At
the wedding of
Linda Ann Laflamme & Michael Joseph Haran
By Jennie Reed
Linda Ann Laflamme
and Michael Joseph Haran were married in midsummer
in the picturesque verdant gardens of Calemigos Ranch
in the mountains of Malibu, California.
The bride is the daughter of Terry Ann Palacios Smith
of Laredo. Her father is Bill Laflamme of Falbrook,
California. She is the granddaughter of Mary Dorothy
Foster Palacios and the late Webb County Judge Carlos
I. Palacios of Laredo and the late Col. Ernest Laflamme
and Lina Laflamme of New Hampshire. The groom's parents
are Jerry and Leona Haran of Boston, Massachusetts.
The bride was given in marriage by her uncle Edward
Foster of Laredo, representing her family. Maid of
honor was Camille Whitworth. bridesmaid was her cousin
Rosanne Palacios. best man was Jeffrey Gaughan and
the groomsmen were the groom's brothers, Jerry Haran,
Jr. and Joe Haran.
The wedding took place at dusk amidst a setting of
waterfalls, floral gardens, and twinkling lights.
Fresh rose petals were strewn on the lawn leading
to the altar. An arbor of ferns, roses, and other
fresh flowers framed the altar area. A string quartet
played classical music during the ceremony.
The bride was radiant in an ivory silk strapless gown
with full skirt featuring side flounces caught up
with roses and ribbons that also crisscrossed the
back. Her flowing veil was held with a tiara. She
carried a bouquet of vibrant red roses.
The bride's attendants' bouquets were of varying hues
of hydrangeas, peonies, and roses. This floral theme
was carried out throughout.
The reception was also held on the lush grounds of
the estate. A seated dinner was served on the deck
overlooking the garden area. Each table was centered
with a basket of floral arrangements and greenery.
Guests were seated at beautifully appointed tables
identified by delicate silver frames which contained
handwritten quotes from the wedding vows.
Place cards marked each guest's place. All were delighted
to find special gifts from the nuptial couple. In
lovely hand-sewn bags tied with satin ribbons, was
a personalized CD, with an impromtu photo of Linda
and Mike in a tango pose. The CD contained some of
the couple's favorite selections. Another bag contained
a silver heart-shaped wine stopper.
Guests dined on a five-course gourmet meal prepared
in the typical California cuisine tradition. The happy
couple led their guests in a delightful evening of
camaraderie, music, and dancing as family and friends,
old and new, came together in celebration and good
wishes for the happy pair. The music of the band had
young and old dancing the night away.
Over fifty guests attended, arriving from coast to
coast. The groom's parents, family and many old friends
flew in from Boston, Pennsyl-vania, and Florida. Laredo
family and friends included the bride's mother, Edward
and Magda Foster, Rosanne Palacios, Mark and Chantal
Cantu, and Barry and Jennie Reed. Former Laredoans
included Camille Whitworth, Darla Deats, Michael Richards,
Rod and Loli deLlano. and Todd Freed, as well as longtime
friends Dianne Chino and Sandy Maruca. Also present
was the bride's first cousin Gary Miles and his wife
Kim, of San Francisco.
The couple is now
residing in Newport Beach, California.
The Wedding of
Linda LaFlamme & Michael Joseph Haran
June 27, 2003
The Gardens of Celemigos Ranch o Malibu, California
