EXCLUSIVELY ONLINE: ST. JOHN VALLEY - U.S. Sen. Susan M. Collins and Thomas A. Daffron were married on Saturday, Aug. 11 in the bride’s hometown of Caribou. The Rev. Thomas Bentum performed the ceremony, which was attended by members of the couple’s families, at the Gray Memorial United Methodist Church.

Sen. Collins, the daughter of Donald and Patricia Collins of Caribou, was escorted down the aisle by her father, according to a press release from Collins’ office. Her sisters, Kathleen Wiesendanger and Nancy Collins, served as matron of honor and bridesmaid, respectively.

Best man was Steve Abbott, former longtime chief of staff to Sen. Collins and now athletic director at the University of Maine. Sam Collins, a brother of the bride, was the groomsman. Also participating in the ceremony were Daffron’s daughter, Susan Daffron, and his brother-in-law, Richard Weishaupt, as well as four of the bride’s nieces: Tess Collins, Catherine Collins, Emily Collins, and Annie Collins.

Daffron, who is chief operating officer of Jefferson Consulting Group in Washington, D.C., previously served as chief of staff to U.S. Senators William Cohen, Fred Thompson, and Lisa Murkowski, and was the national campaign manager for Elizabeth Dole’s 2000 presidential campaign. He is also former senior vice-president/chief operating officer of the Baltimore Orioles.

A former teacher of Sen. Collins, Margaret Cyr of Caribou provided the organ music and accompanied Tess Collins who sang a solo during the ceremony.

A luncheon reception at the Caribou Inn and Convention Center followed the wedding ceremony.