Blog
The journey to the wedding day may be a winding one. I’m happy to share some tips and tricks along the way. I continually offer ways to strengthen your relationship, and provide additional resources & tools. Scroll on down, and click on a post that interests you. The comments are always open, and I would love to know what you think!
Zen Weddings: LIMIT PLANNING DAYS
When couples come to me either for premarital counseling or to perform their wedding ceremony, the first stressor they mention is the overwhelm of wedding planning. Most modern couples are busy! So what happens if you are INTENTIONAL about your schedule?
Vendors I Love: ENVISIONED EVENTS BY SUZETTE
I met Suzette at one of the weekly Tuesday Together meetings. She is a wonderful collaborator and constantly looks for opportunities to not only deepen the client experience, but also grow her business. Without further ado, here’s the brilliance that is Suzette Scarborough from ENVISIONED EVENTS BY SUZETTE!
Wedding Yoga: For Couples
I like to think about wedding yoga for couples as a physical counseling session. It is a fabulous medium for deepening relationships - whether it is friendship, a family member, or your significant other. Postures and flow sequences are designed to nurture and create a sense of light heartedness!
Where to Have Your Micro Wedding: Hudson Valley
Whether it’s an issue of budget, a desire for intimacy, or simply not wanting to fuss over all the grand details, not every couple wants a huge wedding celebration. Welcome to the Micro-wedding! Here are some lovely options for venues offering smaller weddings in the Hudson Valley - Arrow Park, Blue Hill at Stone Barns & St. Hubert’s Lodge.
Vendors I Love: HUDSON FILMR
There are so many talented and wonderful professionals in the wedding industry. I’ve worked with quite a few, but there are ALWAYS more. Jason followed me on Instagram, and after looking at his feed, He’s very much in the moment with his couples, and his videos are warm and light. Super excited to shine some light on Jay. Without further ado, here’s JASON ALICEA from HUDSON FILMR.
5 Yoga Poses to Bring Calm on Your Wedding Day
It's important to take time on the morning of your wedding to calm the mind and center the body. This will allow you to release stress and better enjoy the day! Yoga is great for that. Here are 5 yoga poses that counter all of the wedding day jitters. All of them aim to release anxiety in the body and the mind. Feel free to do them by yourself, or grab your partner or some of your friends and do them together.
Vendors I Love: KRISTY MAY PHOTOGRAPHY
I met Kristy a few years ago at a wedding vendor networking event. Even though we’ve yet to work a wedding together, I really love Kristy’s work. She has an amazing eye. And whether shooting in black and white or vibrant color, she always captures the moment. I guess that’s what a background in photojournalism can do. Without further ado, I am so excited to share more from KRISTY MAY!
How to Be a Zen Bride: BREATHE
Wedding planning is stressful to most engaged couples. You’ve never done anything like it before, and there is an expectation of perfection. Many couples split the duties of planning. However, sometimes I see the bride taking on more of the responsibilities based on skill set or desire. Therefore, additional stress usually falls on the bride. You want to know how to be a Zen Bride? BREATHE.
Vendors I Love: MAE B FILMS
A planner colleague offered virtual planning as soon as we started quarantine. I saw a videographer on the list of vendors she created that I didn’t know. I decided to reach out to Nikki and say hello. It was clear that she was a passionate filmmaker and that truly reflected in her work. Her short elopement and proposal films are like music videos and they made me smile. I can only imagine the pure joy the couples experience when they watch theirs for the first time. Without further ado, here’s Nikki Miller of Mae B Films!
Why Practice Yoga Before Your Wedding
It’s such an honor to be part of a couple’s Big Day and one of my favorite ways start the morning is with a wedding yoga practice! I believe that your day is all about connecting – connecting to your future partner and your family and friends.
Where to Have Your Micro Wedding: Brooklyn
Micro (or mini) weddings are not new. Heck, I love a big wedding, but there’s something special about an intimate wedding ceremony as you celebrate your union. As NYC begins to re-open and in-person weddings are possible, here are three venues in Brooklyn offering smaller packages that certainly do not skimp on style!
Vendors I Love: THE VOW COLLECTIVE
I met Stacie at a Tuesday Together NYC meeting a few months ago. There was an immediate connection as we talked about the power of words and just how meaningful promises are. Usually I say farewell to my couples at their weddings. That’s when she says hello! I love her outlook on love and commitment, on partnership and longevity. Without further ado, here’s STACIE STINE of THE VOW COLLECTIVE.
Find Zen on Your Wedding Day
The wedding day is an exciting day. For most, it's many months (or years) in the making. There has been lots of planning and logistics, and that may come with nerves and anxiety. Here are some things you can do to find Zen and embrace calm on your wedding day!
What is Wedding Yoga?
Wedding planning and the actual wedding day itself can be stressful. The ancient practice of yoga is known for bringing calm and focus to the body and mind through breath and movement. Don't believe me?
Ways to Personalize Your Wedding Ceremony
Many couples these days are moving their ceremonies out of houses of worship. The exciting thing about having a secular ceremony is that there are no rules!
Vendors I Love: ALLISON DAVIS of DAVIS ROW
I met Allison Davis of DAVIS ROW a few years ago at a small wedding expo. Our paths continually cross, which is awesome because her positivity and enthusiasm are infectious. I have to fess up and say that I have yet to work with Allison, but gosh, I cannot wait for that to happen on an upcoming wedding ceremony. Last year, she introduced me to one of her couples and explained the way she works and refers potential creative partners. I thought the process was detailed and smart and I was truly taken aback by Allison's care and integrity. Folks, she's undoubtedly an amazing advocate to have. Without further ado, here's ALLISON DAVIS!
Vendors I Love: JAY McELFRESH EVENTS
Jay and I worked together a few years ago on a lovely ceremony at the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens. I appreciated the way he knew instinctively how to create mood and energy. I contact everyone involved in the ceremony ahead of time and touch base with them onsite to make sure we're on the same page. It was immediately clear that Jay had my back. He was prepared and ready, and more importantly was a team player. That support shines through as we all strive to make the day as seamless as possible. He's a pro. Without further ado, here's JAY McELFRESH!
Zen Weddings: Creating Expectations
Before each and every counseling session, I ask my couples for an agenda of what they may want to cover. Usually they pick one of The Big Issues off the list, but sometimes they go rogue.
Vendors I Love: CHRISTINE VIOLA & EAP WEDDINGS
I first worked with Christine at the Brooklyn Winery 5 years ago. While I worked with her colleague Tara 2 years ago, it's been a bit since I've collaborated with the EAP Weddings team.
The Ceremony Reading, Alain de Botton [video]
As a wedding officiant, I work with couples to create unique wedding ceremonies. One of my current wedding couples is a pair of writers who are very picky about how certain ideas are expressed in their ceremony. I mean who can blame them? They're writers!