Happy Valentine's Day!

I'd like to wish a Happy Valentine's Day to all of my clients and friends, and especially my wife, Lianne. What would life be without the love to share with our nearest and dearest? I cannot imagine.

There were so many love stories that I was honored to participate in officiating this past year. I feel so blessed to have been a key part of beautiful ceremonies whereby individuals express their loving commitment to one another in marriage. Custom wedding vows and the exchanging of rings are intensely emotional symbols of a couple's love for one another. Laughter and tears often overtake my clients as I deliver their wedding service. Here are several touching moments that I witnessed this fall as I officiated wedding ceremonies. I hope these photos will bring a smile to your face, and perhaps a happy tear or two as well. Enjoy viewing the following highlights of a few of my autumn 2011 weddings on Cape Cod:

Photo #1: Sev and Erin at the Chatham Bars Inn, The Beach House, Chatham, MA

Photo #2: Sara and Matthew at the Orleans Inn, near the windmill, Orleans, MA

Photo #3: Noreen & Chris, Chatham Bars Inn at the Beach House, Chatham, MA

Photo #4: Phoenix and Don, Orleans Inn, near the windmill, Orleans, MA

Keith and Alexis' Wedding, Wychmere Beach Club, Harwich, MA

Keith and Alexis chose to be married on the beachfront of the Wychmere Beach Club in Harwich, MA. They selected one of the best weather days of this fall season; it was a perfect 75 degrees with no wind and clear blue skies. The smell of fresh

salt air mixed with a hint of hydrangea flowers that adorned their wedding altar above. Marvelous would be an understatement to describe this couple's venue - a beautiful Cape Cod wedding!

Keith and Alexis added special touches for their wedding - as guests awaited their arrival, champagne, wine and water were served on the expansive veranda overlooking the sea. An exquisite view, I don't believe anyone was concerned about when the wedding would begin, their being so happy with the refreshments and the sights.

Guided to the beach wedding altar of beautiful blue and white flowers, Alexis' mom looked so proud to be giving her daughter to her soon-to-be husband, Keith. Smiles abounded as I asked all in the audience to take their seats.

Keith and Alexis had written their service to custom fit their dreams for what their ceremony would be; all was so special with their custom vows spoken to one another with tears in their eyes. The sun was shining brightly onto this couple as sunset approached this spot nearby the sea. One could hear the calls of seagulls as they soared along the rock formed pier in the distance.

Keith and Alexis exchanged rings symbolizing the infinity of their commitment to one another. The seagulls made circles above, their white feathers reflecting golden hues against the orange setting sun. Keith and Alexis smiled that intimate smile that expressed the love they felt for one another; all was truly perfect for this lovely couple.

Amidst cheers and applause, I pronounced Keith and Alexis to be "husband and wife" and they recessed up the sandy beach, making a U-turn toward the ocean front, laughing and whispering with one another. Suddenly, Keith lifted Alexis in the distance, she kicking her white flip flops into the air, pointing her manicured toes into the circle of blue sky like a perfect ballerina, and he elegantly holding her high, giving her a perfect wedding kiss!

Congratulations Keith and Alexis! May you always keep one another's spirits high, laughing and dancing your own special duet by the sea!

Andy & Mary, Ridgevale Beach, Chatham, MA

What a gorgeous, early fall day for Andy and Mary to enjoy their special vows on the beach at the Ridgevale Beach in Chatham!

With a tent set up for the reception at his grandmother's house nearby, family and friends parked at the beach and walked over the wooden bridge that brought the entourage to the smooth sand of Ridgevale.

Seagulls squawked above and children played in the distance, laughing and exclaiming with glee to their parents, "It's a wedding, and look at the beautiful bride!"

Andy and Mary were so sweet, standing before me with grins on their faces as they gazed at one another with such love and joy. Occasionally, I could see a glimmer of a tear in Mary's eye as she spoke her vows to Andy, and he, too, was quite emotional. It was a very touching ceremony near the beautiful sea.

After custom vows were shared and their commitment to one another confirmed, I announced Andy and Mary to be "husband and wife". Friends and family applauded and cheered, and in the distance, the seagulls squawked in happy cheers, too. As they recessed along the home made wedding aisle, and alongside the ocean inlet, Andy turned and gave Mary a beautiful kiss!

What a happy occasion this wedding was, with mother nature providing the most beautiful weather and perfect cape cod venue! Congratulations Andy and Mary! May you always experience such joy and adoring love for one another as you join together in your special life journey.

James & Lindsay's Wedding, Indian Pond, Kingston, MA

James and Lindsay, their family and friends enjoyed a gorgeous day at Indian Pond Resort in Kingston, MA. The weather had really been

challenging the week prior, so this couple and their families were very fortunate to have such a perfect day.

The golf club behind the Resort hosted the actual ceremony. The DJ played classical music, serenading Lindsay and her dad up the aisle...she was all smiles as she and her dad approached where James and I stood. Her dad gave her a gentle kiss and shook hands with James - all were full of smiles and happiness for this lovely couple.

James and Lindsay expressed custom vows to one another and exchanged wedding rings. All was lovely on the green of the Indian Pond's golf course. After James and Lindsay shared their full commitment to one another in front of their family and friends, I introduced them as "husband and wife", at which time they kissed in a beautiful embrace.

Congratulations James and Lindsay! May all of your days together be so beautiful and filled with joy!

Nick and Donna's Wedding, The Beach Club at Wychmere Harbor, Harwich, MA

Nick and Donna had a wonderful wedding planned at the Wychmere Beach Club in Harwich, MA. The wind was whipping along the elegant grounds of the Beach Club - it

was quite misty, really. All felt like a truly Cape Cod wedding. Inside the Club, the photo of John F. Kennedy, Jackie, and their children graced the reception venue, and this photo rather matched the weather of the day.

The groom and his groomsmen and I walked across the estate's lawn overlooking the water channel where Coast Guard and other boaters travelled. The women of the bridal party walked delicately across the lawn, their pretty dresses blowing in the wind. Music was played to accompany the bridal party and their guests. All was so wonderful for a special wedding day.

Donna's dad walked her up the aisle where Nick and I stood at the entrance to the boat channel. As her dad gave her away, there was a tenderness between they and Nick that only a father could understand; he was so sweet and gentle as he kissed his daughter and then sat down in the front row with his wife.

Donna and Nick shared custom vows, expressing their commitment to one another to love and to laugh and to live out their days with one another. Having exchanged rings, they then were pronounced by me to be "husband and wife" and Nick was told that he "may kiss the bride".

A terrific wind swirled Donna's veil up and around the couple, embracing them just as they were kissing. My wife, Lianne, captured this glorious, romantic moment between the two, capturing their lovely kiss as husband and wife. The image makes one think of a cover of a bridal magazine, or a romantic novel!

Donna and Nick then recessed down the aisle and glided across the luxurious green lawn, hand in hand, dancing to the beat of the DJ's music - and as they approached the Wychmere Club, they broke out in a dance, swinging their hands and bodies in unison, arms raised in the air, totally joyful in the moment!

Congratulations to Nick and Donna! May you experience fair winds and calm seas for the remainder of your beautiful days together such as this one, enwrapped in the veil of love.

Paul and Leanora, The Ridge Club, Sandwich, MA

Paul and Leanora were one of those couples who made the best of a tough day posed by the threat of Hurricane Irene; Paul said that he

never wanted to hear the name 'Irene' again, given that the hotel they stayed in with their guests was closed, sending he and the maid of honor on a wild ride to find new accommodations for their family and friends. But they did so, and the Daniel Webster Inn took they and their guests in, on short notice. How fortunate that all worked out so well.

But the Ridge Club is beautiful, and frankly, it was a superb reception venue that I'd never given a wedding service at prior; there was a wonderful dance floor and reception room that was adjoined by a garden trellis and slate patio where guests enjoyed beverages and appetizers.

Family and friends were in good cheer, despite the soon arrival of Hurricane Irene. Everyone gathered in the back garden covered by a beautiful white tent (just in the event of rain).

Leanora was walked down the aisle by her grandparents, and given away to Paul where we stood at the front of the tent. There were big smiles on both of their faces as they stood in front of me; they were so happy to be here, enjoying this special day.

Leanora and Paul had shared their custom vows and exchanged wedding rings. When I announced them to be husband and wife, and they kissed, the family and friends erupted in a great round of applause for this special couple.

Congratulations Leanora and Paul! Despite the challenge of a projected hurricane hitting Cape Cod, you took things in stride and made your special wedding day filled with joy anyway!

Johnathan & Jennifer's Wedding, Daniel Webster Inn, Sandwich, MA

Johnathan and Jennifer hosted their wedding service in the back garden of the Daniel Webster Inn in Sandwich, MA. With their family and friends, all were serenaded prior to the wedding service by a professional bagpiper that was hired by Johnathan's boss; what a thoughtful gift for their wedding day!

It was unseasonably hot in the garden, though all was shaded and beautiful with gorgeous grounds punctuated with yellow, red, purple and blue flowers of all types, dancing in the warm, Cape Cod breeze.

Jennifer's father processed her down the aisle as Johnathan eagerly awaited her arrival at their natural altar under the beautiful trees. Johnathan was smiling ear to ear, so happy to have his lovely bride meet him where we stood.

There were special custom vows that this couple shared with one another, and they exchanged rings denoting their full commitment to one another in front of an audience of family, friends and onlookers who happened upon this special garden. It was all so beautiful!

Congratulations Johnathan and Jennifer! May you have many happy times together such as today. I felt grateful to have been a part of your special ceremony!