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Windjammer Weddings: Romance on the High Seas
Every summer, couples from all over the country come to the coast of Maine
to pledge their love and commitment in the sanctity of marriage. In the
presence of family and friends, with rocky shores and blue ocean waters as a
backdrop, there is no better place to conduct a picture-perfect wedding.
Some couples choose to take their seaside ceremonies one step further – just
ask the twelve captains of the Maine Windjammer Association. The sailing
season, which lasts from mid-May through mid-October, sees weddings
throughout, and rarely does a season go by in which a captain isn't called
upon to conduct a wedding at the helm.
“Hosting weddings on board has been a real learning experience for me,”
says Captain Brenda Walker of the Isaac H. Evans. “I write every ceremony
for each individual wedding, for each couple. We talk about what they want,
and I try to get a real sense of who they are. It’s a challenge, but it’s a great
time to be a captain.”
Weddings at Sea: A Unique Experience
The romance surrounding a windjammer wedding is quite unique – couples
can pick the day, the weather, the island, or the harbor, surrounded by fresh
ocean air, sounds of the sea, and a boat full of family and friends both old
and new. Depending on the windjammer, couples can charter the whole
vessel or just book a cabin for themselves.
While on board, couples can make their wedding ceremony as simple or
coordinated as they wish. Helpful captains and crews make the process run
smoothly, and add a little fun, as well – says Captain Walker, “For one
wedding, my first mate decided to dress up for the ceremony. He and the
crew went to a thrift store and bought suits and dresses. And our cook made
a wedding cake that was just amazing. Where else can you get a wedding
cake baked in a wood-fired oven?”
Oftentimes, windjammers also serve as host to couples renewing their vows,
or those taking a second chance at marriage. “We see a lot of older couples,
but we’re also seeing more younger couples as well. And captains aren’t
necessarily the ones conducting the ceremony – we’ve hosted weddings
before where couples were married by a minister. It’s all up to them.”
Windjammers also serve as a wonderful place to spend a honeymoon or
anniversary. One windjammer, the Victory Chimes, even offers a 25%
discount to couples sailing on their anniversary date.
If you know someone planning a wedding this year, consider suggesting a
windjammer wedding. After all, says Captain Walker, “Millions of people
can say they’ve been married in a church, but how many can say they’ve
been married on a beautiful, traditional windjammer? It’s a most unique
experience.”
All 12 windjammer captains are licensed
to perform weddings at sea. For more
information, visit the
Maine Windjammer Association.
In addition, the schooners of
Maine Adventure Sails (Schooner
J&E Riggin and Schooner
Timberwind) also perform wedding
aboard their ships. For more info
visit Maine Adventure Sails.
Every summer, couples from all over the country come to the coast of Maine
to pledge their love and commitment in the sanctity of marriage. In the
presence of family and friends, with rocky shores and blue ocean waters as a
backdrop, there is no better place to conduct a picture-perfect wedding.
Some couples choose to take their seaside ceremonies one step further – just
ask the twelve captains of the Maine Windjammer Association. The sailing
season, which lasts from mid-May through mid-October, sees weddings
throughout, and rarely does a season go by in which a captain isn't called
upon to conduct a wedding at the helm.
“Hosting weddings on board has been a real learning experience for me,”
says Captain Brenda Walker of the Isaac H. Evans. “I write every ceremony
for each individual wedding, for each couple. We talk about what they want,
and I try to get a real sense of who they are. It’s a challenge, but it’s a great
time to be a captain.”
Weddings at Sea: A Unique Experience
The romance surrounding a windjammer wedding is quite unique – couples
can pick the day, the weather, the island, or the harbor, surrounded by fresh
ocean air, sounds of the sea, and a boat full of family and friends both old
and new. Depending on the windjammer, couples can charter the whole
vessel or just book a cabin for themselves.
While on board, couples can make their wedding ceremony as simple or
coordinated as they wish. Helpful captains and crews make the process run
smoothly, and add a little fun, as well – says Captain Walker, “For one
wedding, my first mate decided to dress up for the ceremony. He and the
crew went to a thrift store and bought suits and dresses. And our cook made
a wedding cake that was just amazing. Where else can you get a wedding
cake baked in a wood-fired oven?”
Oftentimes, windjammers also serve as host to couples renewing their vows,
or those taking a second chance at marriage. “We see a lot of older couples,
but we’re also seeing more younger couples as well. And captains aren’t
necessarily the ones conducting the ceremony – we’ve hosted weddings
before where couples were married by a minister. It’s all up to them.”
Windjammers also serve as a wonderful place to spend a honeymoon or
anniversary. One windjammer, the Victory Chimes, even offers a 25%
discount to couples sailing on their anniversary date.
If you know someone planning a wedding this year, consider suggesting a
windjammer wedding. After all, says Captain Walker, “Millions of people
can say they’ve been married in a church, but how many can say they’ve
been married on a beautiful, traditional windjammer? It’s a most unique
experience.”
All 12 windjammer captains are licensed
to perform weddings at sea. For more
information, visit the
Maine Windjammer Association.
In addition, the schooners of
Maine Adventure Sails (Schooner
J&E Riggin and Schooner
Timberwind) also perform wedding
aboard their ships. For more info
visit Maine Adventure Sails.
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