Chris and I went to an estate sale last week. He spotted these tablecloths first, and then beckoned me into a room that was filled with Florida souvenirs and flamingos. There must have been at least fifty Florida state plates, along with trays, salt and pepper shakers, signs, glasses, flamingo-shaped cheese spreaders and more. Most of the stuff was not vintage. These were the best of the bunch, and I can't believe they were still at the sale when we got there.
Six 1950's souvenir Florida tablecloths. All in relatively good condition (one has light stains, and one is half-faded).
I bought two of these, one square and one rectangular:
This pink and aqua one is my absolute favorite:
So, what makes this stash of Florida tablecloths so special to me? Especially today?
Chris and I were married in Key West, Florida TEN years ago today!
We picked Key West because we knew that half of our guests were going to have to fly somewhere (since I am from NJ and Chris is from Washington). Neither of us had ever been to Key West before we chose it, but we knew that it was a fun place.
About six months before the wedding, I took trip there with my mom and sister, Heather. That's when we picked out the venues for the ceremony and reception and got to taste all of the yummy food. We kept the wedding party simple. Chris asked his childhood friend, Mark, to be his best man. My sister Erin was my matron of honor, and I told her to wear whatever she wanted. No bridesmaids or groomsmen. Tons of drama averted.
I thought I'd show you some photos, and let you know the Top Ten absolute favorite parts of our wedding experience:
1. The sixty fabulous people who flew from all over the country (including Hawaii!) to attend our wedding. What is the best part of having a destination wedding? Only fun people come to your wedding.
2. The roosters that were casually walking around our ceremony. Instead of "I do", all you could hear was "I cock-a-doodle-do".
3. The Junkanoo band that led our guests from the ceremony at the Audubon House to the reception across the street at the Westin (which was a Hilton when we were there).
4. Our outdoor sunset reception, where the photographer made us take corny photos like this one of us kissing each other through the setting sun.
5. My bright orange and yellow and red flowers.
6. Our big brown wedding cake. We love chocolate and it was our wedding, dammit! White cakes are for wussies.
7. Going out to the bars after the wedding. At Irish Kevin's, the owner/entertainer Kevin recognized me from a few nights earlier during my mini-bachelorette party. He invited us on stage and bought Chris an Irish car bomb (a pint of Guinness with a shot of whiskey dropped into it). I still can't believe he chugged it so fast. Yes, I was still wearing my veil.
8. Honeymooning in Jamaica. We had spent five days in Key West, so we planned a "real" honeymoon without our families in tow. This was the view outside our window: a private island owned by the resort. You had to be nude (or at least topless) to go there. We did not go.
9. My wedding gift for Chris? Binoculars.
10. My husband, who puts up with my nonsense. I love you even though you were trying to look at nude women on our honeymoon. Here's to ten more years! (And maybe some more after that.)
Thanks for sharing! I'm so envious of the Florida find. Happy Anniversary, my husband and I also are celebrating ours today-15 years!
Posted by: Nora | May 18, 2011 at 07:50 AM
ROFL about the binoculars!! I showed my husband and he shrugged and said, "hey, there's naked women there, of course he's going to look!" LOL!!! Looks like a fun wedding!
Posted by: Carmen | May 18, 2011 at 08:57 AM
Great shots, Colleen. Looks like quite the celebraton. Happy Anniversary! And the pink and aqua one is my favorite too.
xoxo
Pam
Posted by: one gal's trash | May 18, 2011 at 10:28 AM
I think my head might have actually exploded had I walked into that estate sale room. Florida and flamingos are 2 of my life-long loves. The tablecloths are wonderful! Happy anniversary!
Posted by: Jenny G. | May 18, 2011 at 02:26 PM
That is crazy, Nora! Happy Anniversary to you!
Posted by: freshvintage | May 18, 2011 at 08:20 PM
Congradulations on TEN years!! You both look just as happy today as yesterday!! And to know how much the both of you accomplished TOGETHER!!
Posted by: Lisa | May 18, 2011 at 09:27 PM
It was an awesome wedding and so much fun! You and Chris looked wonderful and are still the goofiest and funniest couple in the world! Love, Heather
Posted by: Heather | May 19, 2011 at 12:09 PM
Great. I guess that means you'll be keeping those awesome tablecloths all to yourself. Just for that, I'm going to Farm Chicks anyway.
Happy Anniversary!
Posted by: Into Vintage | May 19, 2011 at 03:52 PM
I LOVE LOVE those tablecloths!
Posted by: steff | May 19, 2011 at 06:09 PM
You know I love me some vintage Floridiana. Those tablecloths are delish--and so are the wedding photos. Happy anniversary, happy junking, happy post-rapture.
Posted by: Mary Kay Andrews | May 22, 2011 at 08:17 AM
Beautiful pics. Happy Anniversary :)
Tea
xo
Posted by: Tea | May 23, 2011 at 10:42 AM