It was my honor to officiate at the wedding of Paul and Tina at the Monmouth Battlefield State Park, and here's why. The NJ Chapter of the Association of Bridan Consultants recruited several of us wedding service providers to donate our products and services for this couple. While Tina had encountered some problems making arrangements for her wedding, the most compelling elements of her story is that she is courageously battling Stage IV breast cancer.
You might think it would be difficult to create a personal wedding ceremony for a couple in this situation, but Tina and Paul joyfully shared their hopes and dreams with us all as we prepared for their wedding. With their openness about their love story, they made it easy for me to create a wedding ceremony tailored just for them.
Their photographer Timothy Glenn captured the spirit of the day beautifully. I used his photographs for this blog...thank you! If you read his blog on this wedding, he did a wonderful job of acknowledging all the vendors who participated in this wedding.
There were flowers for the wedding party and to decorate the ceremony space in the park. There was relaxing music before the ceremony, and loud and joyful music for the reception. The printed materials were elegant and beautiful. And all throughout the day there was the caring support of wedding planners from The Finishing Touch. Everything seemed to come together as a gift from the heart from all of us for Tina and Paul.
Just as I was leaving the cocktail hour, I heard the D.J. announce what would have been the bride and groom's first dance...but this was different. Paul serenaded his bride...he had a stunning powerful singing voice, and his message to Tina was of his unconditional love for her and all that is to come in their life together. I was blown away, and of course in tears.
Click here for a write up of this wedding in the Asbury Park Press.
Ceremony Tip: Tina did not want to enter her wedding ceremony in a wheelchair. We spent time brainstorming options for Tina...and one was found. The solution to this problem was found at a store that rents "props" for international weddings, specifically Indian weddings. So the men in the wedding party carried Tina in a sedan-like chair. Don't think there is any unsolvable situation for your ceremony...engage your professionals, and we'll come up with a creative solution.
Julie Laudicina, Celebrant!
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