ValleyGreenWeddings

A few years ago, I set up an absolutely beautiful wedding that was set to start when there were three stars in the sky....

The tiki torches were lit, the chairs were set by the creek in a semi circle and the groom waited under a home-made red chuppah as drum beats welcomed the bride and her parents. It was almost seductive.

The attention of the crowd turned to face the altar by the water's edge and the ceremony began. I started towards kitchen to alert the chef of the ceremony start and was stopped dead in my tracks--why were there flashing lights coming towards me? Why was the first ceremony that I set in the dark suddenly illuminated?

Valley Green is a small restaurant, tucked in the Wissahickon Valley section of Fairmount Park in Philadelphia. We're basically in the middle of the woods on a path that was formerly used as part of the turnpike. It seemed that a fire truck was using our road as emergency access to the other side of the park. Ironically, the bride's father was a former fireman and the crowd believed that he was playing a joke on them...they had a great sense of humor and laughed about the red lights that lit the night. (I didn't know about this until much later, unfortunately!)

I'll never forget the rabbi's response to this as he began the ceremony. He turned to the bride and groom and with a smirk on his face said, "The most important thing to remember as you start your lives together is this: it's not what happens to you, it's how you react to it."

That has stuck with me in all of my planning here at Valley Green. Sometimes I use this sentiment to calm anxious brides and sometimes I have to say it to myself. How we deal with things shows a lot about who we are. Weddings are beautiful, but sometimes we have to make the most of what we're dealt. Sometimes it snows in October. Sometimes it's cold in August. Sometimes it rains. Things like these can not be expected, but should be planned for. They effect an event whether it is inside or outside (believe it or not)...though outdoor events are usually more directly effected. Being happy with the idea of rain is not typical, but being ok with it is necessary if planning an outdoor affair is desired. There really is something to be said for "planning for the worst and hoping for the best."

Most of the couples that I get the chance to work with are the sort that will put on rain boots and stomp in puddles for wedding photos if it's raining...and for that, I'm lucky.

The most important thing that I can say when choosing an outdoor venue like Valley Green: be sure that you're happy with all that can happen. Know that the focus of a wedding day is gathering with  friends and family to celebrate love, friendship and happiness--rarely are any of these things perfect. Know that my job is to lose the sleep and figure out how to make things work if unforseen things were to happen...something I've done many, many times. Being happy with all the possibilities is part of the adventure.

(photo credit: Sybil Holland Photography 2009, www.sybilholland.com)