Two weddings and a graduation

We flew out to Boston for a wedding and a graduation. The wedding was held at the Crane Estate in Ipswich which is the equivalent to Villa Montalvo in Saratoga. It was definitely an extravaganza: a full band with three vocalists, rental of Chivari chairs (which are usually $8 a pop), sumptuous dinner, open bar, and porcelain vase centerpieces (which we were invited to take home afterwards). The whole affair was very classy. The only downside was that it rained the entire day...and continued for the next five days we were in Boston.

The next morning, we drove over to an orchard that sells apple donuts - this is one of the highlights of a mandatory freshman trip for husband's fraternity. We got back to Boston to get dressed for AC's dental school graduation. While taking the T to the graduation site, we saw a large number of students on the streets in their graduation gowns - a festive sight.

The ceremony was tedious as we had no idea who these speakers were nor did we really care. :p At least we got to see AC accept her diploma. Afterwards went out to a nice dinner and dessert afterwards with her family and bf.

Funny incident during dessert: we were at the lounge in the Ritz (i think, some nice hotel). DH and I took a look at the dessert menu and thought "WOW, we didn't think that dessert would be this cheap here." The items were all $5 and under. The desserts weren't very impressive though - brownie sundae, star cookies, fruit bowl. The entree side was also very low key - hot dog, mac-n-cheese. Geez, the lounge is REALLY low key. The waiter came by to see if we needed anything and then said "oops, that's the children's menu" We were looking at the children's menu the ENTIRE TIME! :D

So anyway, Boston was drippy and miserable but I got to do a lot of shopping!

In New York, the weather was completely different. We had such great weather! Got into New York on Friday night and had a full Saturday:

• Met in the morning (there was a special Chanel exhibit!)


• lunch with a long-lost friend


• stood in a long line for tkts (all the tourists were in town for the discount tickets)


• went back to the apartment we were staying in (all the way up in the upper east side) to change for the evening


• had dinner at the boathouse (fantastic open air seating! although thunderstorm picked up during dinner time and they had to enclose the seating area with portable walls)


• headed to the Marquis theater which is actually located in a hotel


• actually ran into the bride for Sunday's wedding!


• watched La Cage aux Folles - totally enjoyed

Sunday was the wedding and it was, again, a very classy affair and much simpler and more intimate than the previous wedding. It was in an art gallery - there were bunches of dark pink peonies and candles everywhere along pictures of the bride and groom. The ceremony was quite tearful (the groom's mother came down the aisle with tears which set all the girls sniffling) and brief. Funny highlight was the little flower girl who had an attack of stage fright and had to be held by daddy when coming down the aisle, accompanied by mommy who was throwing the flower petals the little girl was supposed to have strewn along the aisle.

We had a vegan banquet (unexpectedly delicious) followed by a "not began" wedding cake. (that was a typo on my menu that threw me off) We were arranged in clusters of 4 or 6 and marked by movie title table tents. We sat at the "Princess Bride" table. :) Anyway, to keep it short, the bride was absolutely radiant and the whole wedding was beautifully romantic.

Ended the trip with a half day of shopping. :)