Legends: Local weddings through the ages

Published May 1, 2003 in issue #0217 of the Hook

While today's fashionable Albemarle weddings happen in a humble barn with decidedly unhumble catering (and a bluegrass band), it hasn't always been that way. Charlottesville weddings are the stuff of legend. Let's see how the legends arose:

1970s

 They met: at a macramé class

The ceremony: Humpback Rocks at sunset

She wears: An itsy-bitsy A-line mini and a baby's breath wreath in her hair

He wears: A powder blue tuxedo with five-inch lapels and ruffles.

The song: "We've Only Just Begun" by the Carpenters

The reception: The Gaslight restaurant on West Main

Memorable moment: Finding a bra-less coed powdering her nose

1980s

 They met: at Fellini's restaurant

The ceremony: any big traditional church

She wears: a corseted dress with huge bouffant sleeves and sequins– and very big hair

He wears: a black suit with a 1-inch satin tie and sunglasses

The song: "Time after Time" by Cyndi Lauper

The reception: Fellini's, natch

Memorable moment: Finding an aging stockbroker "powdering" his nose

1990s

 They met: checking their dot-com portfolios at the Mudhouse

The ceremony: 1,000 feet up in a hot air balloon while 350 guests wait below

She wears: an understated Vera Wang sheath with a chic chignon

He wears: an Armani tux

The song: "I Will Always Love You" by Whitney Houston

The reception: Metropolitain

Memorable moment: finding out they're one day too late to sell their shares in Value America