Friends In France, Guests Arriving

In what originally started out as an idea for a small intimate gathering of close friends who enjoy wine to take a trip to join my fiance Helene and me for some wine tasting, trips to wineries and a private ceremony has turned into a major event. I don't know what to say, as this is so typical for every event I ever have taken on. A small idea becomes big, and then becomes huge.

Getting married is an event unto itself. A destination wedding is even more of an event, but to now be playing host to 50 people at dinner and between 30 and 40 people who have traveled from all over the world who are friends of Helene and I is feeling somewhat awe inspiring as we start tonight with a few informal weekend dinners before five events over three day occur.

There has been so much to do, and on top of dealing with the language difference, a hotel that had their broadband hijacked by a tire company conference that presented some challenges--which I worked around, working out wire transfers to pay suppliers, planning ground transportation, arranging for dinner reservations, getting welcome gifts and more. And as expected, there have been a few pleasant surprises.

My winemaker friend Sylvain Fadat, master vigneron and proprietor of Domaine d'Aupilhac, surprised me and told me that the Mayor of Montpeyroux will officiate the wedding. WOW!!! Given this is the first ever wedding in the Le Cocalieres vineyard, a vineyard I have watched my friend convert from a pile of rocks into something very special that is now producing world class wines.

And for those of you who have been asking "are you excited yet?" or "nervous yet?" or "married yet?" the answers are YES...NO...NO...

Comments

[k2]

Best wishes Andy! We are sitting on a deck overlooking a meadow in Breckenridge, Colo. We're sipping ZD Chard (didn't have any white burgundy!!) and are toasting you and your future wife.