LIVERMORE — As the temperature dipped to 14 degrees on Long Pond on Saturday, Rory Young and Elizabeth Richardson exchanged vows.

Rory Young and Elizabeth Richardson exchange vows on Long Pond in Livermore, Maine Saturday afternoon January 19, 2019. (Sun Journal photo by Russ Dillingham)

It was their dream wedding.

“Winter is my favorite time of year,” Young said. “I don’t like the heat. I’d much rather be out here ice fishing. I told her the only way I was going to do it was on the ice, and she said, ‘That’s fine by me.’”

Young said the idea to have a wedding on the ice stemmed from a desire to be unique.

“Everyone’s doing the whole one-up thing on weddings,” he said. “I have a whole bunch of friends who are getting married, so this is something different.”

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And although Richardson isn’t as keen on fishing as Young is, she enjoys going out in the winter.

“We always have the shack, so it’s nice and warm,” Young said.

Long Pond was all decked out for ice fishing and a wedding Saturday afternoon on Long Pond in Livermore. (Sun Journal photo by Russ Dillingham)

About 100 friends and family gathered, some of whom rode in on snowmobiles and ATVs, to witness the joining of Young and Richardson of Livermore Falls, as they were surrounded by ice-fishing traps.

The aisle, a packed-down path from the public boat launch off Route 4, was marked by fir boughs and the crowd sat on hay bales donated by a family friend. Eight black, custom-made tip-up traps lined the aisle, with another 20 scattered outside the ceremony area.

Rory Young and Elizabeth Richardson exchange vows on Long Pond in Livermore, Maine Saturday afternoon January 19, 2019. (Sun Journal photo by Russ Dillingham)

Young said the traps were made by Jared McCourt of Jay.

“Everything was pretty much donated,” he said.

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Recently retired Air Force Maj. Travis Manter, Young’s cousin, officiated the wedding.

“I’ve done a lot of beach weddings, and military weddings, but this is certainly the first one on the ice,” Manter said. “I thought it was incredible — it’s their style for sure.”

Rory Young, second from left, watches his wife Elizabeth approach, (Sun Journal photo by Russ Dillingham)

Travis’ father, Jim Manter, said the close-knit family spends a lot of time outdoors.

“This just fits them so well, and it’s fun to do,” Jim Manter said. “All the family and all the friends are all about getting outside, so it’s fitting to do.”

Jim Manter said family came from all over the country, from as far away as Texas, Florida and Missouri. Some of the younger faces at the event had never ice fished before, and although it was a slow morning, with one fish caught, they still had fun.

“They’ve been fishing and sledding, getting ready for the big event,” Jim Manter said.

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Baskets full of hand warmers, blankets and ice-grippers greeted attendants, and mostly everyone on the ice came prepared in full winter gear.

Elizabeth and Rory Young walk-off Long Pond in Livermore Saturday afternoon after their wedding ceremony. (Sun Journal photo by Russ Dillingham)

Young’s groomsmen, clad in blue flannel and black jeans with white boutonnieres, watched as Richardson’s bridal party carefully proceeded down the slope of the boat ramp to the aisle.

Although none of the traps went off as the ceremony was underway, Young would have been ready if one did.

“It’s part of the point of having ice-fishing traps,” he said. “It’s a little distraction.”

And now there are two fewer fish in the pond.

 


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