Maine Wedding Ceremony Officiant 2013 in Review: I closed the year having performed 30 wedding ceremonies and 1 commitment ceremony. Same sex marriages accounted for about one third of the total.
I think if you asked any Maine wedding ceremony officiant, they would tell you that 2013 was a busy year. For me, some ceremonies were very quick and low key, others were large and formal. Most fell somewhere in between. But they were all done flawlessly and I truly enjoyed each and every one of them.
On Christmas Eve I married the last couple of the year. Well, that is unless someone calls with a last minute request for a New Year’s Eve wedding ceremony, which does happen. Anyhow, after a decade together, Carol and Linda decided it was time to tie the knot. Several hurdles threw themselves in the way of carrying out their wedding plans. Amongst other challenges, Linda’s son missed his flight, but caught another one in time. Mother nature threw an ice storm upon us and Linda and Carol lost power, but it came back on just in time. Both work for an electric utility company, and getting out of work in the midst of massive power outages isn’t the easiest stunt to pull off, either. But everything came together and with some flexibility on everyone’s part, the ceremony happened. I came home that evening feeling that all was right in the world, despite the large number of CMP customers who were still without power.
Reflecting upon the year, it sure was an interesting one. With the same sex marriage law passing and taking effect late in 2012, 2013 was the year for Maine couples who had been together for many years to finally marry. This was absolutely, without question, my favorite part of 2013. I met a number of couples who amazed me with their dedication to one another. It was such an honor to make their relationships officially legitimate. So, the first of firsts for 2013 was that I performed my first legal same sex ceremony in 2013. Of course, there had been many commitment ceremonies done before.
I also performed my first marriage ever, sitting down. Tracy and April opted for a casual ceremony at their kitchen table over a cup of coffee. Now that I think about it, I think Tracy was actually standing up. But April and I were sitting. Later on in the year, I married a couple at a little cafe in Gardiner where again, everyone was sitting – and again, over coffee.
Another first? The first ceremony performed in under 15 seconds. After the first, two more followed this year.
Of course, not everyone chooses a quick or casual ceremony. For those who opt for a more formal event, in 2014 a wedding vendor folder for brides in the planning stages will be distributed at Patricia Buck Bridal and The Senator Inn & Spa. Affirmations will be the only Maine marriage officiant featured in the folder, so be sure to look for the ad!
This website, more than a year old at this point is continuing to evolve. I’m hoping to add a calendar/availability feature to it in 2014. I’m also hoping to master SEO (search engine optimization for those of you who are lucky enough to have never dealt with it). A Facebook page was recently established and I’ve not yet put much effort into marketing it…Another item for the bucket list.
Without a doubt, this past year goes in the books as a great year. Here’s hoping for an even better 2014. Cheers!