Congratulations newlyweds Andy and Wren!

Andy and Wren were married in a lovely ceremony on Sept. 23 at the Mountainville Manor in New York's Hudson Valley. 

The couple designed their own ceremony. They sealed their vows with a handfasting, in place of an exchange of rings. One of their attendants wrapped their hands together with a cord - an ancient Celtic tradition symbolizing the joining of lives, and the origin of the expression "tying the knot."

The wedding date coincided with the Autumnal Equinox, and came some 13 years after the two got to know each other as members of the Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School Marching Band. 

The bridal party included Christine and Jamie, who flew in from California and visited with Dan and Julie for a few days beforehand. (Afterwards, C&J visited Jamie's mother and other relatives in New England.)

The ceremony was followed by a reception featuring excellent food and plenty of energetic dancing, with some of the youngest guests showing themselves to be stars on the dancefloor.

We're collecting photos and videos of the celebration in this Google Photos album. If you took pictures or video, please add them to the album or email them to birchstreetweb@gmail.com!

Cathy, Dan and Julie meet up for an outdoor concert

An outdoor concert not far from Cathy's home in Pennsylvania, featuring one of Dan and Julie's favorite singer-songwriters, provided an occasion for the three to get together and enjoy a beautiful late-summer evening.

The three grabbed take-out food set up their chairs in front of the Bryn Mawr Gazebo, where Carsie Blanton and her band performed. After stopping at the merchandise table to say hello to Carsie (and buy a book of her songs), Dan, Julie and Cathy finished the evening over ice cream at a local shop.