What a great New Jersey wedding Ceremony!

The wedding walk, that is!  How fun does this sound?  Lindsay Landman Events has put together an afternoon of open houses with some of the most exciting wedding resources in northern New Jersey, and if you’re planning a wedding, shower, or you just feel like you might soon have the urge to eat many, many cookies yourself, (although htese beauties from Le Baker’s Dozen would make wonderful favors too, so you might want to share….)  you’re not going to want to miss this event.  The fun starts at 1:00 PM at J. Clores, the beautiful and innovative flower and gift store at 590 Valley Road, in Upper Montclair. There you will be inspired by some of the latest and most distinctive floral and tablescape design.  Then, there will be open houses offering you ideas for gowns (Alex Gowns) , photography (Mia Studio) and even dance lessons!

Tickets are free, but they are limited, so shoot them off a little email right now, at umwedwalk@gmail.com . You’ll come away with armsful of wonderful ideas for your New Jersey wedding ceremony and reception…(you didn’t think I’d let that opportunity pass by, did ya?

Planning one wedding is wacky enough, but two?  Many couples do, for various reasons. With the globe shrinking every day (but as Steven Wright said, “I woudn’t want to paint it…) many couples find that their friends and relatives are just all over the place.  Gathering them all together in one location, at one time, is often not an option. Wendy and Joe faced just that dilemma; they are thriving on the east coast, but Wendy has strong ties to the west, so a bi-coastal celebration was in order!

This cross country extravaganza started at the Manor, in West Orange; a classic and gracious venue that blends historic elements with cutting edge cuisine and over the top service. I have had the honor of officiating there several times in the past and many times in the future, and their attention to the details of every aspect of the ceremony and reception put everyone at ease.

Their  wedding ceremony was very much like the couple themselves; unique  and visually stunning.   

We included this  beautiful reading by the couple’s friend, Dana.

TO LOVE IS NOT TO POSSESS

James Kavanaugh

To love is not to possess,
To own or imprison,
Nor to lose one’s self in another.
Love is to join and separate,
To walk alone and together,
To find a laughing freedom
That lonely isolation does not permit.
It is finally to be able
To be who we really are
No longer clinging in childish dependency
Nor docilely living separate lives in silence,
It is to be perfectly one’s self
And perfectly joined in permanent commitment
To another–and to one’s inner self.
Love only endures when it moves like waves,
Receding and returning gently or passionately,
Or moving lovingly like the tide
In the moon’s own predictable harmony,
Because finally, despite a child’s scars
Or an adult’s deepest wounds,
They are openly free to be
Who they really are–and always secretly were,
In the very core of their being
Where true and lasting love can alone abide.

After I pronounced them husband and wife, partners and chuckleheads, they shared a ceremonial glass of wine and exited to the classic recessional piece, “Personal Jesus”, by Deopeche Mode. And then a swell time was had by all!  Including Joe and Wendy, who were almost instantly packing for a trip out to the west for reception number two!  Thank yous twos twofers!

In everyday life, chasing your brastraps or slinky little black dress straps around your body is a royal pain, but on your wedding day?  Who has time?  And who wants to be tugging at bodices and trying to defy gravity when there are more important things to do?  (Like taking in every minute of your New Jersey wedding ceremony [we all know I'm shameless, lol!]) 

Well you are going to just love this baby; the “Bra Barrette”, the most useful and welcome piece of jewelry since, since, since…..your engagement ring.  It keeps those straps where they belong AND adds some crystals, some sparkles, a charm or two.  It’s just cute. And practical. And the perfect bridesmaids’ gift too. It comes in all kinds of colors with all sorts of trims, and it’ll keep those straps where you want them!

West Point that is!  I had the delightful mission of officiating for a cool, funny couple at the Thayer Hotel on Saturday, and boy did we have a good time!  I had never been to this historic landmark, and it was a exciting and gracious experience from beginning to end.

The Thayer, on the grounds of West Point, was originally built as an accomodation for the U. S. Military Academy personnel and their guests, in 1926. To this day, it remains the only full service hotel on the Hudson River until you travel past Albany.  It is at once majestic and warm, offering  the most sweeping and dramatic views of the river.

Shari and Harry’s funny and personal service included three off beat readings by their friends, music provided by even MORE friends, and a sand ceremony with an unusual twist.  They called on their moms to pour the initial layer of white sand; a color that represents protection, love and patience. Then the couple added their own colors; green for renewal, yellow for communication, and the ritual was complete.

Our Saturday was a little cool and a little grey. But the  atmosphere added a note of subtle smoky ambiance  to the photo backdrops as our bridal party posed on the  grand riverfront patio while their guests enjoyed both the view and the cocktail hour.  The Thayer’s  super professional staff, including our liason, Danielle and our wonderful Maitre’ D, Joe, kept every detail in place and made the ceremony and reception smooth and seemingly effortless.  We could not have been in better or more caring hands.

I know. You’re stressed. Your simple wedding has turned into a three ring circus, your fiance is whispering “Let’s elope, let’s elope” into your ear while he thinks you’re sleeping. Everyone has an opinion, and no one has any answers (well, except your New Jersey wedding officiant…okay, I couldn’t resist…..)

Ya just feel like, like………SMASHING SOMETHING!  Well, now you can, and in some very cool surroundings too (because hurling that registry china out the window is ecologically and economically irresponsible….)

www.smashshack has your answer!  (and what a great bridesmaids’ night out!”  )

Smash Shack provides the environment, the “break rooms”, the china, glass and pottery and you provide the stress. After a session of thowing breakable objects against walls, you’re guaranteed to be more relaxed than if you’d done an hour of sun salutations and unfolding lotuses at your yoga class.  And in some ethnic traditions, breaking plates is a beckoning of good luck!

They also have gift certificates (for your recently dumped best friend….) and a mobile smashmobile will come to you!  You really do deserve a break today!

And I had to post a photo of their fabulous “store dog, “Eheyeh” (Hey hey), because I’m a poodle freak!

This just in!  The Iowa Supreme Court issued a UNANIMOUS ruling that the state’s same sex marriage ban is unconstitutional!  This will make Iowa the third state (after Massechusetts and Connecticut) where gay marriage is legal! (New York recognizes gay marriages legally performed elsewhere, and NJ and NH offer civil unions, which provide many of the same civil rights.

Yippee!!!!!

(Photo courtesy, well lifted from, ABC news!)