Robert and Maria Johnson‘s wedding reception was an informal home grown community effort at Kimberly Buchheit‘s Farm in Sorrento, FL. Robert’s mother made delicious Filipino food, and a few other award winning “chefs” added to the menu. Kim’s garage functioned as the bar and a large tent covered all the picnic tables. A bonfire was lit after the sun set, an the hard core guests settled around the flames late into the night.
The stage was cobbled together I believe from former mushroom planters thus being known as the Mushroom Stage. The stage was just the right size to be covered by a single tent which was illuminated by strings of lights. Robert performed solo and then was joined by other musicians on strings and drums. One song that rang true for me was about an artist painting his masterpiece. Another rather funny original song, had to do with getting stuck in I-4 traffic. Between the fiery blaze and , music, it was a magical night.
Many guests were staying the night, laying sleeping bags in the grass, or finding shelter on Kim’s floor inside. Some people simply stayed up all night, watching over the flames. The next morning there were muffins and mimosas at sunrise. As the day heated up, the stage tent was turned into a misting parlor to keep cool. I set up an outdoor lounge chair and enjoyed the wet spray. We all chipped in a bit with the basic clean up work but a crew would later rewove all the tables which were rented. The wedding couple had camp in Robert’s van and they looked so happy on their first day as a married couple together.
Guests could take home candles nestled on sand inside mason jars. Each candle had a saying tied to it with a ribbon.
“For small creatures such as we, the vastness is bearable only through love.” – Carl Sagan,
“Have courage to trust love one more time and always one more time.” – Maya Angelou
“Love must be as much a light, as it is a flame.” – Henry David Thoreau
“Come on baby light my fire.” – Jim Morrison
“All you need is love!” – John Lennon