Maine-ly It was Love

It was a first for me...serving as a wedding officiant in Maine. The groom is a friend of twenty years, so it was an honor to be the one that "tied the knot" for Todor and Heather.

My husband and I had been in Bar Harbor the week before this ceremony...as passengers on the Qeeen Mary 2. We strolled around the town and stopped at the Saltair Inn where this ceremony would be taking place. We were cheerily greeted by the innkeepers, Matt and Kristi. I got a sneak preview of the space where the ceremony would take place. It was easy to see why Todor and Heather were bringing their immediate families to this place for their wedding weekend.







For the ceremony, we managed to have everyone present do something...traditional ring bearer and flower girl, two readers for one reading...once in Serbian, once in English...the bride's brother-in-law gave the blessing, and everyone held the wedding rings before they were presented by the bride and groom to each other. And everyone wore something red!




The bride placed symbolic items on the mantel...a watch that had belonged to her grandmother and a lucky $2 bill. Around her bouquet of wheat she had a piece of tatting done by her mother. She also lit a candle in memory of her mother...and the light was a bright spot in the rather gray day on the Maine coast.

A champagne toast, a sip of 21 yr. old Scotch, and whoopie pies...a wonderful post-ceremony treat. As Todor served the Scotch, I noticed his Superman cufflinks. I always love symbolic gestures for weddings!

I've seen the pictures of this unusual wedding by their Rogier of Eager Eye Photography. His pictures captured the intimate nature of this wedding and the delight and love between Todor and Heather. (Just a note: The pictures on this blog were taken by my husband, Joe.)




Yes, they are tall!

Ceremony Tip: For a small family wedding, the meaning of the wedding ceremony words and rituals are enhanced when family participates. Heather and Todor carefully carved out roles for each sibling and each parent. It made for a joyfully teary event for all.

Julie Laudicina, Celebrant!

Sometimes Things Happen

At the last minute, the wedding officiant for Robert and Whitney could not be there. My friends on the Sales Staff at Nicotra's Ballroom at the Hilton Garden Inn on Staten Island called and asked if I could do their clients a favor...would I please do the ceremony. Without the support they consistently provide, I would have not taken on this work.

Fortunately my calendar was open, and I had just enough time to work with Robert and Whitney to personalize a ceremony for them. I wrote their love story, incorporated the readings they had already selected, recommended marriage vows, and wrote the ceremony's concluding blessings.

Their day arrived...sunny and warm for an autumn day...guest were seated, the procession went off perfectly. Who knew that this ceremony was all put together at the last minute!

Yes, sometimes things happen...and sometimes the solution works out just fine. I know Robert and Whitney were not disappointed in their wedding ceremony.

Ceremony Tip: Robert and Whitney chose several readings for their wedding ceremony. They asked three special relatives and friends to do the readings. These people did a wonderful job of conveying the meaning of the readings which added spiritual meaning for the couple. Choose your readings...and the readers...well.





Julie Laudicina, Celebrant!