Maine and Massachusetts wedding photographer, McCallister Photo, is a new featured vendor in the my Kate Parker Wedding family.  McCallister Photo captures all of the wonderful emotions of your day and the little moments that make your wedding unique.  With a love for risk-taking, there isn’t a shot Eric McCallister can’t handle!  Eric used to photograph rock climbers and has now focused on weddings which is a different, but equally fulfilling adventure!  Check out some of his photographs below! ~ AY

McCallister Photo:
Website: www.mccallisterphoto.com
Blog: www.mccallisterphoto.net
my Kate Parker Wedding State and Budget: ME & MA under$25k

Bethany: Is your house on fire, Clark?
Clark: No, Aunt Bethany, those are the Christmas lights.

Christmas Vacation (1989)

I would like to introduce a new blog series with myKPW!  I’m Stacy the newest addition to the myKPW family. Kate asked me to bring my knowledge of wedding trends and traditions from the north, south, west and mid west into a series for all of our avid readers to enjoy. So happy reading as I expand your wedding knowledge of what’s hot and not with couples in their planning and details.

The topics that are going to be discussed will be, the difference between weddings from north to south and east to west. I’ll discuss some of the popular trends that are taking a wave, as well as the traditions that are slowly taking a back seat. You’ll learn about what’s most important with the modern and traditional brides when planning their weddings. Also, is the garter toss in or out? The bouquet toss taking a back seat? Bridal portraits, who does them and when? You’ll find all the answers and more when you stay tuned to Wedding Trends and Traditions by Stacy.

Event decor and planning by Jubilee Events.  Click here to see more photos from this Featured Wedding!
image above by Robert & Kathleen Photographers

Floral design by Jessica’s Country Flowers.  Click here to check out more photos from this Featured Wedding!
image above by Maring Photography

What’s in a name?

I was emailing with a couple last week who sent me a note on their ceremony draft.  One of the grooms wrote, “Jeff and I have been together for more than 14 years.  After a life of saying ‘my partner’ I’d love, at long last, to say, ‘my spouse.’”

And so he did.  Language is a funny thing.  I know another unmarried gay couple together more than ten years who refer to themselves not as partners, but as lovers.  That term is not for everyone but it works for them.

This is a big decision for gay and lesbian couples.  I get asked all the time about how the officiant will declare them at the conclusion of the ceremony.  I now declare you…

• legally married
• lawfully married
• partners for life
• married partners
• husbands/wives to one another
• spouses for life
• something else?

Jen and I chose “legally married” – and that felt right for me in particular because the legal bit is so important.  We live in a state where our marriage is legal and I want that word to be heard loud and clear.

And once you’re actually hitched, how will you refer to your spouse?  Many couples I know initially cringed at “husband” or “wife”.  Dan Savage still calls Terry his boyfriend even though they were married in Canada.  I had a hard time adjusting to fiancee and wife but it took a few months and has since felt more natural.  Many couples still use the term partner because it’s what’s comfortable and what they know.

And finally, what about the last name?  Many people keep their names, but I’ve had several clients and a friend invent entirely new names, some of which were not remotely similar to either of the old names.  That’s kind of fun – as you begin a new life together, you do so with a new name.  And of course you can hyphenate.  Sometimes this works out if the names flow together but sometimes it’s awkward.

How is your officiant pronouncing you at the conclusion of your wedding ceremony?  And will you be using the word husband or wife to refer to your new spouse?  I’d especially love to hear of any creative solutions to any of these dilemmas!