Super Wedding

Picture Perfect

2009-08-20T16:39:00.003-04:00

We just viewed the remainder of the wedding photos. Most of them are pretty flippin' awesome. If you want us to send you some, just let us know. The video is still in the works, but it ought to arrive in the next couple of weeks.

This Just In

2009-08-04T15:39:00.005-04:00

Just Married

2009-08-03T07:34:00.002-04:00

As we prepare to enjoy the beaches of Cape Cod, we wanted to thank everybody one last time for joining us on this journey. We will try to get pictures and video online ASAP, but in the meantime, check out the following local news coverage:

SunJournal Article

WCSH 6 Portland Story

The Show's a Go

2009-08-01T05:39:00.002-04:00

Well, this is it. After years of planning and dreaming, our superhero wedding day has arrived. We had a fantastic rehearsal last night and I really feel that our vision is going to be realized. Also, we get to marry each other, which is really what this is all about. There are still a few odds and ends to take care of, but for the most part, we are ready. That being said, I want to take a few moments to thank some people that have been integral in bringing this dream to fruition.

In no particular order:

My mom and stepfather, Nick and Jean Bennetts, for their generous support, both emotional and monetary. They have given way more of themselves than they can afford to, and will likely give more before the day is through.

The capable doctors and nurses at Oak Ridge Hospital, for helping Sarah's mother beat the odds. Against all likelihood, she has battled back from stage 4 lung cancer to a full remission. Having her sitting in the front row as Queen Hippolyta is the greatest gift anyone could give us.

Leigh Garrett, for donation of her seamstressing and power tools. She was by far the best thing to come out of Sarah's short-lived Maine theatre career. Without her, I fear our Wonder Woman would have had a nervous breakdown for sure.

Rick and the crew at Casablanca Comics, for their careful research and their tolerance of our johnny come lately comic enthusiasm. They have spent countless hours mining the archives for Kryptonian wedding vows and the like, helped us find decorations and cake toppers, and supported our wedding to far greater lengths than our meager business required.

My father and stepmother, Mario and Pam Lucchese, for their generous loan to get us over the hump. Even though I know my father is a bit disappointed at what a colossal nerd his only son turned out to be, he at least has to be proud that I scored such a hottie.

Brian Hinman, for sound design, reception entertainment, and patronage of iTunes. Any music you hear tonight was collected and edited by him. In addition, for traveling the farthest to get here and arriving a week early to help me build the set.

Emily Mercker, for supporting Sarah, even through her damaging New Kids on the Block addiction. I can't tell you how much your friendship has meant to Sarah. I know I have been a bit scary through this whole ordeal and I apologize if I ever came across as a groomzilla. I would choose no one else to lead our Amazon army into battle.

The entire Kieschnick/Favreau family, for adopting me years ago. To Eric, for his friendship and for reigning me in when creative momentum pushes too many boundaries. To Ed and Janice, for being adoptive parents to me and now to Sarah. Ed is the perfect person to guide us through our wedding promises and Janice gave him the uniform to make him official. Thank you for the lovely rehearsal dinner. The cheesecake was delicious. And finally, to Heidi and Andrew, for taking me in when I was homeless and aiding Sarah and I in establishing our new life here in Maine. We are proud to be a part of the family.

Kristy Volker and Becky Zwicker, for keeping Sarah sane, marching in the Amazon ranks, and being supporting the maid of honor so that she can in turn support us. Thank you for your chauffeur services this weekend.

Angela Haskell, for costume, hair, and makeup design. Thank you for taking Sarah on to raise and for cleaning up after the Ninestones debacle.

Andy Milford, for his generous donations and for rocking the Aquaman fins.

To Sarah's brother and sister-in-law, JR and Tiffany Lafore, for taking care of Sarah's mother so that my bride could return to Maine and be with me. We are thrilled that you could make it up to join us and we are sorry for the grueling travel delays.

To Sunshine, for walking hundreds of miles with me. Freckles and the kitties thank you for your dispensing of food and affection. We thank you for your videography services and for taking the plunge the week before us, so that we could see how easy it could be.

To anyone else that has donated, loaned, advised, designed, constructed, or consoled. The list of people to thank is longer than I currently have time for, Please know that we are well aware of how much you all have done and we are eternally grateful and terribly humbled that you would go to such great lengths for us.

Thank you, and enjoy the show. Curtain is at 7pm. Don't be late.

No Parking

2009-07-31T05:26:00.002-04:00

As a reminder, there is no parking available at the wedding venue. We ask that you please park in the Ocean Gateway parking structure just one block away. There is an unloading area for guests with mobility issues at the front door.

We hope everyone enjoys themselves. I finished the set last night and today I will be dealing with the sound and lighting design. One of my groomsmen has been working on sound cues and reception music for weeks now and I made the decision to add lighting a couple of days ago. I think it will really help the set pop.

Anyway, I need to get to work. We can't wait to see everyone.

It's the final countdown..

2009-07-29T19:53:00.002-04:00

(as my friend Emily would say!!) I cannot believe we are this close!! Doesn't seem like we just got engaged? I know everyone says it comes together at the last minute, but I feel somwhat skeptical. If we can just survive the next 2 days...

Tech Week

2009-07-27T06:35:00.002-04:00

For those of you unfamiliar with theatre vernacular, "tech week" is the week just before a show opens. This is where you start mixing in lights, sound, costumes, and special effects. Typically, the set would be nearly finished at this point, but for Super-Wedding the circumstances are a bit different. I do hope to finish all of the major carpentry today, leaving only the foam crystalline structure and any painting that needs to be done. Fortunately, my first groomsman arrives today, so I will be getting a bit of help.

In other news, I spoke to the costumer last night, and he assured me that he was overnighting the remainder of my order today. I am having him send everything directly here to Portland rather than risk sending it to groomsmen who are traveling from away. When I started dealing with the costumes, I had no idea that things would end up being so last minute. It has been extremely nerve wracking.

There are still a million miscellaneous things to do. I made a Daily Planet press pass for my photographer yesterday. There are still some sound cues that need to be assembled. We have string lights and Chinese lanterns for the hall, but no cords for the lanterns yet. I stopped by a local brewery yesterday to sample all of their bottled sodas for the reception.

You get the idea. Here's hoping for a healthy dose of theatre magic.

Thank You, Google.

2009-07-23T14:49:00.003-04:00

It appears as though even Google wants to wish us well.

Thank You, Google.

2009-07-23T14:49:00.001-04:00

Under Construction

2009-07-23T10:32:00.002-04:00

Set construction began yesterday and is already behind schedule. I built a prototype foam ice pillar and I am feeling sketchy about the adhesive. It didn't seem to be holding very well so I decided to let it cure overnight before building any more. I may end up having to resort to duct tape as a primary structural component. Carpentry should begin tomorrow. The event coordinator at the venue assured me that she would allow me to work after hours if necessary, which was of great reassurance.

If you have any free time over the next week, grab your tape measure and come on over.

Wedding or bust!

2009-07-20T21:25:00.002-04:00

I can't believe in less than 2 weeks I am going to be Mrs. Lucchese! Tony, determined to make me happy despite all the other things he has going on, drove all the way to NJ to make sure that my costume fits. It really turned out fine, I was glad we made the trip. We got several other bits and pieces to complete the other costumes as well, and might I just add how incredible Tony looks in his super suit! We have quite a bit left to do, but for the first time in many months it feels like we can get it all done. It does seem amazing that all these people are coming to see us get married. I hope all goes well.

Not-So-Free Parking

2009-07-20T11:10:00.007-04:00

When I visited the wedding venue this weekend to drop of lumber for the set, it occurred to me that there is no parking available at the facility. Well, there is parking, of course, but not enough for all our guests. If you have elected to drive to Maine or will have a rental car, the best place for you to park would be at the new Ocean Gateway parking garage. It is within easy walking distance.

There is an unloading area at the venue for handicap access.

Return to FAQ list.

A Great Weight has Lifted

2009-07-19T07:40:00.002-04:00

I am going to try to convince Sarah to post later, because I really feel like you should hear about this from her, but we have good news resulting from our grueling trip to NJ.

The Wonder Woman costume is finished.

The decision to drive the 6 hours to exit 16W turned out to be a good one. The costumer met us at the house of one of his seamstresses and brought along all that he had finished. Even the pattern girl showed up to help. The three of them pulled and torqued and twisted the costume, discussing what changes needed to be made. They ended up ripping the costume apart and rebuilding it. The removed four inches from the torso and replaced the elastic in the legs so that the costume no longer cuts into her. It only took them 3 hours, so we didn't even have to spend the night.

The seamstress's house was 12 minutes away from my grandmother, so we were able to visit with her. It was good to see her, even thought I will see her again in less than two weeks. We went to Applebee's and had a bite to eat and Sarah got a chance to see pictures of me as a wee lad. I hope I am as sharp and spry as my grandmother when I am 91 years old.

Anyway, there are still a few things left to be done with the costumes, but they are minor and I have been assured that they will be overnighted by Wednesday. At the very least, Sarah and I have our completed costumes, and if you'll forgive the narcissism, we look pretty bad ass.

Down to the Wire

2009-07-17T17:47:00.002-04:00

Tomorrow, we are taking a road trip down to New Jersey to meet with the costumer. While the men's costumes have all fit reasonably well, Wonder Woman has proved problematic to say the least. Rather than ship the costume back for a third time, we have decided to take the time and money to drive down so that he can build the next suit right on her body. Unfortunately, this unplanned escapade is cutting into my set construction time.

I rented a van and made a run on Home Depot today. I have had to pare the set down considerably from what I had intended, but I think it will still be pretty cool. I even got a glowing Kryptonite shard to bring the Fortress to life.

There are still a million things left to do and more than a few unknown quantities. I'll try to keep you posted as things develop.

Do Not Panic

2009-07-14T19:08:00.002-04:00

There are exactly 20 people participating in our wedding ceremony. As of today, there are 6 completed costumes.

Deep breaths. It will all be okay.

Special Delivery

2009-07-09T13:24:00.003-04:00

Yesterday was a big day for shipping and receiving at the Lucchese/LaFore residence. Between UPS and USPS, we got the Wonder Woman costume, shields and spears for the Amazons, and the last of our cake toppers. The costume needs some tweaking, the spear heads need to be fitted to poles, and the topper needs to get to the baker. Still, it was a big day.

Candy is Dandy, but Liquor is Quicker

2009-07-01T10:23:00.002-04:00

In exactly one month, Sarah and I will be married. Fortunately, stress levels don't come across in blog posts. There are still myriad decisions to be made and plans to be finalized. I won't go into the details, but know that back-up plans are being considered and extraneous expenses are being cut.

To that end, this is shaping up to be a dry wedding. As we near the final day, and as I have already begged, borrowed, and stole all the funds I can from every source I can think of, we have come to the difficult decision to cut the alcohol. Even thought neither Sarah nor I drink, we wanted to be able to provide our guests with some social lubricant. It's hard for most people to enjoy YMCA and Brickhouse when completely sober. Nonetheless, that accounted for the bulk of our catering expenses and it was either cut that or the photography.

We hope you will forgive us. Feel free to leave early and explore one of the many fine pubs or microbreweries within easy walking distance of the wedding venue.

Icing on the Cake

2009-06-24T13:59:00.002-04:00

I am pleased to announce that the design for the wedding cake has been finalized. We met with the baker, or as Sarah refers to her, the "cake lady," and she had a great idea that allows us to fit all of the PVC figures we have purchased on the tiers without running out of room. Instead of going with a traditional tired design, each tier is on its own pedestal which branches out from a central support. Obviously our characters get top billing with the remaining two tiers left for the remaining DC and Marvel characters. We are segregating the worlds, each to their own tier and flavor.

Those of you who like variety will be happy to know that each tier is a separate flavor, though we'll keep you in suspense as to what they are.

License to Wed

2009-06-18T07:05:00.003-04:00

We're turning in our application for a marriage license today. It's a lot easier than I thought it would be. I guess they don't do blood tests anymore. There isn't much standing in our way now. We have a few more details to work out, but I'm actually starting to think we might pull it off.

Friendly Reminder

2009-06-01T15:46:00.002-04:00

Today is significant for two reasons. First, it is the lovely Sarah LaFore's birthday. Drop her an e-card if you like. Second, today is our deadline for RSVPs. So if you're still mulling it over, try to make a decision as soon as you can. We want as many of you there as possible.

All the World's a Stage

2009-05-25T06:19:00.002-04:00

Well we have finished the script and put it in the hands of the key players. Overall, we are very happy with how it turned out. Fortunately, we were able to borrow from several sources, including Superman II, Action Comics #307 "Supergirl's Wedding Day," and a book on pagan wedding vows. The next thing on the list is set design. Once I have that laid out, I can price the materials and provide the photographer with a loose storyboarding of the shots we want him to take.

Hitting the Gym

2009-05-17T20:29:00.002-04:00

So tomorrow I begin a fairly intense exercise regimen. We have gotten our fitting costumes for the wedding, and while I am very happy with the costume, I am less happy with the body underneath it. Sarah is going to look fantastic, though.

In addition to honing our own appearances, we have myriad other wedding plans to deal with. We are almost finished with the script. I've ordered a copy of Action Comics #307 entitled Supergirl's Wedding Day. It is supposed to have references to the traditional Kryptonian ceremony. Once we have that, we should be able to polish things off and get it out to the participants. I took some measurements at the venue yesterday, and I'm going to start designing the set tomorrow. I have decided to find an alternative to our aerial entrances. When I climbed up into the rafters of the room, I didn't see anything that I would feel safe rappelling from. I certainly can't ask my best man to do something I wouldn't do myself.

We are starting to wonder if anyone is even coming to this crazy shindig. We sent out invitations fairly early, knowing that most people were coming from out of town. I fear that this has given our intended guests enough time to forget about us. Our RSVP list is pretty pathetic. Hopefully, people will begin responding soon

Other than that, we seem to be in good shape. The wedding, I mean. Not my midsection.

Song and Dance

2009-04-21T14:38:00.003-04:00

We spent a little time this weekend putting together a tentative song list for the reception. Spiderman happens to have a CD collection rivaling most music stores and has generously agreed to compile the playlist in digital format. We essentially went through Top 100 lists from every decade and picked out our favorites. I fear we may be a little heavy on 80s hair bands, but what are you going to do? The final tally ran to roughly 8 hours of song, so he's going to have to cut things down a bit. Still, there should be plenty of tunes for us to sing and dance to.

I just heard from the costumer, who said that costumes should be shipping to the wedding party this Friday. We will each do our own fittings and send them back to him with instructions for necessary tweaking. I am absolutely giddy.

It's about time..

2009-03-12T20:17:00.003-04:00

I know that this is a big surprise, me posting and all, but I thought it was about time! All in all I think the plans are going very well. I am only minimally freaked out that it seems like it is right around the corner. I feel really good about the venue, the caterer, and especially the costumes! I just got off the phone with my wonderful sister in law, Tiffany, and she got me excited about the people I love coming up here to share this special day with us. We have a meeting tomorrow with the wedding photographer so we can make sure to get some fantastic shots. I hope that everyone will want to be a part of this craziness with us. I am beyond estatic to be marrying my sweetie, my best friend, my hero.

Greetings, One and All

2009-03-10T07:36:00.002-04:00

Hopefully, if you're reading this, it is because you've received your invitation and are here to RSVP. If that's the case, just click on the link at the right and follow the instructions. If you haven't gotten your invitation yet, you will soon. We've still got a few more envelopes to stuff and address, so please be patient. We will be updating the site regularly with new information for you, so check back occasionally. In the meantime, if you have any questions, simply post them as a comment on the FAQ and we'll answer them. Thanks, everyone.

-Tony and Sarah

Where's a good place to stay?

2009-02-20T21:28:00.006-05:00

Our efforts to find a single hotel where everyone can stay have failed to bear fruit. There are several great options within convenient walking distance from the venue, each with beautiful views of the Portland Harbor. The problem that we are finding is that since we are getting married in the middle of prime tourist season, the hotels aren't really into cutting deals. They know they won't have any problem filling up all their rooms, so we really have nothing to offer them. We are going to keep working on it, but it isn't looking good. You may want to try to find something on your own. In the light of what I said about tourist season, you may not want to wait too long, either. Also, several people have found vacation rentals that are much cheaper than hotel rooms, so be creative in your searching.

Back to FAQ list.

Open Bars and Graphic Design

2009-02-17T19:45:00.002-05:00

We had a meeting with the caterer today to discuss a few details. She gave us plenty of suggestions of ways that we could save, which we appreciated. She asked that we put together our ideas for the wedding cake so that she could discuss them with her baker. We will get on that as soon as we get the invitations in the mail. Those are on their way to the printer and ought to go out next week sometime.

Yes, I will be able to attend.

2009-02-17T19:40:00.007-05:00

We are so excited that you will be able to make it. Please post a comment with your full name and the number of people in your party. You do not have to create a Google account; you may post as anonymous and simply "sign" your name in the body of your post. Check out the FAQ for more details.

Note for Maine locals: We are avoiding the traditional "Plus One" restrictions because we know that many of you Mainers have children that might like to see some superheroes in person. That being said, we have a limited budget for the reception, so we can't guarantee that there will be food for everyone. You may want to grab them some chicken nuggets on the way.

Update: So you may have noticed that the official RSVP deadline has come and gone. Does this mean that you have missed out on your chance to attend the most awesome wedding the world has ever known? Of course not. We would love for you to be there. But be aware, we are giving the caterer the numbers we have as of today. Late RSVPers may want to eat dinner beforehand.

No, I will not be able to attend.

2009-02-17T19:38:00.001-05:00

We are so sorry that you will not be able to join us, but we certainly understand. Please post a comment with your name so we can cross you off the guest list.

RSVP

2009-02-17T19:31:00.005-05:00

In our ongoing effort to cut costs wherever possible, we have decided to save money on return postage by having guests RSVP via the website. Simply click the appropriate link below and post a comment with your name, the names of those in your party, and whether you intend to bring a guest. Please make your final decision by June 1st. Thanks and we look forward to seeing you in August.

Yes, I plan to attend.

No, I will not be able to attend.

Money to Burn

2009-02-07T12:27:00.002-05:00

Well the expenses are starting to pile up. We have officially selected a caterer and finalized discussion wit the costumer. As is always the case, both were more expensive than I anticipated. In any event, we are very excited to be working with both. The costumes ough to look wicked awesome and the food will be simple delicious fare.

You Are What You Eat

2009-01-22T15:17:00.003-05:00

We started talking to caterers this week, and we have discovered that we are far simpler folk than we had suspected. The menus that are being prepared for us sound as though they have sprung from the minds of culinary Rembrandt's. It turns out Sarah and I are more of the Bob Ross mentality. I find myself longing for happy little chicken fingers.

Preview of Coming Attractions

2008-10-02T08:30:00.002-04:00

Guest Book

2008-08-28T23:20:00.002-04:00

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....

2008-08-23T22:21:00.002-04:00

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.

Back to FAQ list.

Save the Date Part 2

2008-08-18T19:07:00.002-04:00

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

2008-08-15T07:29:00.002-04:00

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.

Back to FAQ list.

Superheroes? Seriously?

2008-08-14T17:20:00.003-04:00

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.

Back to FAQ list.

Maine vs. Tennessee

2008-08-14T17:06:00.003-04:00

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.

Back to FAQ list.

Frequently Asked Questions

2008-08-14T16:59:00.009-04:00

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

2008-07-31T08:16:00.002-04:00

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

2008-07-08T06:42:00.002-04:00

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

2008-06-29T10:00:00.002-04:00

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

2008-06-09T15:11:00.003-04:00

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

2008-06-08T20:31:00.002-04:00

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

2008-06-01T14:49:00.002-04:00

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

2008-05-28T17:53:00.002-04:00

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

2008-05-25T09:11:00.002-04:00

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

2008-05-21T21:31:00.002-04:00

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

Location Location Location

2008-05-17T11:04:00.004-04:00

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.

Back to FAQ list.

Finalizing the Line-Up

2008-05-15T07:16:00.004-04:00

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!

2008-05-10T07:58:00.003-04:00

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

2008-05-04T22:42:00.002-04:00

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

2008-05-02T08:49:00.007-04:00

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

2008-05-01T08:12:00.002-04:00

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

2008-04-26T08:08:00.003-04:00

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

2008-04-24T07:17:00.003-04:00

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!

2008-04-23T22:37:00.002-04:00

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!

2008-04-23T18:06:00.003-04:00

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.