patching...
Breaking: Formica Wins GOP Endorsement For 2nd District Race »
Welcome back, Patch Blogger!

Spandex-Clad Wedding Crashers

From the make-your-own sandwich bar to the antler cake topper, it was all so different and entirely familiar.

 
0 of 0
The cake topper? Antlers from a deer the mother of the groom killed. Adam Coppola. Photo used courtesy of Coppola Photography.
Photos (1)

Photos

The cake topper? Antlers from a deer the mother of the groom killed.

On Friday we got invited to a wedding, four times.

Our first invitation came from the gas station attendant when we told her we'd be camping in the city park the night. She told us about the wedding happening there that afternoon and told us to come by, ensuring us that our bike spandex would be a fine outfit for the wedding.

The second invitation came after we set up our tent and went to see the decorations in the pavilion. One of the bride's brothers told us we were welcome to come, then he introduced us to the bride who graciously extended the invitation again.

The last invitation came from the man on the tractor, driving down the road. He pulled up next to our tent, told us his granddaughter would be singing in the band that night and we should come to the wedding.

After so many invitations, we had to go!

We've already missed a cousin's wedding while on our tour this year and we'll be missing a friend's wedding, too. This wedding doesn't take the place of either of those, but it was nice to see a family getting together to celebrate this occasion.

There may have been just a few differences between this wedding and the weddings we've attended in the past. The groom wearing work boots and denim was a bit different than the tuxedos I've seen back home. The make-your-own sandwich differed slightly from the traditional Connecticut choice of chicken, steak, or fish entrees on a wedding invitation. The cake topper? Antlers from a deer the mother of the groom killed. I have not seen that at weddings in Connecticut.

Opening up your wedding for the entire town to attend might seriously break the bank in Madison, but in Custer, Montana, population 100 on a good day, it was the perfect amount of people.

Inviting the two smelly cyclists who just happen to find a home in the same park you're getting married in that evening is just plain unheard of in Madison.

So even though the wedding itself was different than what we were used to, the smiles on the bride and groom's face, the laughter throughout the night, and the dancing were all the same. We may be 2,125.2 miles away from Madison, but we all know how to have a good time!

Christy and Adam are currently in Montana. To find out more, check out their blog at http://giveabike.blogspot.com/ or their Facebook Page at https:/ /www.facebook.com/giveabike. To see where they are, you can check out this map at Track My Tour. Christy will be writing occasional stories for Patch as she and her husband make their way through the U.S.

Madison Patch is proud to be the Connecticut sponsor for Adam and Christy's trip. If you'd like to sponsor their trip, visit this page on their website.

About this column: Christy Coppola shares stories from the road on her Give A Bike: 50 State Tour with her husband, Adam.

Paul J Coppola

6:54 am on Sunday, July 17, 2011

Sounds like great fun, how do you leave anyone out when you know everyone in town.
Hopefully. Adam put on his Wedding Photographer hat and took lots of pictures!

Reply

Christy Coppola

9:59 am on Sunday, July 17, 2011

Of course he did! He just didn't have the time to get them edited, yet! Good times!

Reply

Alix Boyle

10:17 am on Sunday, July 17, 2011

Christy, I may never physically get to Montana, but feel I've been there thanks to this great piece. Antler cake toppper, LOL.

Reply
Patch_comments_icon

Sarah Page Kyrcz

2:10 pm on Sunday, July 17, 2011

What a fabulous way to celebrate such a joyous occasion. It makes all the extravagant hoopla surrounding weddings ridiculous! Simple, homey and filled with love from family and friends is what makes a wedding special!

Reply

Christy Coppola

2:48 pm on Sunday, July 17, 2011

Sarah! That's exacty our feeling. Although I admit that Adam and I are guilty of all that extravagant hoopla!! Haha! And Alix, so glad you feel that way! It's exactly what I wanted to get across!

Reply

Loree Benjamin Boggess

11:30 pm on Sunday, July 17, 2011

Thanks you so much for staying and celebrating the special day with us! If you are ever in the area again don't hesitate to stop by.

Reply
Patch_comments_icon

Pem McNerney

7:32 am on Monday, July 18, 2011

Loree, congratulations to you and Brad! I wish you both all the best! Your wedding sounds like it was a happy, loving, generous start to your life together.

Reply

Sheryl

7:31 pm on Monday, July 18, 2011

There was some kind of reason that you were there at that time and place. Thank you for the pictures you took and helping my sister and brother inlaw celebrate their special day. You are always welcome in our homes. Thank you again.

Reply

Leave a comment