This past Saturday was the most popular wedding date of the year. 9/10/11. What a great date! And so easy for a new husband to remember. ;-)
I was fortunate to be working with some of my favorite vendors again- Ken's Creative Kitchen and Watermark Cruises. Both companies are fabulous at what they do and their employees are efficient, pleasant, and easy to work with.
We set sail from Annapolis on the Catherine Marie with the beginning of a beautiful sunset at our back. As the guests mixed and mingled, I played an easy going set of big band and jazz from the 20's thru the 40's. Shortly into the cocktail hour, I had the pleasure of meeting Mike and Lauren as they were finishing their photos at the bow of the great Catherine Marie. Lauren was beautiful in her elegant, strapless, lace gown. She carried a stunning cascade of white phalaenopsis orchids, creamy calla lilies, and hydrangeas. Mike looked the part of the handsome "man in uniform" in his crisp Navy whites.
Mike and Lauren are warm, genuine, down to earth and very much in love. I knew their magic would be infectious that night. Before the guests headed to the lower level of the boat for dinner, I gather them all on the top deck for the grand entrance and first dances. It was a tight squeeze, but what's a little extra elbow rubbing among friends? ;-) Mike and Lauren's first dance was to U2's version of "Unchained Melody". What a fun twist on an old favorite! Their parents, Dr. & Mrs. Faust and Dr. & Mrs. Hanzel, took the floor for the next dance to the Elvis classic "I can't help falling in love with you".
The evening flowed in a nice, comfortable manner. The ocean breeze was gentle and welcome in the late summer heat. We stayed on schedule when the time came to cut the cake- a darling 6" round atop a mountain of brightly decorated cupcakes. Following the cake cutting, members of the wedding party took turns passing my mic to offer up warm wishes for the future and sweet anecdotes of Mike and Lauren's courtship.
I love this part of my job, it is one of my favorite things about what I do for "work". I get to learn more about my brides and grooms from the people who know and love them most. Mike and Lauren are both Naval officers whose romance blossomed when Lauren was sent to replace Mike at the post he was leaving. If that isn't the start of a modern American romance, I don't know what is!
The night continued with laughter and dancing. Before we knew it, the relaxing harbor cruise was coming to an end. Lauren and I had come up with the idea for her to toss her bouquet to her single girlfriends from the bow of the boat after everyone had disembarked.
I'll never forget how fun this was! Downtown Annapolis was buzzing with tourists, locals, and revelers attending the Inaugural Annapolis Irish Festival. Mike and Lauren's guests waited happily on the dock for the happy couple to exit. I had aimed a speaker, located on the top deck, so that their guests could hear the song choice for the event. (We were too far away from my equipment, so I didn't use the microphone for this.)
As Katy Perry's "California Gurls" blared, I cupped my hands to my mouth and shouted "Okay girls, we're gonna do this on... 3...2...1...." and Lauren tossed her gorgeous orchids to the eager ladies behind her. The flowers were snatched in mid-air by a sweet faced pre-teen. It was a bit movie-like and, forgive me if this is cheesy, symbolic. A lovely bride passed along the dream of Mr. Right and a white wedding to the next generation. Who knows, maybe I'll get to help that girl's wedding dreams come true one day. :-)
Yes, I get callouses, I break my nails, and I don't have much of a social life during wedding season, but I wouldn't change a thing. I am blessed to be a fly on the wall for the making of one of the most indelible memories of a couples life. What an honor!
Congratulations Mike and Lauren!
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