What Do I Wear?

Several people have asked what to wear to the wedding and I have yet to pin down a concise answer. Here's what's in play.

• It's the Fourth of July. The liklihood is that it will be hot and relatively humid. If you would like to check the weather closer to the event, click here for the Weather.com forecast in Barre (zip code 01005).
  
• The ceremony will be outside. It will be a Quaker ceremony, which means that there is less standing, kneeling, etc., than you may be used to, but we will also be outside for at least half an hour.
  
• The reception will be in the climate-controlled Harding Allen pavilion. We will adjust the temperature for everyone's comfort.

Of principal concern to Rich and I is for everyone to be comfortable. This is good policy for everyday, anyway...if your clothing isn't comfortable and doesn't make you feel like a million bucks, why wear it? We'd like you to follow the same guidelines. Please aim for Daytime Semi-Formal attire, but make sure you feel great and are comfortable.

I would recommend that women pay special attention to their choice of footwear. Though the pavilion is indoors, we will also have the run of the estate, which includes several grassy areas and English gardens. While you don't need to limit yourself to flat shoes, you may want to bring a pair of flats just in case you find yourself in heel-hostile territory. Even if you plan on bringing a small purse, take a look at foldable or thin shoes that will fit - I like London Sole and Redfoot After Party Shoes.

Do NOT, please please please do not forget sunscreen! I would hate to see lobster-red necks walking out of the door as we leave. Sun damage is forever, people. Make sure you have SPF 15 or higher. Ladies have no excuse, since you can easily find foundation or tinted moisturizer with at least SPF 15, but make sure you slather your menfolk, and single menfolk? Slather yourselves. No one wants to flirt with the guy with the sizzling red neck.

The Lovely Ladies

Sarah Brown
Maid of Honor

Sarah is - obviously - Josie's younger sister. She currently attends Arcadia University, just outside of Philadelphia. She is going into her senior year this fall and is a Communications major. She currently works at Hollywood Tans and spends a lot of time with her girlfriends and boyfriend Nick in Wyncote, where she lives in a totally swank apartment building that is nicer than our house.

Ashley Pontius
Bridesmaid

Ash and Josie attended American University together and lived together in Hughes Hall, where they mostly horrified the populace with loud commentary on politics and the Annual Christmas Elvis Presley/Mariah Carey Dancefest. Interestingly enough, Ash and Josie were also born at the same hospital in Harrisburg, PA. Ashley is currently working as a news producer in Amarillo, TX and lives with her boyfriend Jon and their dog, Lucy.

Cecilie Huseby
Bridesmaid

Cecilie stayed with Josie's parents as an exchange student from Norway. She and Josie spent a lot of time together during her year here, not least of all on a Carribean cruise with Josie and Ashley, which all survived unscathed. She is currently preparing to take exams to begin school to become a doctor, and spending her free time travelling to fabulous locales to the envy of all.


Celia Ozereko
Bridesmaid

Josie and Celia have known each other since college, and even though Celia has moved to her home state of Washington with her husband, Jarrod, another college friend of both ladies. Celia is the mom of two (two!) adorable children, Zoe and Dominic. Jo and Celia spend most of their time developing Russian conspiracy theories and discussing literature, politics and music. Celia also shares her extensive wisdom in the areas of green living and cooking (...seriously guys, WOW the cooking), which Josie takes in but rarely has the skills to imitate. Someday! Someday.


Luciana Herman
Bridesmaid

Lucy and Josie are writing and fashion addicts who have built their friendship on an affinity for sarcasm and profanity. One of last year's best adventures was a trip to the Harvard Bookstore (that involved chasing a commuter rail train to Framingham...no lie) to see mutual favorite David Sedaris read from his latest, When You Are Engulfed in Flames. Lucy lives with her husband, Lee, near Scranton, PA and is currently working on her Masters thesis - a feminist western eagerly enticipated by freaking everyone.