If you have ever been to historic and scenic Sutter Creek, California, I am sure it has made an indelible impression on you. If you have not had the chance to visit our idyllic town, please make the trip. You won’t regret it. Many storefronts and houses are unchanged form their original 19th Century condition. Of course, you see the new and the old, side by side, wherever you go, but the Gold Rush origins are there.
On September 10, 2016, I had the honor and privilege of officiating for Wendy McCulley and Tom Powell’s wedding at The Park at Hanford Courte, an almost hidden gem on Sutter Creek’s Hanford Street, also known as old Highway 49. Steven Desedare has a beautiful park setting, complete with a waterfall at the head of a tree-lined area for at least 100 guests. Please visit his website at: http://www.hanfordcourte.com.
The couple, their family and friends were wonderful, fun and honest people. No tension or pre-ceremony anxiety hung over the wedding party, nor was it in the air over those in attendance. Wooden fans were provided for the guests, who used them to cool themselves, although they were in shade, by the time the music started. The day’s heat had flirted with a 90-degree mark, which made me glad to have chosen a gold sharkskin suit over the black wool suit. The wedding party and I were in full sun, until just after the ceremony ended, but that didn’t spoil the mood. This was a joyous gathering.
Signs plainly marked the way to the area, where we held the ceremony, instructing the guests to “Pick a seat, not a side.” There were no signs of sides I could see, so keep in mind, how useful these wayside markers can be. It was a very nice touch, if you are, or someone close to you, is artistic.
The roles of DJ and Photographer were filled by friends of the couple, which is both meaningful and a possible price point, especially, since you are familiar with the quality of their work. This eliminates the process of shopping for and interviewing candidates to take on those jobs. Less work, less stress, right?
The chairs, tables, dishes, and flatware were provided by Party Smart Rentals of Sutter Creek. They offer so much for any event. I probably left out something they provided, but they will cover the bases. You can find them on Old Ridge Road in Sutter Creek and at http://www.partysmartrentals.com.
The chairs, tables, dishes, and flatware were provided by Party Smart Rentals of Sutter Creek. They offer so much for any event. I probably left out something they provided, but they will cover the bases. You can find them on Old Ridge Road in Sutter Creek and at http://www.partysmartrentals.com.
The appetizers, beverages and meal were served by John and Sina Hanning and the crew from Sina’s Backroads Cafe and WRP (which stands for We Roast Pigs) BBQ and Catering. Visit Backroads Cafe at http://sinasbackroadscafe.com, and I dare you not to get hungry visiting WRP, when you visit John at http://weroastpigs.weebly.com. I did not get to the table to sample the delectable appetizers, but the dinner was pretty amazing. Barbecued chicken, pulled pork, cole slaw, macaroni and cheese, beans, rolls and butter. I am sure I forgot something, but it makes me hungry again, just trying to remember everything.
To wash it all down, there was Firestone Walker 805 on tap, Prosecco, local red and white varietal wines. Of course, there was bottled water and non-alcoholic beverages, too, for those, who chose not to limit their responsible drinking. The coffee was excellent, and that leads me to the cake…. Oh, the cake!
Ingrid Fraser, amazing artist and personal friend, maker of exquisite desserts, again came through with a delicious 3-tiered cake, with butter-creme frosting, with roses cascading down the side of the cake. The top tier was boxed for the lucky couple, and I did partake of the second tier, which was chocolate with butter-creme and raspberry filling between the three layers within that layer. I did not sample the bottom tier of the cake, but Ingrid’s carrot cake is phenomenal. If I saw the photos correctly, the bottom layer was carrot cake. Look up Ingrid at http://ingridscakes.com.
The evening shaped up beautifully. It wasn’t a hot evening, so people were more comfortable, dancing, reminiscing, having a great time, celebrating the reason why they were in such a beautiful place together. Tom and Wendy. Thank you, Tom and Wendy. Many years of Happiness, Love, Good Fortune, Fun, and more of all the reasons why you were attracted to each other, all the reasons you made two lives become one.
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This has been another adventure of the Rev. Scott Fritz, Amador County Wedding Officiant. Please visit me at:
Cheers!
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