Last week I posted photos taken during our recent trip to Long Island where we combined a family reunion with the wedding of Erica Perth, daughter of dear friends Jill and Rod Perth, to Michael Jaconi at Bridge Gardens in Bridgehampton. It's been my experience that the friendships forged when your children are young are some of the best you'll ever have. That's been the case with the Perths, whom we first met at least thirty-five years ago when they moved onto Pershing Place. The wedding was also a chance to see other long-time friends and former Pershing Place neighbors, Charlotte and Andy Lyons.
The site of the wedding was a public garden in Bridgehampton, a 5-acre tract of beautiful grounds donated to the Peconic Land Trust in 2008 by founders and gardeners Jim Kilpatric and Harry Neyens. They had been cultivating the garden for twenty years before donating it to the Trust.
The bride's sisters, Chelseah, left, with her younger daughter Caroline, and Lauren, right, with her daughter Robin, were babies themselves when the Perths moved from St. Louis to New York, then to Chicago, and finally to Rod's hometown, Los Angeles, where they have lived for many years.
The handsome ring bearer, above, is the bridegroom's nephew, Luca.
The bridesmaids, above.
The stunning bride, Erica, with her father, Rod Perth.
Photo courtesy of Lauren Perth
Rod and Jill Perth with Erica and her husband Michael Jaconi. Erica and Michael, who now live in New York City, both grew up in Los Angeles and met as undergraduates at USC.
I love this sweet moment captured after the ceremony as family photographs were being taken.
The ceremony and tent were nestled at the edge of a lavender garden, close to the Long Island Rail Road tracks. That proximity lent a bit of local flavor to the ceremony when a passing train's whistle blew just as it was time for the couple to say "I do."
At the entry to the tent, lush pots of herbs held place cards, above.
Another shot of the gardens, above.
Works by seven contemporary artists from the U.S. and Europe are sprinkled throughout the gardens, above and in upper left below. More information about "Uncommon Ground III" can be found here.
Eight large lavender beds are ringed by germander and boxwood, a stunning sight at dusk.
Thanks to Jill and Rod for allowing me post these photographs from a most beautiful and joyous wedding, and to Erica and Michael for including us in the celebration.
Lovely post- a wonderful night and as always, a special chance to see you and Jim!
Posted by: charlotte | 07/31/2012 at 10:53 AM
What a wonderful post. I can't wait to share it. You are such a dear friend to the entire Perth family. We were so happy you and Jim were there to share our joy. You captured the essence of Michael and Eri's love for one another, our beautiful wedding, and its spectacular setting in Bridge Gardens.
Thank you, sweet friend,for this special memory!
Posted by: Jill Perth | 07/31/2012 at 05:21 PM
Perfect lavender setting.
Posted by: Vt | 12/16/2012 at 10:23 PM