Photoessay #914 - Wedding Album

This weekend, at the surprise 40th birthday party, Mary Ann got out her wedding album. I commented on this blog that I had not ever made an album, the pictures were still in a ratty old envelope. Which earned me a lot of joshing "Now don't rush into this" "Maybe you better wait" "See if it works out first"

I've been married 33 years.

I knew I had purchased an album for them some time ago (a year, 5 years, longer? who knows?) but, you know, maybe it's time I did that.

So I got out the pictures and tosed them into this informal collage. Of a 1976 informal California wedding. You can see the new album and the old envelope.

And I did it! The pictures are now in the album. There's some funny parts of them, only jokes that we would get. Yes, it was the 70s in California, that was the time! I wore a blue dress out of orneriness, mostly.

We got married with a small group (30 guests) in Dennis' parent's living room and a larger reception at Campus Commons Clubhouse. Condominiums were new then and a new development just across the river from Sacrament State had a beautiful clubhouse on a pond. My father knew a professor who lived there who he had worked with on an education commission and she got the place for us.

We were married by Adam Beittel. Grandfather Beittel to me, who had been quite active in the civil rights movement as a college president. I am very close with that family, I value them deeply. So, I was wondering what to do with this wedding thing. I knew a rabbi would throw a fit, Dennis' parents were angling for a Christian minister. Hmmm, hmmmm, what to do. I was working as a programmer in a community college district, I was pondering the question. Then it hit me!! Yes! A great idea! It would work! I knew it!! Grandfather Beittel, congregational minister to marry us. He was kin to us, my family would go for it, it would satisfy Dennis' parents. Plus I admired him so much. Perfect!

So he agreed and it worked out great. I later found out that this was the last wedding her performed. I think he didn't feel he could stand up so reliably.

My brother Charlie was the main wedding planner. I know most people don't have their younger brother fill this task. But he planned the food, arranged for the cake, flowers, etc etc

I even wrote the names of the people on the back of the pictures. All in the album!

Now, I was planning to stay with the 40th anniversary theme. My parents had a family gathering in Newport Beach. I have a special photo album but I can't find it. I know it's around somewhere.