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

Matrimony on Monday

It is a rare thing for me to officiate at a Monday wedding, but Ann Marie and Glenn chose a Monday evening for their wedding ceremony and dinner at The Marina Cafe overlooking Great Kills harbor on Staten Island.  There was so much excitement and celebration in that room that it just didn't seem like a Monday.  So it proves you can get married on any day of the week!

As Glenn and Ann Marie they heard their love story being told and then a lyrical reading, they were flanked by their children...her three daughters and his two sons.  After the vows and ring exchange, these adult children each read a piece of advice for a successful marriage.  One of the quotes was from Oliver Wendell Holmes:

Love is not a matter of counting the years: it is making the years count.

Glenn and Ann Marie, I wish you all the best!  So glad you found me to be your wedding officiant.

Julie Laudicina, Celebrant!
julielaudicina@msn.com

Back Home Party is Over

I promised not to post pictures of a summer wedding for which I was the wedding officiant...one held in Cop Cot in Central Park....until now.  Here are pictures of Lorna and Matt's happy day.

The photographer, Brian Friedman, and I promised to not blog about this wedding until Lorna and Matt had their wedding party back home.  She wanted to keep her wedding dress under wraps, so to speak.  So now they are home...their party is over...and I'm delighted to post a few pictures from the magical lens of Brian Friedman.  Thank you, Brian, for letting me use these images.

 

 Lorna's step dad missed his answer to my question - "Who presents this woman to be married?"  As you can see, it provided a moment of enjoyable laughter to ease the nerves at the start of the ceremony.

 

Lorna included a broach in her bouquet...in memory of one of Matt's grandmothers...nice sentimental touch.

 



This was a destination wedding to remember...a real NYC experience for Matt and Lorna.  Thank you, Lisa, from iPlanNewYork.

Julie Laudicina, Celebrant!
julielaudicina@msn.com

Coles & Christopher

Coles and Christopher...sounds like a law firm.  But it's a lovely couple who found love at work...and made it work!

They live in Monmouth County NJ...so they decided to get married at one of their favorite restaurants, Salt Creek Grille in Rumson.  Overlooking the water, their guests heard their love story.  Her sons did a terrific job of a reading by Dr. Seuss...they were pros!  Vows, rings, kiss...it all came together as the late afternoon sun shone on them.

Of course, I had to check out the bride's shoes...this year's latest fashion accent for brides. 

Julie Laudicina, Celebrant!
julielaudicina@msn.com

Everybody Loves Cop Cot

Cop Cot is a funny sounding name for the largest and oldest rustic structure in Central Park in New York City.  It is a favorite spot for couples from around the world who come here for their destination wedding.

Lorna and Matt got married here a few days ago.  With their twenty plus family and friends from around the world, their ceremony began in unexpected sunshine.  I tied the couple to this structure with its Scottish name by recalling Matt's Scottish-born grandfather.  Lorna had a brooch from another grandparent in her bouquet.  Uncle Mike read a humous piece likening love to owning a dog...a nod to Lorna and Matt's dog Charley.

Vows were spoken, rings exchanges, tears of joy from parents and friends...and at last the kiss!

Then they were off in with wonderful photographer Brian Friedman to take pictures at iconic NYC sites.  Have fun in the checker cab with the Union Jack flying! Cheerio!

Now you won't see pictures of this ceremony or the couple.  Lorna requested no pix on the internet until they have their party back home in Manchester, UK...wants to keep her dress a secret.  I'm doing my part here!

Julie Laudicina, Celebrant!
julielaudicina@msn.com