Dori & Mark’s Beautiful Wedding Day

I dashed to the Mission San Juan Capistrano yesterday after the Corona del Mar market just in time to see one of my very dear old friends walk down the aisle.  I started to cry when Dori entered the back of the chapel with her father.  I was in the last row, and I didn’t want her to see me cry, so I got behind my camera…giving me a moody shot with no flash…but you get the idea…her dress, hairpieces and bouquet were perfection~

The setting was the Serra Chapel, built in 1792 and restored in the 1920’s; here Mark & Dori are exchanging their vows; it was so pretty, and so touching…

The magnificent gilt altarpiece is from Barcelona; it is a beauty in person; sorry I was leaning into the aisle and so this is slightly off kilter~

Not anyone can get married here; Dori’s Mother has been a docent at the Mission for more than 20 years, and both Dori and her brother were baptized in the Chapel, so this is a special place for their family; it is also the oldest building in continuous use in California~

The Mission itself presents many great photo ops; it is made of adobe bricks covered with adobe stucco; the original Padres paced off the space without surveying gear, so it is not quite a square~

The central buildings are in a large quad, here you can see the walkways between the buildings and the central gardens; I want to call this a colonnade but not sure that is the correct term~

Various work rooms and powder mezzanines and dormitories ring the quad~

The gardens in the center of the quad are Mediterranean, and this time of year, in full bloom~

In the center of the gardens and the heart of the quad is a large fountain which is full of koi fish and water lillies; I remember having my picture taken in front of this fountain with my Grandparents 40 years ago; it still looks the same….magical…serene~

Though forty years on, I hone in on the architecture and details, not the fish~

The four bells, still rung, along with the Swallows, a strong image of the Mission~

On the other side of the Bells, another pond full of koi and more beautiful lillies~

Enough touristy gawking while the Bridal party took photos, I had to get to the reception!  I like to give sterling for weddings, so my gift included this pretty pair of spoons from the NY Flea monogrammed with the Dori & Mark’s “B”~

It was a real treat to see some old friends, here Mr. (Jim) and Mrs. (Daria) Waples….Kel and Danielle’s parents….Mr. Waples was my chaperone a time or two to the Father Daughter Dance in high school, and so dear to me and it was great to see them!

We had a toast or two with our appies; here is the retired USMC Fighter Pilot Mark toasting his Bride~

Then the first dance, and the fun began….none other than ELVIS descending the staircase~

Dori really wanted to get married in Vegas, Mark in CA, so we had a little Vegas touch….super fun!!!

Our table was full of the high school crowd, here is Cassi hugging Dori~

Jim and Dori~

Oh yeah, then it was time for Cake!!  And it was pretty~

And yummy~~~!

After several hours of lots of great conversation, great food and dancing, we sent the Bride & Groom on their way, under an archway of sparkers and in style, into a pristine white 1939 Packard~

I LOVED this~~!  I loved everything about this wedding, it was fun, it was appropriate, it was tasteful~

Congratulations Dori & Mark!  I love you both and am SO happy for you!!!!!!!!!!!