Monday, May 31, 2010

Imagine...Getting Married in NYC



The perfect day in Central Park, and just the day Rebecca and Steve wanted. We gathered on the shore of the lake at Hernshead, with the skyline of 59th Street in the background. A couple "love ducks" joined the guests on the rocks...to remind us of our connection to the larger world of nature in the park.

This idyllic ceremony included marriage vows, rings, readings by friends, and signing the marriage license...all with the magic of the park and the city around us. Rebecca and Steve met in London, became engaged in Australia, and got married in New York City...for their "round the world" love story.

They walked to Strawberry Fields to take pictures, and they took a pedicyle ride to the Plaza hotel for champagne and cake. The cake was prepared by Steve's step-mother in her home in the Outer Hebrides and brought especially for this celebration.




Ceremony Tip: For a Central Park ceremony, A Central Park permit for Hernshead is different from a permit for the Ladies Pavillion in Hernshead. If you want the pavillion, you need to be specifically indicate the pavillion.

Julie Laudicina, Celebrant!

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

From Western Australia, High School Sweethearts United



Their high school romance ended as so many young romances do, but they never forgot each other. Reunited years later, they decided to come to NYC for a destination wedding.

With two children in tow, Toni and Paul declared their vows along side a lake in Central Park, near the Bow Bridge. They also declared "vows" to the children, as Paul's parents and uncle looked on.

Toni received a Trinity ring from Paul, and Paul's ring is a tattoo of Toni's name...to forever remind him of her love for him and his vows to her.

It was a pleasure for me to reunite with photographer, Missy, from Missy Photography. She photographed a wedding I did last year at the Chart House. I've seen some of her shots from this wedding already...lovely! I really like her shot of the four sets of hands joined together which was taken as the couple made their vows to the kids.

When I was processing Toni and Paul's marriage license in my office, I had to look up on Mapquest where they live - Dunsborough, Western Australia. Wow, it is really far from here...of course! I'm so glad they made the trip so I could meet them and be part of their long awaited wedding day.

Julie Laudicina,Celebrant!

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

At the Last Minute



A request for a last minute wedding ceremony is usually turned down by me. I am cautious about potential problems - problems that may only be in my imagination. But Jeff's conversation about his ceremony that was scheduled to occur in two days and they didn't have an officiant...well, his story was enticing. I heard myself say "OK."

The ceremony was held in the intimate back patio of iCi Restaurant in the Fort Greene section of Brooklyn. Their regular dining menu looked enticing...organic and locally grown food...modest prices. Their herb garden greeted all of us as we assembled in their patio. But enough about the food....









With only their closest of family and friends surrounding them, Jeff and Christa declared their marriage vows, exchanged rings, and signed the marriage documents. Both sets of parents participated...the fathers doing the readings and the mothers presenting the wedding rings. And Jeff and Christa each had a "Best Person" for their wedding party.

I'll be looking for their wedding pictures on their photographer Kelly's blog. I was watching her take pictures, and it was fun to watch her work. And she's a Pulitizer Prize winner!





Wedding Tip: If you are arranging a wedding on a short timeline, be sure to explain why you want the services of someone in the wedding industry. We are all booked many months in advance...but we all have holes in our schedules. Just let us know you are serious, why you'd like our services, and that you are not going to waste our time. We'll be glad to serve you!

Julie Laudicina, Celebrant!