A Southern Italian Wedding, 5

Just one last look at the star of the show: the bride. Isn't she lovely?

A Southern Italian Wedding, 4

Food and eating are an important part of everyday life and any social gathering in southern Italy. At a wedding reception, the meal becomes the central event that all other activities revolve around.

The bride and groom were very concerned about accomodating all of their guests' particular food needs, so several different variations on the menu were provided. There was a children's menu for the kids, cooked mollusks for those who don't eat raw mollusks (a delicacy here), special dishes for the diabetics, and, since I am intolerant to gluten and lactose, a special meal for me. The headwaiter introduced himself immediately and told (ordered!) me not to eat anything that had not been served to me directly from his hands!

When I saw Mario, the man in today's photo, making mozzarella from scratch I had to go meet him and take his photo. He assured me that I could eat his cheese because he cooked it at 90° celcius which, apparently, destroys the lactose. When it was ready, he personally brought me the first dish of tiny knots of exquisitely delicious - and fresh - mozzarella. Unfortunately, my personal waiter saw me eating it and threw a fit...he went directly over to Mario and scolded him! It was like having a food bodyguard...ready to fight for my digestive system!

In the end, we got the misunderstanding worked out. But, my waiter remained ever-vigilant...all the way up to the cutting of the cake, when he brought me my own special slice of no-gluten, no-lactose cake!

A Southern Italian Wedding, 3

Dressing to the nines is the rule at your southern Italian wedding...

High heels and elegant dresses for the women; suits and ties for the men...despite the fact that it was 115° in the shade and air-conditioning is merely a dream for the most part around here.

At least some people were cooler than others...

A Southern Italian Wedding, 2

One of the rare moments during the day when the cameras were not pointed directly at the bride and groom! There were two official photographers and one video guy recording every single moment of the big day.

A Southern Italian Wedding

Yesterday I spent the day at the wedding of two dear friends. And when I say "I spent the day," I mean *all* day. The ceremony in church started at 11 a.m. and ended around 1 p.m. The wedding party then moved to La Perla del Doge (click on the name for more photos and info), a wedding reception hall on the sea.

The aperitifs began at 1:30 on the roof terrace and continued until about 3 p.m. We then all moved down into a different room where appetizers were served. Three first courses (pasta, rice, etc.) were served, then lobster, followed by sorbet, then two meat courses. All of this eating was broken up by dancing and various photo opportunities.

Just when everyone felt they could eat no more...we were guided down to another terrace, this time on the sea, where the wedding cake, a dessert buffet, after-dinner drinks and cigars were served. During this phase, we were entertained by the bride and groom arriving "by sea" on an elaborately decorated rowboat and, later, fireworks. Then more dancing.

The party was still in full swing at 11 p.m. when my family and I left...exhausted!

p.s. Yesterday was the first anniversary of Molfetta Daily Photo! I just realised now!