On Friday,  we will begin the process of selecting the couple who experienced the worst weather during their wedding. Since we released the 2008 edition last August, we have been accumulating some terrific stories about hardships that have lead to beautify bonds between couples.  We have narrowed the field from 500 to our Top 10.

The winning couple will enjoy a 7 day cruise on a Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship. Second place receives a gift certificate for LL Bean merchandise  and the 3rd couple will enjoy a romantic dinner for two. But, it starts with America voting for their favorite  February 29th and ends on St. Patrick’s Day.

Submitting entries for the contest  ended on Valentine’s Day. But this morning I received a story that typified what some couples in love have had to do to tie the knot even in the worst of conditions. Keep in mind that this entry was submitted too late to be included in the judging but it gives you a sense of the hardship couples have had  to overcome when Mother Nature is not smiling. Enjoy this love tale.

Royal & Adeline Kraeger

19 February 1972

Due to a winter storm that came in overnight I decided to leave for church early.  It was an interesting trip since I had to drive 17 miles to the church.  Upon my arrival I realized the bride had not arrived.  I called the brides house to confirm how late she may be.

Adeline informed me she had two feet of snow in the roads and there was not going to be a plow.  I called the town barn and told them I was getting married today and needed that road opened.  They informed me it would be several hours.

I decided my 1970 Dodge Challenger was my best option and headed out to rescue my bride.  About two miles from her house I buried the challenger in a snowdrift/whiteout up to the top of the door.  I was able to exit the car and found a farmhouse with some young men to assist with digging out my car.

It didn’t take long to realize I wasn’t going any further by car.  I asked for directions cross lots so I could proceed on foot and was told by the boys they would try to break a trail with their snowmobiles.

When I arrived at the bride’s house cold and wet, she told me “you can’t see me before the wedding, don’t you know it’s bad luck?”  I didn’t bother to mention that the current weather, the way I arrived and the situation I was in at that time wasn’t exactly “Good Luck”. Some how I was able to convince her to leave her mother behind, put her wedding gown in a garbage bag, and accompany me back to my car so we could go to the church. 

By the time we got to the church a small group of people were waiting.  The bride changed in the choir loft and I tried to clean up in the sacristy, my hair looked like a mop.  All through the services people continued to arrive.

At the end of the wedding we knew we were not going to be able to get to the reception, so we decided to go to a nearby restaurant.  They were short on food and my Uncle said he had a bag of feed in his car for weight and would go to a nearby country store for supplies.  They bought out the store and brought their loot to the restaurant for preparation.

An unusual wedding feast was held, we had a jukebox for musical accompaniment, and plenty of advice was given as to the future of our marriage.  The bride’s family was able to get out with the promise to return home within one hour, because the weather hadn’t let up yet and the plows would not be back until tomorrow.

My wife and I had to stay at the Holiday Inn in
Rome, NY for the first night of our honeymoon.

I always prayed that if this wasn’t the woman for me, God would give me a sign.  Here it is 36 years later and we just never know.

Check out our home page on Friday and cast your vote for the best of the worst weather or the worst of the best wedding experiences. When it comes to weather, love is blind.