Thursday, January 29, 2009

Thank You Notes


Here's one from a couple who came from Australia to get married in Central Park (blog: 10/27/08):

"Thank you for making our day that much more special. Although we just met you, we felt comfortable with you immediately, and we are glad to have shared the day with you, in the absence of our family and friends from home. We felt we had known you a long time."

From a wedding guest, a friend of mine (blog: 10/06/08):

"You truly made their wedding ceremony so special, so personalized, and to sum it up in a word - breathtaking."

From a wedding down on the Jersey Shore, May 2008:

"Thank you for making our day the best we ever had. Your patience with the vendors and the young wedding party members made everyone feel comfortable. The beautiful ceremony was the obvious fruit of your labor and love. Throughout the reception, we received so many compliments on the most touching ceremony our guests ever attended."

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Cop Cot...a charming spot in Central Park





Many couples who plan a small wedding in Central Park ask me for recommendations on just the site for them.

There are many places in Central Park that are beautiful, romantic, and private. Some require permits; many do not. (Information on park regulations and locations)

But I have come on one location that is quite unusual and inviting. It is Cop Cot, just off 59th Street at the Avenue of the Americas entrance.

Cop Cot is the largest of the rustic structures in Central Park. It has seating, it has some privacy, it is a relatively short and easy walk from a cab or limosine drop-off, and there is a ceremonial feel about the place. (Note: There is no roof, so it is not a weather-proof location.)

I hope these pictures of a December wedding at Cop Cot make the point that this is a great place in Central Park for a wedding.


Julie Laudicina, Celebrant!

Monday, January 12, 2009

Event Announcement: "21st Century Wedding Rituals"






"CELEBRANT WEDDING RITUALS" by Celebrant Ceremonies

Sunday, February 8, 2009
2:00 PM
Amanti Vino, 30 Church Street, Montclair, NJ


Are you planning a wedding ceremony? Are you thinking of having a non-denominational or inter-denominational ceremony and wonder who will officiate? Have you heard of Celebrants, but are not totally sure what they are, or what they do?

Come mingle with four Certified Celebrants, trained at the Montclair-based Celebrant USA Foundation. Learn through show-and-tell what Celebrants do. Eve Young, Celia Milton, Julie Laudicina and Murphy Birdsall, of Celebrant Ceremonies, present a sampling of rituals they often include in their wedding ceremonies. They will be illustrating the personalization that makes each wedding unique.

A couple (portraying the bride and groom - not actually getting married!) will offer their rings for good wishes, shelter their linked hearts with a traditional shawl, join hands tied with colorful ribbons and share that first cup of wine as their lives are united.

The ceremony demonstration will be followed by ample time to ask questions and to freely talk with the Celebrants, during the hour-long event.

The gathering is free, but space is limited. For further information, or to reserve a place, please call Murphy Birdsall at 973-655-0310, Julie Laudicina at 917-282-2455, or Celia Milton at 201-563-5544.

Monday, January 5, 2009

NYC - Destination Weddings



Between Christmas and New Year's Day, New York City welcomed two unique couples who came here to get married.

Lisa and Ryan, along with family and friends from Albany, NY, and California, came for their wedding in Central Park. The upstate New York folks arrived by train and stayed at a hotel by Grand Central Terminal.

This couple was very moved by their once-in-a lifetime moment when they spoke their vows. They were surrounded by their family and friends who all joined hands as I called on them to support Lisa and Ryan on this new chapter in their lives.

While it was a cold and gray day in the city, the warmth and sparkle of Lisa and Ryan were heart-warming. The only "cold feet" that day were mine.


In contrast, the next day I met Jesse and Angela who came to New York City from Brisbane, Australia. It was just the two of them in Central Park's Shakespeare Garden for their ceremony.

They came from summer back home...he was a bit tan, and she wore a strapless gown. Wonder of wonders, it was about sixty degrees...so maybe it seemed a bit like they brought a hint of summer with them. They did bring greetings from their parents which I opened and read for them.

Their photographer, Maury Englander, along with my husband were the witnesses. This couple was so handsome that I'm certain Maury's photographs will be stunning. He told me he likes to take pictures of small intimate weddings. Check out his web site.

My husband Joe just hopes he didn't shake too much as he did his best to video the ceremony so Jesse and Angela could share it with family back home.

So my year of weddings for 2008 has ended. I remember each one of you clearly...and wish all "my couples" a very happy new year.

Julie Laudicina, Celebrant!