Tess and Lauren Wells Hasten

Two weeks before the wedding, posing as a guide for the photo on the right.

Carrying the Chuppah

I've been calling it our AfroCeltic Jewish wedding, since we blended so many traditions. The ceremony was held under a traditional Jewish chuppah; the canopy was hand made by Tess and the poles came from the redwood forest in our backyard.

The chuppah is carried by Amy (front left), Jolie (front right), Marcia (obscured, but rear left) and Marla (rear right). Seated in the first visible row are Tess's son and his girlfriend.

Following the Chuppah

Our officiant, Sherée, our Broom Bearer (we jumped over one at the end), Tony, and my Best Woman, Susan. Standing in the green blouse at the rear is Leslie, our friend and caterer.

Tess and Lauren

I think the only people we noticed were each other.

Handfasting

Sherée joined our wrists together with a ribbon and we exchanged our vows.

Blessing

Tess and I picked a lovely, secular blessing for Sherée to read.

The Brides

If we hadn't set aside a smaller table just for us, we probably wouldn't have had a moment to eat; I highly recommend this!

The Staff at Work

Leslie, our caterer and dear friend, with Chris and Steve, our waiters. You know it's a good party when the guys you hired to work till 10 stick around till 3 am; we're all friends now.

Paparazzi Moment

Here we are posing for one photo while someone else snaps this one; just one of many paparazzi moments that evening.

Under the Chuppah

Standing, left to right, are Susan (my best woman), Marla (my sister), Jolie (close friend), Tess, Sherée (our officiant), myself, Amy (close friend), Marcia (partially obscured by the door but nevertheless, a close friend), and Tony (with his head down, another close friend).

Guests

Tess's kids and their friends getting seated for dinner.

Anie, Lucy and Heather

Anie works with Tess and Lucy is the baby on her back; Heather is the daughter of two high school friends, Debi and Kenn.