Bradley and Amanda's Wedding, The Seaview Restaurant/Resort, Dennis, MA

Again we had a scorcher of a day for a wedding ceremony, but nothing could diminish the smiles and excitement of Bradley, Amanda and their family and friends! The beach opposite the beautiful Seaview Restaurant in Dennis, MA, offered a gentle off-shore breeze, happy beach goers and and the sounds of gentle waves in the distance. Wooden benches and a beautiful flowered trellis created this natural altar by the sea.

There were moments that were highlighted with humor, too! One of the groomsmen carried a baby boy for the service; as they processed up the sandy aisle, the boy's pacifier fell out of his mouth, into the sand. Pictured here is the outcome of that most unfortunate event for this child. We all laughed in recognition of the human condition that we all share - not all goes as we plan. He did recover quite quickly, however, and he was smiling and happy within a few minutes.

Amanda was walked down the beach and up the aisle with her dad and her beloved dog. The dog's collar was adorned with beautiful flowers that matched those of the wedding party. All was very cheery and happy on this special day.

Beach goers looked on as Brad and Amanda shared their custom vows and their relatives gave special readings for their wedding day.

Back at the reception hall, Brad and Amanda had custom nautical photo pillows laid upon a white Adirondack chair. Black markers graced the arm of this chair, and pictured here is mom and dad's first message to this newly wedded couple: Dear Amanda and Brad, Laughter, happiness, & health always. Lots of Love, Mom &Dad.

I could not have said it better. Congratulations to Brad and Amanda!

Mike and Stacie's Wedding, The Chatham Bars Inn, Chatham, MA

Most days have been quite hot for a wedding, though the fog bank that came through just prior to Mike and Stacie's wedding service overlooking the ocean gave us all a little breather. People congregated on the hill of Shore Road overlooking the trellis and lush green lawn adjacent to the boat house; people watched from above, enjoying the celebration of love that Stacie, Mike and their families and friends were to share.

Stacie was guided down the hill by her dad, and they talked comfortably as they walked, moving together as the onlookers smiled. All was beautiful for this lovely couple at the Chatham Bars Inn.

The sun shone through as the fog lifted during Mike and Stacie's ceremony. In a humorous moment, Mike expressed his undying devotion to Stacie by saying, "I will always be there for you!" to which a seagull squawked enthusiastically nearby, punctuating Mike's vow with an exclamation mark! Their family, friends, and even we were taken aback and laughed at the spontaneous outburst of our gull friend. It appeared that all were impressed with Mike's commitment, including our gull guest.

Congratulations Mike and Stacie! May your days be filled with sunshine and cool, gentle breezes, and may you indeed always be there for one another in love, humor and joy!

Tim and DeAnna's Wedding, The Captain's House Inn, Chatham, MA

On the lush green lawn of the stately Captain's House Inn, Chatham, Tim and DeAnna experienced a private, intimate wedding for two.

He in his tuxedo and she in her elegant white wedding gown stood under the shelter of a sugar maple tree, the birds

singing as they exchanged rings and their custom vows to one another.

This lovely couple had traveled from Colorado to share their special wedding nuptials this 4th of July holiday week. Each performed the symbolic sand ceremony whereby they both decant the sand in their individual glass vases into one receptacle, thereby signifying the union of their separate lives and histories into a new, unified whole.

The site of the Captain's House Inn is exquisite, bringing one back to another age when this Cape Cod bed and breakfast started out as the grand home of Captain Harding, a well-known sea captain from Chatham, his wife Lydia, and their nine children. Many of the rooms are named after his daughters (Eliza Jane, Mariah, Hope and Hannah Rebekah) and some of the ships he and his son, Joseph, captained (Whirlwind, Wild Hunter and Northern Light).

Currently owned and managed by proprietors Jill and James Meyer, couples can arrange for their special "elopement package", complete with beautiful accommodations, photography, champagne, salon services, elegant food and all of the romantic touches one can desire for an intimate wedding by the sea.

Tim told me that he'd met DeAnna in college in Colorado, she living their freshman year in a dormitory 3 doors down from his room. One could only surmise that yes, there is a certain destiny in such apparently happenstance occurrences, where love blooms for a lifetime of shared companionship, commitment, joy, and support. DeAnna and Tim chose to begin their journey as married partners in this simple yet elegant service by the sea.

Congratulations Tim and DeAnna! Here's a wedding toast for you, befitting such a lovely couple!

A Windsong

As you set sail for new horizons

May a brisk fair wind be with you

May your journey provide that mixture of

Joy, contentment, love and excitement

That gives rise to zestful anticipation

Of new adventures together.

May you cheerfully weather

the unavoidable storms together

And steer as clear of all obstacles

As the currents allow

May God Bless and keep you

Bon Voyage

Ray Paquette 1984

Mark and Lindsey's Wedding, The Ocean Edge Resort and Golf Club, Brewster, MA

To say it was a hot day to be married this July 4th weekend would be an understatement... all in attendance waited for the ceremony to commence within the air-conditioned foyer of the estate's main mansion, sipping ice tea, lemonade, soda and water. In all, the pre-ceremony atmosphere was lighthearted and relaxed, all of us grateful for the estate's cool, comfortable shelter.

When all was ready to begin, all gathered gratefully beneath the shade of the majestic Linden tree that graces the expansive lawn of the Ocean Edge Resort in Brewster, MA. Lindsey was walked across the lawn by her father accompanied by the classical music of the harp, and they both spoke as they processed, father and daughter sharing a last minute conversation as she gracefully walked up the green lawn's aisle to the natural altar of the beautiful old Linden tree.

Bridesmaids stood and observed in light purple dresses their friends' custom written nuptials; Mark and Lindsey in their own special world, oblivious to the heat of the day. It was only when they were to exchange rings that the humidity impacted their vows; it took an extra few seconds for the wedding rings to fit onto Lindsey and Mark's fingers, but they laughed together in spite of this challenge. All was lovely in the shade of the Linden tree, our new best friend.

After exchanging rings and sharing their custom vows, I announced to Mark that he may "kiss the bride" and amongst smiles and cheers, I introduced them as "husband and wife" for the first time.

As I reflect on their wedding ceremony, the significance of the Linden tree comes to mind. The poet, Wilhelm Muller, who wrote the poem, "The Linden Tree" describes a wintry day, however, the theme of the peace exchanged from this tree to he in a sacred encounter, closely expresses the peace and love we felt emanating from the Linden tree of the Ocean Edge Resort during this lovely couple's special wedding ceremony:

At wellside, past the ramparts,

there stands a linden tree.

While sleeping in its shadow,

sweet dreams it sent to me.

And in its bark I chiseled

my messages of love:

My pleasures and my sorrows

were welcomed from above.

Today I had to pass it,

well in the depth of night -

and still, in all the darkness,

my eyes closed to its sight.

Its branches bent and rustled,

as if they called to me:

Come here, come here, companion,

your haven I shall be!

The icy winds were blowing,

straight in my face they ground.

The hat tore off my forehead.

I did not turn around.

Away I walked for hours

whence stands the linden tree,

and still I hear it whisp'ring:

You'll find your peace with me!

Congratulations Mark and Lindsey! May you experience love, peace and gentle cooling breezes for all of your days together as husband and wife!

Tim and Mandy's Wedding, The Old Sea Pine Inn, Brewster, MA

Mandy and Tim were so happy to have the perfect weather for their lovely, intimate wedding ceremony in the garden of Brewster's Old Sea Pine Inn. For the holiday weekend, friends and relatives all congregated with such enthusiasm for this beautiful couple.

Dressed in pink, the bridesmaids were so happy for their wonderful friend, Mandy, who exuded such grace and charm as her dad walked her down the aisle graced by lovely flowers, trees and vines.

Having met at St. Anselm's College, friends of Tim and Mandy celebrated together the culmination of such intimate friendships begun on this college campus five years ago as freshmen. Mandy and Tim were so excited to express their love for one another in this victorian-style garden on Cape Cod. Readers such as their friend, Holly, expressed sentiments of love and the meaningfulness of marriage and a DJ played selected songs as Mandy was escorted by her proud dad to the altar. All was a perfect day for such a happy couple!

My wife, Lianne, was so pleased to capture the moment just prior to their first kiss as husband and wife; Tim and Mandy are looking at one another with adoration in their eyes, anticipating their moment when they join their life together as husband and wife.

After the service, Mandy and Tim are congratulated by their bridal party members. The soft pink dresses, the loving hugs and smiles, all contribute to the gentle loving feelings that permeated the garden this day. I feel so blessed to be a part of this beautiful couple's ceremony!

Congratulations to Tim and Mandy! What a happy Fourth of July celebration, too!

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!