Under sunny skies on a picture perfect Ogunquit Maine summer day, surrounded by friends and family representing three continents, Amy Watson of Wiscasset, Maine and Douglas Figueredo of Rio de Jeinero, Brazil, exchanged vows at Clay Hill Farm. The Grand Prize winners of Clay Hill Farm’s third annual Green Wedding Giveaway, Amy and Douglas attracted votes from 63 countries in their five-week contest campaign this past spring, to spread the contest message of green connectedness and encourage environmental awareness. Two cultures came together for the wedding at Clay Hill Farm, to celebrate a great love and the beauty of nature. While Amy read her vows from a Blackberry having forgotten her notes, Douglas’s long time friend translated in Portuguese. The green irony of saving paper by reading vows from a phone raised a chuckle from both sides of the gazebo aisle.

Having won an all-inclusive wedding ceremony and catered Reception at Clay Hill Farm for up to 75 guests, Amy and Douglas enjoyed the talents of countless wedding professionals who generously donated their products and services to the Green Wedding Giveaway project. Included in the Grand Prize were wedding Florals, Photography, Videography, Trolley transport, Cake, Live cocktail music, DJ Services, Favors, Bridal accessories, Personal Ice Sculpture, Bridal Hair & Make-up, Formalwear, Spa Services, Rehearsal Luncheon, Accommodations at the Meadowmere Resort, and a Mexican Honeymoon.

Part of the messaging of the Green Wedding Giveaway is that couples do not have to sacrifice a single dream to make a difference in the world. “I feel like I’m dreaming”, said Figueredo re-capping the day on camera just before leaving the Reception. “Thank you to all who made this possible for us. Muito Obrigado a todos que tornou possível que nos.”

Clay Hill Farm’s annual Green Wedding Giveaway contest encourages couples to explore the parallel between a commitment to each other and a commitment to the Earth. Amy and Douglas’s video entry highlighted how their commitment to each other, and to a higher purpose, the environment, allowed them to overcome the challenge of living on separate continents. They waved each other’s native flags outside on their wedding day as a symbol of two cultures uniting in love, surrounded by the sights and sounds of natural beauty. Commenting on the Green Wedding Giveaway contest’s trademark slogan, We are all green in some way, so pick your shade and shout it to the world, the Grand Prize couple answered simply in unison, ‘We did.’