Weddings

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!

 

 

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

When we met, Pascal was eager to tell me their story. Later I asked him to send it to me so I could share it with you:  "Maria and I met in London in 1980 and dated for about eighteen months. At that time Spain was not part of the EU, so her visa expired, and she had to return to Madrid. I called her a few times there, but her mother answered the phone and never gave her the message, seeing how emotinoally spent Maria was ... she meant well. So Maria goes and gets married and has two great children, Bibiana and Daniel both now in their 20s. And I got married and had three of my own Lauren, Nastasia and Oliver (24, 17,11).  No contact of any sort for 26 years. Out of the blue I get an emai in the summer of 2007 (one year after I got separated) saying "You probably don't remember me but....."  I replied and we emailed back and forth for a few months, many times a day. I invented a need to go on a business trip to Spain and had her meet me for a weekend in Barcelona in September 2007. I opened the hotel room door and was in love again.  Maria moved here in 2009 and we were married today at Steppingstone Park in Great Neck." The only thing that I can add to this great story is that Pascal only called me yesterday about doing this (!), and that weather forecast called for clouds and rain - but that the sun came out just as I pronounced them - and that was the ONLY time it came out. It was still a nice day, and the park is a beautiful place for this kind of wedding. I also was privileged to meet Pascal's mother Rosette, who was a very interesting person in her own right. A great day - the very kind of thing that makes me so glad I can do this "work."
 

I had a great wedding at Arbor View Bed & Breakfast Saturday night. The B& B was very nice (quiet, beautifully decorated, well-run) and it's hosts, Veda and Joseph showed wonderful hospitality to everyone. (They served me and the couple and a few guests dinner afterwards!) I highly recommend this place for smaller groups, and if it's just you and your fiancee. And congratulations Sharlene and Terrence. You make a beautiful couple, and I'm glad I could be part of your wedding day - and! looking forward to the big one next August! We may have started a little later than the plan, but in the end, I think everything was perfect. It was definitely one wedding that I wouldn't have wanted to miss. Thanks for the great dinner (Veda) and the wedding cake (Sharlene). It strenghtened me for the long ride home.  :-)   Pastor Bill

When I met with Marline and Jean Claude, I learned that they are super-connected in the Haitian community and could either recommend me to many friends and associates, or not. I also learned that Jean Claude owns his own successful Entertainment company and has worked as a DJ. Even so, no pressure!

Stewart Manor was prepared for us, and attended to the the bridal party nicely, as they always do. We went over all the last minute details, and then everything came together in the beautiful ceremony room at the Manor - complete with a fire in the fireplace. (It was right behind where I was standing, and if I only could have turned turned around after the ceremomy to roast the other side, I would have been thoroughly cooked.) Here's what the couple had to say:

"First, we want to take this moment to thank you for the beautiful service that you gave us. You made our wedding day very special and very personal with all the attention to details you gave throughout the process. From the first phone call, to the get acquainted lunch meeting, the contract preparation, going over every details of the ceremony and finally to your superb delivery with a very personal touch, we can only say that you are the best.
 
We've only heard praises from our guests about our ceremony. Most of the guests are referring to our wedding as the wedding of the century. So we want to say again "Thank you." We will not hesitate 1 second to recommend your services to anyone."
 
May God bless you. Sincerely, Jean Claude and Rose Marline

 

 

Recently I did a wedding and bumped into Harpist Janet King again. Our paths cross periodically, since both of us serve at weddings. I remember the couple from that day emphasizing to me, "Yes, Janet King! She's the best!" Well, I'm hardly a judge of such things, but I can say that her playing is beautiful, and she is a reliable, friendly, professional person to work with. We stood around in the parking lot after talking about quite a number of things - but most interestingly, her "other hat" - running Big River Barn where you can rent horses for a beautiful ride through the woods (yes, in Nassau County!) in any season of the year. I wanted to drop everything and go and do it right then. Finally, Janet is also a New York state licensed massage therapist, specializing in working with people dealing with cancer. Her therapy helps to alleviate symptoms, helps cancer patients to feel good and to affirm life during challenging times." Bottom line, Janet is one cool person to know, and if thinking harps or horses, you really have to give her a call.

When I met Jenny and Julio, I knew it was going to be a special wedding. I find myself telling couples all the time that "Chemistry is what separates an average cermony from a special one.", and the more weddings I perform, the more I see how true this is. Well, in the case of this couple, we had really good chemistry from the beginning - lots of sharing, lots of laughs, lots of good communication about who they were and what they wanted. When time for the wedding came, the time we spent developing this chemistry paid off - in a beautiful, joy-filled, personal ceremony. Villa Russo's was warm and intimate, the DJ did a great job, and the guests were attentive and supportive - everything you could want. It was my honor and pleasure to be involved. Congratulations guys!

The Brooklyn Botanical Garden accomodates couples who want an intimate wedding, or who just love the beauty of the outdoors - and who doesn't enjoy a day when the sun shines down, warming your skin - and you're getting married?! Randy and Azeb weren't able to meet with me ahead of time (which is what I usually do), but even so, we had nearly instant chemistry when we did meet the the Garden, and I really enjoyed my time with them. I also received one of my best compliments from one of their guests who said, "Thank you, that was nice. Not the usual blather." Home run! Anyway, you can see from this great picture the kind of chemistry they had, and the nice "vibe" they radiate. Another great day serving another nice couple.

In 2010 I married a tennis-loving bride and groom at Arthur Ashe Stadium.  A referral from that couple led to a wedding this year at Astoria Manor. Daisy and Alex were easygoing and a pleasure to work with, and they certainly appreciated my help in planning - and on the day of. Here’s how they put it:

“The feedback we are getting from our friends and family about the wedding is beyond positive. Pastor Bill Britton’s flexibility in the way the ceremony is performed makes him a very desirable wedding officiant. Our friends still cannot believe that we were able to include a religious theme in our civil wedding. As Filipinos, it is important that we had a sense of Catholicism in our matrimony; we are truly grateful to Pastor Bill Britton for making that happen. His services are also not limited to the ceremony itself. He guides you from the start to the end and will answer any questions you might have about the whole process. We feel lucky to have found Pastor Bill and honored to have had him as our wedding officiant; his services did not only impress us but also those who attended our wedding. Surely in the future, we will see him again as a pastor for one of our friend’s wedding.”

Thanks Daisy and Alex. It was a pleasure to know and serve you.