The forest, hunting and a southern plantation inspired the theme for Jennifer Murphy and Carl E. Findley III's Dec. 15 wedding reception at The US Grant. The well-traveled, academic couple followed their winter wedding with a honeymoon in Canada.
AUSTRIAN HISTORY UNITED: Jennifer and Carl met in 2006 in an Austrian history class at the University of Chicago. Jennifer, now 26, got her Master of Art degree in modern European intellectual and cultural history from the university. Carl, now 31, is working on a Ph.D. in comparative literature within the committee on social thought there. Shortly after the couple met, Carl went on a dissertation fellowship to Berlin. The beginning of their relationship was spent writing letters back and forth. When Carl returned to the United States, he went home to Georgia. “I grew up on a quail plantation,” Carl said. His family still lives on that plantation in Sylvester, Ga. Jennifer spent last summer there with Carl and his family and, while there, she learned how to hunt, and developed an appreciation for the abundant oak trees on property. She also received quite the surprise: a proposal.
INSPIRATION OF THE PLANTATION: The couple, who live in Chicago, chose San Diego for their wedding destination because this is where Jennifer grew up, and her family lives here. Jennifer and Carl called upon Tiffany Cannis Events to help them find a venue – The US Grant – and to execute their vision of having a ceremony anchored on tradition, and a reception inspired by the plantation Carl grew up on, the warm ambience of a manor house, castles they've visited abroad and vegetation found on the forest floor. “We love trees – we study about trees,” Carl said. “It was important to both of us to have trees native of Georgia and California.” Getting married during a cold month was also a must. “I couldn't stand the idea of being hot in a wedding gown,” Jennifer said. “We love winter.”
LET THERE BE MUSIC: The couple were married at Christ Church in Coronado. Jennifer's Catholic background and Carl's Episcopalian upbringing were represented through the readings and music. “Ave Maria” and various southern hymns were played. The reception was set to classical, French and jazz tunes.
PALATIAL DINING IN A FOREST: During dinner, all 115 guests sat at two giant feasting tables. Family was at one table and friends sat at the other. The couple, who sat at a small table between the large tables, took special care in placing each guest according to who they thought would share the most memorable conversations. Each section of each table was named after trees native of Southern California and Georgia. The tree names were written in Latin and English. Mushrooms, moss, succulents, jojoba pods and antlers decorated the table tops, which were covered by black brocade cloths. Eight-foot-tall twisted juniper trees, which were placed around the room, created shadows on the ceiling. The hearty and comforting meal complemented the atmosphere. Each course – shrimp with a sweet and spicy corn puree, wild mushroom and truffle bisque, and filet mignon with a shiitake mushroom sauce and mashed potatoes – was paired with a suitable wine.
PASSING OF THE BOOT: Many couples perform what's known as the “money dance,” where guests give the bride and groom money in exchange for a dance. In lieu of that, Jennifer and Carl “passed the boot” during the reception. Jennifer used an Italian boot, while Carl used his cowboy boot for the ritual.
FIVE FEET OF SNOW: The well-traveled couple selected two places they'd never been before – Quebec City and Montreal – for their honeymoon. Because there was 5 feet of snow on the ground, the couple remained indoors for most of their Canadian adventure. They stayed at little inns, drank fine wines and explored the culinary delights of the region.
If you would like to talk about the planning and outcome of your wedding, please contact Nicole Reino at nicole.reino@uniontrib.com.
