By Liz King
NEWBURYPORT — The city has its share of "green" these days — a new wind turbine, an offshore wave-energy experiment, a new recycling program and an active "go-green" business association.
Where better to honor a couple in the running for a "green" wedding package worth $40,000? But first they need your vote.
Joelle Guerard, head chef at the Natural Grocer in Newburyport, and her husband-to-be, Jonathan Blakeslee, both of Eliot, Maine, entered Clay Hill Farms' green wedding contest on a whim and have been named one of the five finalists.
"My mother and I were researching places for me and Jonathan to get married. Clay Hill was one of the places we wanted the reception to be, and we went to their Web site and saw the Green Wedding Giveaway," Guerard said. "It just happened to be great timing."
Clay Hill Farms, a York, Maine, restaurant and function space open year-round, is known for weddings, and Jennifer Lewis-McShera, senior wedding consultant and founder of Green Wedding Giveaway, decided to bring the new "green" movement to their specialty by organizing the contest.
"We are really proud of the Green Wedding Giveaway Contest," Lewis-McShera said. "Clay Hill Farms was certified by the state last spring as an environmental leader and is considered a green venue, so the contest is a great way to give back with a positive message of connectedness and empowerment. Every little pebble in the pond makes a ripple, and what started out as an idea has turned into this campaign."
Contestants had to submit their story in a play, a video, a painting, a poem, a song, an essay or any other creative form. In their video, Blakeslee performed a song that he wrote for Guerard. After two years of owning booths across from each other at a farmer's market in Portsmouth, N.H., the two foodies finally went on a date a year ago and have been together ever since.
Because Guerard, 41, is a chef at the Natural Grocer and Blakeslee, 39, owns White Heron Tea, an organic and Fair Trade tea company, the two decided to create a sustainable menu for their entry.
"Contestants were asked to explore the parallels between a commitment to each other and a commitment to the Earth," Lewis-McShera said. "We asked them to be as creative as possible, to really dive in and see where it takes you. The contest was not a measurement of green and what they've accomplished — we wanted people to feel empowered and celebrate what they do."
The top five couples of about 50 entries were decided by a panel of Clay Hill judges and were revealed at a bridal fair in Portsmouth on Jan. 11.
"I was very excited," Guerard said. "I'm 41 and have never been married, so I'm completely excited that I've found the right person and am able to get married, and I'm excited by the fact that it could all be free."
Now, Guerard's luck lies in the public's hands, who can vote through Feb. 8 on www.greenweddinggiveaway.com. Since voting opened on Jan. 12, more than 4,600 votes from all over the world have been cast. The winning couple will be announced Feb. 13, just in time for Valentine's Day.
In addition to some online promotion on Web sites like Facebook, Guerard has been enlisting friends and family for help in boosting her and Blakeslee's numbers in the polls. Regular customers at her work are spreading the word, and her family members have been handing out fliers.
If Guerard wins the grand prize, she would get a Green Wedding Ceremony and Reception at Clay Hill Farm on the Summer Solstice, June 21, for up to 100 guests. Rehearsal dinner, ceremony, catered reception, hand-painted watercolor invitations, flowers, photography, DJ services, live cocktail music, cake, hybrid bridal transportation, spa services, hair and makeup, organic beverages, tuxedo rentals, wedding-night suite, and honeymoon week are also included in the Grand Prize package.
If Guerard doesn't win the prize, she said she and Blakeslee will scale down the plans and do something like a beach potluck.
"We live more of a simple life, and go back to basics," Guerard said. "We're completely green, and I think that's why we should win. We always try to buy local. I have been composting at the Natural Grocer for the past few years, and we make our own yogurt, bread, cheese and maple syrup."
In addition to the Grand Prize Wedding Package valued at more than $25,000, the top four couples will be awarded prize packages, and random prizes will be awarded to contestants and voters.
"Relatives are already asking when the date of our wedding is," Guerard said. "So we're hoping and crossing our fingers that we win."
Vote for Joelle and Jonathan
Help Joelle Guerard and Jonathan Blakeslee win their green wedding by voting at www.greenweddinggiveaway.com.
