On
November 8, 1974, Charles MacFarland and I were married by a Justice
of the Peace in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. My brother acted as our
Best Man, Bridesmaid, Ring Bearer and the person happily giving me
away.
Fast
forward to May 30, 1987. My parents were celebrating their 50th
wedding anniversary. I wanted a religious wedding ceremony. I was
Jewish. Charly was undecided, but willing to go through whatever
would make me happy. So, Mom and I planned a wedding to take place on
our 42 acre farm. Invited were family, both Jewish, Presbyterian,
Catholic, Wicca, Druid and Non-Denominational.
Did I
mention that Charly and I are vegetarian? The Rabbi felt better when
he found that the meat and cheese dishes were made from soy meat and
soy cheese. With the proper seasoning no one knew, aside from other
vegetarians, that they were not eating cow, lamb or pig.
Family, friends, neighbors came, as well as the local police who
stopped by just to see what was going on. They had been told, by
neighbors, that there were a bunch of men running around, on our
property, wearing skirts and shooting at each other. There were 130
people in attendance, not including the wedding party. We found a
Jewish-Scottish Rabbi. Gave out yalmukahs (traditional Jewish skull
head coverings). Many of the men, including members of the Alexandria
Pipe Band, in kilts and wearing skull caps. Wonderful!!
The
Stuart Appians, a living history group, set up their tents in our side
meadow to allow them to ‘fight’ and stay the weekend. Members of the
Stuart Appian held the Choupa, during the ceremony, over the bridal
couples. The Choupa is the traditional canopy held over wedding
couples during the ceremony.
Thank
you for this opportunity. It was great fun reliving this wonderful
event.
Yours
aye,
Harriet MacFarland
