Exquisite Maine Wedding at The Nonantum Resort in Kennebunkport

Shannon and Andrew chose the beauty and elegance of The Nonantum Resort in Kennebunkport, Maine,  for their wedding ceremony on a crisp fall afternoon last week.

The October colors were vibrant in the brides bouquet, and the decorated arch overlooking the river.  It always brings a smile to the guests as they watch the arrival of the groom and his groomsmen via sailboat.

The bridesmaids, dressed in gorgeous  gowns, with matching foliage blossoms and blooms, happily strode up the aisle before the two little ring bearers and flower girl. The bride was then escorted by her dad to meet the love of her life.

Shanon and Andrew met many years ago as family friends and their relationship grew, and a spark of love ignited.  On their wedding day, they shared laughter and reminisces, and  pledged their commitment to each other and their family together.

The container for the sand ritual was a glass square vase with the words "The good things in life are better with you!"

Love was in the air as Shannon and Andrew shared their own personalized vows which they had written and recited from special keepsake booklets.

With the many parents, step parents, and grandparents present, the couple thanked them individually for their role in raising them to be the strong, loving, and independent people  they are today.                                              

The grooms aunt shared her own words and also a short version of the Apache Wedding Prayer to connect with Shannon's native American heritage.

It was such an honor to work with this beautiful couple and make their dream a reality.  Congratulations Mr. &  Mrs. Ankatell!!

Fall Wedding at The Manor in West Boylston, MA

Congratulations to Mr. & Mrs. Milton and Margaret Thisell.  

Such a lovely Fall wedding at The Manor in West Boylston, MA www.thedraughthouse.com was enjoyed by friends from near and far.  Margaret and Milton shared their wedding wishes after flying up from Florida.

The bride and groom were attended by their children, wrote their own magical and romantic vows, exchanged wedding rings with the inscription 1-4-3, a family tradition representing the words "I love you", and danced their first dance a blend of "Me &You" by Kenny Chesney and "The Sweetest Thing I've Ever Known" by Juice Newton.   DJ Matt Andrews of canyoudj@yahoo.com played an eclectic variety of music that had everyone up on the dance floor.

The bride carried a lovely fall bouquet and the table centerpieces matched, created by Homes-Shusas Florist www.holmes-shusasflorist.com  The colors and selection of flowers were lovely.

The cake provided by Gerado's Italian Bakery www.gerardositalianbakery.com  and was a delicious lemon flavor with soft, creamy frosting. Yum!  The decorations of shells represented Margaret and Miton's love of their home in Florida.

These photos are my own, but the couple was fortunate to have Jim Abrams or Shooting Star Photography for their lovely ceremony and reception.  www.jamesabrams.com    I am looking forward to seeing them.  There were quite a few great photo ops, the groom dancing up a storm with his grandson for one!

The Manor renovations are lovely, I enjoyed the area set up for the wedding and reception, the draping, and the chandeliers. Working with Andrea Rotolo, Sales Director and Banquet Facilitator was wonderful. It was a great day with these wedding professionals who made this day so memorable for Mr. & Mrs. Thisell.

Just the two of us............. real wedding Jessica and Matt in Massachusetts..........

I Matthew, take you Jessica, to be my partner in life. I promise to walk by your side forever, and to love, help and encourage you, in all you do.  I will take time to talk with you, listen to you, and care for you.  I will share your laughter and your tears, as your partner, lover, and best friend.  Everything I am and everything I have, is yours now and forever.

I, Jessica, take you, Matthew, on this our wedding day.  I will cherish our friendship, and love you today, tomorrow, and forever.  I will trust you and honor you.  I will love you faithfully, through the best and the worst, through the difficult and the easy, what may come, I will be there always.  As I have given you my hand to hold, so I give you my life to keep.

It is my honor to pronounce that you are Husband and Wife!!!!

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Your may now kiss your bride......

Real Wedding Kate and Dusty in Auburn, MA Celtic

Congratulations Kate and Dusy!

Kate and Dusty Brussard tied the knot at Chucks Steak House in Auburn on July 25th. It was quite a celebration with elements from Hawaii and Ireland!  Guests were greeted with live Lei's to adorn their tropical attire.  The bride and her family had spent some time living in Hawaii, so it was a nice touch to add to the festivities. 

The bride and groom had three canvas pieces in the color of the Irish flag, which guests signed. After completion of the signatures, the pieces fit together to create the irish flag for their home.  Guests also receive a green coozie with the Claddagh on it. The Claddagh symbolizes love, loyalty and friendship, which certainly are what makes for a great marriage.

Dusty and Kate placed their hands on an oathing stone as they cast their vows in stone. A magnificent time was had by all.  Slante  to my friends and many wishes for health, happiness, and prosperity.  

Such a wonderful celebration and I was  honored to officiate their wedding.  The venue and staff of Chucks Steak House did a fabulous job

Real Wedding Katie and Eric at the Sturbridge Host Hotel in Massachusetts

Fall weddings are exceptionally beautiful, using the colors and foliage that are natural to New England.

 When Katie and Eric selected the location for their wedding, the Sturbridge Host Hotel, in Sturbridge, Massachusetts, they had planned for an outside wedding.  Mother nature had other plans.

The wedding was moved inside and was spectacular! The gazebo was decorated with fall foliage, which enhanced the beauty of the white arch and chairs.

Eric and Katie shared their own personal words for their vows, and there was not a dry eye in the area!

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  After exchanging rings, they placed love letters and a bottle of wine in a box and secured it. They plan to renew and recommit ever 5 years and place new love letters in the box for the future.

Congratulations Katie and Eric, may you have a long, healthy and prosperous life together!

Vendors:
Venue: Sturbridge Host Hotel, Sturbridge, MA
Officiant: Rev. Virginia Bishop, Loving Unity Officiants, LovingUnity.com
Florist: Julieanne McDonald of Thompson, CT
Hair and Makeup: Stephanie Antodibenideto, Studio 219 Putnam, CT and Angela Haringa
Ceremony Music: Caitlynn McCaffrey and Ellen Snyder

Real Wedding Harry and Wendy at Wings Neck Lighthouse at Cape Cod Massachusetts

Spectacular!  Amazing! Beautiful!  Incredible!  These are all words that describe the wedding of Harry and Wendy at the Wings Neck Lighthouse at Cape Cod, Massachusetts.








 The couple spent years seeking out the perfect location for their wedding ceremony, and travels took them from Florida to various areas of New England, but when they learned of Wings Neck Lighthouse, they fell in love!

They chose the location because of their love of the ocean, lighthouses, and the intimacy that the location would bring.  It was an added bonus that they would also be able to spend their honeymoon there in the attached quarters.

Their wedding brought together friends and family from all over the country, who had the chance to see a real New England Lighthouse up close and personal.

Harry and Wendy got engaged at Nubble Lighthouse in Maine, so  it seemed fitting for the theme to continue.  The weather for their ceremony was outstanding. The sun was shining, and breeze was cooling, and all the elements were in their favor.  In keeping with the ocean and lighthouse theme, the groom and his gents wore starfish boutonniere's.


 The bride's flowers were also decorated with starfish.
She wore a full length lace gown with lace coat with a long train which was also embellished with a starfish broach.

Their vows washed up in a glass bottle and they shared together the words they have waited for so long to speak.






The couple had a mixture of both Native American and Irish traditions from both of their cultures. The Irish blessing stones were selected by guests who wrote a message of good wishes on them for the couple to keep.  The Apache Wedding prayer was the closing blessing.

 After the wedding ceremony, guests were given a shiny penny to toss into the ocean to bring good wishes for the couple.



The couple were toasted, and then the guests were brought to the reception for the rest of the evening festivities.

 I have never seen a happier couple or a more beautiful location for a wedding.  Congratulations
Wendy and Harry!

Real Wedding Falmouth Country Club, Maine

Brie and Matt Steinback tied the knot literally at the Falmouth Country Club in Maine!  Since they are both interested in sailing and ocean activities, the themes of their colors, favors, guest oar, and tying a knot, all made for a wedding and ceremony that was truly unique and special.  Each guest received a miniature water color painting of a lighthouse, or buoy in a magnetic frame, table assignments were placed on a vintage map of Portland, Maine, and table numbers were knots.







The colors worn by the bridesmaids were navy and the men were looking sharp in their dark suits.  The venue was held outside on the golf course, and the rows were designated by buoys in keeping with the theme.  The parents were invited to bring up the nautical rope, for the couple to make a ceremonial knot to secure their marriage.  After the ceremony, guests were invited to sign an oar that Brie and Mat will keep in their home as a symbol of love.  It was a privilege and honor for me to create with this fantastic couple! 

Congratulations Matt and Bri, I wish you a lifetime of happiness and smooth sailing!!