Our parade to Lunch. Plus lunch.

The rest of our day was spent at the Philadelphia Society of Free Letts, the oldest Latvian Society outside of Latvia. They had a spunky mid-century building (although the society dates back to the 1890's), with the tiniest library I'd ever seen, and a sprawling auditorium upstairs for our reception concert.

The wedding party and some friends walked with Sam and me while we paraded down St. John Nuemann's Way. Philadelphia is full of so much history; you cannot escape it! Our wedding photo-shoots were split between this historic belgian block street, and the Edgar Allen Poe House, where we also took our engagement photos.

I had a friend from Moore make Fletcher a bow-tie
with the fabric from the ladies' dresses.

Lunch from BirchTree Catering was delicious. Light summer sandwiches and salads.
I screenprinted the menus at each table setting with hand-drawn text and illustrations.

Fancies from Federal Donuts in South Philly.
We strived to use our Philly favorites throughout the day.

Cutting the donut.
We are not huge cake fans; and who doesn't love a great donut!

Fletcher and Aubrey in the tiny library.

Me and my mother, making funny faces.

In the scary basement of the Edgar Allan Poe House.

This little furry kitty popped out of the herb garden at the Poe House.

The ceremony in the park!

We held our ceremony in Liberty Lands Park, a neighborhood owned and managed park mid-way between our home and our reception. Over the 20 years that the park has been owned by the neighbors, they've built a stage for concerts, which was perfect for the musical ceremony we planned.

The gals and I met my brother, parents, and Sam's parents
at our reception location and took a historic trolley to the park.
The trolley also brought our ceremony guests back and forth to the park.

The guys were waiting for us to escort everyone to the stage.

While we didn't have a maid of honor or best man,
my younger brother and Sam's best girlfriend broke up the gender monotony.

Sam's parents, Holly & Steve Cusumano.

Sam escorted my mother, Sharon.

So I could walk with Dad. 

Our friend Allen officiated, because of his excellent oratory skills and sharp dress.
 We obtained a Quaker wedding license (since Allen is not an official officiant).
Our promises were made among friends and family only.

Our ceremony included hugs and thanks to our friends.

With our community support, we made our vows.

All the while, dueling harps set the tone!
Yes, they played an adaptation of dueling banjos for us too.

Sam, an electronics artist, had our kiss rigged to make noise!

His "Apple Distortion" project was the trigger. Electricity!

It was a very hot day in July, so of course there is ice cream.

We did it!

Local legends, Little Baby's Ice Cream, brought the sweet treats to the park!
Izzy approved. Scrumptious!

A photograph capturing a photograph being captured.

Photos: Getting ready with the girls

A year later, here are some of the photographs taken by Katrina Ohstrom.

In the morning, Sam left bright and early to meet helpers at our ceremony site. He designed, wrote, and facilitated the program for our ceremony. At home, the ladies gathered with coffees and croissants for hair + makeup, dressing, and flower prep!

My dress was 1920's silk crepe, beautiful details but so fragile!

Makeup by Aubrie Costello, a fine artist and good friend.

Hair perfected by Roberta Briggs, via Fringe Salon.

While the girls got ready, I put the final touches on the bouquets,
which Sam's mother and I arranged the day before,
with local flowers and fresh, fragrant herbs from her garden.
Each bouquet and boutonniere included a paper sculpture
I made one for each person in the wedding party, including moms and dads. 

We are almost ready to go!

The rings: a vintage engagement ring, and custom made rings by Heather Bryson.
Heather used the gold from my parents' wedding rings to make ours.