What a great photo opportunity! Either during the ceremony or after. The bride, the groom and the officiant signing, signing, signing....um......something! Unfortunately, the wedding license in most states is just an ugly duckling, and in many states (NJ included) the bride and groom don't even sign it; just the witnesses. Two witnesses signing a legally looking piece of documentation does NOT a photo make.Fortunately, there are alternatives, like this beauty, courtesy of www.fineweb.c... Read Full Story

One of my cool brides, getting married in Brooklyn next week, has chosen "With This Ring", by the Platters, as her recessional! You can view it, and many other cool ideas for music on Youtube! Your "recessional" music should be joyous, upbeat, but not necessarily classical. I'll post more suggestions as they come to me, and chime in with your own! Read Full Story

This is an excerpt from the New York Times this morning; ALBANY — Gov. David A. Paterson has directed all state agencies to begin to revise their policies and regulations to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions, like Massachusetts, California and Canada. (AND NEW JERSEY!!! SORTA!!!)In a directive issued on May 14, the governor’s legal counsel, David Nocenti, instructed the agencies that gay couples married elsewhere “should be afforded the same recognition as any ot... Read Full Story

How cool would it be to have your wedding on this lovely boat, the "Richard Robbins"? Now, I know nothing about boats except I love them, and being on the water for two hours makes me feel like I've been on vacation. But I went to the Classic Sail Windjammer Site and found out that this beauty is a historic schooner, built in 1902. She is a registered historic Tall Ship which participated in "Operation Sail 1987", "Operation Sail 1992". Clasic Sail is r... Read Full Story

What a beautiful setting, and yesterday we had the perfect day for a New Jersey wedding ceremony (smooth, eh?)at this English Manor mansion. It is distinctive and comfortable, and their banquet staff, headed by Bruce Maurer, couldn't be more gracious.My couple got married in their sweet and intimate garden (well, not so little; we had over 100 guests)overlooking the golf course. Afterwards, the guests enjoyed a cocktail hour on the slate patio, and the bridal party got to relax a privat... Read Full Story

Stilettos and sod don't mix! If your wedding is going to be outside, on the grass, (sand is a whole other discussion!) you want to plan your footwear accordingly. More than one of my recent brides has found herself slowly sinking into the ground (and usually, not evenly....) One one of the most important days of your life, you shouldn't be worried about ending face down on the lawn. Well, not at the very beginning anyway... Look for something with a wide heel or some pretty flats ... Read Full Story

So, it's the unofficial start of summer, but it's also a busy weekend for New Jersey wedding ceremonies! I am all over the place, from the Pleasantdale Chateau in West Orange, to Mohonk House to the Indian Trail Club in Franklin Lakes to Fiddler's elbow in Basking Ridge. These are all wonderful venues to check out if you're looking for a place to have your wedding ceremony. I'm planning on coming back on Monday with some great photos of my amazing couples, so stay tuned! Read Full Story

Wikizines are interactive magazines that anyone can create or edit - and this one is called "readings for wedding ceremonies". Here you can find fresh voices and respond in real time. Some members write articles about recent news and trends related to the wikizine's topic, others recount relevant personal stories or share their favorite pictures and video clips. Got an interesting idea or story to share with other members of this wikizine? Well, then put on your journalist'... Read Full Story

Thanks to the New York Times, I found a great resource for inexpensive hotels all over the world, from New York to Scotland and back. WWW.Easyhotels.com lets you search by location, date, and room type, to find reasonable rooms with character and charm. Most are light on amenities, but you're going to be out exploring, aren't you? The hotels in Edinburgh looked adorable, and they are expanding their sites in London, Switzerland and Budapest.April in Paris, anyone? Rates start at 60 b... Read Full Story

For Marriage; John O’DonohueMy friend and fellow Celebrant, Murphy Birdsall turned me on to John O'Donohue, an Irish poet and philosopher who died suddenly on January 4th. He was a " native Irish speaker, a former priest, and author of books that provided sustenance for many souls hungering for connection in a shallow, narcissistic world — a world full of what called the 'religion of rush.'" (From the NPR website, www.npr.org ). He wrote frequently about life's mile... Read Full Story