After 12 adventurous years together, Craig Clark and I made our relationship more future-focused by exchanging wedding vows in an elopement ceremony in the park. Our officiant, “The Uncommon Officiant” (see below), customized our ceremony, based on special details about our relationship, how we met (spoiler alert – we were on bicycles), and our hopes and dreams for the future!
The ceremony was attended by just the three of us, and our artist friend Dawn Norris, our +1 who doubled as witness and photographer. Craig and I wrote our own vows, which speak to love, compassion, and the commitment we’ve made to each other (see below, for our vows).
What better place to get married that at the trailhead!
As a member of the board of Friends of Metro Parks, supporting Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks, I’m happy to say I was connected to the Metro Parks, even standing in a Columbus Rec & Parks space. That’s because of the Metro Parks’ support of the Greenway Trails – Central Ohio Park System.
Olentangy Trail
“15 miles – paved – This scenic trail takes users through the Olentangy greenway corridor, from Worthington Hills Park south to Confluence Park in downtown Columbus.
Metro Parks manages 11 miles of the trail, from Worthington Hills to I-270 on the north side, Antrim Park to Lane Avenue, and King Avenue to Confluence Park.” (Metro Parks website)
“Worthington Hills Park was acquired in 1982 and is a 3.103 acre neighborhood park in Worthington. Worthington Hills Park is a trailhead for the Olentangy Trail which provides access to Olentangy Parkland Far North.” (Columbus Rec & Parks website)
Why this park? To understand the special meaning of the trailhead, read our vows!
A honeymoon, of sorts: We’re headed to Scotland this summer to ride our bikes, with half a dozen or so other cyclists, in the Outer Hebrides. After a week of cycling adventures we’ll continue the trip with relaxation in Dunbar, Scotland, just the two of us. This is the birthplace of John Muir, father of the US National Parks, which is fitting. We’ll slow down, as we don’t often do, reading a book and drinking coffee in a local café. We’ll stroll along the water, holding hands, as we do. Perhaps we’ll rent cruiser bikes for a day or two.
My vows to Craig:
“When I’m in a room with you that missing piece is found. When you’re by my side darling, nothing can bring us down.” (Vance Joy – Missing Piece)
Every ride we took together has taught me something about us. The smooth stretches remind me how comfortable it is to be with you. The steep climbs show me what we are capable of together. The unexpected detours remind me that life doesn’t always go as planned – but with you that’s never a bad thing.
We’ve ridden along the beach at sunset, braved headwinds that make a relatively flat ride feel like it’s uphill, and tackled carrying our bikes over river rocks. We’ve climbed, and climbed, and climbed, with effort; we’ve coasted, and coasted, and coasted with pure joy. Through it all you’ve shown me how to navigate not just the road ahead, but life itself – with adaptability, harmony, empathy, and positivity.
Because of you, we never lose our way. I may not always match your pace, but I promise to keep pedaling beside you. To celebrate our successes, embrace tough moments, and trust that wherever we go, we go together. I may not always share your strengths, but I promise to learn from them. I vow to love you wholly, fiercely, and endlessly.
We stand today at a turnaround point and I’m reminded that every turn in the road connects to something greater. We’re also at the head of the trail, which is a new beginning. I will ride beside you, today and always. I choose you. I choose us, today, tomorrow, and every day after that.”
Craig’s Vows to Me:
“12 years ago you pedaled into my life and made it a much better place. We have built a life filled with laughter, adventure, quiet time, and trips to the ‘nicest places’ that we can find. From biking through all kinds of weather to camping under the stars, and to cuddling on the coach with our fur babies every moment with you is a memory I cherish. Exploring the world or at home on the couch I feel like the luckist person to be by your side.
You are my best friend, my partner, and the love that I fall for very day.
Today I promise to keep choosing you every day.
- To keep exploring, creating, laughing, and growing with you
- To make our home a fur-covered place of love
- To support your dreams and share mine with you
And more than anything, to love you forever.”
We’ll ride in tandem, today and always!
What’s next? We’ll get to Scotland soon enough. After the ceremony we were off to Local Roots in Powell, Ohio and took home a taste of their unbelievably rich Triple Chocolate Cake, which doubled as breakfast the next morning and dessert the next night. It’s a LOT of chocolate, on the house because we’re newlyweds, I suppose.
About our officiant: “I am a state certified, non-denominational officiant, and I specialize in writing and performing unique wedding ceremonies. I work with all types of people, from all walks of life, and from all backgrounds. At my core, I am a storyteller and I love celebrating people in any and all of the ways that make them happy. I hand-write and custom tailor each wedding to the couple getting married and in the last 11 years of my officiating career, I have never performed the same ceremony twice. The tone of my ceremonies tends towards fun, friendly, and laid back, but I can also be strictly formal if the occasion calls for it.” (The Uncommon Officiant website)
Why uncommon? “This is a moniker I adopted simply to let people know that I do things little bit differently. Rather than spend time waxing philosophical on the nature of love and marriage, I spend time during the ceremony to celebrate the couple who is getting married. My ultimate goal is to sound like a good friend of yours, even though we’ve only just met. I perform weddings anywhere you want to get married and in any way you see fit; thus placing me a little bit off the beaten path.” (The Uncommon Officiant website)
Join us on our next adventure,
~ Kat
Related Links:
The Uncommon Officiant: https://theuncommonofficiant.com/
Worthington Hills Park: https://columbusrecparks.com/parks/worthington-hills-park/
Local Roots: https://www.localrootspowell.com/
Vance Joy – Missing Piece: https://youtu.be/atka_0TUTLM?si=0hdze0dlh9WT_RlS
John Muir (“Father of the National Parks): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Muir
Dunbar, Scotland: Scotland’s BEST Seaside Town? DUNBAR
Accidental Wanderlust 