Maine-ly It was Love

It was a first for me...serving as a wedding officiant in Maine. The groom is a friend of twenty years, so it was an honor to be the one that "tied the knot" for Todor and Heather.

My husband and I had been in Bar Harbor the week before this ceremony...as passengers on the Qeeen Mary 2. We strolled around the town and stopped at the Saltair Inn where this ceremony would be taking place. We were cheerily greeted by the innkeepers, Matt and Kristi. I got a sneak preview of the space where the ceremony would take place. It was easy to see why Todor and Heather were bringing their immediate families to this place for their wedding weekend.







For the ceremony, we managed to have everyone present do something...traditional ring bearer and flower girl, two readers for one reading...once in Serbian, once in English...the bride's brother-in-law gave the blessing, and everyone held the wedding rings before they were presented by the bride and groom to each other. And everyone wore something red!




The bride placed symbolic items on the mantel...a watch that had belonged to her grandmother and a lucky $2 bill. Around her bouquet of wheat she had a piece of tatting done by her mother. She also lit a candle in memory of her mother...and the light was a bright spot in the rather gray day on the Maine coast.

A champagne toast, a sip of 21 yr. old Scotch, and whoopie pies...a wonderful post-ceremony treat. As Todor served the Scotch, I noticed his Superman cufflinks. I always love symbolic gestures for weddings!

I've seen the pictures of this unusual wedding by their Rogier of Eager Eye Photography. His pictures captured the intimate nature of this wedding and the delight and love between Todor and Heather. (Just a note: The pictures on this blog were taken by my husband, Joe.)




Yes, they are tall!

Ceremony Tip: For a small family wedding, the meaning of the wedding ceremony words and rituals are enhanced when family participates. Heather and Todor carefully carved out roles for each sibling and each parent. It made for a joyfully teary event for all.

Julie Laudicina, Celebrant!