 

Gifts! From Camille and Cliff a brand new bat house! Joe and Nicole were super excited (you can tell what kind of couple they are).

 

A handmade Joe-and-Nicole collage from my mom and Debora.

 

From me, Ben and Julie a wooden sign carved with “Joe and Nicole’s Ponderosa” – Nicole’s loving name for their house upstate

 

A beautiful frame from Larry, Diane, Dana, Michael, and Jill, complete with a Joe and Nicole illustration by Dana, made especially for a custom Snap Chat filter!

 

Nicole, Garrett and Simone watch the fire burning in the chiminea on the wedding night.

 

Nicole, her niece Maddie and brother in law Garrett; her nephew Buster is transfixed by the fire.

 

Congratulations to the beautiful couple! I could’t be happier for you guys!