Nancy Gero and John Jenkins Wedding – Aug 31, 2013

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.)

The ceremony was held on Tilton Island near the bottom of the run. The reception just downstream at Riverside Park (the take-out for that section).

The town of Tilton was very helpful, allowing the happy couple use of both the Tilton Island and Riverfront Park for free (although Nancy did have to pay a refundable cleaning deposit). The police department likewise supplied an officer [gratis] to keep the traffic flowing.

Nancy departed at 10am [sharp] from the Holiday Inn along with the horde of boaters accompanying her. The entire staff from the Inn came out to watch and clap. John [and all the non-boating guests] were waiting at the island for her to arrive at 12 noon.

What a great day. We all agree it was the most fun wedding any of us have ever been to.


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.

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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.

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20. Everyone else was grinning as well. This was the most-fun wedding I've ever been to.

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23. I love the way they're looking at each other.

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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.

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44. The groom tries some of the excellent potato salad.

45. The wedding cake had a river on it (from Jacques Bakery).

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47. And the river had realistic-looking (but yummy tasting) rocks.

Read the local newspaper coverage of the wedding in the Manchester Union Leader,  Concord Monitor and the Foster's Daily Democrat.

[All photos © Skip Morris, Sep-2013. Permission granted for all my friends to copy and re-post.]

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