The Wedding!

Ok, so I haven't done so well keeping folks updated. But the time has come again for posting some new pictures.

On August 28, 2010, Michael and I were married in Greenville, ME, right in the same spot as my parents got married 37 years ago! Yes, we're still living in Oregon, but we made our way back to the East Coast as we do most years around Labor Day. We had a small group of friends and family that helped us celebrate the special day. Big thanks to my dad, who officiated the ceremony for us! Thanks to everyone who came from the West Coast, Germany and even New Zealand...we loved having you there to celebrate with us. Here are some pictures to tell the story of the day.

First, everyone came to help setup - oh, and have a little fun at the same time...

The night before we gathered at "camp" for some pre-wedding fun, which included Michael nearly "shooting his eye out" with a bottle cap as he was so nicely opening a beer with a stick for his bride (hey, it's the woods, you gotta use what you have on hand). This turned into a beautiful black eye, but I guess I couldn't get mad about that one! Thanks to my cousin, Abby, and a little make-up, no one even noticed it the next day

The morning started with a scare, rain pouring down at 7am, but the weather cleared and just in time for the ceremony, the clouds melted. We had some beautiful sun and a few puffy clouds as folks started arriving.

A huge thanks to the Ludwig family for making this whole thing possible by letting us use, "the castle" (Swan Lodge). The setting was perfect. The lake and mountains made the perfect backdrop for our simple ceremony.

Michael and I were out greeting folks, welcoming them to the party. It was so amazing to see the group of people that had gathered. We felt well-loved. Violin music drifted across the lawn as everyone arrived. The wine and beer were chilling, the smoker was going, and all seemed well with the world.

The ceremony began with my friend Jen Zeigenfuse coming all the way from New Zealand to do a wonderful rendition of Shawn Colvin's "Never Saw Blue Like That." I had apparently asked her to sing at my wedding some 10-12 years ago - yeah, that would have been before I met Michael (we've been dating a while, but not that long!). And my future brother-in-law-to-be (we didn't know this at the time however), Jake, accompanied Jen on the piano. Thanks talented musician folk!

My adorable nieces were the perfect flower girls and ring bearers.

Hannah was very professional, bringing our rings in on a branch and untying them just at the right time, or maybe a little early to try my ring on her own finger! :-)

Lily did a fabulous job spreading flower petals - one petal at a time.

My dad gave us a beautiful, simple ceremony, just like Michael wanted it, short!

Funny to conduct your daughter's wedding ceremony in the very spot where you, yourself were married 37 years ago, Dad?

A big thanks to the German contingent who brought some traditions with them - cutting the sheet, making Michael do push-ups, and the smashing of the clay pot. We should have all the luck we need to get started on the right foot!

Let's get this party started! We had German and American beer and wine and Spring Creek BBQ- complete with Mike and Kim- how could we go wrong?

We had a very special toast from Michael's dad, which was done in English (thanks Guenter and Inge!). With tons of great food, Michael and I enjoyed seconds on our BBQ (rare for a wedding I hear).

Oh and then we had great music from Andrew Martelle (fiddle) and friends (stand-up bass and guitar). It was a beautiful August night, and later when it cooled down, someone started the fire in the firepit and there was guitar playing and singing until the early morning hours.


Thanks everyone for making it such a special day for us!

Naomi & Michael Pusch