It was HOT HOT HOT at Chacala NY!

For a very urban couple, it was a very sophisticaged urban wedding setting - Chacala NY, a trendy cool party space just south of Canal Street on Broadway. The ceremony began with the procession of their rather large wedding party...who formed a horseshoe shaped backdrop for the Devin and Natalie who stood with me in the center.

Afternoon sun beamed in on the couple...and it was hot...sweaty hot for us all. But their love story was told, vows were declared, and rings exchanged. The groom wrote to me, "Everyone thought you were a hit, and your ceremony was one of the brightest moments of our wedding."

I was intrigued by the pictures their photographer set up in the alley behind Chacala NY.




Ceremony Tip: Natalie and Devin's love story, a 2-3 minute portion of the ceremony, had humor and detail about their romance. For some couples, the thought of having their love story told is daunting. But the response to this ceremony from the family and other guests is one piece of proof that this is an aspect of a celebrant-officiated ceremony that really makes the day unique and memorable.

Julie Laudicina,Celebrant!

Resort Wedding

For the family and the wedding party, it was like a destination wedding without the airplane ride. Garrett and Kimberly's wedding at Crystal Springs Resort near Vernon, NJ, was like going to another place...sunny skies, long mountain vistas, dramatic architecture.


Ceremony Tip: Kimberly and Garrett incorporated a wine ritual in their ceremony to compliment the wine theme of their reception. Each of them picked out a bottle of wine they thought the other would like. I prepared a keepsake copy of their marriage vows. The wine and the vows were placed in a wooden box during the ceremony. The box will be sealed and then opened on their Firth Anniversary. This ritual tied the ceremony to their reception theme, and it provides a link from this day to a special day in their future. "The Wine in the Box" is something for them to look forward to, a reminder of their beautiful wedding day out in the hills of New Jersey.

Julie Laudicina, Celebrant!

At the Bow Bridge with Her Beau

Daranee and Mark came with a small group of family and friends from South Australia for their destination wedding celebration in New York City.

The day was perfect...after we changed the day and time of the ceremony to dodge some pesky rain showers. Daranee and Mark wanted the Bow Bridge to be the backdrop for their ceremony, and they found just the right spot.

At the outset of the ceremony, their wedding rings were passed among those present. The rings were held by the guests and imbued with good wishes before the bride and groom exchanged them during the ceremony.

The love story I wrote for them alluded to the role of fate or chance in their meeting which took place at the Union Hotel in Adelaide. Two groups of friends gathered for an evening out...and Mark and Daranee's eyes met as the two groups mingled. You can almost hear the music!




Julie Laudicina, Celebrant!

Marriage and the Baby Carriage

They had not actually thought about getting married, but when they found out there was a baby on the way, Tina and Paul decided to go to "city hall" to take care of that formality. But Paul's brother intervened and suggested the two families and some close friends join them for a small informal wedding just before their baby shower.

And so it happened at a small private outdoor spot at The Hilton Garden Inn a couple Saturdays ago. They spoke their vows and exchanged rings. Good wishes were spread around. Their parents got to be with them for the moment they "tied the knot." I think the moment was certainly more memorable and meaningful than the trip to "city hall."

Let me know when Baby arrives!

Julie Laudicina, Celebrant!

Somewhere Over The Rainbow

It has been my delight to be the wedding celebrant for two weddings in a family...a sister and a cousin. Last Sunday it was the second sister's wedding. Three weddings in one family...it doesn't get better!

Megan and Sal's family and friends gathered at Pantagis Renaissance in Scotch Plains, NJ for their ceremony and reception. Sal and I were experienceing the warm temperature in the ceremony room...but Megan was totally cool and beautiful.

Sal's godfather did a reading, the vows were traditional and heartfelt, and a lilting version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow signaled the ceremony was over.

I was thinking...there's another sister. And there's Katie, the junior bridesmaid, who is in the next generation. I hope they keep asking me back.

Julie Laudicina, Celebrant!