long live love! a wedding to remember.

what an amazing weekend i had, visiting the chesapeake bay area for my cousin lizzy's wedding. take a look and see ...

this is the view we had from Bay Cottage in St. Michaels, where we stayed. it was a cousin-palooza!

the rooms were cozy, and the house provided a homey place to catch up with cousins i hadn't seen in years.

here's dave ward, my cousin susan's husband. they own buddy brew coffee in tampa.
dave hand-ground and brewed individual cups of coffee for each of us every morning.

here's my sisters, jean and charlotte. so fun to have us all together - the first time in a year and a half!

we had plenty of time to explore the area and enjoy the scenery. but it was hot - 90s and humid.

the rehearsal dinner was at the crab claw in st. michaels.

apparently no one alerted the bride to my intense fear of crustaceans. 
luckily i was armed.

the church, a small episcopal chapel, was adorned with these hand crafted garlands. so gorgeous.

the getaway car was a 1955 rolls royce limousine.

the classical trio was amazing. Lizzy walked down to 'Jesu joy of man's desiring' and walked out to a classical rendition of journey's 'don't stop believin'.

she looked so pretty.

liz with her older sisters julie (left) and hope.

here's lizzy with her new stepdaughters. what a beautiful blending of families.

i managed to capture liz and mike's first kiss at the reception.
it was held at the maritime museum in easton, right on the shore.

every moment was captured by somebody!

the wedding cake was a phenomenal coconut cake.

the place settings were divine.

the meal, provided by gourmet by the bay, included a vegetable napoleon (layers of delicious savory quinoa and vegetables) that made me happy to be a vegetarian.

french macarons were on the sweet table, and yes, i indulged.

and the view was equally delicious.

as the night rolled in (and the temps came down), the dancing began. the jazz band 
and singers were phenomenal.

the tent was so lovely, and i personally was mesmerized by the glittering chandelier, which was reflected on the tent walls. 

the whole thing was magical and best of all, i got to bond with my wonderful family. the older i get, more i see how important it is to connect with the people you know will always be a part of you, no matter how far away. more pics to come.  

ps all of the photos were taken with my iPhone, except for the photos taken in front of the church of the bridal party. those came from my cousin hope's facebook.

viva love!