Brian & Kristin's Wedding, Wequassett Inn, Chatham

My wife Lianne happened to capture on film an intimate moment between Kristin and Brian, and she chose to call this photo,

"Devotion". It started me thinking about the uniqueness of each and every couple I marry, and about those quiet, private moments that married partners share.

It was a beautiful venue at the Wequassett Inn, near the outdoor pool that overlooks the ocean; an amazing blend of chic and casual. Families looked on as this couple exchanged vows, canopied by the beautiful flowered trellis that embraced this lovely, happy couple. Yes, there were tears, but they were tears of joy, punctuated by Kristin's laughter, the sweet sounds of the violinists they'd hired from Boston, and the seagulls flying overhead.

Kristin's friend, Patty, gave a special reading selected for her friends, and I thought I would share it with you here, entitled, The Key To Love: "The key to love is understanding, as it is the little things that say so much by themselves. The key to love is forgiveness, to accept each other's faults and pardon mistakes. The key to love is sharing. Sharing and facing your good fortunes as well as the bad, together, both conquering problems, forever searching for ways to intensify your happiness. The key to love is giving. Giving without thought of return, but with the hope of just a simple smile, and by giving in but never giving up. The key to love is respect, realizing that you are two separate people, with different ideas; that you don't belong to each other, that you belong with each other, and share a mutual bond. The key to love is inside us all. It takes time and patience to unlock all the ingredients that will take you to its threshold; it is the continual learning process that demands a lot of work but the rewards are more than worth the effort...and that is the key to love.

Congratulations to Brian and Kristin! May the devotion in your eyes, and the happy smiles on your faces be with you, together, always.

Jeffrey & Justine's Wedding, Willowbend Country Club, Mashpee, MA

Jeffrey & Justine show exuberance at my declaring them "husband and wife" for all of their family and loved ones to witness for the first time; I don't think I've seen a couple so expressive!

This was such a beautiful pair, with their "daughter", DJ, in a floral wreath around her neck, bestowing the rings to the best man, Ken, as part of their customized service. DJ did a wonderful job! Justine walked down the aisle with her dad, misty tears of joy in her eyes; there was that unique sacred space that occurred where time stands still while friends and family members stand in awe of Justine's dramatic beauty. The vows were said with such emotion of the love Jeffrey & Justine have for one another. During the service, when I asked Jeffrey if he took Justine to he his wife, "to have and to hold, from this day forth," Jeffrey confirmed with the most enthusiastic "Yes!" I'd heard in my years of performing wedding ceremonies. All in attendance laughed, including Justine, Jeffrey's commitment so adamantly clear! This was certainly a very lovely wedding, complete with the lush green view of the country club's gorgeous golf course, the singing birds, the soft cape cod breeze, and the love, humor and joy of friends and family.

May you both always experience the playfulness, the depth of your love together, and the closeness with friends and family that you showed on your wedding day.

Congratulations to Jeffrey & Justine. May your days ahead be filled with joy!

Ron & Darcie's Wedding, Orleans, MA

Ron and Darcie hosted their wedding service for intimate family and friends at Darcie's family     

colonial home set deeply in the woods of Orleans, MA.  To say that everything was so warm and inviting would be an under- 

statement.  One could feel the aura of love in this gorgeous colonial home; outside, it rained and the air temperature was rather cold for April, with a steady blustery wind.  Entering the family household, we immediately were enveloped with the smells of home:  a nice fire burning in the living room fireplace, the smell of a home cooked meal being prepared for the guests, and the sounds of family talking and laughing, were most inviting.  

Ron and Darcie had written special vows for their ceremony, and Darcie's dad had a poignant poetic reading, along with a sacred blessing he'd written himself for his beloved daughter and son-in-law. There were hugs and kisses, as well as tears of love.  I stood for a full moment in the middle of the service, honoring the loving emotions that this family felt for one another; it was clear to me that this was a special, intimate space.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, I pronounced Ron and Darcie, "husband and wife".  In the center of the living room, with family and friends encircling the room and this beautiful couple,

Ron and Darcie kissed and swayed to the soft background music that wafted through the house. They gazed at each other lovingly and danced ever so gently around the living room.  

The fire's wood crackled; the candle decorations and forsythia lovingly placed on the mantle piece glittered in the light; through the opened window nearby, the cool air brushed fairly against the white lace curtains, and the rain fell outside in the darkness.  Tears of happiness were in Darcie's  and Ron's eyes, and if one looked around the room, her family and friends, too. Darcie's  dad, Mark, commented on how all of the elements were present for this sacred event; earth, fire, air and water.  And added to this mix, another family member said, was spirit.  

May Darcie and Ron's lives be as filled with the spirit of love as we witnessed tonight.  I feel so honored to have been a part of Darcie and Ron's very special, touching wedding service.  

 

Phil & Laura's Wedding, Wequassett Inn, Chatham

Phil and Laura had a beautiful ceremony accented by nautical themes such as the 3 foot ice sculpture of a magnificent lighthouse, and name cards of family and friends adorned with exquisite sea horses.  The guests braved the rainy day, and the smiles of the bride and groom created such a happy, sunny environment despite the April weather.  

A meaningful component of Phil and Laura's service was the Jewish tradition of the "breaking of the glass" at the culmination of their wedding ceremony.  It denotes that the bride and groom and everyone in attendance should consider this marriage permanent and final, as the breaking of the glass is unchangeable. The shattered glass also reminds us how fragile life and love can be.  That sometimes a single thoughtless act, breech of trust, or marital misstep can damage a marriage in ways that are difficult to undo, just as it would be difficult to undo the breaking of the glass. It serves as a reminder of the sanctity of marriage, and that the love of Laura and Phil should last for as long as it would take to make the glass perfectly whole again.

Pictured here is Phil just a second prior to his successful breaking of the glass rolled in a napkin; if you listen closely, you can hear the silence of anticipation, the shattering of the glass, and the celebratory shouts of  "Mazel Tov!"

Michel & Matthew, Chatham Bars Inn

Michel and Matthew were married by the sea at Chatham Bars' Boat House.  What a gorgeous venue for an intimate group of family and friends.  What struck me about this couple is that they thoroughly enjoyed the service and therefore, much laughter prevailed throughout the ceremony. I think I may have even said during the service that they were "having too much fun" up there! You see, most couples are rather teary eyed, anxious, or a combination of both (which is to be expected).  This was not the case for this lovely couple.  While the seals frolicked in the background of the sand bars a few hundred feet away, this couple enjoyed the sea breeze, and they basked in the love of one another and their guests.  Complete with flip flops to match his conservative suit for the occasion, the groom smiled when my wife, Lianne, said she would not post a photo of his feet!  What a unique, fun marriage ceremony at the Boat House. Congratulations Michel and Matthew!  May your joy, love and laughter ring throughout your years together as husband and wife.

Steven & Nancy, Ned's Point Light, Pocassett, MA

Steven and Nancy held their custom wedding ceremony at Ned's Point Lighthouse on March 2oth at 11:30 AM to have their vows coincide with the vernal equinox. For the first day of spring, it was mighty cold and windy, but the warmth of their smiles and the love of friends and family, coupled with the celebratory champagne at the service's completion, made for an extra special day. Steven professionally opened the champagne bottle with a saber, a method called sabrage; a technique for opening a champagne bottle used for ceremonial occasions. The saber is slid along the body of the bottle toward the neck. The force of the blade hitting the lip breaks the glass to separate the collar from the neck of the bottle. The cork and collar remain together after separating from the neck. This technique became popular in France when the army of Napoleon visited many of the aristocrat domains. As you can see, Steven's technique was successful, as they toast to their being husband and wife! Congratulations to Steve and Nancy and happy Spring!

Torrey & Laura, Valentine's Day, Chatham Bars Inn

Torrey and Laura exchanged their wedding vows on Valentine's Day at the beautiful front veranda overlooking the ocean at the Chatham Bars Inn in Chatham. Truly a romantic, handsome couple, these photos show the special love they felt for one another during and after the ceremony. If you look closely at the photo of the ceremony, you can see a gentleman inside, watching the service, which did not surprise me. Laura and Torrey had such "presence" as they walked together, holding hands in the grand Inn's foyer; every head turned to watch their main entrance and their special kiss.

Torrey was so very romantic as he whispers lightly to her upon their departure as husband and wife. What was he saying? It's only for them to know... a special connection on their wedding day. I feel blessed to have officiated their ceremony on Valentine's Day. May Torrey and Laura care for one another and love each other for many happy years to come. Congratulations to the both of you!