The Bailliage of Naples celebrated World Chaine Day as well as a surprise wedding on a dinner cruise on the Naples Princess attended by 85 members and guests of the largest local Bailliage in the United States.

Lacey King, Southeast Conseiller Gastronomique Provincial Honoraire, and Chevalier Alan Goodridge tied the knot in a special ceremony officiated by Bill Barnett, Mayor of Naples, during the event.

The couple met for the first time at the Naples Bailliage World Chaîne Day celebration a year ago which was held in the Everglades, the vast tropical wetlands near Naples. Members came together that day for a high-speed airboat ride across the national park followed by lunch at the historic Rod and Gun Club in Everglades City, once the base for high profile fishermen and hunters.

The future bride was late coming to the celebration lunch. By the time she arrived there was only one seat available. It turned out that the empty place was next to the man she was destined to marry!

Both bride and groom are senior citizens and long-time members of the Chaîne. Lacey was Bailli of Naples from 2002 – 2008 and is a member of the US Conseil d’Honneur. Alan is a member of the Bailliage of Bonita Springs a few miles north of Naples.

Naples Bailli Roger Weatherburn-Baker had long planned to charter a yacht for a sunset dinner cruise for this year’s celebration. When he learned of the couple’s engagement and how they met they all thought it would be wonderfully romantic if their marriage ceremony took place on board. Roger asked the town’s Mayor if he would officiate and invited the local press to attend.

But the wedding was a complete surprise for most of the members until they came on board for the champagne reception and saw the set up for the wedding. Those that did know brought gifts including an elegant decanter presented on behalf of Bailli Délégué Hal Small.

After the ceremony, dinner was prepared by Naples Celebrity Chef Maître Rôtisseur Brian Roland. As the sun was setting came the cutting of the cake and a pink Champagne toast to the happy couple for their future life together!

Marie Addario
Vice-Chargée de Presse Nationale
Editor-in-Chief of “Gastronome” and “Gastronome Extra!”

Photos courtesy of Peggy Farren