WEDDING BELLS ARE RINGING!

Nautical Nuptials
What do you get when you combine a speedboat, bright purple leis, and a handful of good friends? Well, for Karen Rossi and Greg Pasborg, the answer would be a wedding. After a four-year engagement and several attempts at planning a large, traditional ceremony, the couple decided that a simple elopement was more their style. So, on July 21, 2007, they exchanged the church for a boat on the Connecticut River. Tuxedos were replaced with Jimmy Buffet-style Hawaiian shirts. Expensive bouquets were outshone by the gorgeous bunches of handpicked flowers that were arranged by friend and expert gardener, Chris Burbank.

Friends Forever
Once Karen and Greg decided that eloping was the way to go, they had to decide on just a few guests who would join them on their special day. Childhood friends, Pam Aselton Croft (and her son, Eric) and Jim and Janet Martocchio made up the bridal party. Justice of the peace, Stephen Mitchell was chosen to perform the ceremony, which took place on Mitchell's boat, near the Riverfront Recapture in Hartford, CT.

Riverside Reception
Although the small ceremony was just what they wanted, Karen and Greg do not want to miss out on a larger scale celebration. They both have large families and many friends who want to commemorate their marriage with them. In an effort to continue the water-theme that began on the Connecticut River, the couple is looking into reception sites that overlook the river. The party is potentially scheduled for early- to mid-October.

Wedded Bliss
In the end, Karen and Greg couldn't be happier that they decided to throw out the long guest lists and wedding planners. After all, a wedding is about the two people whose lives are becoming one. And, planning a day that reflected their unique personalities was the most special way to start their life together.