Watch us on the Today Show – September 19th

My Dad coined the phrase “A Bride’s Best Friend” referring to the esteemed place we hold in the hearts of brides (and grooms) looking forward to a glorious, sunshine wedding day. While thousands of brides use us to pick a date many, “wing it” and hope for the best. Weather being what it is, some couples have a weather war story to tell. So here is their opportunity.In the 2008 Farmers’ Almanac we are gathering all wedding woes in our Worst Wedding Weather Contest.

The background is that in all my years, I never attended a wedding when it rained. Once, I said it would be a perfect day, putting it in writing. When I got up that morning, it was raining buckets. As I left my house to make the 25 mile drive and face the gloom of friends, an amazing thing happened, the skies parted. I got to the Church and couldn’t take a photo of the sky to capture my good fortune. There were no clouds and the camera couldn’t focus on the perfectly blue sky. It remained clear until the entire reception ended and then it rained again that night.

Meanwhile, long time friends Tamara and Scott Gleeson had to select one of 2 dates for their beautiful ceremony off the coast of Maine. I assured them the day they picked would be just fine. It rained leading up to the day and it just kept pouring throughout the morning, the wedding and the reception. Yes, the one guest who guaranteed sunshine missed this one. It was horrible. Rain flooded the lawn, seeped into all parts of the tent. Tamara had water up to her knees and Scott was dutifully holding an umbrella to keep her veil dry. To make matters even wetter In the middle of the meal, a sprinkler hose which ran through the tent went off – yes, it was on a timer. So people got wet if they went outside and those near the hose were equally drenched. It was cold and it was miserable. I felt like an outcast. . We never claim to be 100% accurate… we are told more in the 80% range. So after dozens of sunny weddings, my good luck had run out

As bad a weather day it was for the Gleeson’s it was an event they will never forget. Weather can do that to an event. So, this year the editors, with your help, will find the couple who had the worst wedding weather. An article in the 2008 Farmers’ Almanac describes the contest but the rules and entry can be found on our website www.farmersalmanac.com. Today, I will be traveling to NYC and will, along with Tamara and Scott, appear on the Today Show on Wednesday, September 18th. If you are near a TV or set your recorder for the new 10am segment, we’ll be kicking off the Contest. Entries are being submitted until February 14th (Valentine Day). Special judges will narrow the list to no more than 10 couples and America gets to vote for the couple that experienced the worst wedding weather. We will be on Today at 10:32am for about 5 minutes describing this misadventure.

Prizes: 3rd place = Dinner for 2 at a favorite restaurant; 2nd place = $500 LL Bean gift Certificate; 1st place = Windjammer Barefoot Cruise/ 7 days in the “sunny tropics”.

If you are near a TV, I will be on the new 4th hour segment. Look forward to your feedback!

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