There’s just something about lighthouses – mystery, intrigue, brushes between life and death, and, of course, romance. For the hundreds of years that lighthouses have dotted the shoreline, their beacons shining bright have lit the flame of love.
In 2023, Fairport Harbor West was honored to share in the surprise engagement of Anthony and Maddie. You can read about that proposal here: https://sheilaconsaul.wixsite.com/keepersblog/post/the-proposal. In 2024, the lighthouse was proud to be the setting for the wedding of Dan and Elle.
Dan, the nephew of the lighthouse’s amazing painter, Phil, often accompanies Phil to help with the seasonal chores of opening and closing. Those tasks include securing the heavy and awkward exterior cast iron shutters on the lower-level windows; inserting the historic – but functioning – interior storm windows; bringing the generator and other large items inside; and miscellaneous other jobs. So when Dan asked if he and his bride, Elle, could be married in a very small private ceremony at the lighthouse, I happily said, “yes.”
Juggling a firefighter’s schedule with the rest of the wedding party and Mother Nature’s unpredictable summer storms was tough. Finally, a beautiful day in July unfolded. The wedding party – Dan, Elle, Phil, the officiant and a photographer – walked the ½ mile path in thick sand to the lighthouse. Phil opened the front door and a few windows so the breeze would blow through. The group ascended the circular stairs to the service level and made their way up the last flight and outside on the widow’s walk.
From the Northwest corner of the top of the lighthouse, Dan and Elle said their vows as a drone flew around capturing the moment. They were declared officially married with Fairport Harbor West Lighthouse as a witness. Enjoy the photos below of the beautiful couple and may they spend many happy years together.
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