Now more than ever, many loved ones are unable to attend weddings, large or small. While many couples choose to video stream ceremonies so that guests can join virtually, I’ve resurrected an old trend in my ceremony delivery: adding quotations from guests who are not at the wedding.

Just recently I married a delightful American bride and British groom. His closest loved ones were not able to join in the festivities. So, I offered them the chance to include a thought, good wish, bit of advice, and hearty congratulations to the wedding script. I added their words to the beginning of the script, along with a favorite quotation by Paul Pearsall, “Family is the center of our soul’s existence…they teach us what everything means and how to make everything meaningful.” Of course it isn’t the same as having individuals at the wedding, but it is a sweet and appreciated gesture, nonetheless.

Over the last month or two, I’ve enjoyed two ceremonies—one an elopement at the Top of the Rock in New York City and the second atop Windham Mountain in the Catskills—where the couple has included the so-called red string of fate in their ceremony.

The ritual is based on a Chinese folklore. According to this legend, a lunar matchmaker god, known as “Yue Lao,” the old man on the moon, would tie invisible red strings around two people that shrinks over the years until the couple is married. The thread may tangle and it may stretch, but it will never break. For their union is inspired by the Universe.  As one couple reiterated, “The red string represents that we are twin flames, finding each other in this lifetime.”

In the ceremony, I invited the couples to tie the red string around their beloved’s pinky finger, following the Declaration of Intent, the legal portion of the ceremony. The tie that binds them remained on during the vows and ring exchange.   The red string offers a nice nod to the background of one or both of the members of the couple, while providing and interesting set of photo opportunities.

The other day, a young couple from Washington had a private elopement, arranged by Simply Eloped, at the Archer Hotel. After the wedding they launched into portrait taking all over town. Their transport for the stops was provided by the famed New York Checker Cab Company. These classic ‘50’s yellow cabs are available for rental and are a brilliant option to conclude an elopement or larger wedding.

Over the years, I’ve had couples depart ceremonies in all manner of style—pedicab, horse drawn carriage, classic roadster, convertible, motorcycle, bicycle, and boat. Don’t forget that these transportation decisions can add to the drama of the day and offer excellent photo opportunities!

I’m happy to help my couples in lining up innovative options for their wedding celebration departure.

Yesterday, I unexpectedly found myself going to Staten Island, New York’s forgotten borough.   To be honest, I hadn’t been there in many years and was called over for a quick wedding by a local couple.  The great adventure of going to Staten Island is, of course, the ferry.  The passenger boat holds several hundred people, I imagine, and crawls across the expanse between Manhattan and SI for a 20-25 minute ride.  As we passed the Statue of Liberty, I was reminded of a wedding early on in my celebrancy career.

Some time ago, a Canadian couple (originally from Austria) contacted me with an unusual wedding idea.  The pair, who worked for the Canadian Foreign Service, had the brilliant idea to rent a boat which would circumnavigate Manhattan, as does the famous local “Circle Line.”  As we came upon the Statue of Liberty, the boat paused in place for us to have a brief, but meaningful, wedding ceremony.  The wedding was so richly symbolic, it made me feel like a proud American.  I was especially touched by the fact that it was a couple from another country that thought about having this iconic statue featured, front and center at their wedding.  This sort of wedding can be done as a private elopement or part of a larger wedding.  It is truly a celebration that no one will forget.  Interested in exploring the possibility of nautical nuptials?  Please contact me at 917-282-6562 or info@weddingsbysarahritchie.com !

In getting to know couples, I often ask if there are parts of their lives—hobbies, interests, or influences—that they would like reflected in the wedding ceremony. Earlier this summer, a devout yoga practitioner mentioned that she would, somehow, like that integrated into the wedding. After chatting back and forth, we came up with several subtle aspects of the wedding that would pay tribute to that important part of her life.

Before we launched the ceremony, we started with a traditional Native smudging ritual. Using white sage, wrapped in flowers, we paid tribute to the Native ancestors of Manhattan, formerly known as Manna-hatta, meaning “a thicket where wood can be found to make bows.” The smudging clears the energy of the ceremony area, helping to create a sacred space. The proper ceremony started with striking signing bowls. This custom seeks to create a moment of mindfulness and centering before the vows are taken. I offered a particular reading that I cherish, Anne Morrow Lindbergh’s “A Gift from the Sea,” that describes the changing nature of life and the impermanence of relationships. Finally, following the wedding, the couple tossed roses and petals into the open water of Wagner Cove, letting go of life’s obstructions while offering up wishes for the future.

All, in all, it was a lovely ceremony that recognized the couple’s love and the bride’s commitment to mindfulness.

I never miss a chance to throw a coin in a fountain and make a wish—especially when it is the Bethesda Fountain in Central Park. Located in the mid-park area in the 70’s, this stunning work of art pays tribute to the Bethesda Fountain in the Bible and its healing properties. Situated between the boathouse and Bethesda Arcade, it is one of the most recognizable locations in our glorious park.

This sweet American bride and her dashing Italian fiancé married in the area under picture perfect cloudy skies. Having met during her collegiate studies abroad program, they had a romantic story that was ready for the big screen.

Following the ceremony, I offered a collection of European coins (pre-Euro!) for them to toss in the Bethesda Fountain with all the wishes they could muster. I, too, tossed in some coins for good luck.

Photo by Marta Zapardiel Photography

After such a difficult time, of late, and with the abundance of micro-weddings, many couples are looking for meaningful ways to include their guests in the ceremony. An easy and thoughtful option is the ring warming or ring blessing.

For weddings of a certain size (say 20 people or fewer), the ring warming is a popular way to draw in guests without a lot of fuss. The ritual is simple—to have each guest hold the wedding bands, for a moment, before they are exchanged by the couple. This can be an opportunity for guests to offer a kind wish or thoughtful remark. For those who are shy or reticent to speak, I invite them simply to warm the rings with their hands and their heart, intentionally imbuing them with positive thoughts and love.

The rings can be tied together or placed in some decorate pouch for the warming, if you wish. Once the bands have been passed to each guess, they are returned to the officiant who will move forward with the ring vows.

Cakes have long been a focal point of wedding celebrations, in America and beyond. However, in the current rush for elopements and micro-weddings, sometimes this tradition falls away. I believe that every wedding, large or small, deserves a cake or some kind of sweet to celebrate the occasion.

Yesterday, I married two sophisticated New Yorkers on a picture-perfect summer day. Their wedding location, in Central Park, is near one of my all-time favorite stops for tea and pastries Laduree. With shoppes all about New York and the world, this particular Laduree store is on Madison Avenue, around 71^st street. It is not only a feast for the palette, but one for the eyes. This is the perfect spot to pick up a fabulously beautiful (and delicious) pastry for post-wedding photos and celebrations. Their menu includes Millefeuille Vanilla, Chocolate Éclair, Ispahan, Plaisir Sucre, Strawberry & Mascarpone Tart, Lemon or Rose Pound Cake, and variety of Financier and Macarons—among other stunning options.

Words, however, do not do these treats justice. So, I invite you to view some of the images in the video below. To stop in any of their shops for tea, coffee, salads, and such—plus an extraordinary dessert…will make your day.

A wonderful way to pay tribute to one’s home of origin is to include a reading from an author from that location—whether in the mother tongue or translated into English. A recent bride, originally from Brazil, provided this beautiful piece by the great poet Vinicius de Moraes:

Fidelity Soneto

Above all things I shall be faithful to my love
Caring and careful, always and dearly
That even facing my biggest temptations,
My thought of her will be to me more fascinating

I want to live it in every moment.
Praise it with songs and harmony,
No matter when in laughter or misery,
Come joyful days or sad ones.

And later on, when one shall find me:
Be it in our old age, which life cannot tame
Or loneliness, the end of all lovers

I hope I say about the love I lived:
If not immortal, cause it is but a flame
It will be infinite while it lasts

The Art of Marriage by Wilferd Arlan Peterson has always been a favorite of mine—a great choice for young people starting out in marriage, couples celebrating a vow renewal, or folks discovering love the second time around. 

Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens.
A good marriage must be created.
In marriage the little things are the big things.
It is never being too old to hold hands.
It is remembering to say “I love you” at least once a day.
It is never going to sleep angry.
It is at no time taking the other for granted;
The courtship should not end with the honeymoon,it should continue through the years.
It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives.
It is standing together facing the world.
It is forming a circle of love that gathers the whole family.
It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice, but
in the spirit of joy.
It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways.
It is not looking for perfection in each other.
It is cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding and a sense of humor.
It is having the capacity to forgive and forget.
It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow old.
It is a common search for the good and the beautiful.
It is establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal, dependence is
mutual and the obligation is reciprocal.
It is not only marrying the right partner, it is being the right partner.

Photo by Marta Zapardiel at the Lotte Palace New York