So I’ve finally poured through my photos… so here goes the story…
It’s the wedding celebration of my friend & potter Emily Murphy who is actually
the one responsible for “pushing me” to start this blog in the first place! And now
look at what’s happened… my blogging addiction is in full swing! Plus, you can
check out Emily’s blog that inspired me… www.potteryblog.com.
Last weekend was the celebration party for the marriage of Emily Murphy
and her longtime partner Ian Bicking. For as long as I’ve known Emily,
which has been MANY years now, she and Ian have always been together. Emily
and I have worked together for many years with our studios close to each other, sharing
ideas, business tactics and several kilns over the years. Then she moved to Minneapolis!
I must admit that I’ve always kind of considered them married in my mind. And on more
than one occasion, I even heard Emily introduce Ian to people as “her husband” just to
make it easier. So when the actual wedding happened last winter in their Minneapolis
living room, we weren’t overly surprised… it’s about time, right?! And then they pulled
together a great weekend celebration at their home in Minneapolis for their family & friends.
So that’s the set-up… and the main reason I went on such a whirlwind tour of Minnesota
last weekend! Although my clay adventures to Continental Clay & Northern Clay Center
were quite enticing too! 700-pounds of clay made it home with me!
After an extraordinary amount of organization and information from Emily,
not surprisingly, guests gathered at their new home which they moved into about
a year ago after fixing up the condemned old farmhouse. They’ve done a lot of work
on the place and now have a beautiful home… with Emily & Ian on the second floor,
sister Nora & kids on the first floor, guest bedroom in the third floor attic, and
Emily’s clay studio in the basement… including her brand new electric kiln!
Upon arriving at the party, it was quickly apparent that it was going to be a homespun
garden party… straight out of the pages of ReadyMade magazine! With homemade
pennant flags & white lights strung as a canopy from house to fence, chalkboard name
tags, simple flowers in painted soup cans, candles in glass Ball jars, and more! They had
thought of everything… including a hired babysitter to keep all of the kids entertained
during the ceremony in the yard next door. Although a couple kids did “escape” once
in awhile. There were bubbles, games and more to keep the kids happy!
Being the “crafty” couple that they are, they had worked for weeks prior to set it all up.
As well as create a wonderful “photo op” as you entered their back yard. It was an old
gold gilded frame on a vintage wallpapered piece of “wall” – with the picture missing
in the frame for you to stick your head through for the camera! Of course… we had to play!
I was spending the weekend with my friend & fellow potter Amy Higgason, so we took
a couple quick “mug shot masterpieces” while we were there.
While mingling before the ceremony, it was great to see some of our Lillstreet friends
outside of the studio… and in clean clothes! As well as Emily & Ian’s families & friends.
As a souvenir of the party, Emily had made small porcelain cups for each guest to choose
from and use during the party. It was an ideal opportunity for her to make small cups
to test her new glazes and do her first firing in her new kiln! So we each got to choose
our favorite cup… I was “thirsty,” Amy was “handmade.” Sarah & Julie came away with
two somewhat self-explanatory cups that compliment each other quite nicely!
So after the cozy, garden “cocktail” party, the ceremony began in the backyard.
Emily & Ian had their original wedding ceremony with close family & friends in
New Hampshire a few months ago. This party was a great chance for the rest of us
to celebrate the occasion. So the ceremony this past weekend was a ceremony “inspired”
by Quaker traditions. Which I hate to admit I’m not too aware of! But, there was a LOT
of silence?! Apparently, the couple sits silently in front of everyone. Then they state their
vows to each other… then sit down and there’s more silence! And more silence… quiet…
awkward… silent. And then, as people are “moved,” they would stand up and make a
comment, tell a story, share a memory or other anecdote. With a bit more silence
in between each person’s speech. No plan… just a bit of silence broken up by some
heartfelt stories. Once the stories got going, it was quite sentimental. Quite Quaker?!
Then we hung out for awhile, chatted with friends and then went over for dinner.
After dinner, it was back to the backyard for homemade desserts & music by a nice
Gypsy Quartet.Let’s just say… I tried almost all of the desserts and shared with Amy.
Apparently, Sarah & Julie were enjoying some desserts as well. Forks at the ready!
As the evening progressed, the sun was setting and the party was getting into full swing.
At one point, the setting sun cast a beautiful light upon the barn “garage” in the back.
The ambiance was wonderful as the barn lit up – as did the canopy of white lights!
As the sun went down, so did the temperatures. It rained for a few minutes and the temp
plummeted… and became a bit chilly. But no fear… we had a fire to keep us warm. And
a fire to make s’mores! When was the last wedding YOU went to and made s’mores?!!!
It was a wonderful day shared with a lot of friends – and Emily & Ian’s family. I’ve known
both of them for a long time and it’s great to see them sort of “finalizing” their big move
to Minneapolis with a major event like this. Moving forward in their new path and life
together. Congratulations Emily & Ian… and thanks for throwing such a great party.
I’m glad I could squeeze it in between my camp schedules and survive a treacherous
drive up there! It was well worth it… thanks again!
