Weddings

Shermaine and Trevor married at Antun’s in Queens Village in October, on one of those really nice days. I do a lot of weddings at Antun's because I’m “house clergy” there, and I’m always pleased with the care and attention they give to my couples and specifically, to the ceremony. (Not every wedding venue treats the ceremony itself as something important.) Each of the guys that I work with there has been there for years, and they’re quite expert at what they do. Both the bride and groom looked great, and they were calm and ready to be married! The ceremony went off without a hitch, and the guests were appreciative and definitely involved. You could “feel the love.” I was happy to be part of all this, and the couple was happy too. This is what the bride wrote to me on their one month anniversary: "We loved the ceremony and our guests really enjoyed how it was conducted. ... My husband and I are both Catholic and we wanted a religious touch to our wedding and you provided that. Is was easy to work with you because you’re so professional and organized. You took the time to meet with us, so we did not feel like strangers on our wedding day. You made our day memorable and we’ll always remember that!!" Thanks guys, it was my pleasure. (P.S. This is one of the few pictures of me with my robe, so make note, those of you who are wondering what it looks like.)

Adolfo is the planning type (like me), and Kathleen, the free spirit. It was evident the day we met, and the day of the wedding. The universe never puts people together who are alike in this way - and for a reason. We not only can learn and grow from the influence of each other - but we’re also (only) somewhat less likely to kill each other. In the case of this happy couple, that was never a concern. The wedding planning brought everything together, and the outdoor setting on the Duchess Yacht was perfect for the day we were given. I appreciated the kind words I received from the couple afterwards, and decided to share them with you.

“We had the distinct pleasure of working with Rev. William Britton for our wedding in NYC the weekend of Oct 2nd.  Since our initial meeting with Rev. Britton (lunch in Midtown Manhattan), we felt especially at ease with his style and approach.  So much so, that we were very comfortable with following his lead on the structure and flow for the wedding itself. The day of the wedding, Rev Britton was there on time, and early,--just as he said he would be…We were especially fortunate to have beautiful weather on our wedding day, but Rev Britton’s calm demeanor only added to the peaceful feeling of the day. It’s worth noting, that we received many unsolicited compliments from individuals who attended our wedding regarding Rev Britton. Without reservation, we would gladly and with great pleasure offer our endorsement and recommendation for any couple who was currently considering enlisting Rev Britton for their wedding.  We believe that he helped make our special day S-P-E-C-I-A-L! “   Adolfo & Kathleen

 



 

Francis lived in Hong Kong for the year leading up to her wedding, so nothing was ever simple for this couple when it came to the planning. We met in a midtown restaurant once she was in town, and had a great time talking and planning together. Francis has a million dollar smile, and both of these guys are fun. I hadn’t been to Blue Hill Farm before, but I was really impressed with what’s going on there (working farm, museum and book store, big emphasis on healthy foods and cooking, etc.). When it came to the place as a wedding venue, it was amazing. We had a beautiful September day, gorgeous views, wonderful fresh air, and a place for the ceremony that was uniquely nice - as you can see in the photo. The attention to detail by the staff was impressive, and the guests were supportive of the couple and friendly to me. It was really all you could ask for. My only regret is that my blog only allows me to post one photo, since Francis sent me so many great ones. Mark and Francis, thank you for making me a part of your special day!

I love the Swan Club. It’s the perfect place for an outdoor wedding without any of the typical outdoor “issues” (heat, rain, wind, bugs, etc.). The landscaping there compares to a botanical garden. Everything complements what you’re doing there - getting married! I also love it when I bond with great couples. The people I meet are the best part of my job. Lys and Robert and I did connect in that way, and their wedding at the Swan Club was appreciated by all. Here’s what they had to say:
“Pastor Bill made our special day MAGICAL!  I found Pastor Bill on a whim by simply googling wedding officiants on the internet.  He is as charming in person as he looks in his photos.  Although my wife thought I was crazy for finding our wedding officiant in this way she agreed to meet him.  From that very first meeting with him, she felt very comfortable having him marry us.  He is warm, down to earth, supportive, knowledgeable, and professional with a wonderful sense of humor.  He is well-organized and meticulous with his paperwork and communication.  He made us feel like our wedding was custom-tailored to fit the emotions and love we have for one another.  He was a joy to have at our wedding and we could not have asked for a more genuine and sincere person to marry us!  Thanks again Pastor Bill.  We love you!” - Robert and Lys
 

I love Planting Fields Arboretum, so I was especially happy to go there for Cheryl’s and Noel’s intimate wedding ceremony. I arrived more than an hour early, which allowed for a very leisurely walk through the main greenhouse, and on the way out, I discovered the bookstore and bought a copy of O Pioneers! (I’ve been reading about the settling of the old West lately. Interesting.) Anyway! ... I had met with the couple beforehand to plan and become acquainted, and we had great chemistry. On the day of,  I met the some family members - all very nice, and Noel’s longtime friends who were there to support him - and give him a hard time (You can tell a lot about people from their friends, and these guys were true gentlemen.) Anyway! ... the couple was very happy with the day, as you can see for yourself.  “Cheryl and I would like to express our sincere thanks and profound appreciation for the wonderful job you did officiating our wedding on Saturday, July 31. Our special day was everything we hoped it could be, beautiful and intimate. Your marriage work sheet and subsequent meeting helped to make our day as joyful and orderly as it was. May God continue to bless you and your family with good health, and may you live long and continue the most important work he has ordained you to do.”

I have a working relationship with Pastor Mike Cassara, and this wedding was one that he couldn’t do. It worked out nicely, because I could, and it was a lot of fun. I don’t remember being at Hechscher Park before, so I didn’t know what to expect, but it was a pretty, calming place. (I think I felt my blood pressure going down.) Christine and Frank married under a small bunch of trees - perfect, since it was a hot day, and about 50 friends and family members, including adults and children, gathered to celebrate with them. Later, everyone walked to a large tent nearby for their reception. The venue suited the couple and their friends who were relaxed, and dressed for the day - and you could see some of the young girls who were present imagining wedding days of their own. I was glad to meet photographer Matthew Turri, who was busy taking pictures, and who has recently moved to this area. (This photo is one of his.) Christine and Frank, thank you for allowing me to be a part of your wedding day. I wish you many years of happiness.

Couples find me in many different ways. Brides who are on The Knot or Long Island Weddings will definitely find me there. Others have done a simple google search - (and found me on the first page of results!).  Sometimes the groom has done a search on Craig’s list, and sometimes one of my happy couples has referred the couple to me. That way is a particularly nice way to begin - bringing back memories for me and giving the couple more confidence right from the start. This time though it was none of those things. This time, Robert, who is a policeman, was in Starbucks - a regular stop, and was talking to my son Andrew about getting married to Christine. Andrew told him what I do, he called me, and the next thing you know, I was performing their wedding. I met with Christine and Robert ahead of time to make plans specific to them, and by the time of the ceremony, we had the feeling that we knew each other. That’s always the goal. I don’t know, but when I was leaving, it seemed to me that the look on Robert’s face said, “I didn’t think it would be this nice.” I hope that was it - exceeding expectations is also one of the goals. Anyway, Christine and Robert, may your union and life together be blessed - and Robert - be careful out there - and say “hi” to Andrew. I’m sure you see him more than I do.  :-)

I married Alison at Tavern on the Green in Central Park (something you can’t do any more - or at least not now), and a year later she recommended me to Chris - her work mate in the UK. Sam (Samantha) and Chris came on a warm June day to be married at Linden Terrace in Fort Tyron.  The views are “commanding” (Wikipedia) and include the Hudson River, the George Washington Bridge, and the Harlem River. The wedding was an intimate gathering of family and friends, mostly if not all from the UK, and the custom ceremony was personal, brief, and (of course) beautiful. Here’s what Sam had to say later, “We just wanted to send you our heartfelt thanks for the wonderful ceremony you did for us on June 2nd in Fort Tryon Park. It truly was a lovely service and our guests couldn't have been more complimentary about the service and choice of words. It really was an amazing day, so thank you so much for the major part you played in making our wedding day so very special.  Should anyone we know opt to marry in New York, we wouldn't hesitate to recommend you.” Thanks guys. I’m glad that your trip to our side of the pond was worth it!  (Photo thanks to photographer Guy Heart.)

My work takes me to the predictable places for weddings - catering halls, the beach, the park, private homes, churches - and then sometimes the venue is more unique and surprising. Luis and Mercy, and pretty much everyone in their wedding party, are really big tennis fans. Their dream was to be married at Center Court in Arthur Ashe Stadium - and they became the first couple in the history of the stadium in Flushing to do just that! We had a windy day (notice my hair), and the court was ripped up for repairs, but none of it dampened anyone’s enthusiasm. The stadium is beautiful, and next time I’d like to do this with the stands full. Luis and Mercy, thanks for making me a part of your wedding day. May God bless you and your union, and may your backhand be impeccable.
 

A wedding in Central Park presents special challenges (walking in heels to the location, the possibility of bad weather, etc.), but a Central Park wedding can also add another dimension to whatever your great plans are already for your wedding ceremony. Usually the park is filled with people of all kinds (tourists, true New Yorkers, bikers and runners, people with dogs, kids) - and almost without fail, when these people see what you're doing, they show respect, hang around to be informal "witnesses", and wish you all kinds of congratulations! It's unpredictable and special - and you never know when you might end up on YouTube! So, if you're thinking about the park for your wedding day, give me a call. I've done many weddings there, and I know many great locations, and the other important details that you'll want to know. Join my couples from all over the country and all over the world who come to the Big Apple to tie the knot.

Every wedding crowd has it’s own personality. Some groups are unemotional and passive, some are rowdy and loud, and some are engaged in what is being said, and obvious in their support of the couple. This latter description best suits Natalie and Francis’ wedding at Leondards. Their family and friends were a public speaker's delight, showing interest during the ceremony and expressing appreciation after it. A choir group from their church sang beautifully, and it was evident that the room was filled with people of faith. That’s my persuasion also, so you can imagine I had a good time. It was like preaching at a revival meeting. The icing on the cake was this nice card from the couple. “Our sincerest apologies for the delayed response. We wanted to thank you personally for making our day so special. Your words of wisdom and kindness have stayed with us and will guide us through many years together. God bless.”  Francis and Natalie
When I do a wedding that includes a homily (some words about marriage), my prayer and hope is that my words will make a difference. After all, the couple will hear them on the wedding day, and then every time they watch their wedding video - even years later. I’d like to think that they will benefit from the truth in “The Surprises of Marriage” or “Life is Just One Thing After Another.” (I hear myself saying these things almost weekly, and they’re still helpful to me!)