Pictures to follow

Jay Porter and David Smith were married Saturday, May 15, 2004, in North Vancouver, British Columbia. Marriage Commissioner Maureen Hunter solemnized the ceremony, which began at five o’clock in the afternoon and was attended by 50 close friends and family members.

The wedding and reception were held at the Hamersley House Bed and Breakfast. Official witnesses for the brief ceremony were Paulette J. McKay of Seattle, and Michael Robinson of London, England. Seated in the first row were David’s mother Margaret Smith and stepfather David Smith of Adelaide, South Australia; Jay’s parents Judy and Larry Porter and of Oklahoma City; his grandmother Barbara Tompkins and aunt and cousin, Lynda and Janet Plemons. Jay’s sisters, Julie and Lyndi Porter, read a brief passage from Corinthians before the exchange of vows. Floral arrangements of calla lilies and white roses adorned the arbor of majestic fir and dogwood trees, laurels, and rhododendrons on the grounds of Hamersley House, a lavishly restored British Columbia Heritage Site dating from 1903.

David and Jay wore vintage tuxes, matching neckties in a light blue Art Deco pattern, and black satin vests. The “Jazz Age” theme continued throughout the evening, with prelude music featuring Ella Fitzgerald recordings of classics by Cole Porter, George and Ira Gershwin, and others. As the grooms completed signing the marriage license, Chet Baker’s “Let’s Get Lost” heralded the arrival on the lawn of servers carrying champagne and hors d’oeuvres.

The wedding reception moved indoors as Jay’s sister Julie served as Master of Ceremonies as toasts were offered by both grooms’ attendants, with a special reading of “suggested vows” edited from suggestions of friends and family by Julie Welch of Seattle. After these toasts dinner was served. The buffet dinner by Louis Gervais Fine Catering was accompanied by the Twist of Jazz trio. A selection of British Columbia wines and classic cocktails were served on the verandah, accompanied by a selection of Pacific Northwest cuisine small plates including local baby lamp chops, pork loin in Calvados glaze, firecracker prawns with kumquat marmalade, smoked salmon with black and white sesame seeds, and radicchio-wrapped bocconcini covered in a spicy sour cherry sauce.

Following dinner and drinks, the grooms cut their cake, a chocolate-espresso cake, covered in Tiffany blue and white vanilla fondant icing and silver dragees, which featured Art Deco architectural motifs, topped with a single calla lily.

Both grooms addressed their guests, thanking especially the numerous family and friends who had arrived from England, Australia, Oklahoma, Florida, California, and Oregon and mentioning fondly their many friends attending from Washington State, including fellow members of the Seattle Quake Rugby Football Club. Both grooms were emotional in their thanks for the unwavering love and tremendous support they have received from their families, both in the past and as a couple, and for the closeness of the dear friends who comprise their “urban family.” Both Jay’s father and David’s stepfather added their blessings for the union, and commented on the assemblage of so many friends from around the world and throughout the grooms’ lives. The toasts were ended with a special word of love and thanks from the mothers of both grooms.

Following the toasts, the grooms tossed their calla lily boutonnieres to a crowd of their single guests; the prizes were caught by Tom Bentler and Julie Porter, though the two are not presumed to be marrying each other.

In addition to the wedding cake, guests enjoyed a caramel apple tarte, lemon mousse served in demitasse cups, and a selection of cheeses and fresh fruit. Following more drinks and dancing, the guests dispersed at eleven o’clock. The grooms’ immediate family and close friends stayed at Hamersley House for the weekend, enjoying the amazing hospitality of proprietors Shelly and Derek Porter.

Having returned to Seattle with the families Sunday afternoon following a picnic in Stanley Park, the grooms depart Tuesday for a honeymoon to Vienna, Florence and the Tuscan coast, and London.