8/10/13 – Katie and Adam

Posted on

KatieAdam-228

Katie and Adam’s Wedding at Martindale Country Club in Auburn Maine

Together 3 years, Katie and Adam decided it was time to make things official.  So, I had the honor of joining them together on the golf course at Martindale Country Club.

KatieAdam-33Their rehearsal was held on Friday, the evening prior to the big day.  It was a generously sized wedding party (which always keeps an officiant on their toes), so I was really hoping to be able to do a run-through in the actual location the ceremony was to be held.  It had been pouring rain onKatieAdam-386 and off all day but the rain stopped long enough for us to run through the most important parts…Thanks to a bit of cooperation from Mother nature and a “get down to business” kind of group.

Though the weather forecast called for Saturday to be beautiful, I must admit that based on the weather Friday evening, I was beginning to get a little worried for Katie and Adam.  As it turns out, my concerns were completely unnecessary.  When I arrived at the venue on Saturday, the weather was amongst the nicest of days I can recall us having all summer.  And it was most certainly, the absolute perfect weather for an outdoor wedding.  Blue skies, no humidity, not too hot, not too cold and…Very mild, if any, wind.

KatieAdam-159Let me digress for just a moment, here.  Wind.  It’s one of those things that I think about first when it comes to outdoor weddings.  It has the potential to turn a beautiful, peaceful and graceful ceremony into a feat which should be part of the Summer Olympics.

The object would be to see which officiant can manage to hold the pages of their book in place, hand tissues to the bride and groom, hand pages of readings or vows to the couple or other honored speakers, keep their hair out of their eyes, follow the ceremony with their finger (so as not to lose their place), all while taking, holding and passing rings.  And for extra points…Give a candle lighting ceremony a shot.  Of course, I do have a few tricks up my sleeve to wage a war and win against the wind (try to say that three times fast).

Anyhow, thanks for letting me throw that around a bit.  So back to Katie and Adam.  The weather, as I said, was absolutely perfect.  Lucky them. Or, lucky us!

Given that each couple is unique in their situations, I am never surprised when a new idea is introduced by a couple.  This time, Katie and Adam wanted to incorporate a recording of Adam’s mother singing in a church mass.

Sadly, Adam’s mom passed away about 5 years earlier, so this was a fantastic way to honor and include her memory in their ceremony.  I spoke a few words about the contributions Adam’s mother made to this day in her raising of Adam, the significance of including this piece in their ceremony, and then the song began.  It was a powerful moment.  We then lightened things up a bit and the ceremony moved along flawlessly.

I would also add that I was impressed with Ashley Mower of Mower Photography out of Turner, Maine.  She was sweet as can be.  She was also kind enough to share, with Adam and Katie’s permission of course, a number of photos and a DVD of the ceremony.  Credit for all photos on this page go to Ashley.  Please visit Ashley’s website or Facebook page.  Her contact number is (207) 653-5863.

I missed out on watching the wedding party riding golf carts, but thanks to Ashley, I did get to see the pictures.  One of which I found particularly amusing.  Who doesn’t love a beer drinking, golf cart riding bridesmaid?

KatieAdam-246

Katie, Adam, their family, their friends and their vendors really made the day easy and fun for everyone.  Carl Hoffses of The Music Man DJ Service out of Portland provided music during the ceremony and the reception.  He was personable and a pleasure to work with as well.

It was my honor to marry the two of them and they have my wishes for the best-of-the-best in their future together.

KatieAdam-293

 


Abby & Dustin’s Maine Outdoor Wedding Ceremony

Posted on

Maine wedding ceremonyAbby & Dustin’s Maine outdoor wedding ceremony took place in July of 2013.

Abby:  Electrical engineer by day, bartender by night, horse fanatic around the clock.

Dustin:  The one guy who can handle Abby (and that’s a testament straight from Abby’s father).

Abby and Dustin were planning some logistics regarding their wedding ceremony when Abby asked Dustin: “Where do you want to stand?”. Dustin’s response: “Next to you”.  Ahhhhh.  Quick wit at it’s best.

The ceremony took place in the morning under an arbor on the lawn where Abby grew up (with an impressive view I might add).  Abby actually wrote the entire ceremony herself and included a hand ceremony.  About two weeks before the wedding, she decided it was “Too much, too much!”, and sent a revised copy which was significantly shorter, and absolutely perfect. The girl knows what she wants!

Abby and Dustin sent along a couple of photos to share.  Credit goes to Heather Sparrow Photography. Heather did a spectacular job of capturing the love between them, and their personalities really shine through. Congratulations Mr and Mrs Gray – And a sincere thanks for allowing me to be a part of such a special milestone.

 

 

Maine wedding ceremony


3/25/13 – Red Sox Fans Unite!

Posted on

Red Sox Fans Marry in Maine

Photo Credit:  Bonnie Harrison Photography

When I look back upon the weddings I’ve performed, one in particular stands out.  Far out.

Marty and Jerry planned a May 2011 wedding at a gorgeous waterfront “cottage” on Barters Island.  Cottage it was not, but here in Maine we use that term to describe any residence located close enough to the ocean to smell salt water.  The gently sloping lawn leading to the water and the grounds around the cottage were beautiful.  I’m still not certain that I didn’t see it on the cover of Better Homes and Gardens.  The atmosphere was relaxed and offered the much sought after feel of Maine’s slower pace of life.

Before I go further, I should provide a bit of background.  I did my meet and greet with Marty and Jerry at Marty’s office, after she was off the clock, of course!  They finished each others sentences, gazed adoringly at one another, engaged in affectionate teasing, and laughed.  A lot.  The chemistry between them was magnificent.

While they were dating, Jerry had gone out of state for schooling in the marine industry.  Over the course of that year, they saw eachother only once or twice.  Upon Jerry’s return, life moved forward and they began planning their wedding, which by the way was a green wedding – kudos to them, right?!

So, back to the cottage.  Chairs facing the water were set up for the guests, a simple white wooden arbor in place.  You’ll notice the arbor has a compass on its front.  The compass is a meaningful symbol to Jerry and Marty because as Jerry said: “Marty is my compass, she is always guiding me in the right direction”.  Don’t you just love Jerry already?

Katie Daggett, a local musician, entertained guests while they waited for the wedding party to arrive.  I led the guys to the arbor and into their places and we waited for Marty to arrive, escorted down the aisle by her step-dad.  Marty’s brother was her “Gentleman of Honor”.

You might have guessed already that Marty and Jerry march to the beat of their own drum (and a fine drum I might add – honestly, they are exceptionally great people).  So, Marty had no intention of walking down the aisle to Wagner’s Bridal Chorus or Canon in D Major.  Instead, she privately arranged for Katie to play a song near and dear to her heart during her entrance.  The song was kept secret from all.

As Marty and her step-father appeared and began their descent down the hill where Marty was to meet her groom, Katie began playing the most fabulous and soft rendition of Sweet Caroline.  Yes, the Mister and Misses are Red Sox fans.  There wasn’t one face on that lawn without a great big, wide grin.

Now, you don’t have to know a thing about baseball to know what you’re supposed to do in the northeast when Sweet Caroline is being played…Even if it’s during a wedding ceremony.

So, as Marty stood before me and Katie plucked the chorus, the bride, the groom, the men standing up with them, their parents, all the guests (and yes, even their officiant) all chimed in as if on cue to supplement the chorus with:  “Bum Bum Bum!” and “So good, so good, so good!”

You just can’t plan a moment like this.  A goosebumps on your arms, all over body tingle, hair standing up on the back of your neck, lump in your throat moment.

And as for Marty and Jerry?  Life continues to move forward.  Forward in the kind of way that I’m willing to bet that somewhere around their house at this very moment, you’d find a tiny pastel pink Red Sox hat.  And likely a matching jersey, too.


2/16/13 – Mark and Nikki

Posted on

Maine elopement

I absolutely love the opportunity to step outside of the norm, so I was very excited when Mark and Nikki asked me to perform their outside wedding last weekend.

We are fortunate here in Maine to have seasons which change the look and feel of the landscape every few months.  Why shouldn’t we take advantage of that?  I also appreciate winter fashion, and it was refreshing to see a bride dressed in a white coat and boots instead of a white dress and heels.  So New England, so winter, so casually classy! Maine elopement ceremonies

The weather stations predicted a “dusting” of snow for that morning.  Of course, anyone who has spent a winter or two in Maine knows that a “dusting” isn’t always as innocent as it sounds.  In a perfect world, a dusting would drop just enough fresh snow to cover the old, with no accumulation on the roadways.  In which case, Mark and Nikki would be able to count on a spectacular backdrop for wedding photos.

Lo and behold, we were given precisely the dusting I had hoped for Nikki and Mark.  Mother Nature also raised the temperature to an enjoyable thirty-something.  Now, thirty-something may seem cold to some, but in my opinion, it’s perfect.  With temps in the thirties, you have rosy cheeks without shivering, and nature in its purest form (and the lack of black flies?  BIG bonus!!!!!).  It’s the best of both worlds, truly.

So, the wedding was to take place in Hallowell at Vaughan Woods (or Hobbit Land as the locals know it) on the bridge below the falls of Cascade Pond and over Vaughan Brook.  I could attempt to describe what a gorgeous place this is, but the photos do it far more justice.Maine wedding ceremony

I should mention that Mark and Nikki arranged this ceremony quietly and kept their plans a secret from all but their closest family which turned out to include ten people.  And what a fun ten they were!  The group met at the trailhead and made the short trek along the path to the bridge.

Mark and Nikki took the liberty not only to write their own vows, but their entire ceremony.  The opening words were wonderful and I can’t help but share them below.

The plan to marry is a tough secret to keep and so immediately following the ceremony, there was a bit of buzz about revealing to extended family and friends that the knot had been tied.

On the walk out of the woods, we noticed a tree to the right of the trail with a large red heart painted on it.  Because it was facing the opposite direction on the way in, we all missed it.  But on the way out, there it was, blatant and obviously calling for Mark and Nikki to stand alongside it for photos.Maine marriage officiant

The day was filled with much love, laughter, excitement and playfulness.  You just can’t ask for more.

Love is the reason we are here.  In marriage we not only say, “I love you today”, but also, “I promise to love you for all of our tomorrows.” 

Congratulations and best of luck to Mark and Nikki.  May you enjoy many more tomorrows.

Maine marriage

 

 

Jessica Parker at Delightfully Inspired Photography in Portland takes credit for these wonderful photos.  

Email:  jessparkerphotography@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

 


12/12/12 – Todd & Dulcey

Posted on

Hallowell Maine wedding

 (Photography credit:  Kara Waller)

It is always a pleasure to perform a wedding in Hallowell, where I was raised.  So I was thrilled when Todd and Dulcey asked me to officiate at their Hallowell Maine wedding in June at a restaurant called Joyce’s on Water Street.  If you’ve never visited, Hallowell is a personable little city (yes, it’s a city and not a town) with tons of historic charm and colorful residents.

Todd and Dulcey were a couple a long time in the making.  They didn’t start dating until quite some time after they met.  Turns out, the two were smitten with eachother after their first and very brief encounter.  Shortly before the wedding, I overheard Todd tell a friend he wished he had met Dulcey twenty years sooner.  Fast forward to June…

Joyce’s features a large patio which overlooks the Kennebec River.  Todd and Dulcey opted to hold their ceremony and reception here.  Guests witnessed the ceremony from their tables and were allowed access throughout the entire restaurant, though the patio was reserved for wedding guests only.

A fence and gate on the Water Street side made for the perfect entryway for the bridal party’s entrance directly onto the patio and straight down the aisle.  Pre-ceremony photos of the bridal party lining up on Hallowell’s quaint and picturesque Water Street are a must!

Local musician Dana Kelley strummed an original song as Dulcey made her entrance, escorted by her two sons.

In addition to exchanging vows and rings, the couple also exchanged self expressions during the ceremony.  When it was Dulcey’s turn to read hers, she reached down into the bustline of her dress to retrieve the words she had written.  It was quite unexpected.  Not every bride could pull off a move like that.  But Dulcey certainly did and it was hilarious.

Hallowell Maine wedding ceremony

Post-ceremony photos were taken with the river as a backdrop.  Though the weather forecast threatened rain on this day, it held off.  Mother Nature seems to have a knack for knowing when to be kind.  Todd and Dulcey honeymooned in the Bahamas.  Despite my pleadings, I didn’t get to go.  They came back with fabulous tans…Except for that one little spot which remained white on their left ring fingers.

Hallowell Maine wedding