Chris and Ann's Wedding, The Ocean Edge Resort and Golf Club, Brewster, MA

Chris and Ann and their guests experienced a beautiful wedding service against the backdrop of the magnificent old Linden tree at the Ocean Edge Resort in Brewster, Massachusetts.

Though the weather was hot and humid, the tree provided some shade and gentle breezes as their family and friends congregated on the velvety green lawn and watched Chris and Ann share their custom vows.

All was progressing smoothly, with Ann's dad walking his beloved daughter across the mansion's lawn to the tree's natural altar, kissing his daughter with affection and shaking hands with his soon to be son-in-law. The bridesmaids looked on with tearful smiles as they witnessed this loving exchange; birds chirped in the background as if to sing their praises for this festive event.

As an officiant, there are moments when the service does not go exactly as planned, and Chris and Ann's wedding was no exception in this regard. For the exchanging of the rings, I guide the couple with kind direction about placing the ring onto the finger of their partner in matrimony.

It was precisely when I told Ann to place the ring onto Chris' finger that I realized that Chris' hand was shaking such that Ann could not place the ring onto his ring finger, though she was trying with all her might. When I noticed this challenge, I broke out of my script and lightheartedly commented that this had not happened before! The humor was just the special relief that this couple needed; Ann's head went back as she appreciated the comic aspect of her dilemma and Chris joined along with her in laughing, too. Together, a wave of laughter erupted amongst family and friends, all showing love and support for this very excitedly nervous groom!

With rings exchanged, I then pronounced Chris and Ann to be "husband and wife" for the first time. Amidst cheers and applause, they recessed down the aisle as the DJ played, "It's A Beautiful Day" by U2.

Indeed, it's a beautiful day when I am blessed to marry such a lovely, fun couple. May you always love one another, sharing laughter with a heartiness and a sincerity that spreads joy and light wherever you go.

Congratulations to Chris and Ann! I wish you soft breezes and birdsong for all of your days!

Stefan and Lindsay's Wedding, Willowbend Country Club, Mashpee, MA

Stefan and Lindsay, their family and friends enjoyed a perfect Cape Cod wedding under the

tent of the prestigious, private club at the Willowbend Country Club in Mashpee, Massachusetts.

The celebratory peal of the bagpiper entertained the guests as they assembled, its musician playing from amidst the flowers of the meadow. And as an encore, the live band of "Pulse of Boston" accompanied the bride and her dad for the processional. All the while, I could see Lindsay and her dad in the distance, whispering and smiling as they walked, as two who shared a special, delightful secret that only dads and their daughters can hold. I imagined for a moment his whispering in her ear that she will always be his little girl, and that he wished her happiness in her new life with Stefan. One will never know but they, however he looked so honored to be giving her away on her special wedding day.

There were special readings from family and friends and wedding vows and rings exchanged with heartfelt spoken sentiments. The big moment came when I announced Stefan and Lindsay to be "husband and wife". Amongst loud applause from their guests, Stefan and Lindsay recessed down the aisle whereupon Stefan helped Lindsay with gentlemanly care into their special coach, a golf cart, as if it were a knight's chariot.

Waves and well wishes were expressed as Stefan drove his lovely bride up the hill. The bagpiper was piping, the relatives and friends were clapping, and the trees swung softly in the light breeze.

Congratulations to Stefan and Lindsay! Your lovely, gracious personalities are such that you suit one another to a tee. I wish you fair days and smiles, and happy memories for a lifetime shared together!

Jim and Karen's Wedding, Hemisphere Restaurant, Sandwich, MA

A gorgeous day on the oceanfront of Hemisphere restaurant in Sandwich, MA is a favorite

place for Jim and Karen to marry. And what a beautiful day we had yesterday, with high tide ushering in the beautiful sea. Family and friends embraced in a half circle this lovely couple as I opened up this intimate service on the beach with its home-made trellis of ivy and lilies.

Guitarists strummed and sang selected songs and serenaded Karen and her sons down nature's aisle to the sounds of Elvis Presley's, "Love Me Tender":

Love me tender,

Love me sweet,

Never let me go.

You have made my life complete,

And I love you so.

Love me tender,

Love me true,

All my dreams fulfilled.

For my darlin I love you,

And I always will.

Love me tender,

Love me long,

Take me to your heart.

For it's there that I belong,

And we'll never part.

Love me tender,

Love me dear,

Tell me you are mine.

I'll be yours through all the years,

Till the end of time.

Karen and Jim exchanged vows, rings, and their wedding kiss in a most simple and loving ceremony by the sea. Their sand ceremony included they and their 8 family members, symbolizing the combining of two families into one; how meaningful given the word hemisphere means one half of the celestial sphere as divided by any of various great circles, such as the equator.

On this beautiful beach by the sea, Karen and Jim grew their family circle as they exchanged wedding rings, thereby embracing all of their children with their united love.

Much joy, love and happiness to you both, till the end of time!

Holly and Kelly's Wedding, The Captain Linell House, Orleans, MA

What a beautiful couple I married this day at the Captain Linnell House in Orleans, MA. Though it was a typical

Cape Cod foggy, rainy day outside, the sun was shining inside as Holly and Kelly exchanged custom vows, rings, and promises of eternal love together under their chupah of the grande ball room.

Kelly was a little nervous at the beginning of this ceremony, which is not uncommon for a bride. She asked me upon arrival to their custom chupah if she could hold

Holly's hands, to which I said, "Of course you can!" She then announced to me and the entire entourage of family and friends, "I've never done this before!" to which everyone enjoyed a good laugh together, and from that point on, all became lighthearted and relaxed. I truly enjoy the humor and love that permeates a room when such serendipitous happenings occur - wedding services bring out the best in all of us.

There were tearful, heartfelt readings from Kelly's sisters, too. It was obvious that Kelly and her sisters are very close and the message of love between sisters was very touching, punctuated by an occasional tear. What a wonderful family!

The culmination of the service was Holly's "breaking of the glass", a jewish wedding tradition whereby the groom steps on a pouch containing a glass. This symbolic action represents that the marriage will last as long as the glass is broken - forever. All of the guests then shout "Mazel Tov!" meaning "good luck".

Captured in the photo above is the joy and excitement on Kelly's face and the complete satisfaction and victory on Holly's face immediately following his breaking the glass perfectly!

Mazel Tov!

Kevin and Jessica's Wedding, The Crosby Mansion, Brewster, MA

What a beautiful sunny day on the lawn of the majestic Crosby Mansion in Brewster. The family and friends enjoyed a perfect view of this lovely couple exchanging their vows in front of this famous sea captain's style historical victorian home.

Kevin and Jessica exchanged custom written vows to one another. Kevin promised Jessica that he would accompany her in "watching girlie movies", amongst other humorous and also, very touching promises. Once Kevin finished speaking his vows, it was Jessica's turn. Emotionally brought to tears, Jessica began to cry, to which Kevin reached up and gently caressed Jessica's face in a spontaneous gesture of love.

All was not tearful, however. As we approached the point in the service where I ask the best man for the rings, there seemed to be a pause . . . was the best man fumbling in his pockets because he'd lost the rings? Thoughts of what to do began to enter my mind. Within a moment, each groomsman was subsequently searching his pockets, going down the line. Pictured here are Jessica and Kevin and me laughing once we realized the trick was on us! Fortunately, all was in good fun, and the bride and groom were married, with rings, kisses and huge smiles.

Congratulations Kevin and Jessica! It was a beautiful day on the lawn of the Crosby Mansion, and I feel honored to have presided over your wedding service.

For many years to come, I envision that you will joyfully recall your special day when family, friends, and yes, even I were thinking,

"Got Rings?"

Kyle and Kimberly's Wedding, The Falmouth Yacht Club, Falmouth, MA

One could not have ordered such a beautiful day for a beach wedding in Falmouth Heights overlooking the sea. The sun shone, smiles were on the faces of all in attendance as

well as passers by, and ships blew their horns in recognition of this couple's special wedding day!

A soft cape cod breeze caressed the shoreline as Kimberly and Kyle stood together holding hands, turning to loved ones and one another with expressions of joy and anticipation on their faces. Though the waves could be heard curling onto the beach behind me and pleasure boats sped by us, the sounds of the beautiful vows spoken by this lovely couple to one another rang across the sand to the overhead patio of the Falmouth Yacht Club where members enjoyed a perfect view.

Special custom readings were given for this special occasion, followed by hugs and kisses at the altar. What a loving, memorable wedding this was on memorial day weekend on Cape Cod. Family and friends, as well as friendly onlookers watched as I pronounced Kimberly and Kyle to be "husband and wife".

The music of "Walking On Sunshine" by Katrina and the Waves lyrics then serenaded Kyle and Kimberly as they danced down the aisle. Kyle then scooped his beautiful bride up like an Olympian figure skater, twirling her into the most graceful punctuation moment for the crowd to see, singing along with the music,

"I feel the love, I feel the love, I feel the love that's really real

I feel the love, I feel the love, I feel the love that's really real

I'm on sunshine baby oh

I'm on sunshine baby oh

I'm walking on sunshine wooah

I'm walking on sunshine wooah

I'm walking on sunshine wooah

and don't it feel good!!

I'll say it again now

and don't it feel good!!"

Congratulations to Kyle and Kimberly! Keep walking on sunshine!

Christopher and Jennifer's Wedding, The Ocean Edge Resort, Brewster, MA

What a beautiful day to begin the Memorial Day weekend! Jennifer and Christopher

were so thrilled to be married on the expansive front lawn of the Ocean Edge mansion in Brewster. The wind whipped across the hill overlooking the ocean and embraced this lovely couple with a signature Cape Cod wedding, complete with the smell of salty spring air and the sounds of seagulls squawking from the heights above their wedding altar.

Jennifer and Christopher performed a simple, yet meaningful sand ceremony whereby the mothers participated in decanting the sand into the elegant glass vase, followed by the couple pouring their respective viles of sand into the same vase, signifying the joining of both families' histories into one.

The dj had special music Christopher had arranged for this occasion; everything from Star Wars to classical symphonies drifted amongst their family and friends. The backdrop of the stately stone mansion added to the ambiance of this beautiful wedding.

Jennifer and Christopher exchanged rings as they spoke their marriage vows to one another - punctuated with both tears and laughter, they and their families celebrated together their new union as "husband and wife".

Congratulations Christopher and Jennifer! May your days together be filled with love and laughter as I witnessed today during your beautiful ceremony by the sea. Fair winds!