I don’t think there is any question that New York is the most romantic city in America during the holiday season. And, I routinely receive requests to perform ceremonies under the famed Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. Between Thanksgiving and the beginning of the year, that enormous, beautifully decorated tree is the absolute focal point of […]
Dahlia Flowers: Rock Center Petal Pushers Read More »
Couples who look to elope to New York have a certain zest for life, but my recent bride and groom Anne and John took it to new heights—literally. A number of weeks ago, I received a rather perfunctory query about a ceremony for a couple visiting New York from St. Louis. It was a lazy
Sky High Helicopter Wedding in the Big Apple Read More »
By far the most popular spot for elopements/destination weddings in New York is Central Park. The Park offers innumerable beautiful locations to exchange vows. Moreover, even for those requiring a permit (for weddings with about 25 or more attendees), the cost is about $25 (and the process could be done online). A couple of weeks
Come Rain or Come Shine: Eloping at the 3 West Club Read More »
According to the Central Park Website, it is an excellent example of 19th Century decorative arts. Built in 1871 by architect Jacob Wrey Mould, it was erected to provide shelter for trolley passengers. It received a much-needed facelift some 30 years ago. Like the Cop Cot Gazebo, it lends itself to the analogy of the
Ladies Pavilion: A Favorite Central Park Spot Read More »
As Halloween approaches, I recall fondly a private wedding I officiated–in “costume” for a very nice local couple. The couple had met when they were very young. They went on separate journeys and reunited many years later. Pure romance. In a sweeping romantic gesture, the couple “eloped” and planned to surprise their friends and family
Halloween + Wedding = A Very Happy Day at Wave Hill Read More »
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
A Song from her Heart Read More »
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
Gapstow Bridge, Perfect for Any Season Read More »
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
By far the most popular spot in New York for elopements or small ceremonies is Central Park. It is a treasured public garden among New Yorkers and familiar to those from other states and countries. The Park is filled with seemingly limitless areas for ceremonies meeting the preferences of any couple. Favorite wedding landmarks include
Wagner Cove: A Sweet Central Park Spot Read More »
The other day, I was lucky enough to participate in a “surprise” 20th wedding anniversary vow renewal. A thoughtful and romantic husband from Canada surprised his wife by arranging a last minute holiday to New York, to celebrate their anniversary. He found me online, and we schemed to create a sweet ceremony in Central Park. There
Family Heirlooms Enhance Rituals Read More »
© 2021 WEDDINGS BY SARAH RITCHIE | DESIGN BY PASQUARIELLO DESIGN | MAJORITY OF PHOTOGRAPHY BY DANA ARNOLD & RENEE JEAN
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