Ahoy Matey! Well we did put on quite a show last weekend on the island of Mackinac. And let it be said here and now that the pirates ruled the roost. Sorry top be so late in getting these up but married life does have it’s commitments. For those of you who don’t know, I got married last weekend to my soulmate and partner, Dawn. We had both been down the isle before and it seemed a bit more then self indulgent to try a big white wedding so we opted for a different approach. Since pirates are so hot this year we decided that a pirate wedding was in order.
But in order to have a pirate wedding you need an island and thankfully the State of Michigan provides one: Mackinac. At first the idea was to get a small group of people and have a quiet gathering of a few friends and family and to largely avoid the trappings of the Wedding Industrial Complex. Well small turned to about 50, and everyone got into the act. The idea of a pirate costume wedding caught fire and everyone was involved. We became wedding celebrities for the weekend. Before too long, everyone on the island knew about it.
We arrived on Friday the 5th of October, to some stunning weather. The ferry ride to the island gave us a spectacular view of the mighty Mackinaw bridge.
Most of the party stayed at the Mission Point resort which was a beautiful location and convenient to the site we had picked out for the ceremony. When we arrived some very dear friends had arranged for a treasure trove of pirate booty to greet us as we walked into our lake view room.
Thanks Jeff and Trish, you guys are really special. The day was spent meeting up with our “crew” friends and family were arriving on the island in a steady stream all day.
Read and see more below the fold.
Friday was spent sight seeing on the island. A small group of scurvy dogs meet up and hiked up to Arch rock, the site of the impending nuptials.
My forever shipmate and her mummy.
Later that night the Round Island bar and grill became a staging area for all of the scalawags and scurvy dogs. Later that night was the obligatory carousing and partying at Horns tavern.
Mugging for the camera.
My folks, some friends and niece.
My bride and her bother.
Saturday was spent on a short sight seeing hike with Julian and some friends up to the site of Fort Holmes, the fort that was built to protect the main fort (yes the big fort was not built on the highest ground and was vulnerable, someone was demoted over that one). After the hike we ditched Julian with our friends and repaired back the the room to get ready.
Happy hikers.
The fort remains and pirates!!!!
Julian poses for a 70’s style retro album cover titled something like, Julian: Miserable and loving it!!!
The plan was to gather in the round island grill and sign the ships book then head out to Arch Rock. AS we gathered in the bar we started to attract a lot of attention and the gets and staff of the resort were quite amused. People were stopping us, taking our picture and wondering what was going on. When they found out it was a wedding they all wanted to know who was the bride.
I don’t look nervous, do I?
Pirates!!!!
Dawns oldest Son and his girlfriend (aren’t they just adorable!!!)
Dawns Father and Daughter.
A dear friend signs the ships book (this picture makes her look like she is signing the Declaration of Independence or something).
The right Reverend Don (performed the ceremony).
More Pirates!
The family that pirates together … stays together!!!!
The pirate parade. This is where we were stopped about 5 times by curious guests who must have thought this was some kind of program being run by the resort. We were also attracting a lot of attention away from other wedding couples. It had to be hard for other brides to realize that their $5,000 gown was being upstaged by a $300 pirate costume.
Exchanging vows at Arch Rock.
Don gets to the part where he asks “…if there is anyone who knows why this couple should not wed”, and suggests that if they are going to speak that they had better “… back it up with steel”.
The happy couple (isn’t the brides costume gorgeous!!!!)
The whole pirate family!
Rick and Dawn AKA Rupert Slaughter and Lu-ci Longshanks!!!
We did attract a lot of attention obviously but one of the funniest stories was told by my good friend Jeff who was walking by another wedding party. The Bride and the Brides mother were not happy about the attention we were apparently getting despite the designer gown worn by the bride. However the first couple in the wedding party passed and Jeff was given a coy “Thumbs up” by on of the grooms men. Another grooms man in the party just leaned over and told Jeff in no uncertain terms, “… You guys are having a fuck of a lot more fun then we are”.
Of course another wedding couple decided hey, if you can;t beat them, join them, and they asked us if their pricy photographer could take their picture with us. We gratuitously accepted.
To say it was a memorable weekend would be an under statement, it was a truly wonderful weekend and it was made possible by a whole bunch of people who clearly care about us and were every bit as whackey as we are. we can’t thank everyone enough for their love and support it made our “special day” magic.
I’m sorry I missed it. I had a play to do. Mazel Tov and shiver me timbers. AAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGHHH!!!!!!!!
totally awsome. enjoyed all the pictures and the play by play
Hey Rick,
Looks like it was a blast. I wish I could have made it up there, but fate decided I should do mid-terms instead. A+ on the theme and execution, too.
That looked like a blast me hearty. Shiver me timbers I missed out on the gruel, the rum and the fun. But Arrrrrgghhh, God bless you both and many happy years looting and pilaging!
Rick and Dawn,
ARGH! Congrats, mates.
What a creative and delightful twist you gave this joyous occasion! Thanks for sharing the photos, too.
I wish you, your bride and family a long and happy life together.
Very nice.
Congratulations & Good luck!