Bridge to Happiness

Christine and Christina choose to have bridges be a theme for their wedding...a bridge between their individual home turf (Long Island and Staten Island), a bridge between their families, and bridge to the their future long life together.

Their ceremony was in the gazebo at Nicotra's Ballroom, The Hilton Garden Inn, where the owners and staff welcome same-sex couples.  Their professionalismonalism is of course extended to all...but they are really a gay-friendly venue.

These women chose lyrics from Never Stop" by SafetySuit for their vows...just right for them.  After the vows and ring exchange, they signed their marriage license publicly to celebrate the one year old NY State law recognizing same-sex marriage.

As I always do, I posed for a picture with the newlyweds...just look at their smiles!

Julie Laudicina,Celebrant!
julielaudicina@msn.com

The Scottich Lass and her Irish Sweetheart

Gemma and Gary's paths crossed when they were school-age kids, but they didn't really connect until they chatted each other up in a Belfast bar queue.  To their amazement, this started a unexpected and  delicious romance.  They became engaged in Paris, and they chose to get married in New York City.

Their ceremony was at Cop Cot in Central Park, the park's largest rustic structure.  It's Scottish name means something like little house on the crest of the hill.  This was the first time I officiated at a wedding there that it was not raining or had just rained.  The jinx is broken!

I worked with Gary and Gemma over the past year...incorporating the several ideas and readings they wanted into appropriate spots in their ceremony script.  They involved Gemma's uncle, handsome in his Scottish kilt, and her friend Bernie as readers. 

 

I suspect their parents didn't know what to expect from a US celebrant officiating at this wedding.  After the ceremony they tearfully expressed their delight with the ceremony and their surprise, I think, that it was filled with meaning....even so far from home.

Once again, it was a pleasure to work with their photographer, Brian Friedman, on this wedding.  I got a glimpse of his post-ceremony shots in Facebook...creative, unusual, captivating...and even a big edgy. 

With the melody of  "Empire State of Mind,"  Gemma and Gary were declared husband and wife.  Their NYC marriage license in hand, they left the park...married and smiling.

Julie Laudicina, Celebrant!
julielaudicina@msn.com

I Believe In Love

 

They came from Perth, Australia, to New York City to get married.  Their engagement took place in Bali...so these two significant events in their lives happened in quite contrasting places.

It was one of those really hot humid days at the end of summer...one of those days when you want to stay inside in airconditioning.  But we did not dissolve in spite of the heat.  Roxanne and Ian's "I do" words were clear and firm and their vows were spoken from the heart.  I read the lyrics from a Nick Cave song (an Australian songwriter)...and his phrase "I believe in love" seemed to be just right.

With their friends, also from Perth, as witnesses, the license and keepsake documents were signed.  Well, almost.  Later Roxanne noticed I forgot to sign the keepsake certificate, so we met again in Central Park two days later before I officiated at another wedding ceremony.

Roxanne summarized their relationship with this phrase:  "Someone to love, something to do, something to look forward to."

 

What I look forward to is seeing the pictures Brian Friedman took of this delightful couple's destination wedding in New York City.

Julie Laudicina, Celebrant!
julielaudicina@msn.com

They Tied the Knot

The Tuscan Garden at Snug Harbor on Staten Island is such a dramatic place for a wedding ceremony.  As the wedding officiant for Tiffeny and Jack's ceremony, I could look out over the faces of their closest family and friends...all excited to experience their ceremony and witness them declare their wedding vows.

Tiffeny and Jack wrote their own vows.  I ask for the bride and groom who decide to do this to impose some discipline on themselves - write their vows ahead of the week of the wedding, think of what it is they want to promise the other, and put it on paper (...and send it to me!).  The weakest vows are the ones written after the rehearsal dinner...too much wine, too little time, too little inspiration.  Jack and Tiffeny's vows were heartfelt, touching, and very personal.

I included the ancient ritual of handfasting in this ceremony...adapted so that Jack and Tiffeny's parents and Jack's aunt could all participate in "tying the knot."  I talked about each ribbon in symbolic termswhen the ribbons were tied around their joined wrists.  Jack and Tiffeny put their own original stamp on this ritual...they kept the ribbons tied and their wrists joined together as they processed out after the ceremony.  In the picture below, you can see Jack's mother about to tie her ribbon.

 

I write so often about the impact of weather on the way a wedding day unfolds.  Jack and Tiffeny took a risk that gray skies would not turn to rain.  It was the right gamble...because this ceremony would not have been as delightful, meaningful, and dramatic indoors.  Don't know why...it would just have been different.

 

 

 

Julie Laudicina, Celebrant!

julielaudicina@msn.com

 



Finding the Right Partner

During Angela and Phil's wedding ceremony, as the wedding officiant, I told their love story which is about finding the right partner and being the right partner.  Three women relatives had the bright idea that Angela and Phil would be just that for each other...and they were right!

So in the late morning sunshine, Phil and Angela declared their vows in the gazebo at Nicotra's Ballroom on Staten Island.  With their sons, handsome young men, at their side, they included a sand ritual in the ceremony. 

I was intrigued that they purchased an hour glass just for the purpose of the sand ritual.  When the hour glass was filled with three different colored sand, I had them be the first to turn the hour glass over...adding a wish for them that the sands of time would flow more slowly on their wedding day so they could savor each moment.

Julie Laudicina, Celebrant!
julielaudicina@msn.com