A Secret Wedding in a Secret Garden

Is there a place in New York City that has special signifigance to you?  Have you ever considered turning that place into a wedding venue?

Sylvia, an architect, and Steve, a Latin scholar, have their own individual way of appreciating the Cloisters.   After being together for twenty years, the two decided to make their love 'official' and wanted to have a secret ceremony in the place they love to spend time together. Along with two witnesses, Steve and Sylvia cozied up in their favorite corner of the courtyard and exchanged vows and rings.  It was a very beautiful and significant ceremony. Since they decided to hold the ceremony on a Tuesday morning, there were not many people visiting the Cloisters and they had a bit of privacy for their nuptials.  

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Ceremonies Officiated by Michelle

Since I began officiating in 2007, I have had the honor of officiating many weddings. I work with approximately to thirty couples a year; however, at the beginning of 2009, I took time off to give birth to a gorgeous baby girl. Each and every wedding that I officiate is a joyful experience and following are a few highlights:

1. The first wedding that I ever officiated was for my very good friends, Aushra and Aleksander. Aushra is a former student of mine. When she asked me to officiate her beautiful wedding in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, I was delighted. It was through the planning of her wedding ceremony that I fell in love with officiating.

2. The backdrop of Ilona and Maciej's wedding looks like a scene out of a movie! They chose to get married at the Fulton Ferry Landing. The misty day added to the enchantment of the ceremony. Ilona was a beautiful bride and Maciej was extremely dapper. The way that they gazed into one another's eyes as they exchanged vows made everyone's eyes fill with tears. I feel honored that I was part of their loving ceremony.

3. Jessica and Bryant had a lovely fall ceremony at the Ladies Pavilion in Central Park. The weather was gorgeous and the backdrop of the park added to the beauty of the wedding. They flew in from Washington D.C. and wanted to have an intimate ceremony with their closest friends present. The iron gazebo is located next to Lake Hernshead. It is a gorgeous (and quite hidden) spot that is immersed in the nature of Central Park, and has a spectacular view of the Manhattan skyline off in the distance.

Ceremonies Officiated by Kim

After being together for 40 years Grace and Emil decide to make it official and tie the knot.  With family and close friends present, they were married on Valentine's Day at the Valbella Restaurant in Manhattan.  Grace was a stunning and elegant bride who made everyone cry when she made her appearance.  Everyone was so happy and excited for the bride and groom. It was an honor helping them celebration of love for one another. 

Erica and Brant got married October 25, 2008.  They had an intimate ceremony at the 41 Greenwich restaurant.  The ceremony was on the patio with candle light and friends and family surrounding the beautiful couple. 

Elisa and Michael got married in October in Manhattan.  They had a beautiful rooftop wedding at the Thompson Hotel.  It was really exciting to be able to greet the guest with a welcome statement in Thai.  Elisa and Michael had  the unity ceremony of the Puang Malai Ceremony which is a Thai wedding tradition, the garland is placed around the couples shoulders by the parents, to wish them good fortune in their life together.

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The New York Post

On Monday, March 2nd, we were contacted by Jennifer Tis, the editor of the weddings section at The New York Post.  She was interested in featuring some of our newlyweds.  Two of the couples that I married were selected.  

Samir and Sabina had an intimate ceremony held at the Ladies Pavilion in Central Park.  They wanted to have a ceremony with close friends and family because this summer they will have a Hindu Ceremony in Canada with over 600 guests.  Instead of exchanging rings, they chose the Sand Unity Ritual.  They also included the Box of Good Wishes in which they wrote letters to one another.  During the ceremony, they passed the box around and had each guest hold the box and send them good wishes for a happy marriage.  

Derrick and Lisa were married in an intimate wedding at the Brooklyn Bridge Park amongst very close family and friends.  In August, they will have another ceremony that I will conduct as well. The August ceremony will be a larger celebration and Lisa's parents will visit from Taiwan.

To read more about our couples, visit The New York Post online.  Unfortunately, The New York Post will not be featuring weddings in the Sunday paper any longer.  However, you can still submit your engagement and wedding information online.

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