What I wore... 30 years ago
Yesterday marked our 30th wedding anniversary. Le Duc and I walked to a bistro in early-spring twilight, and reminisced about the tiny wedding in front of our fireplace, at which the minister said, "In the presence of these witnesses, and this cat, I pronounce you husband and wife."
This shot was taken on Kodachrome with a pocket camera, but shows that some things haven't changed: I'm in pearl earrings and low heels—and a man in a classic dinner suit always looks handsome!
I'm waving the marriage license, below. Maybe this was shot for the benefit of my proper mother, as proof. (They attended our religious ceremony, six months later, which was, for her, the real one.)
Back to those earrings: they were clip-on fake-pearl chandeliers bought in London ca. 1983, but almost lost that evening, when the wedding party of five went clubbing. A man on the dance floor retrieved one and said, "Did you really just get married? I hope you're as happy as we have been."
The cotton dress, by Chacok, wasn't traditionally bridal, so I could wear it for years. (Thirty years ago, as today, I did not understand the logic of buying a beautiful dress for one wear.)
One earring eventually broke, and the distinctive Monty Don joints were irreparable. (Monty and Sarah Don's business closed in the early '90s, costume jewelry's loss, but gardening's gain.)
The 30th is traditionally the Pearl Anniversary, but Le Duc especially likes coloured stones, so gave me this graceful pair of spinel dangles. The gems are from Pierres de Charme, the design by Pam Chandler of Artwork by Collins & Chandler Gallery, Toronto, our jewelers for almost as long as we've been married. Though they look like hoops here, they're threaders that form ellipses.
My gifts to Le Duc were Costes cologne, a nod to our honeymoon in Paris, and a pair of cocktail glasses which we raised to toast love, good luck and our wish for many more happy, healthy years!
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| March 21, 1986 |
I'm waving the marriage license, below. Maybe this was shot for the benefit of my proper mother, as proof. (They attended our religious ceremony, six months later, which was, for her, the real one.)
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| "It's legal, Mom!" |
The cotton dress, by Chacok, wasn't traditionally bridal, so I could wear it for years. (Thirty years ago, as today, I did not understand the logic of buying a beautiful dress for one wear.)
One earring eventually broke, and the distinctive Monty Don joints were irreparable. (Monty and Sarah Don's business closed in the early '90s, costume jewelry's loss, but gardening's gain.)
The 30th is traditionally the Pearl Anniversary, but Le Duc especially likes coloured stones, so gave me this graceful pair of spinel dangles. The gems are from Pierres de Charme, the design by Pam Chandler of Artwork by Collins & Chandler Gallery, Toronto, our jewelers for almost as long as we've been married. Though they look like hoops here, they're threaders that form ellipses.
My gifts to Le Duc were Costes cologne, a nod to our honeymoon in Paris, and a pair of cocktail glasses which we raised to toast love, good luck and our wish for many more happy, healthy years!
Comments
I had no idea that Monty Don used to be in jewellery.
Patricia: Pieces he and his wife designed are in the permanent collection of the V&A. Those earrings would be unbearably '80s today but- I should have kept them and hunted for someone who could take on the repair.
Congratulations on thirty years of marriage--no small feat!
I expect that you found a lovely place to celebrate your anniversary, whether at home or in one of the many intimate restaurants nearby. This year, the 20th is also the vernal equinox here, and of course the celebrations of Saint Pat's and Saint Joe's (San Giuseppe, with the requisite zeppole pastries).
Liz: Ohhh, I would love to see. Other readers have sent photos ;)
Congratulations to you, too. After 34 years, I have seen times change to include more interfaith celebrations.
We were married at home, by a judge as we could find neither a rabbi nor a priest who would officiate. However my parents refused to attend a church wedding anyway, as he was divorced. This coming October would be our 30th. I am not sad, but grateful for the 27 wonderful years we shared. Hope you have many more joyous years together.
March 13 is a good day -- my dear friend Barbara wrote that day was her 53rd anniversary. She is 80 and still a working academic. She reported that they "Got married the weekend before I started auditing neurophysiology at the medical school, a few hours after I turned my thesis over to the typist. !!!"
Please do tell more about spinel. I only know it as black from Wendy Brandes's collection. Your new earbobs seem to be a slightly smoky shade.
As for relationship lessons, I would say that's a book, both of things learned and things I'm still working towards.
Lovely to hear from you; I still have several of the lovely pink enclosure cards you gave me, and think of you every time I see them.