Swords and Sabers

After their beautiful wedding Ashley was deployed to Iraq. The Whistlestop Gang wishes her a safe tour of duty.

And thanks to Bill Herloski for the images.

P.S.

If anyone noticed the absence of posts in January, my husband and I were visiting family in Florida. We had lots of fun but it was rather cold. Day after day of freezing nights was very hard on the butterflies, anoles and tree frogs. But that's a story for another day.

The Arch of Swords

*From the Ceremony Program of Ashley and David

Military weddings are one of the best examples of how traditions and rituals can be the foundation for creating a truly memorable event.

What most guests at a military wedding are most likely to remember is the "crossed sabers," or the arch of steel. The word steel is synonymous for and used to represent either sabers for the Navy or swords for Army, Air Force and Marines. Traditionally the bride and groom walk through the arch of swords. That passage is meant to ensure the couple's safe transition into their new life together.

The arch of swords procedure is a simple and elegant one. The honor guard form two lines opposite each other. On the command of "draw sword "or "draw saber," the steel is raised with the right hand, with the cutting edges facing up. The couple enters the arch, kiss, and then pass through. The newly married couple then salute the honor guard. Members of the honor guard then sheath the swords and return them to a carry position.

Yet another tradition is the gentle "swat to the backside" that the bride receives from the last swordsman. In addition, it is also traditional for the wedding cake to be cut with a saber or sword.

Special Christmas Wreaths

Rest easy, sleep well my Brother.

Know the line was held, your job is done.

Rest easy, sleep well.

Others have taken up where you fell,

the line was held.

Peace, peace and farewell.

***

Readers may be interested to know that these wreaths - some 5000 - are donated by the Worcester Wreath Co. of Harrington, Maine. The owner, Merrill Worcester, not only provides the wreaths but covers the trucking expense as well. He has done this since 1992. A wonderful guy. Also, for most years, groups of Maine school kids combine an educational trip to D.C. with this event to help out. Making this more remarkable is the fact that Harrington is one of the poorest areas in the state.

Wellington House Wedding

We loved this Bridal bouquet! The color combination was dramatic...note the interesting texture from the sunflower in the center. What sunflower you ask? Look closer and you will see that the outer petals were removed to reveal the unique center core.

The handsome couple were beautifully captured by Genevieve Fridley. www.genphotos.com.

Genevieve did a extra nice job of capturing an image of a wrist corsage. Not an easy thing to do. We love it when the photographers catch the details!

Congratulations to Justine and Almin.

Halloween Sale

All Halloween Giftware is at 50% off. Sale ends Tuesday, November 3rd

Fall in Central New York

We haven't had much sunshine this fall but Emmanuel Vaucher captured a moment of golden warmth. www.emanphoto.com

Thanks Eman

Thorden Park Wedding

A September 7th wedding in Thorden Park.






The roses were in their second flush of bloom









Irresistible