Much was old, some was new, nothing borrowed, forget the blue!

Lynn Elizabeth O’Hara and William Allen Stone were united in the bonds of civil matrimony on Feb. 13, 2017, during a 3:35 p.m. wedding at the Cook County Courthouse in Grand Marais, Minnesota​.

The area is a favorite place the couple has enjoyed on previous occasions and they elected to have their civil marriage in what the bride considers a “fresh” courthouse. The double-ring ceremony was officiated by the Honorable Judge Michael J. Cuzzo.

The bride is the daughter of the late Richard and Elizabeth (Houska) Johnson of Hoyt Lakes​, Minnesota​. Upon graduating from Bemidji State University with a Bachelor of Science, her career in Graphic Design ​took her to various cities, until she returned to her northern Minnesota roots where she is employed as a Graphic Designer/Writer for the Timberjay Newspaper in Tower. She has one son, Keaton, age nineteen.

The groom is the son of Duane Henson of Houston, Texas​,​ and the late Carol Sue (Moore) Stone of Havanna, Illinois. Previous to relocating in Ely, where he is currently working at the Ely Steak House, he was employed as a Grain Elevator Manager for Encompass Grain and Rail Co-op. He has also been self-employed and served in the United States Army as a Combat Engineer. He has no children.

The couple met in Ely in August 2015 in a chance, whirlwind series of events which brought the future groom north and away from retiring in the corn fields of Illinois.

Following a fourteen-month engagement, the couple very recently elected to have a private ceremony with no attendants, guests, pomp or circumstance, no rice, no drama.

For the wedding ceremony​,​ the bride wore a Sandra Darren design from Dressbarn. The ​​knee-length ​dress was black polyester/spandex ​with a modest scoop neckline. Printed upon the black ground of the dress in shades of white and ivory were intricate motifs resembling needle lace. The three-quarter length bell sleeves and skirt of the dress were edged with black banding. The bride also wore a long black sleeveless lace vest featuring a shawl collar.

For her footwear selections, the bride wore two pairs of shoes throughout the day. One was a pair of black leather knee length boots by BareTrap, used for travel. For the ceremony, in the courthouse restroom, the bride changed into a pair of Faded Glory, black, two-inch heel shoes which were recently purchased at the Duluth Savers store for $5.99. To complete her ensemble, she wore a vintage double string of cultured pearls, a gift to her mother from her father. Upon her wrist she chose a silver spoon handle bracelet, seeing as how she wasn’t born with one in her mouth. The bride did her own makeup using products from Clinique and the local drug store. Project Runway eat your heart out.

Wedding flowers were no muss, no fuss in keeping with the roll​i​n’ Stone style plans. The bride carried a hand-crafted bouquet incorporating a mixture of faux florals from Hobby Lobby such as deep red-toned peonies, compl​e-mented with small white flowers and berries. The under-bouquet was set off with gathered gold-toned shimmering organdy. The handle of the bouquet was hand-sewn with ecru spiral braid. A companion boutonnière was made for William Stone, who also assisted with the floral creations.

The groom was attired in a 1980’s “David Letterman” style, double-breasted gray jacket in “mint condition” procured from the Ely Goodwill store for $7.99, providing nothing short of an amazing tailor-like fit. Under the jacket he wore a tone-on-tone black striped shirt by VanHeusen, a black leather belt and black Levi 511 jeans. His black leather shoes, already a wardrobe staple, received a polish and were good-to-go!

Professional Grand Marais photographer, Jess Oulli​s, brought her creative skills to the occasion, capturing the personality of the couple while incorporating the uniqueness that even a courthouse wedding in a charming North Shore town on Lake Superior can offer. The photography portfolio encompassed indoor and outdoor lakeside selections including a backdrop of local lighthouses and timely waves breaking into spray.

The couple selected their ceremonial vows from a choice of two that were standards for the Cook County Courthouse venue. In addition, they incorporated some of their own personalized vows following a swift review and approval by the honorable judge.

Annalisa Peck, senior court clerk and resident of Schroeder, happily served as the couple’s first witness stating, “Weddings are the brightest part of our days!” The second witness was none other than photographer, Jess Oullis, of Grand Marais. Both parties had been requested that day to take part as witnesses.

As part of the double ring ceremony, the bride’s ring was a white gold, diamond-lined triple band featuring a central princess cut ruby. The ring was purchased from Suzanne’s Jewelry in Virginia, Minn. The groom, a first time ring wearer, selected a tungsten carbide band for durability from JC Penney.

Following the ceremony, the couple dined at Gun Flint Tavern in Grand Marais. The meal included BBQ ribs, mashed potatoes and spring greens. After dinner the Stones rolled down the shore to the historic Lutsen Resort where they relaxed in the great room by the expansive rock fireplace.​ ​

Following evening hors d’oeuvres the couple enjoyed a complimentary bottle of sparkling cider.

The following day, Valentine’s Day, after a lovely breakfast of coffee, brioche’ orange-flavored French toast and bacon, the Stones returned to their home on James Street in Ely that they share with their four cats, Ms. Kitty, Augustus, Colby and Vinnie. To their delight, ​a friend of the couple, Shauna Vega of Ely, created a beautiful ​two​-tier round wedding cake which was gifted to them upon their return. The vanilla flavored cake with cream filling was decorated with trailing red and white roses with touches of greenery. The cake was shared with family and a few friends that evening. The top of the cake was removed and following tradition will arise from the freezer next February thirteenth to be enjoyed on the first wedding anniversary at 706 E. James Street at the House of Stone, where the couple will live happily ever after.

Scarlet can be reached at scarlet@frontiernet.net.