Bridal Expo at Nicotra' s Ballroom

Nicotra's Ballroom, a multi-faceted venue for an entire wedding event, provides prospective brides and their bridesmaids a wonderful expo of all the vendors they may use for their upcoming weddings. It is my priviledge to showcase my services several times a year - just like last Tuesday.

During the evening, I spoke to several couples who are looking for a civil wedding celebrant. Several others looked at my display which included my portfolio, pictures, and ideas for customized wedding ceremony rituals. Who know...they may mention my name to friends!


I loved the opportunity to cross market with fellow exhibitors.

I wore Lauren Kane Jewelry...selected to match my skin tone, the neckline of my outfit, and the lighting in the room. It was difficult to give back the necklace and earrings at the end of the evening. Check out all the pictures of her jewelry for brides, bridesmaids, and mothers of the bride in the most recent issue of Manhattan Bride magazine.


Being positioned right next to the Love Doves at the expo, I got to help their prospective couples get an idea on how a dove release could be incorporated into an outdoor ceremony.

It is always my delight to recommend Piano Stylist, John Rotante. In addition to the wonderful cocktail hour music he plays, his processional music sets the tone for the ceremony and it adds elegance for the entrance of the bride.

And thank you always, Portraits by Joanne, for giving me photographs from weddings I have done. Her pictures tell the story of the wedding ceremony so beautifully.

What a collaborative group...here's to a great wedding season for all of us.

Thought for the day: When you are selecting your wedding venue, ask about their preferred vendors. These people are experienced working together to make all the aspects of your wedding day go smoothly. The preferred vendors also know how to make your venue work for them. For example, I rely on the sound system at Nicotra's Ballroom. It's always there; it always works. So you get the best from me because Nicotra's Ballroom knows what I need and they support me.

Julie Laudicina, Celebrant!

Wedding Planner Class Made the News

The Staten Island Advance carried an article yesterday about the wedding and event planning course at Wagner College.

Thank you, Marissa Mortimer, for mentioning my name among your guest presenters. I look forward to speaking with Wagner College's summer wedding planning class.

Thought for the day: Pursue your dreams if you want to work in any aspect of the the wedding industry. It's a field that hasn't slowed down much in this tight economy. But do know that is is hard work - long hours, detailed arrangements, and lots of emotions. However, the people you get to work with...clients and fellow professionals...make it worthwhile and fulfilling.

Julie Laudicina,Celebrant!

First Ceremony in the Tuscan Garden

It was the first wedding ceremony in the new Tuscan Garden at Snug Harbor on Staten Island. A beautifully restored Italinate building serves as the grand entrance to the garden, and the formal design of the garden lends itself well to a wedding procession and ceremony. This ceremony space will only get better as the plantings mature.

The bride Dima was a vision of wispy beauty, her veil swirling in the gentle breeze, as she walked down the long aisle. It was my honor to share that moment with the groom Peter, standing in adoration of his bride as she walked toward him.

Dima and Peter met and subsequently became engaged in a yoga class. Deeply engaged in the spiritual aspects of yoga, they coached me on how to talk about their vision of marriage. With beautiful readings, delightful remarks from their yoga teacher, and a serenade from Peter's nephew, it was an emotional and meaningful ceremony for Peter and Dima.

I wish all the best to the folks at "Neptunes at Snug Harbor," the catering and event space group who manages this venue. They certainly were welcoming and supportive of the part I played in this ground-breaking ceremony for them.



Ceremony Idea: This bride and groom wanted to be seated, facing their guests, during the initial part of the ceremony. Two chairs were placed off to one side of the ceremony space for them. (Their Best Man and Maid of Honor had seats in the front row.) After my introduction, remarks from their teacher, the readings and a musical piece, The wedding party stood and took their places for the vows and ring exchange. If for some reason you are concerned about standing for the entire ceremony, consider being seated for part of it.

Julie Laudicina, Celebrant!

A Time to Refresh

Even though weddings occur throughout the year, there are definitely times when fewer weddings are scheduled. As winter ends, so ends some cyclical "down time" for me. In addition to cleaning out my files, updating my advertising materials, and editing my web site, I have used this time to do some fun marketing activities.

The sales staff at Nicotra's Ballroom invited me to talk to them about what a civil wedding officiant does, what is unique about my services, and how I can partner with them to better serve their clients. They really treat their couples well and provide first rate service. It's a bonus that they also make my work so easy when I officiate at a wedding there.

A week ago I gave a presentation to Wagner College's Extension Program for wedding and event planners. Marissa Mortimer is the instructor; she is also the owner of Lavish Occasions. The class was energetic about the discussion of wedding ceremonies in general and civil ceremonies in detail. We also talked a bit about what you have to do when you are a "start up" company. Marissa sent me this picture of my presentation to her class.

Tomorrow I am going to jewelry designer Lauren Kane's studio. We are going to explore ways of "cross marketing" what we do. More later...

Julie Laudicina, Celebrant!

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!

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!

Cupid's Arrow Hit the Mark

The wedding ceremony of Jake and Alyse was in the dramatic foyer of The Palace in Somerset, NJ. The procession was stunning as the wedding party came down the split staircase. In the picture above, you see that they had their parents stand with them during the ceremony...and the parents loved it.

The ceremony began with my telling their wonderful love story. In nearly all the wedding ceremonies I create, the love story is a focal point. This was especially true for Alyse and Jake's wedding ceremony. Their story of long distance romance that survived obstaces because of their deep love for one another was compelling. Vowing to love one another for life...the best Valentine ever!

Ceremony Tip: The flower girl in this wedding ceremony was very young, too young to walk down the aisle herself. Her father, the brother of the bride, carried her and helped her toss the flower petals. It was cute, it was stressfree for the little girl, and she had her dad there to help. So, one way to include very young children in your wedding ceremony is to have them complete their role with a trusted adult with them throughout the ceremony.





Julie Laudicina, Celebrant!