This was the wedding of the daughter of a childhood friend of mine. It was a blending of two beautiful families - Jim and Christen Curtin. They both have a girl and boy from previous marriages and the children are thrilled to have new brothers and sisters. It was Gerevasi Vineyard in Canton - what an incredible venue. The ceremony was in The Conservatory which looks like a greenhouse except that is air conditioned. The children and I walked in fist. This is the photo of us waiting for Jim and Christen to enter together which is something that is becoming more common. You see from the faces of the kids that they are very happy about this union. It was quite an honor for me to officiate for the daughter of a friend I have had my entire life. We lived across the street from each other and our mothers were best friends as well. Lovely memories.
Wedding Words of Wisdom - 8.19.17
This past weekend I performed two beautiful and very different weddings. Even though the weather looked pretty iffy both times it was beautiful. The first was at Solstice Steps in Lakewood Park. It is just gorgeous! I had never heard of this place right on Lake Erie. What an incredible view! Wendy and Chuck Sinito were married on the steps in front of their parents and aunt - a beautiful and very intimate ceremony. What a lovely couple - and so much in love. The met on match.com and you could tell that they truly are a great match for each other. I particularly enjoy these small, intimate weddings that are usually for people who are past 30 and really know what they want in a partner. And have found it! Wishing them a joyous live together!
The second wedding this weekend was a very large one at Williams on the Lake in Medina. It's an incredibly beautiful venue. This wedding was for Angela and Marcus Kaiser - a young, very sweet couple. The weather held for this one as well. Actually, it was quite warm and I worried for some of the older family and guests. But they had water for them and the groom and his brother walked their grandmother down the aisle to be seated. Very lovely woman. Unfortunately, with all the photo taking after I was not able to get a photo with them.
Wedding Words of Wisdom 8.12.17
Lamount and April and their blended family became one at Michaud's Event Center in Strongsville. It was a perfect day - blue sky and 78 degrees. Only one little mishap. The rose petals for the flower girl could not be found at the time of the service. But they were tracked down in ten minutes and all went as planned although a bit late. Lesson here is tohave a check list for the day of the wedding and give your bridesmaids and groomsmen individual tasks so you two don't have to worry about anything.
The bride looked stunning in a gorgeous satin gown and the groom was as handsome as ever - even though he confessed that he hates to dress up! A very friendly group of 200 plus cheered the pronouncement as their children rushed the "stage" at the end. Lots of love flowing! I was honored to be a small part of it.
Wedding Words of Wisdom 8.5.17
This weekend was another gorgeous wedding at Springvale Ballroom. What a classic and elegant venue for a wedding. Stephen and Chelsea tied the knot in a wedding in style down to the program which was one of the most creative I have ever seen. Other than the bride and groom, the ring bearer, the groom's 6 year old nephew, stole the show. "Ring security" was dressed in a black suit with black sunglasses and a small metal briefcase handcuffed to his wrist. What a hoot - so cute! They definitely thought "out of the box" for their wedding and made it totally unique and you can, too. Check out the Internet to get ideas. Wishing this beautiful couple a beautiful life together.
Wedding Words of Wisdom 7.22.17
I perform a lot of weddings as an alternative to couples going to the courthouse. This weekend I performed a wedding IN the courthouse - the Old Courthouse in downtown Cleveland. If you have never been there you should stop and see the incredibly beautiful Rotunda right in the middle of the building on Lakeside Ave. I married Doug and Brittany Oliverio, two lovely people with lovely families. The bridesmaids and groomsmen entered from an incredible marble staircase. Then the stunning bride with two fathers escorting her. I wish I had taken some photos of the venue but you can see part of the staircase in this photo. It was beautiful and very unique - a wedding to remember for sure. If you're looking for a venue that is classy, unique and architecturally beautiful, the Old Courthouse is one to check out.
Wedding Words of Wisdom 7.15.17
This past weekend's wedding was one of the largest and most beautiful I have ever participated in. James and Alyssa are the perfect couple - sweet, polite, kind and oh, so much in love. "She's my girl," said James as I kidded him right before the service saying this was his last chance to run. They had their ceremony and reception at Springvale Ballroom in North Olmsted. Just a beautiful traditional type ballroom. Everything was exceptional - decorations, flowers, champagne for 250 it looked like, photo booth and even an ice cream sundae bar. Wishing them so much love and happiness.
Weddings can be any size - for a price. Some people prefer a huge wedding like this with 18 people in the bridal party and others go for a more intimate approach. Make sure that what you are thinking is what the two of you want - and no one else. Remember that this is your day! It should be all about the two of you.
Wedding Words of Wisdom 7.8.17
On this perfect July afternoon, Fred and Candy Lutz said "I do" at the pavillion at Allardale Park in Medina. I don't think I have seen two more in love people. Their vows were so heartfelt and sincere. Plus they are super nice people. Candy looked stunning in a gorgeous, long lace dress. Her hair, by stylist Sherrie Kovach of Salon Evangelene in Medina, was beautiful. Fred was pretty cute, too! Wishing them much love and happiness!
Weddings can be held anywhere. In the summer in Northeast Ohio we have so many lovely parks to choose from. When thinking about a park be sure to remember to pick one that is easy to walkto for your older guests and have bathroom facilities. This wedding was in a pavilion which would alsohave worked if it had rained. Always have a Plan B with our weather being so unpredictable.
Wedding Words of Wisdom - 7.1.17
This morning I married Ed and Denise Becka in their beautiful home in Brunswick. Such a nice, loving couple. Check out the Best Man and Maid of Honor! So cute! It doesn't matter what size the wedding - all that matters is how much you love each other. And it was certainly apparent that Ed and Denise are meant to be husband and wife.
Pets can work well in a wedding if they are used to crowds and are well trained. These dogs were well trained and there was no problem mainly because there were only a few people at the wedding. I have done several weddings with dogs and they all went off very well. But if you are considering adding your pet to the wedding party be sure to check with your venue. I have no problem with them but some venues do.
Denise & Ed
Maid of Honor Millie
Best Dog Man
Wedding Words of Wisdom - 6.19.17
I married this sweet couple this past weekend. The now Mr. & Mrs. Jacob and Rebecca Crislip's ceremony took place at Twinhaven in Twinsburg. Thank goodness it took place in air conditioned indoors since it was 91 degrees outside. And, yes, Jabob is a big man. I'm 5' 7"and I felt short compared to his 6'6". And his wife is even shorter. But he's a big teddy bear - he was choked up and teary throughout most of the ceremony. So cute - and so much in love!
If you are planning an outdoor wedding in the middle of summer consider what the temperature is likely to be - not only for our erratic Northeast Ohio weather but also for the comfort of you and your guests. While Jacob and Rebecca had their ceremony and reception indoors - they enjoyed the beautiful but very hot weather outside for cocktails and photos. Everyone was quite happy to get back inside for the cool air.
Wedding Words of Wisdom - 6.12.17
On this very toasty weekend, I performed a wedding at Maplewood Farm in Lucas, Ohio. This was pretty much a perfect wedding. Warren and Hali were not only a beautiful bride and groom but both are just the nicest and kindest people. It was a rustic theme with the whole wedding party wearing cowboy boots - including me! I have been asked to wear boots so many times that I finally got a pair last year. And they really are as comfortable as everyone says.
More brides need to think about comfort when it comes to shoes. I have seen so many weddings where the bride and bridesmaids are all wearing expensive six-inch heels and immediately taking them off after the ceremony. Take a hint from the boot wearing girls - go for comfort it. It's going to be a long party. I've seen many change into flip flops. Something to think about when you are choosing footwear for your special day.
Wedding Words of Wisdom 3.30
I thought I would start sharing some insight to would-be brides and grooms that I have gained after performing hundreds of weddings for over eighteen years. I will post them as Spirit moves me and as new ones occur. Here's the first one - enjoy!
If you are thinking of having your adorable little niece or nephew as flower girl and ring bearer, please give this some real thoughtful consideration. If they are under the age of 5 it is highly unlikely that they will actually make it down the aisle. Most of the time they do pretty well at the rehearsal but as soon as they see all the people at the wedding they freak out and start screaming and running the other way.
Think about it. You're 2 or 3 years old and all of a sudden you are expected to walk into a crowd of people you don't know.
Sometimes it works but that is usually when the little one walks down hand in hand with an older sibling. Yes, it could be adorable but it does not start out the wedding well if the poor child is terrorized. Plus it takes away from the big moment when the bride is to make her grand entrance.