Claire Williams and Cori Giroux were pronounced “married ” at the stroke of midnight September 1, on the first day that Vermont’s marriage equality law went into effect. The wedding was officiated by Atty. Beth Robinson, chair of the Vermont Freedom to Marry Taskforce, and the ceremony took place at the couple’s South Burlington home in front of about twenty close friends and members of the Vermont media.
I started out with Claire and Cori around 6 pm, when we head over to Oakledge Park for a portrait session. They had with them their gorgeous bridal bouquets, courtesy of Randi Nonni at Silver Toad Floral Design, and the light was just beautiful. We ended up at Overlook Park for some fun sunset photos and then back to their South Burlington home for a “wine and sweets” PRE WEDDING reception.
Friends filled Claire and Cori’s cozy living room for the midnight ceremony along with reporters from the Burlington Free Press, The Times Argus and Vermont Public Radio. It was short and (very) sweet and the party was over by 1 a.m. While Claire was ready to keep celebrating with her new bride, Cori, a 6th-grade school teacher, needed to be up bright and early Tuesday morning for the first day of school!
Congratulations, Claire and Cori and CONGRATULATIONS VERMONT!!!!!
Claire talks with Justice of the Peace Beth Robinson, right, before the midnight ceremony…
Reporters talk together while waiting for the ceremony to begin…
The marriage certificate hangs on the front of the refridgerator, waiting to be signed by Beth after the ceremony:
Claire and Cori cuddle up with their dog Carolina…
Claire shows off her new wedding ring…
Everyone gathers in the living room for the big event…
…and the ceremony begins.
Carolina makes her presence known during the exchanging of the vows…
Old friend Amber Ulmer does a tearful reading for the couple…
“By the authority vested in me by the State of Vermont”, you are now pronounced MARRIED!!!!!
And the bouquet goes to…
This napkin, from Claire and Cori’s civil union, is old news now!!!
Congratulations, Claire and Cori!
Wish I could have been there. Much love.
Leave it to you two to make history as well as celebrating your special day. I thilled that you two have found happiness together. Celestine and i have been together 31 years now and through lots of changes and wish you as much or more happiness together.
xxxxx
Hilary
OH congratulations!!!! Yaaaaaayyyyy! What gorgeous pics! You 2 are just glowing–you look so beautiful!
Hello from Greenbelt Pride! I’m so glad for you!
CONGRATS!!!!! What a beautiful wedding to boot! Best of luck,
Ann
Congratulations and much love to you both! Cheers to you too Carolina! With much happiness, admiration, and respect, Vanessa, Leon, Bailey, Bizzee, and Biggee
Mazel tov. It looks like a beautiful ceremony. May you both have long lives together, in good health.
Wonderful pictures! It looks like a great time. I’m glad to see Carolina celebrating as well.
i think that gay marriage should be allowed in certain states but not in other states ;;”