Good friends Charlie and Blanchard were wed last Sunday evening in Pilgrim Chapel on Ida Street in Mt. Adams.
They had actually been wed at sea, on a cruise, by friend Francine, several years ago. But now that their marriage would be legal in Ohio, they married again, in a service full of poetry, music and song.
Here’s the poem on the cover of their order of service for the wedding:
When you came, you were like red wine and honey,
And the taste of you burnt my mouth with its sweetness.
Now you are like morning bread,
Smooth and pleasant.
I hardly taste you at all for I know your savour,
But I am completely nourished.
Then Jerry Herman’s “Let’s not waste a moment” during the processional, followed by Shakespeare’s “Let me not to the marriage of true minds…” during the ceremony itself, officiated by Francine, Charlie and Blanchard recited Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s “How Do I Love Thee?” to each other. Another musical poem, Handel’s “Wher’er You Walk”, then Shakespeare’s “That time of year thou mayst in me behold…”. Pastor Rev. Dr. Bob Croskery gave the benediction, with the recessional “The Best of Times”, Jerry Herman’s from La Cage… We all got to sing with and then walk out together.
A beautiful and simple space, where we were totally immersed in beautiful language and overflowing love. A wedding for the ages.