Cape wedding 'like a fairy tale'

Donald Shepherd and Jenny Ducharme hold their son, Jeremy, after the couple's wedding ceremony yesterday at the Cape Codder Resort in Hyannis. Justice of the peace Judith Todd-McNichol of Brewster arranged free wedding services for the couple.
Photos:Melissa Louise McNichol
By K.C. MYERS
kcmyers@capecodonline.com
December 26, 2009

HYANNIS — Yesterday was justice of the peace Judith Todd-McNichol's second Christmas without her husband of 18 years. Howard "Buck" Cass died after falling off a ladder at his home last November at age 59.

Still, Todd-McNichol found joy this season officiating and organizing a wedding for a military couple.
Todd-McNichol not only offered her services for free — her standing policy for any military couple — but she also ran around collecting freebies from wedding-related businesses to make the couple's Christmas Eve wedding affordable as well as memorable.

"It was like a fairy tale," said the bride, Jenny Ducharme, who lives in Norwood with her husband, Donald Shepherd, and their 5-month-old baby, Jeremy.;" In a last-minute show of affection, Ducharme and her fiance, a former marine and current member of the Army National Guard, decided to marry as a Christmas present to each other. Ducharme wanted to marry on Cape Cod. Just two weeks ago, the bride-to-be began searching the Internet and found Todd-McNichol. When Todd-McNichol, who lives in Brewster, informed the couple the services would be free, "I got emotional," the 33-year-old bride said last night. But that was just the start. "Justice Judy" spent a few days making calls and secured a suite for the newlyweds at the Cape Codder Resort. Staff members at the resort offered to do the bride's hair and her bouquet for free. The Golden Fountain Restaurant owner gave them a $20 gift certificate for dinner. And photographer Melissa Louise granted a huge discount, Ducharme said. The couple had planned to throw on some boots and get married on a cold beach. Instead, they exchanged vows before a roaring fire and a huge Christmas tree at the Cape Codder Resort. "We just wanted to show our love for each other," said the groom. "But then all these calls started coming in. It's been overwhelming." The couple have a lot of thank you notes to write. The first definitely goes to Todd-McNichol. This woman is a godsend. And all the people know her, and they respect her, so when she asks for something, people do it," Ducharme said. Todd-McNichol deflected any compliments. She said it's easy to get local business people to help the men and women fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. "People thank me for asking them," she said. "They want to do something. It feels good." Since the wars began, Todd-McNichol figures she has done about 12 free weddings for military couples. The Brewster woman said she does the free services because she feels a special bond with military families. Her mother was a nurse and her father a medic when they met in Shanghai during World War II. And her late husband, a minister and contractor, served two tours of duty in Vietnam as a paratrooper. Besides the military connections, Todd-McNichol also senses "our human oneness. I feel that all the time," she said. Ducharme and Shepherd certainly appreciated the help after a tough year. Ducharme's pregnancy involved several complications. Doctors warned them their child may not survive until birth. After birth, little Jeremy required two blood transfusions. Now he's fine. The couple also realizes Shepherd could be called for duty in Afghanistan at any time. So to celebrate their love and togetherness with a wedding on Christmas Eve felt truly amazing, Ducharme said. They invited Todd-McNichol to join them for dinner at the Golden Fountain Restaurant. They didn't know Todd-McNichol had lost her husband just a year ago. The dinner invitation was especially welcome, Todd-McNichol said. During the wedding service, Todd-McNichol called the event "A Miracle on Iyannough Road." "The certainty of love from total strangers is a true miracle," she said.

Dear Judith,
Well, to say that this trip to the Cape will be memorable is an understatement. Needless to say, I had no idea whatsoever what my husband had planned. I can't believe he pulled that off and, especially, without me suspecting a thing! Between the two of you, and you're collaboration, our vow renewal ceremony was perfect !

I thought the ceremony was simply beautiful (nicer than our first to be honest). I loved all of the extra touches, the tying of knot, the sand ceremony, etc. <>I loved how the boys were included.

I meant it when I told you (after the ceremony) that we were blessed. We are.

My parents divorced when I was 7 and C's when he was a teenager.

In this day and age, to be for 20 years and celebrate 15 yrs of marriage is a rarity. It's especially important for our children to have the sense of security knowing that Mom and Dad are still very much in love....

Charlie really is very special. He truly is my best friend and soulmate.

I'm so glad we have a copy of the ceremony. I will save and treasure that.

I love the location you chose for the ceremony. It was beautiful, nice and private too. Just right! That will be our 'special place' from now on.

Sincerest thanks again for all of your help in making our day so very special!

Looking forward to stopping by and saying HI next time we're on the Cape...

Hugs,

N

December 30, 2006 CAPE COD TIMES

Coty and Adam Schade walk back down the aisle after their wedding ceremony in Brewster last night.
(Staff photo by Ron Schloerb)

Community puts frosting on their cake

By DOUG FRASER and K.C. MYERS
STAFF WRITERS
BREWSTER - Coty Taylor and Adam Schade were going to skip the cake, the flowers and the honeymoon suite.

With Schade, 22, of Harwich, getting ready to return for his second deployment with the Navy Wednesday, the couple didn't have a lot of time or money. They just wanted to get married during his

2½-week leave before Schade had to return to the Middle East. Watching others lose their lives so young, Schade had no intention of waiting to have the ceremony.

''I just love her,'' he said before they wed last night.

But as it turned out, their wedding included the works: cake, flowers, honeymoon suite and an extra serving of good will from people in the wedding business who wanted to support the troops.

''It's beautiful, it really is,'' Taylor said with tears in her eyes. ''It's so overwhelming. We're very fortunate to live in such a supportive community.''

The donations started with Justice-of-the-Peace Judith Todd McNichol, who has a standing policy that she will waive her fee on weddings for those who have served, or are serving, as soldiers in the Afghanistan and Iraq wars.

When approached to preside over the young couple's wedding, McNichol wondered whether she could do more, and she started calling some of the people she knew in the wedding business.

Salim Khan, controller at Catania Hospitality Group, offered a wedding planning breakfast yesterday morning.

''It's a small gesture,'' he said.

Chatham Bars Inn stepped up, offering the newly married couple one of their newest rooms - a spa suite that includes big plasma TV, a fireplace, steam shower, in-room sauna, hydrotherapy tub and Bose sound system.

''We thought it was great to give something back,'' said CBI reservations manager Chris Sellitto. ''These people are risking their lives. We felt it was the neighborly thing to do.''

Meredith Fancy of Fancy Flowers in Orleans gave Taylor a bouquet of white hydrangeas, roses and calla lilies.

''It's that time of the year, and we're in that war and he has to leave and go back,'' said Fancy, who prepares flowers for more than 200 weddings a year. ''It was nice to help them out.''

Cottage Street Bakery in Orleans owner Marc Launoy baked and decorated an ornate butter-cream frosted wedding cake. He gave the delicious creation to the couple free of charge.

''I was just tickled at how readily and easily these people gave,'' McNichol said. ''I think we all honor our service people and think about them when we hear about them on the news. But unless you have family there, it's hard to know what to do to help.''

Last night, about 40 people watched Taylor, 19, marry her boyfriend of three years. The ceremony on the small back-deck of the Taylor family's modest home, featured candles in bags to mark the aisle. Guests bundled up against the cold and sang the wedding march a cappella.

''It's not fun to worry about him all the time,'' Taylor said of her soon-to-be husband before the ceremony. ''It's hard, but when you feel that much for someone, it feels natural to be able to handle these circumstances.''

K.C. Myers can be reached at kcmyers@capecodonline.com.

(Published: December 30, 2006)

The following is a thank you from the Schade Family

Dear Judith,

Dear Judith,
When Bob and I decided to get married again on February 3, 2007, after being divorced from each other for many years we wanted to have a very private wedding ceremony in our home with just our children and grandchildren in attendance. I worried as to how this could be done by a Justice of the Peace who would make it feel special and not be just another formality of a ceremony that would be impersonal.    I had no idea where to start to look for such a person who would fill my expectations of a ceremony with feeling, without having to write and exchange our own vows. Bob was not keen on doing this at such a private occasion.
I found your name in the Cape Cod and Islands Magazine in an article that quoted you. Your words spoke of sensitivity and compassion unlike what one would think of when you have a JP to perform a simple nuptial and as private as we wanted. I had visions of the JP coming for ten or fifteen minutes, going through the legal wording and pronouncing us “Man and Wife” and then it was over and done. I decided to call your number and after spending a short period of time talking with you over the phone and you giving me as many options as I wanted, I felt I had made the right choice to follow my instincts with you.
I was not prepared for what we really got when you showed up in your very professional robe and a warm hug and hand shake. We were all extraordinarily pleased with not only the way you conducted our nuptials, but you somehow, with no prior personal contact with Bob, or our children, made the ceremony personal to us and our children with a beautiful reflection of our circumstances (married, divorced, and remarrying again to each other). And if the wasn’t enough, you gave us a folder of our nuptials you personalized for us as a keepsake of this very special event in our lives. Bob and our grown children join me in thanking you for being such a sensitive and caring official and we especially enjoyed visiting with you after the nuptials and getting to know you and the wonderful work you do.
With our fondest regards,Bob and Brenda

Judith,

Thank you so much for helping to make our wedding day so very special. The ceremony and vows you composed were perfect and everyone commented on how wonderful they were. It was a lovely and loving day made more so by your contribution and by your presence. Thank you.

J. and T

Judith,

We wanted to thank you again for helping us make our wedding so memorable. Affectionately,

J and M.

Judith,

This little message from both of us brings special thanks for helping make our wedding day an occasion we will always remember. You added to our happiness in SO many thoughtful ways and we wanted to thank you for marrying us, as we began our new life together.

M and E

Dear Judith,
Thank you for your service for our ceremony, it was truly memorable
experience.
We were really touched. By how you and made us feel really special.
I hope this will make our new cycle of life meaningful and will learn
each other as long as we are together.
I really hope you keep your wonderful work as justice of peace, and
make as many couples as happy as you did us.

We will printout photo or burn a CD for you to look at.

Thank you once again, I really appreciate your being Justice of the Peace for our wedding.
With our best wishes.

T. and D.

Hello Judy

Thank you so much for everything...We wanted to just let you know that we truly appreciated everything you did to make our day so special.

D. and S.

Dearest Judith,

We wanted to formally thank you for your services. You made our ceremony so personal and special. We also appreciated how you incorporated our soon to be son  (any day now) and how kind you were to our dog. Always, S and K

 Thank you very much for going that extra mile to make our day. Our warmest regards and special thoughts are due you. You are very kind.

Warm Regards,

K and J

  Dear Judith,

Thank you for providing my husband and myself with the most beautiful wedding ceremony. We all felt so warm and included and surrounded with beauty and love. You did a wonderful job and we appreciate all your extra, extra efforts! much happiness and well being in your future.

Warmest Regards,

A

 Judith

We  worked on the questionnaire, and really enjoyed sharing our results with one another. This sharing of feelings and emotions coming from our responses  to the questions are really love letters to each other we will  both cherish. This was an unexpected benefit of having you do a very special ceremony for us. Thank you for the heart and soul you put into it. Our wedding was more than we could have hope for or dreamed of.

Thank you Forever,

W and J

 Judi,

Thank you so much for creating our beautiful wedding ceremony. The day was more perfect than we could have dreamed. Your personal touch added elegance and charm to our day. We have read the ceremony again and watched it over on DVD, it is amazing how you wrote such a beautiful, personal verses. Thank you for an amazing day./div>

Love you,

K , W, and our daughter A

Dear Judith,
Thank you for being such a big part of our wedding day.  Your words were inspiring. Also, thanks to Melissa for her special vows.
Sincerely
M&L

Dear Judith,
Thank you for the most beautiful wedding you performed for us. We’ll always remember how very special is was. I’m so happy I showed up with two roses. The rose ceremony was lovely. Many thanks for the suggesting the windmill for a very memorable and picturesque wedding spot.

Sincerely,
J & M

Judi -
Thank you so much for creating our beautiful wedding ceremony. The day was even more perfect than what we dreamed. Your personal touch added elegance and charm to our day. We have read the pages that you wrote and watched the DVD, it is amazing how you wrote such beautiful, personal verses. Thank you for an amazing day!

Love,
K, W, & A

Dearest Judith,
We wanted to formally thank you for your services.  You made our ceremony so very special. We appreciated how you incorporated Jake (our unborn son) and how kind you were to Tika (our dog).
Thank you again,
Always,
S & K

Dear Judith,
You went the extra mile to make our day, and to make our smile. Very special thoughts are due, for someone as kind as you. Thank you so very much. We are very appreciative for you making our day special.
Warm Regards,
K & J

Judith,
With much appreciation for helping make our wedding a special one.
D & J

Dear Judith,
Thank you for providing Chris and I with the most beautiful wedding ceremony! We all felt so warm, included and surrounded around beauty and love.  You did a wonderful job and we appreciate all your extra, extra efforts!
Much happiness and well being in your future.
Warmest regards,
A and C

Judith,
Thank you so much for your help with our wedding, and starting our lives together.
Sincerely,
C,J, & K

Dear Judi,
Thank you so much for making our wedding day so special.
Love,
D & K

Judi -
It was a beautiful thing you did.  Thank you for making our wedding so beautiful. Thank you again.
Sincerely,
C & R

Dear Judy,
“Hear me four quarters of the world - a relative I am!
Give me the strength to walk the soft earth, a relative to all that is!
Give me the eyes to see and the strength to understand, that I may be like you.
With your power only can I face the winds.”
Black Elk 1863-1950
Ogallala Sioux Holy Man

On a recent Trip to Salem, I came across this card at an art museum. Somehow I thought of you, and wanted to use it to tell you what a wonderful thing it was that you came into our lives. We will never forge that day in September. You started us through a beautiful sunset onto our journey far beyond.
May God Bless You Each Day,
L and C

Hi Judith,
First can I thank you so much for calming me today!!! You have a great big hug coming to you on Friday!!!
I've just read the entire ceremony and it brought tears to my eyes - it's just stunning really. I really felt like God would guide me to the right person to lead our ceremony and I knew as soon as we first started emailing that this was meant to be. Now reading the product of your hard work, your attention to who we really are and what's important to us, I feel so very blessed that we found you!!
I love everything you included as readings, so much so that I think I'd prefer to cut out the other two readings I had suggested, just because everything else says it all so well. Like I said, the other readings are just SO perfect and everything that you wrote really flows so well together.
Again, I am just thrilled with what I have read and can't wait for Rob to see! Will talk again shortly,
J

I am writing you this email to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the ceremony you provided Korey and I with on the 12th of August. You made our day very special and we have received many compliments on your services. Everybody thought that the ceremony was perfect and the fact that you gave a toast to Korey and I was that much more special. I myself want to thank you because you kept me calm during the event of being late for my own wedding. We would like to write an endorsement for your services on your website but not sure how so if you could give me some guidance there We would appreciate it. I hope that is right maybe a testimonial not sure how to phrase it. We just want to let people know that your services are well worth the money. Thank you again Judith from the bottom of our hearts and we would love to renew vows in 5 years if that is something you would do. Thanks again you were fabulous.
Sincerely
J & K

Dearest Judith,

Robert and I would like to thank you so very, very much, for all that you did to make our wedding day everything we could have ever dreamed of and more. You have a beautiful, wonderful spirit that shines from within you and touches everyone that is around you. EVERY element of what you provided was exceptional. The initial questionnaire was just what we both needed to focus on the real heart of why we love each other and why we were getting married. You put our nerves at ease in every conversation and email and then the day of the wedding - well, there was no question for either of us that we found the PERFECT person to marry us!! Everyone

Dear Judy,

You preformed a beautiful ceremony we will cherish it for our lifetime. The special intentions and vows held so much meaning and were revealed to us with such compassion.

We Thank you!

Mr. and Mrs. C.

Dear Judy,

We wanted to thank you again for your outstanding service for us on our special night. You went above and beyond for us and for that we are so grateful. The great energy and personality you brought to our ceremony will forever be remembered and appreciated. We admire you willingness to help in anyway you can and we wish you a lifetime of happiness from the bottom of our hearts thank you.

C and A

Dear Judy,

Thank you for being a part of our special day. You will forever be a part of our memories of our Cape Cod wedding. You will hear from us in a few years for a renewal!

Yours Truly

Mr. and Mrs. C.

Judi ,
Thank you for giving us the most beautiful wedding ceremony. It meant so much to us to have you help us “tie the knot” We are still getting compliments about our ceremony. Our guests loved your true spirituality and warmth. We will never forget our amazing day….

Thanks to you.

Love G and L

Dear Judith,

Thank you for fitting us into your schedule. We so enjoyed working on our special ceremony with you. You made our big day so special.

Thanks again,

M

Judith,

We were so touched by the thought and care you gave our service. Our wedding was so much more special because you were there and you cared. That night ,after everyone had left we sat together talking about how fortunate we were to be surrounded by such love and friendship and we wanted you as one of those friends, that could stay after and celebrate with us. We didn’t have a clue as to how a service should be handled, but you guided us and knew exactly the best way to conduct a wedding in TWO languages!

Our gratitude and hearts will always be with you.

S and J

Dear Judith,

I had such a good time talking with you today. You are so helpful and friendly, I look forward to our ceremony even more, before today I would not have thought that possible. It is refreshing to meet other people who truly love their profession and really take pride in what they offer people. You definitely go the extra mile with your service.

Thank you so much,

JW

Dear Judith,

Our deepest thanks and appreciation for renewing our wedding vows for us, especially on such short notice. The ceremony and the choice of location were beautiful and exactly what we wanted. The Cape has become “our home away from home.” The Cape means a lot to all of us we really could not have asked for more in our second chance to renew our love and devotion to one another. We know that this was not a miracle fix to all the problems we have had, or will have, but we are willing to work together at making our marriage, family, and love stronger day by day. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for giving us a new beginning and for being such a special part of our life’s. with your words.

Thank you so much,

A and P

Dear Judith,

Just a few words to say thank you for making our day extra special. Everything went so well it was a beautiful day.

Thank You

G and W

Dear Judith,

It is almost two months since our wedding in Popponesset and we wanted to drop you a note to thank you in writing for performing our wedding ceremony. It was beautiful and we have our sand containers on the mantel over our fireplace. We were thinking of you in Hawaii. We wanted to let you know that surprisingly married life has been even better than living together! Please keep in touch.

Love

L and H

Dear Judi,

Thank you for helping us with a special location for or wedding on the beach. There is a special joy in the wonder of the sea. Thank you for showing us that. There is a gentle serenity in it’s beauty. Thank you for showing us that. For those who stop and take it all in we find our own spirituality there. Thank you for that in our marvelous ceremony. We will always treasure Cape Cod. Thank you.

Our Love to You,

K and L

Wild Care - on the Owl that came to a wedding!
Jan17, 2008

Dear Judi Todd-McNichol,

Congratulations!

The great horned owl you rescued was successfully rehabilitated. Your wilding was returned to her native habitat, healthy, and able to care for herself, without any future human intervention.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, staff, and the volunteers of Wild Care, we thank you for helping a creature during such a vulnerable time. Only through assistance of rescuers such as you are we able to provide care to animals brought to our door. Thank you from “those who do not speak with words”

Sincerely,
Lela Larned

I look forward to hearing from you.

Judith Todd McNichol  - Congratulations

Judith Todd-McNichol
508-896-9898

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