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Guest Book

Have you received your Save the Date card? Are you following along with us on this comic inspired adventure? Post a comment. Let us know that you're out there. We'd love to hear from you.

You Guys Should....

Ever since we began announcing this wedding to people, we've gotten a lot of great ideas and feedback. Consider this a modern, interactive marriage ceremony. If you have an idea of something we should do or a thought you think we may have overlooked, by all means, tell us about it. This is a blog, after all. You can leave your comment and maybe it will find its way into our wedding.



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Save the Date Part 2

We got the Save the Date cards back from the printers on Friday. They turned out pretty good, in fact, many of you are reading this as a result. I must admit, this whole thing has demonstrated how neglectful I am of correspondence. I am having to email everybody for addresses. Nonetheless, I'm almost finished, which is far more than I can say for Sarah. She has barely started.

Fashion Faux Pas

Believe it or not, several people have already asked if guests can dress as superheroes as well. The answer is a resounding "yes." We would love it if people arrived in costume, although of course it is not required. There is one condition, though. We ask that you not duplicate anyone in the actual wedding party. This means no Superman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Hulk, Spiderman, Green Lantern, Aquaman, or Batman.


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Superheroes? Seriously?

Most of you know us well enough not to be surprised by anything we do. But for the rest of you, we felt an explanation was in order.

We've all been to tortuously proper weddings. Like many social functions, we felt obligated to participate, but not so much that we stayed long after the toasts went silent. Gifts were hurriedly purchased the day of the event from the tattered remnants of the bridal registry. Dresses and pants were dragged from safe havens in the back of the closet and called upon to perform all manner of structural feats for bodies that had moved in unexpected ways over the years. The teetotalers among us wondered if this might be a good time to start drinking, and the rest of us skip the existential debate and make beelines for the open bar.

This is not what we want our wedding to be like. We want it to be fun. We want you to enjoy being there. And nothing says "party" like Spandex and muscle suits.

As to the superhero theme, well, we aren't exactly sure ourselves. Neither of us were big comic book fans, but we both grew up with the characters. It's kind of hard to grow up in America without putting on a make-shift cape and pretending you can fly or kicking imaginary butt with your bullet-proof bracelets. As near as we can tell, the super-wedding idea came to us during a fateful lunch at Universal Studios. Regardless, the idea grew into the spectacle to which you have been invited.

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Maine vs. Tennessee

I would like to say that this decision was the subject of much debate, but that would be a lie. Even though Sarah and I met and fell in love in the the beautiful Volunteer State, we have made a home for ourselves here in Maine. We deeply regret the fact that many of our loved ones will not be able to attend due to the time and expense of the trip, but because of complicated logistics, we simply must have the wedding in Portland. This obviously isn't a traditional ceremony. It's really more like theatre, which I guess is fitting since we met while working at one. There's a set that must be constructed, lighting and sound that must be designed, and umpteen bazillion details to coordinate.

But we would like to make a plea to everyone. Maine is a beautiful state. Every summer, legions of tourists swarm to us from all over the US and Canada. They come for our beaches, shopping, or simply to catch a glimpse of a moose. Think of our wedding as the kick-off or finale of a great vacation. At least give it some thought. We would really love to have you there.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why are we having the wedding in Maine instead of Tennessee?

Why superheroes?

Can guests arrive in costume as well?

Have you considered ....?

What is the venue?

Where's a good place to stay?

Is there parking available at the wedding venue?


(More questions and answers to follow.)

Latin Beats

Our choreographer for the first dance recently listened to our track and has suggesting we take lessons in various Latin rhythms. We are going to start with salsa and work our way through rumba, cha cha, and whatever else we can find. We'll start individual sessions next summer. I really hope we can get good enough to try some lifts.

In other news, I am still procrastinating on the save the date cards. I hope to have them finished this week, so we can get them in the mail.

Not much more to report. Most decisions have been made. Now it's mostly about fundraising.

Master of Ceremonies

Sarah and I have had several conversations about who is going to officiate the public ceremony. We want it to be a friend of ours, but we weren't sure whether we needed that person to be officially ordained (Maine allows internet ministers to perform weddings) or if we would just let that person officiate at the public spectacle, then make it official at the courthouse. I think we have decided on the latter. A friend of mine from work is a notary, which allows you to perform weddings in Maine. Normally they charge a nominal fee, but she said she would happily do it for free. That is exactly the right price.

Australia or Bust

I visited our travel agent yesterday with our thoughts on the honeymoon Down Under. We have decided to put all of our eggs in that one basket. Originally, we were going to have Plans B and C (Ireland and Italy,) but we've decided that it's kangaroos and koalas or nothing at all. We gave her a long list of things we wnat to see. Sarah wants to see the Queensland Zoo, which is going to be a bittersweet event, I'm sure. I want to hike in the Outback and swim in the Great Barrier Reef. We are also planning to skip over to New Zealand for a quick tour of Middle Earth.

So We Think We Can Dance..Dance..Dance

Sarah and I have already picked out our song for our first dance as a married couple, and we have been toying around with the idea of having a professional choreographer prepare something for us. Sarah has some dance experience, but aside from a few swing classes a decade ago, I am completely inexperienced. I visited the website of a local ballroom academy today, thinking I would have to cajole someone into taking on a pair of novice dancers. To my surprise, there was a link in the center of the homepage entitled Your Wedding Dance. For $200, they will choreograph a routine to the song of your choice and give 5 hours of private instruction at your convenience. We couldn't have asked for a better deal.

Graphic Artistry

I downloaded a trial version of Adobe Pagemaker so I could do all the graphic design work for the wedding this weekend. I'm pretty happy with the results, but I don't want to ruin the surprise, so I'm not posting anything here. The Save the Date cards should be in the mail by the end of July.

Blessing In Disguise

I've just received word from the designer that we had selected for our invitations that she has been recently restricted from using any Justice League images. Although her legal department is working on it, she didn't want me to take a gamble on things working out. I certainly appreciated her honesty. Instead of looking for another designer, I think I'll probably just do them myself. I do have a degree in Architecture after all; I ought to be able to design a wedding invitation.

Wedding Hall of Justice

Sarah saw the venue today for the first time and she loves it just as much as I do. We couldn't have found a better space if we tried. It's exactly the kind of place crimefighters would go to fight crime. It is literally down by the docks.

There are actually three spaces: an entry vestibule, a large space for the reception, and a smaller space for the actual ceremony. That last space as a gabled shape that just screams Fortress of Solitude. I can see the crystal spires shooting up at all angles. There is even opportunity for heros to enter from rafters and darkness as we had envisioned. So far, the manager of the space seems very receptive. She has given us a great deal on the price and is open to some of our more acrobatic entry ideas.

We have a list of caterers that have experience with the space, so we will probably call them as soon as the contract is signed. I wish we didn't have to serve alcohol. Neither Sarah nor I drink and it is quite an additional expense. Still, I've been to a dry wedding and it was not an enjoyable experience. So I guess we'll just find some sort of compromise.

The only other detail I need to work out is where the set construction will take place. We have been given the day before and the next day until noon for load-in and strike. I should easily be able to do it in that amount of time, as long as friends are willing to help. But I still need some space where I can do the actual construction. Somehow I just don't think our one bedroom apartment is going to be big enough.

Scrimping and Saving

Well I think most of the major decisions have been made. We will be putting a deposit down on the venue this week, costumes are in the works, and the date is set. All that is left now is to somehow find a way to pay for it all. We should probably sit down and make a realistic budget so that we can design a savings plan. I figure if we put away a little money every paycheck, by next year we should be able to afford this thing.

Ultimately, the important thing is that Sarah and I promise to stand by another regardless of what life brings. We've already done that in our hearts, and all we really have to do to make it official is find a notary and sign some papers. Still, I'd really like the wedding to be a memorable event. I think our love deserves that.

Save the Date

It's official. We are tying the knot on August 1, 2009. The countdown begins.

Location Location Location

Ever since we have started looking for wedding venues the same location is recommended over and over. When I tell Portland locals that I am looking for an extremely industrial space with high ceilings, like an abandoned warehouse, they invariably mention the Portland Company Complex. Originally constructed in 1846 as a locomotive foundry, it sits at the heart of Portland's Old Port area, and does in fact look like something right out of a comic book.

They are very open to off-the-wall events. Although I think they stopped renting space for raves, they still host art exhibits and local performances. Last year, local Harry Potter enthusiasts celebrated Rowling's final book by bringing to life their own Diagon Alley at the Portland Company Complex. The Complex is also currently home to a narrow gauge railroad museum, which the Mugglefest turned into a Hogwart's Express, but which affords me the chance to be more powerful than a locomotive.

Not only is the space exactly what I am looking for, but it is far cheaper than over event spaces in the area. Plus, it has myriad opportunity for superhero photo spreads, including beach access for Aquaman. We haven't put down a deposit yet, but we are pretty sure this is the place. I am going to meet with someone on Monday to finalize negotiations. Then I can take measurements to begin designing the set and lighting for the show.

Directions to the Portland Company.

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Finalizing the Line-Up

I had a couple of good conversations with Corey at Action Actors concerning the costumes this week. Of all the costume designers I have found online, their work is by far the most impressive. The officially licensed costumes are designed for the average Halloween party and look terrible. Occasionally, you will come across a sprecial edition Batman, but that one costs almost $1000. Many people suggest talented local designers, but none of them are adept and working with copious amounts of Lycraspandex. Here are some examples of Corey's work.

We are close to finalizing the cast of characters, although a few adjustments need to be made for financial reasons. One of our original choices was Hawkgirl, and her wings make her cost prohibitive. But everyone else we chose is going to fall within the price range we had set, so the next thing is to get measurements from our wedding party.

G'Day, Mate!

Thus far, our wedding planning has followed a somewhat non-linear pattern. We have a checklist that we downloaded, but we haven't really been following it. Several issues that could easily be put off for a few months have been decided already, and certain ones that need to be decided immediately have been tabled. For example, we have picked our photographer, videographer, and honeymoon locale, but we still don't have a venue or a date.

I guess it isn't really as bad as it sounds. There are a couple of nearby locations we are interested in, and we have actually gotten some quotes. Unfortunately, our top local choice has yet to return our phone calls. My next step will be to go to their offices in person and introduce myself. Other details, like the cake or invitations, well those are just fun design things to worry about. So we pass the time arguing the number of tiers in the cake or whether our wedding invitations should look like event tickets. We are having a blast.

Our most recent decision concerned the honeymoon destination. Our top three choices were Australia, Ireland, and Italy, in that order. We have both always wanted to visit the Great Southern Continent, and we figured this might be our only chance. I want to do some hiking in the Outback and Sarah wants to visit the Queensland Zoo, home of the much beloved and remembered Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin. Our biggest reservation about that trip was the fact that we would be visiting during their winter season, but we've decided that might be a blessing in disguise, as it will cut down on crowds. Also, we're used to Maine winters, so we ought to be able to handle the winter in most of Australia, which is at comparatively lower latitudes than most of New England.

In any event, we're going to need a lot of help to get there. If you haven't noticed our shameful Donate button in the corner, please take note.

My Fiance is Awesome

You probably think that any woman who would allow her husband-to-be talk her into a superhero wedding qualifies as awesome. I suppose you would be right, too. But you know what is even more awesome? Having a bride-to-be who actually wants to have a superhero wedding. Most people think that she's just humoring me, that I came up with this crazy scheme and that Sarah is going along with it. But those people don't know Sarah.

If you didn't really know her, if you'd only met her once or twice, you might think she was just another pretty girl. You'd be partly right. She is beautiful, inside and out. She's every bit as sweet as the Disney princesses she loves so much. Furry woodland creatures flock to her. But Sarah has something that those animated beauties never did, and I saw it in her eyes on the day we met.

She's stronger than you could possibly imagine. She sees what's wrong with the world, what's ugly, what needs to be changed if only someone would take it upon themselves to change it. It's a long list, and she's only getting started.

If you didn't really know her, you might think she was just an overly tolerant bride-to-be whose fiance was obsessed with Superman. But you'd be wrong. She IS Wonder Woman. I'll just be some schmuck in spandex.

Sweet Cake Toppers

In looking around for possible cake toppers, I came across this set of 4" PVC figurines that I thought would be perfect. Some quick last-minute eBay bidding and voila, I am the proud owner of some sweet Silver Age DC cake toppers. They arrived yesterday, courtesy of the US Postal Service. I haven't figured out exactly how I'm going to incorporate them into the design yet, but I'm planning on modelling the cake late next week, so I ought to have the finalized design soon. I'll post a photo when I can.

Decisions, Decisions

So far, we're making some good headway on this crazy scheme. There have been promising contacts on the costume front, although no mention of cost has been made. Vendors want to know what my budget is, and I don't know what my budget will be until I know approximate costs from vendors. Oh, how Joseph Heller was right. Still, I'm happy with our discoveries so far. We have selected vendors for photography, videography, invitations, cake, and a travel agent for the honeymoon. Still to come- caterer, DJ, sound and light rental, and special effects consulting.

The biggest hole right now lies in the venue. I am looking for a highly industrial interior space with a lot of height, so that characters can enter via zipline, bungee cord, invisible jet, etc. There are a lot of waterfront properties here in Portland that might work, but I don't know how to contact the owners or even if they would rent their spaces. I may need to work with an event planner on that detail alone. And I'd better lock that in soon. All other decisions regarding budget and dates will cascade from that one.

Plotting and Planning

I feel sorry for the average groom. Traditional paradigms dictate that they sit back and watch as their bride and mother-in-law make decisions on their behalf. They are instructed where and when to show up in their tux, and they just obey. What kind of a commentary is that on the future of the marriage?

I am having so much fun with this wedding. I am online every chance I get, searching for invitations, design ideas for cakes and costumes, and every other detail you could think of. Sarah sees how excited I am and thinks it's great. On the one hand, I know I'm lucky to have her, but on the other hand, I wonder how any groom could settle for someone who would want to lead him around by the nose.

Regarding Lois Lane

If you haven't already guessed from our "about" photo, Sarah and I will be playing the roles of Wonder Woman and Superman, respectively. (I suppose if we really wanted to be unconventional, I would don the red bustier and she would wear the cape, but that wedding would have a whole different set of implications that we won't go into.) Someone asked me just yesterday what happened to Lois Lane, and since it was a fair question, I thought I would answer it up front.

Lois is a strong, independent woman by human standards. She is career oriented, fearless, and stubborn. But compared to the Man of Steel, she's a Stepford Wife. No matter how self-assured she is, she has to know that she will always come up short in a comparison to the last son of Krypton. That's not a dynamic that I want to base my marriage on. As far as I know, Superman and Wonder Woman were never more than colleagues. But they are as close to being equals as a man and woman can be in comic world, and that's what I wanted for me and Sarah.

We each have our own strengths and weaknesses, and at any given moment, one or the other will have more success in current endeavors. But in our relationship, we are equals. Responsibility, decision making, and future planning are a 50-50 split. Both of us want the other to excel, and together we are stronger than either of us apart.

So I hope comic fans will forgive our disregard for the lovely Lois. She'll always have a place in our hearts, but not in our wedding album.

Finally!

After years and years of waiting and wishing, my day finally came!! I am engaged to Tony! The ring is so perfectly unique, I could not love it more! A friend of mine asked if I had LHS (left hand syndrome) yet..I think I might! I am so excited that Tony is so excited about the planning! I don't seem to be able to stop smiling!!

We're Engaged!

Sarah and I have been together for several years now. During the course of a long-term relationship, you find occasion to discuss what your wedding might be like. One fateful summer afternoon, while sharing an overpriced lunch at the Superhero Cafe at Universal Studios, Orlando, we decided that it might be fun to have a superhero themed wedding.

I know what you're thinking. Why would we want to begin our marriage with such an outlandish spectacle? You see, neither one of us is religious, so a church ceremony is out of the question. Sarah has been married before, so the whole white wedding thing has been done already. And I don't do anything in the traditional way. So this is perfect for us.

Over the past few months, I've been designing the perfect engagement ring for Sarah. Several of the decisions were theme based. The stone is a green diamond, aka Kryptonite. I didn't even know that diamonds came in green, but it turns out they do. I was able to find the perfect stone locally, but the setting was trickier. I wanted something futuristic, and after many internet searches, I came across this ring by the Arnell Workshop. I immediately fell in love with it, and even though it involved shipping the stone to British Columbia and paying customs fees, I knew it had to be done. An ordinary ring box wouldn't do justice to this ring, so I contracted Jane Burke, a Georgia artist, to build the perfect box. It is made from ebony with the Superman symbol in silver inlay and it is gorgeous.

Finally, when it was all ready, I took Sarah to Boston to pop the question. She hasn't stopped smiling since.

We will try to post regular updates on our progress, and hope you enjoy following along with us.