A wedding in Fishkill

This past weekend Sonjia and Eric L. exchanged vows by Willow Lake in Fishkill, New York. The day couldn't have been more perfect; the sun shone, clodus dotted the sky. After the ceremony, we circumscribed the lake and climbed a small rise to dinner and cocktails by a tent set up for the occasion. The sun slipped slowly behind the mountains. Faces glowed in the afternoon light.

I left Manhattan Saturday afternoon in a rented Kia along with my friends Diana and Cherry and Cherry's husband Eric C. The roads clear, and as we drove further north, trees began to replace buildings until we had left the grey behind for green. I had met Eric L. through Cherry on a film shoot years ago. Later, I would find myself working on Eric's short film, Fishkill alongside Cherry. As our surroundings changed, I remarked upon how much more beautiful the area was than I had remembered. Cherry then told me that we had shot Eric's film in New Jersey. "The magic of movies!" she said as everyone laughed.

I asked about places to get away in the area. My birthday is coming up and I had thought about leaving the city for a few days. Cherry and Eric suggested Block Island or Cape Cod. I mentioned I wanted to hike. I also mentioned canoeing, but in fresh, not salt, water. "Is there anything else?" Eric asked. "Mr. Particular!" Cherry said. I protested. "I thought I was making it easier by narrowing things down!"

She said I should create a website where people can fill in a form with all their vacation needs. The site would then provide a series of locations. They kept adding features at my expense. During dinner Cherry mentioned my tendency to be exacting. I admitted I was picky. She laughed. She told me she and a mutual friend had discussed it in the past, wondering who I'd end up dating.

We arrived at the hotel a few hours before the wedding. The hotel was located near a business park at an intersection of strip malls. We checked into our respective rooms and decided to have lunch at Boston Market. Our room had a panoramic view of the 24 hour Walmart superstore across the street.

The wedding itself was beautiful. The grounds by the lake consisted of rolling grassy hills surrounded by forest. Canoes were stacked by a small dock, but water sports were discouraged during the wedding. There was to be no swimming.

Sonjia and Eric exchanged vows by the lake. We stood around them in a semi-circle, some standing above on a hill. A small band comprised of friends had played as they approached, and after the ceremony they played "Two of Us." We were all encouraged to sing them on their way home.

Then it was time for cocktails and family photos. We gathered by a tent on the opposite side of the lake. Children ran around the grass, and their makeshift band of friends played cover songs during. At one point Kit and her husband John took to the stage to play a song they had written for the couple. Strumming ukeleles, they retold the story of their courtship in song to much laughter and applause.

The shadows lengthened. Soon Sonjia and Eric appeared at the base of the hill. Finished with their family photos they climbed the hill to join their party.

Dinner was set at rectangular communal tables; the food was served family style. We ate steak and scallops and monkfish and stuffed eggplants. Accoutrements included green beans, toasted risotto, and potatoes. We toasted the couple; we toasted those who came from afar; we toasted each other. Friends DJ'd and we all danced.

At the end of the night we retired back to the hotel with succulents, avocados, and table napkins. Eric's family brought the avocados and succulents from their farm; they had purchased the table napkins at Ikea and encouraged us to take them home. Cherry scrambled for more avocados but ended up with only two. She said she couldn't wait to make guacamole.

A small post-wedding gathering in the hotel bar expanded. As midnight loomed, I had grown too tired to continue in the post-festivities. I made my excuses and crept back to the room. I drew the curtains against the blue and white lights of the Walmart, closed my eyes, and went to sleep.

Posted by eku at June 1, 2009 10:03 AM