I've seen or heard from so many of my couples that have had children since their wedding, and as of a long time ago, I had this idea to do a "baby page." If I married you and you've added to your family - and if you'd like to add a photo of your new one to what promises to be a pretty big gallery here, please contact me and email me a photo. It's that simple. (And don't worry, I'll protect your privacy, as you can see from the page that's up already.)

And to all the new parents, congratulations! and I hope you're sleeping well. 

I recently did a wedding where Gene Santini was singing at the cocktail hour. From the other room, I thought I heard Sinatra. If you go to his Myspace page and listen to "Wonderful World" or "Who Can I Turn To",  you'll see how versatile he is. I found Gene to be vocally skilled, personable, and professional. I definitly, very highly recommend him to you for your wedding day!

Janet King is a well-known and respected harpist on Long Island and in the New York Metropolitan area. I'm glad to recommend her to you here, and she is happy to extend a 10% discount for my couples who found here here. Give her a call (516 671 4519) if you're looking for this kind of music for your wedding.  Harpist Janet King

 

I remember being very impressed with Jerry Costanzo and his musicians when we did a wedding together. He sings in the style of Sinatra, Nat Cole, Dean Martin, Tony Bennett, Michael Buble etc., and also works with DJs to do dinner shows during receptions. (He's one of only a few people that can really pull this off - see the artcle linked below.)  I asked him if he could give couples I'm marrying a discount, and he said yes:

Here are some typical packages for a 4 hour wedding reception. I'll offer a 15% discount and include solo piano/keyboard for cocktail hour, plus a light DJ service during band breaks. (These rates are for Long Island only.)

The Jerry Costanzo 17-piece Big Band Orchestra (5 sax, 4 trombone, 4 trumpet, piano, bass, drums, myself vocal) $10,000

The Jerry Costanzo 9-piece Orchestra (3 sax, trumpet, trombone, piano, bass, drums, vocal) $5250

The Jerry Costanzo Sextet (sax, trumpet, piano or guitar, bass, drums, vocal) $3500

Quintet-(sax, piano or guitar, bass, drums, vocal) $3000

Quartet-(piano or guitar, bass, drums, vocal) $2500

(I don't receive any kind of fee from Jerry. My goal is just to provide you - the couples I'm marrying - with really quality vendors for your wedding.)

There are very few masters of music that can pull off the greatness of jazz swingers from the early years like Jerry Costanzo can. He is an absolute wonder with a beautiful voice that will transport you back into the era when big band jazz was all the rage.

He was brought up in a musically inclined Italian family in New York. He had many jobs, such as personal driver for Al Pacino, before realizing that music was his true career calling. He said that he knew that being a musician was what he was meant to do when he had pretty much failed at everything else. I say, that it’s a great thing because he is a pure musical genius and sings with such devotion and passion for the swing jazz style.

Times Square was able to have a great chat with him about his life, his music, and his upcoming show in New York.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Jerry Costanzo
www.jerrycostanzo.com
516-779-6813
 

I worked with Sasha only once so far, but I took an instant liking to her, and was very impressed with the way she interacted with the couple, the way she worked, and (later) with her portfolio. You can see her work from that day elsewhere on my website, and in my blog about the Central Park wedding we did together.

Here is the discount she’s making available to my couples:

My package: $2000 for 8 hours of shooting, a second shooter, DVD of high resolution images and online gallery. Discounted 20% and I can include a Engagement shoot. (I don't receive any kind of fee from her. My goal is just to provide you - the couples I'm marrying - with really quality vendors for your wedding.)

And here’s how she describes her passion and approach: "I have a passion for storytelling – may it be, weddings, engagements elopement ceremonies or lifestyle. I love to photograph people’s important moments in a creative, fun and timeless way. I put my heart into my work, and it has always felt like an immense privilege to be a part of such personal occasions.

"My background is in fine art and fashion photography. As an artist I am inspired by details, and I strive to make an image as unique as the people in it.

"I am available for travel worldwide. I am also available for editorial work."

CONTACT INFORMATION

www.sashafelix.com
P:917.572.0289
E:sasha@sashafelix.com

I've written about Carlos Castillo photography elsewhere on this site, and some of the photos from the wedding we did together in Manhattan are also here. He offered to give a discount to couples that I'm marrying, and I wanted to make the details available for your consideration. Here they are:

TYPICAL PACKAGE

... starts at $1,800 for 8 hours, 2 photographers, web gallery, and all high-resolution images on a DVD. We can offer a 15% discount and a free engagement photoshoot.

SIMPLER WEDDING CEREMONY

... includes a 2 hour package for $400 with a web gallery and high resolution images on a dvd. This is a discount of $100. off the usual price. (I don't receive any kind of fee from Carlos. My goal is just to provide you - the couples I'm marrying - with really quality vendors for your wedding.)

CONTACT INFORMATION

carlos@carloscastillo.net

http://carloscastillo.net

Years ago I did a wedding where Clairmont Strings and Ensembles provided the music. I think one of my former brides was one of the musicians. (Yep, small world.) Anyway, they were great, and recently I approached them to see if they would offer my couples a discount on their services. Vivian Penham got back to me to say that they would be happy to offer a 15% discount to my couples who contact them. (I'm not receiving a fee for this.) They don't have a website right now, so you'll have to check them out the old fashioned way - email - or if you really want to go retro, the telephone. (I don't receive any kind of fee from Vivian. My goal is just to provide you - the couples I'm marrying - with really quality vendors for your wedding.)

Musicians of The Claremont Strings Ensemble have performed collectively at Weill Hall, Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall and throughout the Northeast, playing a diverse range of symphonic and chamber music, eclectic jazz, and gypsy swing. Wadsworth Strings, emanating from the Washington Heights area, is a division of Claremont Strings, founded by Vivian Penham, a graduate of the Juilliard School and Columbia University.

Vivian Penham (Cello) A graduate of the Juilliard School and Columbia University, studies with Ardyth Alton and Lorne Munroe. Freelancing in the NY area, she plays with the New England Symphonic Ensemble, Scandia Symphony, and American Symphony. In addition, she is a Goethe Institute scholarship recipient. Other artistic activities include touring with The Mantovani Orchestra, Phantom of the Opera, and the Southwest Florida Symphony. In addition she is the founder of Claremont strings and ensemble, which has performed regionally presenting unique interpretations of old masters and Music in Urban spaces under the auspices of HAI.

Vivian Penham
Cellist and ensemble leader
Claremont strings and ensembles
Tel . 212 663-4373
Vivianpie@aol.com

Tiffany and Jeff and I had done a SKPE interview instead of a face-to-face meeting, since they were coming from Indiana. All their guests were also from the "mid-West" - Indiana and Wisconsin. Everyone loves Manhattan (well, almost), and this couple especially, and I suppose that explains their choice of the financial district (The Federal Building on Wall Street) for their wedding ceremony. It also explains why the "reception" afterwards was at a great NY pizza place. (In the evening, the couple, who are great music lovers, headed off to a concert, while their guests tried to fit in seeing as much of the city as they could.

As usual, New Yorkers were well behaved, interested in what was happening, and polite. (I'm serious!) Many were filming, and I'll still looking for the ceremony on YouTube. The weather cooperated, and this couple that I liked so much, and their family and friends were all enthusiastic about the ceremony we pulled off. I'm sure it was something a little different than what they're used to. Here's what the bride had to say:

"We were very pleased with you and your ceremony! It actually struck a cord for me personally because I sort of struggled w/ not "fulfilling my dreams" before I met Jeff..and when you mentioned that all your dreams may not come true, but it's God's will.. it really put that thought at ease. We loved the white water rafting analogy as well, so perfect. My family and Jeff's family thought you were great. We would recommend you to anyone.

"If there is any way I can help support you and what you do please let me know. I'd be happy to post anything on your website and please feel free to use our photos for your website. Thank you for making our day so special!"

(I did post almost 30 photos in the "Portfolio" section of this website, if you'd like to meet the couple for yourself. I want to thank Carlos Castillo for his professional and creative work at the wedding, and for providing these great shots. I hope we can work together soon, and I think we're going to work something out for my couples to get preferential treatment if they use his photographic services.)

When James proposed to Monica, the sun came out and a rainbow appeared. Strangers down the beach from where they were clapped and celebrated with them. Well, that's the kind of spell that continued for their wedding, and the great luck they had on their big day - their Central Park wedding at Wagner Cove. The day was a beautiful Fall day, The musicians who I've praised elsewhere, were amazing, (I loved every one of their selections, and they're just an expert and personable duo.) and I can't wait to see the pictures that their photographer Sasha Felix took. She was omnipresent, very likeable and great to work with. (I recommended Sokol, the cellist, to James and Monica, and I know I'll be recommending Sasha too.) The guests navigated the hill down to our spot without incident - although I did catch the groom's mother once to prevent her from falling into the water! The relationship that James and Monica seem to have seemed very special and unique to me, and believe me, I meet a lot of couples. When they did the English/Spanish reading "Solo Tu" to each other, there wasn't a dry eye in the group. The way they were into each other made me at first want to be the bride (when he looked at her and spoke to her), and then I wanted to be the groom (when she responded). Very special, great, super-cool day in the Park! I'm posting a few other pictures in my "Wedding Portfolio" for now, with professinal ones to come later. Check that out to see for yourself what the venue and the musicians looked like - and the beautiful bride. (James, you looked good too.) P.S. the photo is of the bride and her father.

It hasn't happened yet, as far as I know, but there's no reason why it shouldn't. Just think about it - no need to worry about catering, or the guest list - or even seating for that matter. And nobody drinking and then driving home to worry about. Music - already there. DJ with a sound system - you know why that's not needed! Oh, and did I mention, an abundance of Police protection at no cost? (Maybe even some distinguished guests will show up - Patti Smith, Pete Seeger, Mayor Bloomberg, etc. Maybe Radiohead will finally come to Occupy Wall Street - for your wedding.

So, anyway, I'm offering my officiating services to free for the first couple of True Occupiers that want to get married at Zuccotti Park (Occupy Wall Street). I know a lot of people are making strong connections, and cementing one's they had already, and that's what made me think of doing this. (I'd also be glad to officiate for you if you want to renew your vows at Liberty Park - the same place.)

You have to be sincere, and you have to be part of the 99%. True Occupiers will definitely be given preference. I can't cook for you, provide tents for those cold nights, or speak in the General Assembly (at least not yet), but I can certainly do for you (at no expense) what I do for other couples all the time (almost 100 times a year!). If you're interested in discussing this with me, please contact me.

I'm an seminary trained, ordained Christian minister who works (primarily) as a wedding officiant. You can easily contact me through my website www.clergyoncallministries.com.  Pastor Bill Britton