Townsman, 1992-01, Page 18Weddings with a difference
Unique personal touches make weddings special
by Bonnie Gropp
*Back in the 60's as anti-establishment and anti -materialism ideals began to establish and materialize, the traditional, and
expensive wedding began to take a back seat to imaginative ceremonies that expressed more of the individual spirit of the
betrothed couples.
*Since then, though the traditional is still popular, unique ideas are often a big part of today's weddings. Ball player
Mookie Wilson and his bride were married at home plate. And much has been said of the adventurous couple, who took the
phrase "taking the plunge" literally and bungie-jumped after repeating their vows.
*On the following few pages, three couples share their special day, with our readers. Though not quite as avant garde as
the ones mentioned earlier each exemplifies the individual styles and tastes of the bridal couples. Perhaps, one may inspire
you in planning your event.
Linda and Rick Wilson married last August in a picturesque ceremony on the banks of the Maitland River at the home of the
bride's parents in Brussels.
Planning an open-air wedding can
be a very nerve wracking experience,
but when Linda TenPas of Brussels,
and her fiance Rick Wilson decided to
marry last August 10, it was the only
type of ceremony Linda would con-
sider. "Linda had always talked about
an outdoor wedding," says her mother
Agnes.
Making the occasion even more
special was the fact that the location
Linda had chosen was her parents'
spacious backyard, which is nestled
picturesquely on a bank of the Mait-
land River. "Dad had always taken
such pride in the backyard. It's such a
beautiful place it seemed the oppor-
tune setting," explained Linda.
Though it would have been a little
less harrowing, to have rented one of
the enormous tents that many couples
do, the TenPas family personally felt
it would detract from the natural beau-
ty, so opted to take their chances with
Mother Nature.
The engagement was announced on
April 21, not quite four months before
the wedding date, so the family
became wrapped up in the excitement
of planning the nuptials, without a
moment's hesitation.
Linda had chosen green and white
for the theme of the outdoor wedding,
to tie in with the rich colours of sum-
mer. Her bridal attendants were to
wear emerald green; instead of bou-
quets, they would carry umbrellas. "In
case of rain," Linda explained, laugh -
16 TOWNSMAN/JANUARY-FEBRUARY 1992
ing. The men would be resplendent in
black tuxedos with green cummer-
bunds and ties.
Without benefit of church pews, the
family needed to find practical, yet
distinct furnishings for seating the
guests. A friend told them of a Guelph
company where they could rent the
200 white chairs needed to seat the
guests, as well, as a white ornamental
desk and chair where the newlyweds
would sign the register. These were
obtained and set up the day before the
wedding. Finishing the effect was a
white runner to be placed down the
aisle and in front of the pulpit. The
latter Linda's father Hank, had
acquired from the family's church. It
too was transformed with green and