Real Wedding: Lil & Rick
Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts
Bagpiper: Anthony Peak, Cake & Catering: Soigne, Coordination & Centerpieces: Wildside, Event Rentals: Tilton Rentals, Floral Design: Flowers by Donaroma's, Invitations: Papers of New Port, Rhode Island
For Lil Province and Rick Anderson, marriage was something that came later in life. The couple had been together for nearly a decade and were in their 50's before they decided it was time to make it official. One winter day while on vacation in the Turks and Caicos islands, the couple spent the afternoon lounging and discussing life. Lil had recently lost a dear friend to illness, and the conversation revolved around how precious and short life is and how fast time goes by. Suddenly Rick turned to Lil, asking if she would marry him. “I was shocked and thought he was kidding, which did not sit well with me,” says Lil. Rick, his blue eyes wide, responded with, “Are you saying no?” And Lil, realizing he meant what he was saying, burst out with a joyous, “No, I’m not saying no — I’m saying yes!” The couple was ecstatic to began the next chapter of their life together as husband and wife.
Since they lived on Martha’s Vineyard year round, Lil and Rick decided to hold their wedding on their property in the fall. Not only was it their favorite time of year, but friends and family were also excited to come to the island at such a beautiful time, without the bother of summer crowds. Lil’s parents had purchased a pondside home on Martha’s Vineyard in 1949, and Lil had spent every summer there as a child. Rick had lived there since 1973, having come to visit a friend in college and never leaving.
Rick, a building preservationist, had built the horse barn on the couple’s property by using an old barn frame from 1790. The couple chose to have their ceremony right at home, in the beautiful barn that Rick had restored with his own hands. As each guest approached the barn, they were handed heather-blue Eryngium wrapped in ribbons in memory of Rick’s father and Lil’s mother and father. Lil had never had any children of her own, so it was important to her that her five godchildren play a big role in the ceremony. She had them all walk down the aisle preceding her, and had her sister and Rick’s grown daughter as her attendants. A close friend, Trip Barnes, performed the ceremony. “I know Rick wanted a very short and concise ceremony,” says Lil. “So I asked my five wonderful nieces and nephews to say a few quick words about the old married couple. They were limited to a minute each, and they were spectacular!”
Lil’s 15-year-old beloved yellow Labrador, Perri, acted as the ring bearer, looking adorable in a floral wreath. “Everyone stood up and clapped when my godson walked her into the barn and down the small aisle,” says Lil, who says one of her favorite moments of the day was when Perri sat on her train with muddy paws — something she will never forget.
At the reception, guests grazed on many delicious appetizers, and Lil’s nephew sang a song with the band as a gift to the newly married couple. It was universally agreed that all the guests had a fantastic time. “It was my first time being married, so at the age of 55, all of my family and friends were thrilled,” says Lil. As a landscape designer, Lil embraced many different textures in the décor, such as metallics, lush grasses, various dark-green metallic feathers, pheasant feathers, Guinea hen feathers, ornamental seed pods, and very subtle hues. Her color palette was an elegant and neutral blend of cream and smoky oyster gray.
Being married at such a special time in their lives has a definite poignancy for this bride and groom, who will always remember that life is too short not to act on true love.