Robert and Mary…a Darling Wedding

On Saturday, Robert Darling and Mary Semrad were married in what can only be described as a wondrous affair of original music, poetry readings, artistic touches and an array of daffodils.  Many of you know Robert as the pioneer for  incorporating daffodil photography into our local and national shows.  This has raised the level of artistic appreciation at many of our annual daffodil shows.  Mary has become more active in the business area and serves on the Finance Committee of the American Daffodil Society.  Robert and Mary selected the Hidden Valley Arts Institution in Carmel Valley as the venue for their wedding celebration. Below is a collection of photos that depict events from beginning to end of this wondrous celebration.

Upon arrival, we gathered outside around a well stocked wine & beer bar while enjoying music provided by the Phillips Jazz Quartet and meeting new people.  The wine and beer bar was decorated with three vases of daffodils.  The majority of these flowers were from Robert and Mary’s garden with some provided by Brent and Becky Heath.  These daffodils traveled from coast to coast and were displayed in a Carmel flower show the weekend before.  Robert gave them tender loving care so these would survive and thrive for this big day!

 

The ceremony started with all of us following the sound ushers to our seats.  Below is also a photo of Mary and Robert exchanging vows.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Afterwards there was a wonderful gathering with this lovely couple below.  Note the daffodils in Mary’s bouquet!

 

 

 

 

 

 

All the music in the ceremony were original creations by two composers.  In the first picture, Bob Spotts is complimenting Henry Mollicone, one of the composers for his inspirational music. The other gifted composer was Samuel Barber who also officiated the ceremony. In the second picture, Bob is explaining the travel route that ‘Mesa Verde’ took to arrive at this wedding.  The centerpieces for each dinner table was an arrangement of daffodils in a large wine glass.  Our table had the only stem of ‘Mesa Verde’..verrrrry special!!!

 

The grand finale was a delicious dinner accompanied with more music this time provided by the Bob Phillips Quartette as well as solos from the two sopranos, Alison Collins and Laura Anderson, who also sang earlier at the ceremony.

And last but by no means the least, the wedding cake was designed by Robert, if I understand correctly, and you can tell, because of the lovely bouquet of 2W-Y bi-color daffodils on the top of each layer!

Thank you Robert and Mary for giving your permission to share your wondrous celebration with Daffnet!

The daffodil world sends you both our best wishes!