<title>Jeannie and Will Duncan

Jeannie and Will joined their lives surrounded by close friends and family in their beautiful backyard in Flagstaff. This was my first Jewish ceremony and I was delighted they decided to use the Hoopa, despite the gale force winds. For those of you who don't know, the Hoopa, or the marriage canopy, is a cultural symbol representing the new happy home that the bride and groom will build and create together. The Hoopa is covered on top as a symbol of security and protection and is open on all sides so that family and friends will always feel welcome. I thought it was a great symbol to a wonderful marriage. Below are some images from the day. This cake was made by a friend of the daughter, Holly. It was great! I have to find out her name! The cake was decorated by daughter, Kim Duncan, who is also a great wedding designer. She has a knack of making any event look elegant!

These earrings were worn by Jeannie's friends at other weddings. What a great tradition!

Here's a funny wedding tale: Will had found an old write up from the 1950s on "How to be a good Wife". It described things like "being presentable when your husband comes home...having a cocktail ready for your husband...and having dinner ready for your husband". Will gave it to Jeannie as a joke, but Jeannie had the last laugh! She donned an apron made by her grandmother, and carried a vodka cocktail down the stairs as she met Will.

Here's the cocktail and a copy of the 1950s article:

And here is the look on his face! Isn't that priceless?

Seven blessings were read by guests and family during the wedding. At the heart of a Jewish wedding are the seven blessings. The seven blessings celebrate the source of creation, giving thanks for the gift of each individual life and for human beings who reflect the divine for one another. The blessings rejoice in abundance, in love, and in the power that joins the couple, giving thanks for happiness, peace and companionship.