Coupeville mayor Conard ties 10 same-sex knots

Coupeville Mayor Nancy Conard leads Grethe Cammermeyer, left, and Diane Divelbess in their wedding vows. Conard presided over 10 weddings at the couple’s residence in Langley. - Contributed photo
Contributed photo
Coupeville Mayor Nancy Conard leads Grethe Cammermeyer, left, and Diane Divelbess in their wedding vows. Conard presided over 10 weddings at the couple’s residence in Langley.

By JUSTIN BURNETT
South Whidbey Record Island County
December 14, 2012 · Updated 4:04 PM 

Ten gay couples became some of the first in Island County to take advantage of Washington’s new same-sex marriage laws Sunday when they tied the knot at a private ceremony in Langley.

Officiated by Coupeville Mayor Nancy Conard, the weddings were held at the home of one of the nation’s best known gay couples: Grethe Cammermeyer and Diane Divelbess. They were one of the couples who wed.

Cammermeyer said it was a memorable day to begin with but it was made that much more special thanks to Conard. She prepared for the ceremonies by calling each of the couples in advance to learn a little about them so each service would be a little more personal.

“She did such a beautiful job with all them,” Cammermeyer said.

An Uzbeki wedding horn, loaned by Langley resident Fred Lundahl, and drinking glasses with the date and “Married in Washington” blazoned on the side, also helped make the day memorable.

Amazingly, all of the ceremonies were conducted over a short two-hour period, from 1 to 3 p.m., and were then followed by Cammermeyer’s and Divelbess’ annual Christmas party.

Adherence to a regimented schedule allowed everything to go smoothly and on time, said Cammermeyer, who is a retired colonel with the Washington National Guard.

“It was a military operation,” she joked.

 

Contact South Whidbey Record Island County Justin Burnett at jburnett@whidbeynewsgroup.com.

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