Now more than ever, many loved ones are unable to attend weddings, large or small. While many couples choose to video stream ceremonies so that guests can join virtually, I’ve resurrected an old trend in my ceremony delivery: adding quotations from guests who are not at the wedding. Just recently I married a delightful American […]
The other day, a young couple from Washington had a private elopement, arranged by Simply Eloped, at the Archer Hotel. After the wedding they launched into portrait taking all over town. Their transport for the stops was provided by the famed New York Checker Cab Company. These classic ‘50’s yellow cabs are available for rental
Cakes have long been a focal point of wedding celebrations, in America and beyond. However, in the current rush for elopements and micro-weddings, sometimes this tradition falls away. I believe that every wedding, large or small, deserves a cake or some kind of sweet to celebrate the occasion. Yesterday, I married two sophisticated New Yorkers
Every Wedding Deserves a “Cake” Read More »
I recently officiated a wedding for a couple whose adopted home is Hawaii. They incorporated a traditional wedding lei exchange at the beginning of our ceremony. The leis are an artistic and fragrant representation of enduring love. Their shape recognizes the infinite nature of love; for, love freely given and received has neither a beginning
The Gifting of Leis Read More »
One of the joys of being a Life-Cycle Celebrant is being able to work with individuals and couples of many ethnic, religious, and philosophical backgrounds. I adore working with Jewish brides and/or grooms, for instance, because there are so many wonderful traditions that can be included in their ceremonies from a cultural perspective. For instance,
Traditional Touches to a Modern Elopement Read More »
Many couples, these days, are making wedding celebrations a multi-stage endeavor, having legal services followed by post-pandemic ceremonies and receptions. While I appreciate the desire to keep these legal services “short and sweet,” I do like to encourage pandemic couples to slow down and enjoy their private wedding, just as it is. I had the
A Little bit of Poland in Central Park Read More »
A couple of days ago, the New York Times published an article “How They Proposed.” It included charming stories of engagement proposals from some of the couples featured in their weekly style section. I was reminded of the most clever proposal story, a half dozen years ago, from one of my favorite couples Michael and
This morning, I officiated the sweetest “hybrid” wedding in northern Manhattan. By hybrid, I mean there were a few very important guests at the ceremony, but many, many more (from around the globe!) joining us via zoom. Everything about the wedding was perfection. The bride and groom, both artists, had decorated the roof of the
Today was an historic inauguration day and one we will not surely forget. Much has been made about the groundbreaking inauguration of Vice President Kamala Harris, the diversity of Biden appointments, and the rich symbolism of the inauguration ceremony. I had an unusually meaningful coda to the seminar as I was invited to unite to
A Special Inaugural Wedding Read More »
Especially during these dark days of the pandemic, our animal companions are more important than ever. And while it is not terribly uncommon for couples hosting a micro-wedding to bring their furry friends to the big event, folks hosting post-pandemic larger events might consider bringing their fur babies, too. The other day, I was perusing
Don’t Forget Your Furry Friends! Read More »
© 2021 WEDDINGS BY SARAH RITCHIE | DESIGN BY PASQUARIELLO DESIGN | MAJORITY OF PHOTOGRAPHY BY DANA ARNOLD & RENEE JEAN
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