I am reviving my old blog that I kept while living in Spain in order to share photos of Claire and Matteo's recent wedding in Italy. It seems fitting, since when the rest of us moved to Madrid, Claire moved to Grottaforatta, near Rome, no doubt leading to this day.
The morning of the wedding, October 30th, Iris and Adele do Claire's hair over and over again. And then give up.
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| Iris, Claire and Adele |
When Claire told us they'd be getting married at the town hall, we imagined something quite different than the City Hall of Varese, Italy.
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| Caroline in front of the City Hall |
Behind are formal gardens where we would later take photos.
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| The gardens at the City Hall |
There was room for 60 in the ceremonial chamber of the city hall. We had about 20 family members who managed to get there. Matteo, grew up in the vicinity, had plenty of relatives to fill the hall.
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| In the front row are Matt's sister, Margie, his father, Ted, mother, Della, his empty chair and me. |
Turns out it is traditional in Italy as well for the father to walk in with the bride.
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| Matteo's mother, Stella, and Matteo |
Matteo and his mother watching Claire arrive.
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| Iris |
Iris reads a poem written by my mother for the newlyweds.
Also traditional is the kiss at the end of the ceremony.
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| Stella and Davide |
Matteo won hearts by choosing flowers for Claire's bouquet that represent her and her sisters. Roses for Claire, goldenrod for Adele and Irises for Iris.
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| Margot, Claire |
Walking toward the gardens to take photos.
Photo taking at the fountain.
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| Margie (Matt's sister), Caroline (my sister Nina's daughter), Ellen Graff (my aunt), Adele and Iris |
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| Claire, Matteo |
A town hall wedding is something special when it is in Varese Italy!
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| Della, Ted |
Returning to the building after taking photos
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| Caroline, Claire, Margie, Adele |
Waiting to see the newlyweds off.
An unofficial kiss.
Matteo's brothers are merciless with the rice!
The sisters are amused.
After the ceremony everyone, plus more of Matteo's relatives and friends, gathered at a reception venue.
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| Ted, Ellen, Harry and Camilla (Ellen's children, my cousins from NYC) |
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| Claire and Caroline |
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| Matt, Claire and Margot |
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| Margot and Nina |
The reception began with appetizers at 1:00 pm, and went on for 6 courses and over 6 hours.
Plenty of time to get comfy in sneakers
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| Ted, Claire, Mikele (Matteo's father) |
And to make speeches. Matt and Matteo's father delivered theirs in English and Italian.
Thank you, Alessandra, for providing a scroll and art supplies for people to write and draw with!
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| Matteo, Claire |
Portrait drawing was a major draw. :)
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| Davide sits for Margot's portrait |
The first cake I have seen that was decorated with fresh figs
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Another shared tradition:
The newlyweds with the mothers:
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| Stella, Matteo, Claire, Margot |
And the fathers:
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| Mikele, Matteo, Claire, Matt |
The cousins:
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| The cousins. Right of Claire are Caroline, Camilla and Harry |
And siblings:
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| With the siblings: Mattia, Davide, Marta, Matteo, Claire, Iris, Adele |
Back in real life. Claire and Matteo at home, laughing over photographs.
Turns out it is traditional in Italy as well for the father to walk in with the bride.
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The newlyweds with the mothers:
