The Gifts of Marriage

Using the theme of gifts and giving in their wedding ceremony, I talked about what Lewis and Christina have given and will continue to give to each other...trust, commitment, and love. To illustrate my remarks, I had their grammar-school-age children open gifts. In each gift there was a card with one of the theme words written on it, for example, "TRUST."

The children were further involved in the wedding ceremony in the lighting of a family unity candle and the presentation of a family medallion to each child. There are several suppliers of these candles and medallions on the internet. Just search on "family medallion."

It was moving to see each member of this family show emotions and joy during this ceremony that was held in a suite at the Waldoft Astoria. Only the bride and groom and three children were present. Well, there was also me, two musicians, the florist, the food service men with the cake,and the photographer, but who noticed!

The couple engaged the wedding planners at The Finishing Touch to make the arrangements for them because they live in another state. Nicole and Julie pulled all the details together (hotel, photographer, florist, make-up and hair, musicians, wedding cake, and me) so the bride and groom could focus on the ceremony and each other.

Wedding Tip: You won't see pictures of the couple and the children in this blog because I agreed to alter my usual contract wording at this couple's request. I agreed not use snapshots that my husband took at the wedding in my marketing or blog. So know you can always ask for what you want from any of your wedding vendors...and most of the time we can do what you want and ask for.

Julie Laudicina, Celebrant!

It's Christmas Time in the City

Grant and Skye, arriving in New York City from summer in Australia, got here just in time to have their wedding ceremony the day after a huge snowfall. The severe weather quit, folks were all over the city, and, cold aside, we found a picturesque spot in Central Park for their ceremony.

They spoke their vows, and I read greetings from their parents back home. Skye's grandmother had sent two small hand-crafted butterflies with her for good luck, so she placed them on her bouquet.

The spirited holiday passersby cheered when the ceremony was over.

















Kudos to Wolfgang Freithof, their photographer. He saved the day when the couple forgot their marriage license back at their hotel. Inspired by his idea, we all piled into the SUV they hired for the day...got the license signed...dropped us off at the Staten Island Ferry...and took the couple for photographs at the Brooklyn Bridge...just barely beating the setting sun.


Julie Laudicina, Celebrant!

Cold Hands, Warm Hearts

The wedding ceremony of Susan and Stuart was in Central Park by the iconic Bethesda Fountain....on a cold, cold December afternoon. Several friends surrounded them with cheerful good will, and the low golden rays of the winter sun gave a luster to the happy couple.

They were quite involved in the ceremony's development...selecting their vows and writing a section about their love for one another. Their original plan for Susan to receive a "make-over" of her grandmother's ring from Stuart at the ceremony didn't happen. The refurbished ring with an additional diamond, a gift to Susan from Stuart, will be presented to her at a later date.

The groom invited all for a toast at the nearby restaurant,The Boathouse...and we were all so happy to be inside. Numb fingers and feet came back to life. The groom said it was the wedding he'd always wanted...and the bride smiled.

Ceremony Tip: If it is a really cold day, and your wedding is to take place outdoors, make sure someone keeps the pen warm. Have someone hold it next to some 98.6 degree skin. We could barely get the ink to flow for the signing of the license. That may seem like a small point, but I was concerned that the legal document be clear when is it filed. (Remember - no write-overs!)

My Three Sons

The young boys were excited...unsual for them to be so interested in a wedding ceremony. Their father, Eric, married Janine...who knew marrying Eric would mean including his three sons who are an animated, charming, and inquisitive trio.

Eric and Janine included vows to the boys in their ceremony. They promised to laugh at their jokes, help them with their homework, comfort them when they are sick, and love them always...unconditionally.

I was told when I asked Eric if it was his intention to marry Janine, the boys asked their grandmother, "What if he doesn't say 'Yes'? Can we say it for him?"




The support I get from Island Chateau is always superb. And the elegant setting in their venue creates a grand atmosphere for any special event.

Ceremony Idea: Janine and Eric had a large candle "engraved" with Eric's father's name. Eric lighted the candle in memory of his father at the outset of the ceremony. I've had couple do something similar before...but this was the first time I've seen the candle so nicely done.

So all the best to Eric and Janine...and the boys!

Julie Laudicina,Celebrant!

Trick or Treat? It's a Treat

Rebecca and Rashan wanted a Wedding Halloween Party...and their guests obliged. All sorts of goblins, monsters, and weird spirits showed up for their wedding at St. Charles Seminary, Staten Island.




Rebecca's father escorted her down the dramatic central stairs of this former mansion turned event space. Rashan joined her as they exchanged vows and rings in a simple ceremony. And then the party began!

Evelyn Rogers of Taste of Honey used the Halloween theme for the cocktail hour's appropriately grisly appetizers..for example, scallops with a slice of olive on top were "eyeballs" and the wings were called "bat wings."

Ceremony Idea: If traditional readings from literature or religious sources are not what you want for your ceremony...why not use lyrics to a song that you like. For this Halloween ceremony, I suggested lyrics from a song in "Phantom of the Opera." The words resonated with this couple...and I could see a guest in a phantom costume out of the corner of my eye.




Julie Laudicina, Celebrant!

They Eloped to the Big Apple

Faced with family on widely distant continents, London residents Kerri and Thomas decided to keep their wedding plans simple by eloping to New York City. Yesterday, they exchanged vows and rings at 230 Fifth, a lively bar with a rooftop garden...and soon-to-be-completed event space for larger weddings.

Rain and wind forced the ceremony to be held inside...but as the couple kissed at the end of the ceremony, the sun came out. A heaven sent sign for the newlyweds and their photographer to go out on the rooftop and take pictures.

Jack Toomey, Director of Special Events at 230 Fifth, couldn't have been more accomodating, and the photographer, Corrine Botz seemed to be taking quite creative shots before and after the ceremony. I can't wait to see her work. I thank them both for being witnesses and signing the marriage license.

Ceremony Idea: For a destination wedding in New York City, I always invite the bride and groom to share my email with family and friends who can't be there. I read the greetings at the close of the ceremony and the couple usually tear up as they hear words from the people they love. It's a way to create a connection between the ceremony and home. Kerri and Thomas' each had a sibling write a greeting...in secret from the rest of their families. It was quite meaningful for them to hear words of affirmation about eloping and getting married.

Good luck, Kerri and Thomas! Come back to New York City, and keep in touch when you move to New Zealand.

Julie Laudicina, Celebrant!

Best of Time

Yes, it was the "best of time" at Melissa and Radley's wedding at Battery Gardens last Sunday. The phrase, "best of time," was the title of the poem written for this wedding by the bride's aunt and read before the procession as a message to set the tone for their ceremony.

Before the ceremony, there was a flurry of activity to get all the final touches in place...cameras placed to get intimate shots, adjustment of curtains and floral bouquets, lighting tweaked to make certain the shadows were just right. This meticulous attention to detail was provided by the folks from Shiraz Events, the coordinators for this wedding. What an energetic team - with a real eye for the aesthetics of the ceremony setting. I'm sure they carried that spirit through all the other aspects of Melissa and Radley's wedding day.

During the ceremony, I knocked over one of the cameras...how embarrassing. But I had observed the careful set-up the photographers had done, so I just asked them to come forward and reset the camera so their work would not be lost because of me!

The best part of the day for me was to see the groom just smile and smile. Melissa is a lucky woman to have a man so obviously excited and happy.

Battery Gardens provides a dramatic setting for the ceremony and the reception. On Sunday, the weather was fine...so for the cocktail hour, guests could linger on the patio overlooking the NY harbor and the Statue of Liberty.



Ceremony Tip: Think of honoring your parents, grandparents, or someone who has been part of your life by wearing something of theirs during the ceremony. Melissa wore her mother's veil for the wedding ceremony. It was a perfect compliment to her modern-day dress...and the sentimental gesture of wearing this veil was lovely. Other ideas of "heritage" items you could add to your wedding day outfit: cuff-links, bracelet, religous medal, watch, or earrings.

Julie Laudicina, Celebrant!