Rev Annie Lawrence, NYC Wedding Officiant: January 2011

Rory & Steve asked me to officiate their Monday, Jan. 17th Martin Luther King Day holiday luncheon wedding in Queens. What a great time for a ceremony--many friends & family were off from work and able to join them for this romantic, kid-friendly, celebration of love followed by an Italian lunch. One of my jobs at weddings is usually to pin the boutonnieres on the gentlemen. And then keep them calm as we wait for the bride! Rory took our breath away in her lace bodice dress. She had tears in her eyes throughout the ceremony, and the bride & groom held hands as they repeated their vows. Steve kept beaming his warm smile at his Bride, as they exchanged rings and pledged their love to each other in the presence of their children, family, friends, neighbors, and community. I was delighted to stay for lunch to enjoy the company of their wedding guests! We had a leisurely Italian meal

that began with antipasta, then pasta, and entrees. I so enjoyed chatting with friends and relatives, we had a fine time! It really makes my day when guests come up to me after the ceremony and tell me that they loved the wedding, and that it spoke to their hearts. Even the waitstaff was kind enough to greet me one by one and tell me that they listened in and they were really touched! I"m so honored to share a message of love that stays with people, and allows them to appreciate the love they have in their lives, and inspires them to find real love--the kind that allows them to grow, to shine, to share, to be truly happy, helpful, and inspiring to others.

The couple ordered a carrott cake for their reception--yum! What a great choice. As the sky grew dark around dusk, it was time to catch my train back into the city. What a great way to spend the day, in the company of good & kind people, celebrating love, enjoying an excellent meal, and taking "time out" to say to each other, "What a GOOD day this is! THIS is really LIVING!"

Thanks for including me in your love story, and in your celebration Steve & Rory! With love, Rev. Annie NYC

1/15/11: Brynn & Maz

I had an excellent time creating a highly personal, meaningful, family ceremony for Brynn & Maz's wedding day at Castle on the Hudson in Tarrytown, NY. They gave a lot of time & attention to the details of their ceremony, including family members in offering readings and traditions that reflect their blended families and cultures. Brynn was escorted down the aisle by her mother, and remembered her father in the ceremony with a beautiful memento photo of him in her wedding bouquet. Maz's sister & sister-in-law did a reading from the Sufi poet Rumi, "This Marriage," offering it in Farsi & in English, and Brynn's Uncle Jim read from "Union" by Robert Fulghum.

Maz's mother created a beautiful sofreh covered in mirrors, candles, fruit, sweets, coins, and favors, a Persian tradition representing the many blessings we wish for them in their marriage. Both Brynn & Maz's mothers participated in the Candle Lighting, representing the shared light of their lives and their families, and Maz's cousins came forward after the pronouncement to help us with the "Taste of Honey" as the Bride & Groom sealed their 1st kiss as Husband & Wife. It was a pleasure to work with friendly, organized, fun, professional Jennifer Boyle Photography. Jennifer kept everyone on schedule with photos before the ceremony, getting all the shots "on the list" with grace, laughter, and ease. She has a wonderful ability to tell the story of your wedding day as it unfolds. You absolutely want to see the wedding slideshow! Warmest wishes to Brynn & Maz and their families. You brought so much warmth to a snowy winter night, and I wish you so much happiness for years to come! With love, Rev. Annie NYC

1/15/11: Vitaly & Karina

Best wishes to lovely Karina & Vitaly, married today @6:30am! This special time was advised by their astrologer as an auspcious beginning to their new life together. We had a beautiful ceremony in a private location in NYC, in the company of their closest family and friends, followed by champagne, cake, and coffee. Losing no time, the couple was then off to look at new apartments! Wishing thems so much happiness as they enjoy this new start in life, TOGETHER. With love, Rev. Annie NYC

1/7/11: Bride & Groom secret wedding

Tonight's Bride & Groom
just moved into a beautiful new
apartment on 5th Ave. in NYC.

They are planning a destination wedding to ITALY this summer,
and are marrying *here in NYC*
in advance of the ceremony,
so that all the paperwork
and legalities are finalized,
and their summer wedding abroad will be symbolic, without any of the worries "is it legal?"

In the privacy of their home, we had an intimate,
emotional, and heartfelt ceremony
that in no way "spoiled" any of the rites and rituals
they will experience this summer in their "big wedding."
They exchanged vows, but no rings--
they will wait to do that in Italy.

Afterwards I joined them for a toast, we signed the license
with our witness, and I left them with big smiles on their faces
as they prepared to go out to dinner to celebrate
their "secret wedding."

Congratulations my dears! With love, Rev. Annie NYC

1/7/11: Frank & Nelleke

Congratulatons Frank & Nelleke from The Netherlands,

who chose NYC for their destination wedding!

They were married today at The Dairy in Central Park in the company of their closest family & friends. The Dairy is a great spot on a cold winter day, as the Central Park gift shop is right there, and you can step inside to warm up your fingers & toes (and get some nice souvenirs!)

The Dairy is near the South East

Side of the park, it's easy to get there on foot from Central Park South by walking north past The Gap Stow Bridge & Wollman's Rink, or by circling around The Central Park Zoo.

I wore my earmuffs & gloves, and awaited the arrival of the wedding party. You can see from my photos that it was snowy & slushy out! The bride gingerly stepped over the ice & snow and made such a stunning entrance in her fur hat.

The couple exchanged traditional vows & rings, and there were many tears from family as well as a few very respectufl onlookers. I know it made their day to stop and see a wedding in the park as they were out for their winter walk!

I always enjoy working with my friend Melanie Einzig Photography! She's #1 on my "go to" list for Central Park weddings. She's flexible, always on time, in a great mood, and is personable and gentle with all our couples, making them feel relaxed and comfortable, allowing them to smile & shine in their photographs.

I took this photo of the couple as they jumped into a pedi-cab headed back to their limo parked at the SE corner of the park. I had a lovely stroll through the park on my way home, enjoying the snow covered trees, the bundled up tourists and pedestrians, the dog walkers and carriages, the snowmen and winter sports.

It's such a blessing when asked, "What did you do today?" to be able to answer, "I did a wedding today!"

Warmest wishes and safe journeys, Rev. Annie NYC

1/6/11: Christian & Joanna

Brrrr! Winter Wedding in Central Park, celebrating
Christian & Joanna! They married last Fall
in a destination wedding abroad, and their paperwork
from that ceremony is still not finalized.
This can happen when you marry outside the US!

Rather than wait for it, they decided to marry here in a fun,
romantic, spontaneous ceremony in the company of their families, visiting over the holidays.

We did the ceremony in the lamplight of The Bow Bridge
in Central Park. They exchanged vows & rings again,
and smiles & tears.

Cold hands...warm hearts! With love, Rev. Annie NYC