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One word comes to mind during the construction of Dave and Heidi’s Wedding Castle… cold! This was my first experience building in a windy, cold environment. (Of course, cold is always relative, so in my case, I brought a relative with me… my wife, Cindy!) With the two of us bundled up with caps, jackets and gloves, we tackled the project which would serve as a backdrop for the up and coming wedding.
On the first day, January 17, 2003, the St. Pete Beach high at the Holiday Inn was around 51 degrees, and by the time we finished with our forms, the temp had dropped and the wind chill was probably hitting in the 30’s. (Special thanks to the Holiday Inn person who got us some hot water for our cocoa!) The second day’s opening temp was a wonderfully invigorating 34. Ahh, feel the chill! Ha ha. Fortunately, the day warmed slightly and the carving commenced. What really struck me as different, was carving fully clothed. Most times I’m barefoot and in a bathing suit. Well, not this time. The chill had descended, and tactics just had to change. I quickly learned that wearing rubber gloves was essential when dealing with the cold, wet sand. (Why I almost felt like Amazing Walter wearing those gloves!)
The beach wedding was scheduled for 5pm, so around 4pm, a crew of “chair setters” arrived, along with the DJ, photographers and the wonderful organizational talents of wedding planner, Gamin Zacharias of “The Occasional Muse”. After putting the finishing touches on the castle, Cindy and I kept watch with a rake, as seagulls threatened to land atop the sculpture. With a wedding in less than an hour, a collapse was not an option! Heidi and Dave had graciously invited Cindy and I to their wedding, so we quickly gave orders for bystanders to be very “anti-bird” and ran to the room to change.
5pm brought a shivering crowd of friends and family to the beach for a wonderful ceremony. Heidi and Dave stood before our sculpture to exchange vows, amid the sound of a gently crashing surf, and a chilly breeze. Their ceremony also included a very cool “unity sand” moment that I’d never seen before, and which perfectly complimented the sandy environs. (What a great idea, Gamin! J) With the ceremony over, all ran (ok, we really walked) for the warm indoor reception – complete with small sandcastle favors at each place setting. I snuck back outside as the sun was going down and took a few quick photos in the plunging night air.
Heidi and Dave, thanks for letting us share your special moment. Though it was quite frigid at times, for my wife and I, your wedding will always be a wonderful, wonderful memory. Congratulations, and God Bless you both.
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