August 23, 2009

The mountain wedding

Usually we go to the Eastern Sierras to get away from the crowds. This year we brought 60-something people with as we hosted a wedding for our nephew in a meadow, just a minutes walk from the cabin outside of Bridgeport, California.

Beautiful wedding, but not a lot of money was spent by the bride and groom. You could even call it green when you consider how little was consumed.

Here’s how the wedding went ....

Wedding Flowers:
Handpicked wildflower bouquets of pine, aspen, goldenrod, thistle (a Scottish tradition) and aster: Free

Clothing:
Bride’s dress $500, groom’s kilt (the McNatt family tartan) $500., children’s clothing $200.

Wedding Invitations and Guestbook:
Artsy friend Amy Hay: Gift

Wedding Photographers:
Free

Wedding Minister:
Favorite friend ordained at the Universal Life Church Monastery at themonastery.org: Free

Seating:
Tree stumps (with cutting permit): Free

Wedding Venue:
Mountain meadow with spectacular backdrop: Free

Music:
Musically-inclined friends: Free

Cupcake Table:
60 white on white cupcakes from Costco, cake plates (inverted cups and dinner plates), pine cones and goldenrod tabletop decorations: $68.

Reception:
Handbuilt hors D’oeuvres table, paper products, beer, champagne, wine: $400

The happy couple:
Shaun and Leah McNatt: Priceless