Harriet Elisabeth Mordey Foster and Donald Joseph Howard affirmed their marriage vows before family and friends on July 3, 2009, at a garden party given in their honor by Harriet's parents, Christopher and Jill Foster, at their home in Gales Ferry. The Rev. Jennifer Innis, the groom's cousin, led the ceremony of blessing. Harriet and Don were married Oct. 27, 2008, in Arlington, Va., and retain their own surnames.

A 1998 graduate of Ledyard High School, Harriet received bachelor's degrees in management and German from the University of Connecticut in 2003. Following graduation, she worked at the U.S. Department of Energy in Washington, DC. She is an MBA candidate at United States International University in Nairobi, Kenya.

Don, the son of Donald and Bernadette Howard of Underhill Center, Vt., graduated from Mount Mansfield Union High School in 1996, and received a bachelor's degree in computer science from Alfred University. He holds a master of science degree in information technology from Rochester Institute of Technology and is a science and technical officer with the U.S. Department of State in Nairobi, where the couple make their home.