It would require all of the ‘Hoosier Poets’ to do justice to an accurate account of ‘the wedding’ in Zionsville, Indiana last weekend! Arriving at Wild Air Farm Friday afternoon ‘Round Town was met by the Sylvester Johnson clan gathered around Liz Johnson’s pool between her manse and the her guest house. Couples from Alaska, longtime friends of Johnny Johnson (father of the bride), Liz’s grandson, Zak (Univ. of Alaska), son Sylvester Johnson, Jr. and wife Barbara and daughter Brei, (Ithica, NY) and…
“Now we’ve got to leave for the Rehearsal dinner by five at the Scottish Rite Cathedral in downtown Indianapolis…it’ll take over half an hour at least and we’ve got to be there by six thirty…” (The Cathedral is “…the finest example of neo-Gothic architecture in the US…built in 1927…212 foot tower with 54 bell carillon…Russian white oak trusses…stained glass windows…)
Guests met for cocktails first, then proceeded to the Gothic auditorium for a fifteen minute video of the ‘…lives of Daphny (bride) and Brandon Berger. And then on to the awesome dining room for a spectacular dinner. Dinner and at least twenty ‘toasts’ were over by ten PM – and then – busses were lined-up outside the Cathedral to take guests on to the: “Louellen & Darryl Berger’s (parents of the groom) New Orleans Style Late Night Fun celebrating Daphne & Brandon’s wedding from ten to midnight at the Conrad Hotel.” Zak Johnson said he didn’t get home ‘til four AM! The senior members of the Rehearsal Dinner Party headed straight home from the Cathedral – like Nick Frenzel, Liz Johnson, and ‘Round Town.
Saturday morning broke clear and sunny – thanx to the Professional Wedding Planner, Dave. Liz and her house guest went over to her ‘second farm’ (where the Trader’s Point Hours Show is held) and where her son John, the father-of-the-bride’s ‘spread’ is located. The football-sized-tent was being decorated – the thirty foot tent poles were swathed in greenery and candles, and flowers, and the out-door-chapel overlooking the lily-pad-ponds were manicured, and there were hundreds of bouquets of roses and peonies being placed on tables for three hundred guests!!!
By five-thirty guests were gathering. The bridesmaids (nine) were in their adjacent ‘tent’ receiving last minute attention. The twelve groomsmen were everywhere looking so handsome in their tuxes. Former Vice President Dan Quayle was there chatting with fellow guests. …his daughter Corinne Quayle Berger was a bridesmaid (married to the groom’s brother). It was great to meet Olivia & Archer Manning who’s son Eli Manning (Giant’s football team star) was a groomsman for his life-long friend Brandon. Eli’s brother Payton Manning plays for the Colts but a training schedule prohibited his being there.
The bride’s gown was spectacular – strapless with a voluminous skirt of solid ruffles. Grandmother Liz’s gown was aqua silk chiffon gathered and pleated and with a
gathered panel-like-train. Louellen’s white-back-ground-floral-print was perfect. The bridesmaids were in light blue satin strapless short lovely dresses.
Pat Ryder, MFH(Master of Foxhounds) of Trader’s Point, Patty Schuh, now of Indiana but raised in Middletown, OH asked about Jane Watkins. Susan Gail Lackley, Mother of the Bride, now of Boston and a staff member of Harvard University, was stunning in a beige lace gown. Her husband Paul mentioned his father had been Ex of the American Horse Show Association for many years – and old-timers of the Miami Valley Hunt certainly remember him! Suzie Fairchild, Susan Miller Hall, Tom Santelli & Chris, Benji & Eric Risman – all greeted ‘Round Town with “…see you next at the TPH Horse Show the first week in August!”
The wedding, and the beautiful dinner were memorable. The orchestra from Nashville was fab. – and never stopped! Everyone danced like crazy! Guests even ‘performed’! The Berger Boys sang. Father Johnny Johnson did his version of “Johnny Be Good!” Fancy ‘dessert hors d’oeuvres’ were passed all evening! Shortly before mid-night the bride-n-groom appeared with umbrellas and led the wedding party, plus ambulatory guests in a long line around the tent to the exit and to their car where everyone was given ‘sparklers’ and linen napkins printed with the couples picture with their umbrellas for everyone to ‘wave farewell’ as Daphne and Brandon left for their honeymoon in Europe.
June 9, 2009
Volume 18, No. 23
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