Congratulations and Best Wishes

[L Verge]

I'm back home after a great afternoon and evening in the peaceful countryside of the Northern Neck of Virginia with a beautiful, personalized wedding in a beautiful old church and then on to the equally peaceful grounds of the Dr Mudd House for a great reception under a large tent. Despite temperatures in the 80s, the church was air conditioned and there is always a cooling breeze at the Mudd farm.

Like Betty, I'll try and fill in more later and hopefully have some photos from my grandson's phone to share. It was hard to get clear shots of Dave and Kate, but I sure hope we got one that shows her elegant, classic gown -- modern, yet a historic feel to it. Some very creative touches that I'm sure Dave and Kate originated: lapel "roses" made from pages cut from American Brutus, small tins of candy with a label of a garden scene with bride and groom on a bench, table centerpieces that consisted of American Brutus as a base, a special little bag weighted down and containing a candle, which was lit as the sun went down, and a floral centerpiece created with a chia pet Lincoln head and a hole drilled at the top so that a floral display of pink silk flowers and more Brutus roses could be displayed (the planting of the Lincoln head could be done later), and each had a Lincoln saying on the side of the bust. The overall theme for the day was "The Rest is History," which was imprinted on the candle bags along with the garden scene of bride and groom, and a large banner displaying the motto graced the skirting of the head table.

The Lincoln theme was reinforced when the wedding cake was cut with a hatchet to symbolize the rail-splitter's axe! Very unique.

Also in attendance was Tom Fink, director of Tudor Hall, and Carolyn Mitchell-Voss from California, who attended the Surratt conference last weekend and remained in the area for the wedding. My grandson and I enjoyed the company of Henry Mudd from the Mudd House staff and Robin Garrett, wife of our Jim. Kate's 19-year-old brother gave a wonderful toast by recalling his childhood under the tutelage and support of his big sister. This was definitely not one of those "cookie-cutter ceremonies;" this one was definitely personalized for Dave and Kate.