The song, “Marry Me,” by Train, has become a new favorite wedding anthem. Earlier this week, we played the tune for a processional walk down the path of the Ladies Pavilion, Central Park. In seeing my beautiful brides from California, walking to this tune, I was taken back to an August wedding that I had …
An artist friend recently pointed me in the direction of a spectacular idea for capturing the beauty of a wedding celebration—a live portrait painting during the event. No doubt, gifted photographers work tirelessly to come up with innovative and beautiful shots of all aspects of the wedding, but a painting of the wedding serves as …
For those who study celebrations and rituals, bridges have a special symbolism. Bridges provide a stunning visual of the transition from two single people into a newly married couple. Among the iconic bridges of Central Park is the Gapstow Bridge in the southern part of our Park, over the pond at about 59th Street. A …
I have often wondered why British women love hats, and we women in America have shunned them for decades. (There is one exception I know of: Sunday church services that serve largely African-American communities may well have a sea of hats in the pews. These church-going women sport glamorous, formal attire, including big hats that …
Even when couples are interested in writing their own vows, I like to provide a variety of samples for their review–it helps to get the creative juices flowing. Native American readings have become increasingly popular in weddings, and I recently came across this wedding vow, inspired by the Cherokee Nation. God in heaven above, Please …
The other day, I had a conversation with a young colleague about her brother’s impending proposal. My friend, it seems, was helping her brother step up the romance for this once-in-a-life-time occasion. As Heather and I discussed various options of his big day, the conversation prompted me to reflect upon the proposal stores of the couples with whom I have worked …
New York is a delicious melting pot of ethnic groups and cultures—a Celebrant’s dream come true. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 10 percent of New Yorkers identify themselves as Chinese. I have worked with many Chinese couples over the years and find there are wonderful customs, including the traditional tea ceremony which …
Most of my clients have been to a good number of weddings, both religious and secular, by the time that they marry. However, they generally can’t remember much about the ceremonies in aggregate. Sometimes a bride and groom can point to ceremony components they found off-putting, but there isn’t much recollection beyond that. Likewise, while …
© 2021 WEDDINGS BY SARAH RITCHIE | DESIGN BY PASQUARIELLO DESIGN | MAJORITY OF PHOTOGRAPHY BY DANA ARNOLD & RENEE JEAN
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