Brooklyn Botanic Garden Ceremony

 

Brooklyn Botanic Garden...spring...trees in bloom...yet a bit of a chill in the air...the music comes wafting through the garden...families in place... cameras ready...guests are anticipating the wedding procession.  And here we come from the palm house...wedding party in gray and yellow.

Sara and James' love story, a key part of their wedding ceremony, told of how they met in pharmacy school, studied together...and finally went on a first date that ended with a dozen roses and a box of chocolates...well, it was Valentines Day.  (Good move, James!)  The telling of their love story evoked memories for them and provided the context for their guests as to what this celebration was all about...the love between this bride and groom.

They did a unique thing for their vows.  They wrote about 20 vow-like statements about one sentence long which they took turns reading.  Some of the content was humorous.  Some was appropriately serious.  After the series of statements were read...we all had a picture of what they had promised each other....and we all listened.

As the sun set, I pronounced them husband and wife...and with rejoicing, the couple and their guests headed off to the party...thankfully indoors!


Julie Laudicina, Celebrant!
 

City Hall or At Home?

 

 

Janet and Frank had been together for decades, and they decided to "make it legal" for many practical and emotional reasons.  They planned to keep it simple by going to the Staten Island City Clerk's Office to get married, but a voice in Janet's head said she wanted to do something more personal.  So she called me.

Knowing I was a civil wedding officiant, she asked if I did wedding ceremonies in a couple's home.  I said I certainly did.  I asked about what she and Frank wanted in their ceremony, and then wrote the script that incorporated their ideas and wishes.

They wanted to acknowledge the spiritual side of their lives, so a meditational reading was included.

They wanted their dear friends to be their witnesses and stand with them.  They were right there.

They wanted their love story told.

On the day, I arrived to find a charming home filled with flowers, champagne, and an excited bride and groom.  I conducted the ceremony, and then joined them in a congratulatory toast...with chocolate covered strawberries too.  They planned to continue their celebration with their friends at a nearby upscale restaurant.

By enlisting my professional approach to their ceremony, I know their wedding ceremony was just what they wanted...something personal and focused on them.  It was a delight for me...and it was meaningful for them.


Julie Laudicina, Celebrant!
 

 

Keep It Short and Sweet

 

Their wedding was during Valentine's week...but they did not want their ceremony to mention hearts and flowers stuff.  They didn't want mushy readings.  They didn't want the ceremony to be long.  Just get 'er done!  So it was my honor do declare these two NYPD officers married after they exchanged vows and rings.

Their ceremony had the usual procession...but they did not have a bridal party.  That really is a solution sometimes when you have too many friends, siblings, and cousins.  When you don't want to hurt folks by not asking them.

For the ceremony, you need someone to hold the bride's bouquet during the vows.  Or you can place it on a table. 

You need someone to hold the rings.  They can be in the groom's pocket.  They can be held by one of the parents...or really anyone in the front row.

And you don't need a standard Maid of Honor or Best Man to serve as witnesses.  This couple had their fathers sign the NYC license just before the ceremony.

A short and sweet wedding can be just right.  For Sean and Gabrielle...it was just what they wanted.

Many thanks to the folks at Island Chateau.  They always make my work easier.  And they have a wonderful way with the couple and their guests.

Super Storm Sandy Wedding

Who knew several months ago that a wedding scheduled for October 30 in Central Park would be on the day that Super Storm Sandy leashed her fury on the greater New York City area?  For Shane and Lisa, from Ireland, it was quite an adventure.  For me too!

The story of their wedding is fully described in the blog by their wedding planner, Lisa Rockett, from iplannewyork.com.  I contributed my view of this wedding to Lisa's blog...so you can read my story of this miraculous wedding by clicking on the link above.  Great pictures by Brian Friedman too!

As you can see, the wedding did not occur in Central Park which remained closed.  The windy ceremony took place on the Brooklyn Promenade...perhaps an even better NYC view than Central Park!

Online Pool Lead Them to the Altar

Caroline and Kevin met while playing pool online.  They exchanged emails, played more games, and then started talking by phone.  When they finally met, it was the beginning of the rest of their lives...together.

Their wedding day at Island Chateau was on the weekend right after Super Storm Sandy blew through Staten Island.  Half the seats were empty, but those present were delighted to have something to celebrate. 

Nervous, excited, smiling...this couple could hardly stand it...they were getting married!   They were beyond being "over the moon"!  How fun for me, their wedding officiant!

At the outset of the ceremony,  Caroline lighted a candle in her Mother's memory.  Beside the memory candle was a picture of her mother in her wedding dress.  Lovely touch!

 

This joyful wedding...it couldn't be a better way to heal our storm-bruised spirits!


Julie Laudicina, Celebrant!

Ceremony Lakeside

The air was crisp.  The trees were multi-colored.  The lake was like a mirror.  The grounds were familiar to the bride and groom....it was the groom's family home in northern New Jersey.  It was time for me to officiate at a late afternoon autumn wedding.

 

 



Before the ceremony, the bride and groom signed the keepsake civil marriage certificate, and their mothers signed the NJ marriage license.  Every state is different...in NJ, the couple signs the license when they obtain it...not on the wedding day.

The wedding party processed from the house to the lakeside setting for the ceremony.  Guests from near and far were welcomed, and Peiling and Evan's love story was told.  Their siblings presented the well-chosen readings.  Vows were spoken and rings exchanged.  There was an elegant yet warm tone to the ceremony.  Guests were smiling throughout as I gazed around the audience...I was happy to do a good job for Evan and Peiling!

 

It is always a pleasure to work with The Finishing Touch Events!

 

Julie Laudicina, Celebrant!

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