It seems every aspect of our lives is an adventure, and our wedding was no exception. We decided to elope in August 1999 and left it at that.

Then Hurricane Floyd threatened the East Coast and all of Hilton Head Island was evacuated. We packed our important things and headed to Augusta, Ga., with our friends, Fred, Jo and Richard. A good time was had by all, and it seemed like the perfect time for Chris and I to say our vows and get married.

On September 15 we arranged for a blood test. The next day we were off to the courthouse. The judge was very busy, but we managed to sway his staff to help us. Unseen by us, the judge's secretary invited the local news crew. Chris and I were married that day, Sept. 16, 1999, and all of Augusta got to watch it on their 6 p.m. news.

- Submitted by Jennifer Bright

Our wedding, which took place in Arlington, Va. on August 8, 1998, was planned entirely by phone from Chicago and Hilton Head. We weren't your ordinary bride and groom as we were getting married 30 years after announcing our engagement as a prank at an April Fool's Day dance at the Air Force Academy in 1968, the year Jim graduated.

A lifetime had passed for both of us since then, but excitement was high as we greeted friends and family who had come from all over the country -- some who hadn't seen us together since we were college kids. We were married in front of the ballroom fireplace in the Army-Navy Country Club, flanked by two American flags, his parents and my two beautiful daughters.

Before the minister could say "You may now kiss the bride," the DJ began the music. Everyone laughed and we kissed and proceeded to walk under an arch of sabers as was the Air Force custom when they were all young officers.

I had requested an older man in a suit or tux as a DJ -- what I got was a wild-looking young man in a psychedelic vest playing Joe Cocker. Next came a polka. A polka!

Jim's mother thought it so much fun I think she danced to everything that DJ played and with everyone -- young and old. The food, friends and family would have been enough for a perfect wedding, but it was his little 5-foot mother and the wrong DJ who made it the best wedding party ever.

- Submitted by Sandi Clark

My daughter Andrea Wolf married Milton Curios on Nov. 7, 1999 at Holy Family Catholic Church with a reception following at Sea Pines Country Club.

The groom graduated from West Point Academy and is a captain in the Army. His friends and fellow officers in the Army performed the traditional saber archway and they would not allow the bride and groom to pass until they first kissed each other.

The groom will be leaving to serve with the armed forces in Macedonia very soon, and my daughter is expecting their first child!

‹ Submitted by Barbara Wolf

Our son Joseph A. Maloney III married Susan Schieve on Jan. 1, 2000 at St. Francis By the Sea Catholic Church. The ceremony was celebrated by Deacon Joseph Nazzaro.

The reception followed at the Old Fort Pub. Before guests arrived Susan surprised her new husband. She had Joe follow her atop the pub at the Widows Walk where she had a violinist serenade them as they shared a bottle of champagne and toasted to the new millennium and their new life together as husband and wife. It was very romantic!

- Submitted by Lorraine Maloney