Cuppa Tea!

On Sunday evening, December 30, 2013 at the Morrison House in Old Town Alexandria Jamie Elizabeth married Thomas William in the presence of their parents, families and friends. Jamie wore a traditional wedding gown and Thomas was attired in his dress Navy uniform for you see he's part of the British Navy. During one of my conversations with Jamie we talked about tea. She prefers iced tea and for true tea lovers like Tom, iced tea may be at the bottom of the beverage rung! My message to the couple referenced how she is like iced tea...sweet, fun, refreshing, appealing to a broad spectrum while he is similar to a cuppa hot tea...straightforward, strong, aromatic. I suggested that they use their preferences to help them navigate their way through marriage rather than find fault with the other for being different. It was a magical night as the couple begins their new life on the cusp of a new year, Happy New Year!

Blended Family, December 27, 2013

It was a beautiful setting...behind me was a beautifully decorated Christmas Tree and on an adjacent table sat a Menorah. I had the honor of officiating the marriage of Dana and Jamie at the Belmont Country Club. They were surrounded by their six teenagers while family and friends witnessed their commitment to each other and their children. I began the ceremony by asking, do you the children of Jamie and Dana give your blessing this evening to your mother and your father as they prepare to pledge to treat each other and you with tenderness, compassion and love in all the years to come? If so, say we do!" The ceremony was built around the theme of family...their similarities and differences that would be respected and celebrated to make family stronger. I so enjoy working with couples to personalize their ceremony and make it all about them!