Family pet serves as ring bearer in couple's ceremony

Mr. and Mrs. Ben Charles Schmitz

Candice Eileen Buckley married Ben Charles Schmitz in an afternoon ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 7, 2006 on the bank of the Mad River in the mountains of Vermont. Robin Eileen Pape, aunt of the bride, officiated.

The bride is the daughter of Lynne and Gerard Buckley of Cohasset, Mass. The groom is the son of Elizabeth and Daniel Schmitz of Springville.

The bride was escorted by her father.

She wore an ivory satin gown redesigned from her mother's original dress, as well as a beaded headpiece. She carried autumn colored roses.

The maid of honor was Alexis Hambrick, friend of the bride. The bridesmaids were Cynthia Dean, sister of the groom, and Julie Brown, friend of the bride. The flower girls were Anneliese and Madalena Schmitz and Aubrey Dean, all nieces of the groom.

The best man was Daniel Schmitz Sr., father of the groom. The ushers were Daniel Schmitz Jr., brother of the groom, and Robert Buckley, brother of the bride. The ring bearer was "Mel," the couple's Newfoundland dog.

A solo was performed by Connie Anderson, a friend of the couple.

A reception was held at The 1824 House Inn in Waitsfield, Vt. The couple will honeymoon in Majahuitas, Mexico in February 2007.