A Perfect Wedding…at Any Age
By Sarah Hagerty
Photography by Tony Lewis, Jr.
A local couple finds love in their fifties, and celebrates their good fortune with friends and family.
 The glowing bride, Debbie Carta.
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Playwright George Bernard Shaw wrote, “Youth is wasted on the young.” Isn’t it wonderful that weddings aren’t? No matter how old you are, there’s always a place for romance. Remarrying or waiting until you are older to get married have become commonplace. There is no stigma; there are no rules to break. All you have to do is fall in love with the right person. But that’s easier said than done.
Debbie Carta, account representative at What’s Up?, had been single for more than 10 years. At this stage of her life, she knew what she wanted and wasn’t interested in settling. She wanted to fi nd someone with whom she could share the rest of her life. Martin had also been single for 10 years, but he, too, hadn’t given up hope.
The couple met about two years ago through a website that caters to active, outdoorsy singles. A few weeks of e-mailing and phone calling revealed that Debbie and Martin shared not only a love for nature, but also the same values and goals. By the time they had their fi rst, in-person date (dinner at Clyde’s in Columbia), they already knew a lot about each other. Face-to-face only solidifi ed their feelings (“I thought he was very handsome,” Debbie admits, “and so interesting.”). He was also a nice guy. On their second date, Debbie suggested they go to the National Aquarium in Baltimore. With a background in science, Martin knew all the names of all the creatures in all the exhibits; he’d even
scuba dived in the aquarium’s tanks. But he never mentioned all this to Debbie because he didn’t want to look like a showoff.
 Lisa Norwood, of Mary's Designer Bridal Boutique, makes minor corrections at Debbie's final fitting.
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Martin proposed during a romantic dinner while the pair vacationed in Florida. All they needed now was to plan the wedding.
Debbie’s biggest challenge was fi nding the right dress. She rejected gowns with that mother-of-the-bride look. She tried on all manner of outfi ts in countless department store dressing rooms on return postage. Even though she didn’t fi t the standard bride mold, she fi nally decided to visit a local bridal shop…and found the perfect design. Custom-made, the dress is an ideal blend of modest and alluring.
The intimate ceremony and reception (45 friends and family attended) was held poolside in Martin’s backyard. Adding a very personal touch, Debbie’s best friend since grade school, Marty Ronayne, became legally ordained so that she could perform the ceremony. Th e guests were entertained with music by Debbie’s cousin Joseph Carta, a performer who’s known as the Italian Cowboy. The menu included sliced fi let mignon, chilled shrimp,
asparagus, and lavish desserts.
For Debbie and Martin, this was the perfect wedding. Your wedding is always the perfect wedding.
 Martin and Debbie acknowledge the cheers of family and friends.
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 The poolside ceremony.
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