Sunday, March 21, 2010

Put Your Best Foot Forward




Anthony and Barbara both put their best foot forward as they made their way down the aisle to get married in gazebo at Nicotra's Ballroom at The Hilton Garden Inn on Staten Island, NY.

Who would have thought an outdoor wedding on March 19th would have been comfortably warm! It must have been a gift for all the Italians present on St. Joseph's Day.



















This couple wanted a short and simple ceremony. While I wanted to add elements to enrich their ceremony, I kept hearing a small voice saying, "Short and simple..." So I createed just what they wanted...and they loved it. You don't have to have an elaborate ceremony to touch the heart and say what you want said.

Anthony wore his "shades." Barbara wore her "over the top" boots. Both true to themselves...and now true to each other.




Julie Laudicina, Celebrant!

Sunday, March 14, 2010

After 25 Years...Renewed Vows




















I just realized that I missed "blogging" about a ceremony I did in December 2009...a charming and warm vow renewal ceremony. It was such a lovely ceremony that I have to include it in this record.

Michele and Michael came from the UK with their two children to celebrate their 25th anniversary in New York City. Ice skating in Central Park, the opera, and shopping were some of the things they did as a family.

But on December 1, the exact date of their wedding twenty-five years ago, the two of them renewed their vows. I retold their love story, they exchanged new rings, and all present read little sayings of marriage wisdom. Among the humorous sayings was one by Phyllis Diller; "Never go to bed angry. Stay up and fight."

Michele and her daughter had dresses made for the day. The hotel room was decorated with balloons and flowers. And we shared a champagne toast when the ceremony was completed. The family left for a luncheon at a special restaurant.

Michele wrote this to me after they were home from their memorable New York trip:
"Can I firstly say to you, Julie: Thank you very very much for our vow renewal service. The service was pitched at exactly the right level of informality mixed with formality and we were all delighted. Can we next thank Joe for his skills behind the camera lens. We now have live moving images of that day and those memories can now be shared family and friends who could not be there with us. It was such a very special day and we will be forever grateful for the ceremony that you put together."



Julie Laudicina, Celebrant!