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

 


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