FOR TRADITIONALISTS, June is the month to marry. And the trimmings of choice are a long white dress, a black tuxedo and a religious ceremony followed by champagne and cake.
But non-traditionalists have decidedly different weddings. Over the last few years in Maryland, couples have been married by Druid priests at a Renaissance festival; by county clerks on street corners; by ministers in shopping malls and by a priest in a nursing home.
No matter what surprises married life has brought the avant garde lovebirds, recalling their whimsical ceremonies brings them chuckles and smiles, despite the fact that some of the marriages haven't lasted.
* Janine and Philip Medlin opted for a traditional wedding in the surprising setting of a nursing home. Janine, who worked as activities director at Crofton Convalescent Center, wanted to bring joy to the residents she had come to regard as family. After all, they had helped her to get together with Philip, who was working on a construction project at the home.
"The residents saw me meet him, date and get engaged," says Medlin. "So I thought it would be nice."
When Medlin told the residents she would hold a traditional Catholic wedding at Crofton Convalescent Center, following a Catholic ceremony held in a church a few days before, they were elated. The seniors set about to organizing a perfect wedding with their many years of experience.
"They did all the planning . . . they made my bouquet, the favorand everything," says Medlin. "Over a six-month period they did nothing but plan my wedding, and it really took their minds off aches and pains."
A married couple at the center served as the wedding's hostsand other residents took on roles as ushers and bridesmaids and read at the ceremony. The convalescent center's medical director walked the bride down the aisle.
The families of the couple were seated at the wedding, watching with pleasure -- and considerably more relaxation than at the church wedding. And now everyone is pleased with the dividend of marriage -- baby son Brandon, born to the Medlins in the summer of 1990.
"Married life is great, especially now that we have a little baby," says Janine. She no longer works at the Crofton center, but has a job part-time directing the day-care program at Holy Trinity School in Bowie. Her husband has continued to prosper in the construction business.
* Tears and a bomb scare brought Diane Mantegna her street-corner wedding.
