Mike & Meredith
May 21, 2015
Although Spring in Alaska can vary in temperature with blustery snowy days, this day was a warm, windless blue-bird kind of day. Meredith had contacted me back in January, wanting a wedding ceremony on a glacier. "Why not splurge a little on the most memorable day of your life," she said. I agreed!
The planning began. We hit it off from the start. She was easy to talk to. I felt as if I were helping plan my own daughter's wedding. Meredith was a "do-it-yourself" kind of girl, so she chose the "Forget-Me-Knot" package.
Eventually, May 21 arrived. With the sun high in the sky and only a few clouds in sight, I met Mike and Meredith, with their small wedding party of five at their cruise ship dock. After warm hellos and a few hugs, we drove to the heli-pad. Soon, the waiting helicopter whisked us away to the Meade Glacier. This was the wedding party's first helicopter ride. Their smiles and exclamations were contagious. I grinned during the entire heli-ride!
Meredith was told by the pilot, that she could choose the location where she wanted to be married. She chose a place where Azure Blue Glacial Pools were plentiful. We explored the area, finding the perfect pool for their wedding ceremony. Places were taken and the ceremony began. Meredith and Mike became husband and wife amidst some of the most stunning views on this earth.
When the rings had been given and the kiss sealed, Meredith celebrated by twirling and dancing in an Azure Blue glacial pool. This bridal dance was so beautiful, it took my breath away. I popped off several dozen photos on my IPhone. This is one of them.
After our equally wonderul heli-ride back to Skagway, we enjoyed a reception on my covered back porch. The garden view was luscious and green and the newly built chicken coop sat awaiting ten chicks to become of age. The scent of apple tree and lilac blossoms came to us from across the yard and from the bouquets that Kate had arranged for the tables.
A picnic buffet of tea sandwiches, home-made rosemary parmesan crackers, freshly made crab rolls, pasta salad and more, filled the table. The "from scratch" beautifully decorated wedding cake and hand-etched souvenier champagne flutes sat nearby. Elegant and lovely, the setting was that of familial "back porch" comfort. As everyone chatted and filled their plates with various foods made by Lil Log Cabin Bakery (www.llcbakery.com), eyes were directed towards the glacier they could see from the deck. Memories of their morning helicopter ride were shared.
Appetites sated, Paul Murray, (www.madweddings.weebly.com) , their wedding photographer, led the party to Yakatania Point, where a short easy trail wanders to huge rocks that jut out of the ocean. In the distance, they could see over the Lynn Canal to Haine's snowcapped Chilkat Mountain Range.
Eventually, they made their way back to Skagway. I gave the newly wed couple a ride back to their cruise ship and made my way home. At the end of the day, I poured a glass of champagne for myself and Kate. Sitting amongst the spring aromas on the back porch, we raised our glasses to the glacier before us and cheered the happy couple of Meredith and Mike.
Meredith recently shared with me that they are now expecting their first child, who will soon join their two prickly hedgehogs. Their plan is to come back to Meade Glacier, four year old in tow, for their 5th wedding anniversary. Thank you for becoming new friends and thank you for letting me share such a beautiful day with you. See you for your 5th wedding anniversary!
