Long-time friends Nancy and John finally tied the knot [after what seems like
decades, but then again,
I'm not the one to talk]. And befitting the manner in which they
met (and the bad influences of all the paddlers' they hang around with), they
decided to do a "boating" wedding on the Upper Winnipesaukee River in Tilton,
New Hampshire. (Which also is their favorite river.)
|
1. Pre-wedding jitters (actually the sun was in her eyes). |
2. The crowd waits for the bride... |
3. It was a big crowd; 120 people, including over 70 boaters. |
4. And in all manner of dress. |
5. Donna-Jean shows off the ducky train she made of alternating male and female ducks. |
6. The bride paddles down the aisle??? |
7. Escorted by Blake (Best Man) and Karen (Safety Boaters are important). |
8. We're all amazed the dress survived the boat and the river. |
9. People driving by loved it; they were all honking their horns. |
10. Heading to the landing at the bottom of the island. |
11. Out of the boat, being escorted by her cousin. |
12. |
13. The Best Man was soaking wet, having fallen out of his canoe (his sandals were squish, squish, squeeking). |
14. A slightly more traditional walk, but not for long... |
15. She's grinning 'cause it's all going off perfectly. |
16. Under an arch of course. |
17. |
18. |
19. |
20. Everyone else was grinning as well. This was the most-fun wedding I've ever been to. |
21. |
22. |
23. I love the way they're looking at each other. |
24. |
25. John puts the ring on Nancy's finger. |
26. It took Nancy a bit of effort to get John's ring on (we speculate the hot suit and high humidity caused a bit of swelling). |
27. And now, you may kiss the bride!!! |
28. And *still* smiling!!! |
29. Mr. and Mrs. John and Nancy Jenkins. |
30. The arch at the end wasn't planned, just sorta sprung up informally. |
31. Here is Harlan with a wedding decoration on his helmet. |
32. Ken wore a tie on the river in a borrowed Probe-12 (but no PFD or helmet???) |
33. Yours-truely paddling by in another Probe-12 [photo © Mark Lacroix]. |
34. Donna-Jean was all festive. |
35. Kath McCafferty was the only person in a boat without a paddle. |
36. Conrad models the finest in Formal Paddling Wear with a dark jacket and matching wet suit. |
37. The happy couple tempts fate by entering a tandem canoe. |
38. I think I'll tempt fate (and Nancy's wrath) by pointing out that in a tandem canoe it's the person in the *bow* who's in charge... |
39. They did fine paddling thru the rapids; and the dress *still* didn't get wet. |
40. Reception at the park with all the boats lined up. |
41. |
42. |
43. |
44. The groom tries some of the excellent potato salad. |
45. The wedding cake had a river on it (from Jacques Bakery). |
46. |
47. And the river had realistic-looking (but yummy tasting) rocks. |