The 2017 Wedding Year Summary!

What a year it has been! My first wedding of the 2017 season was April 8 with Ashlee and Justin at the Tower Club, Fairfax. In mid-April, Vanessa and Daniel married in the presence of family and their pet pig, Chuleta. I'm nuts for dogs and meeting and interacting with Chuleta was a blast!

I had the honor of standing with Will and Rebecca on May 6 at the groom's parents home in The Plains. Although it rained, the ceremony was held in the garden and it was magical. Jeff and Kerry married May 13 at Westfields. Jeff said about Kerry, "she's the gal I've been looking for my entire life!" Later that month, Brittany and Antonio married at Strong Mansion. A sweet, charming, beautiful couple.

In June I stood with the handsome Ade and lovely Natana at Oxon Hill Manor.  My first wedding at the Kreeger Museum was exquisite. Javid and Siobhan stood before an intimate gathering of friends and family on June 17. The month ended at another new venue for me, Bolger Center. Michelle and Chuckie were so happy on their wedding day.

I found myself at Restaurant 2941 for Kia and Shawn's wedding and Riverside on the Potomac with Alexis and Tom in July. In August, I was blessed to be at two of my many favorite venues, Stone Tower Winery and Salamander Resort.
September was another awesome month for I had the honor of standing with such a fun couple, Amir and Kristin (9/2/17) at the Ritz Carlton Georgetown. My soul connected with Terri and Mike and so on September 3 we stood in their manicured backyard in Chantilly to complete the marriage ritual. Shaketta a dye-hard Dallas fan and Eric who remains devoted to Buffalo married at Belmont Conference Center on the most enchanting fall evening, September 29.

And there is so much to say about October! From Riverside on the Potomac to the Crown Plaza Tyson's, to the University of Richmond, Cannon Chapel to Westfield's Golf Center I was honored to stand with some incredible couples. My 2017 wedding season concluded with a wedding at The District Winery November 3, DC; and Restaurant 2941 on November 4.

There were many more weddings and each one is special to me for different reasons so I'm going to close by sharing one final wedding...well, two weddings with you. Natalia and Misha married in her parents backyard on June 25. Her older brother Pablo and his bride-to-be Brenda were part of their bridal party. On August 19 when Pablo and Brenda married, Natalia and Misha were part of their bridal party and I had the pleasure of officiating their wedding ceremony. I consider myself part of the family!

Thanks to all of the couples that allowed me to stand with them on their wedding day in the presence of their families and friends and in some instances, their 4-legged children! I am blessed to have been welcomed into your lives.

Be well,
Leora

"A Hundred Weddings"

Although I did not officiate a wedding this past weekend, I read about weddings! If you are looking for an easy read (fiction), I suggest A Hundred Weddings by Cathy Cruise. The main character's (Katie) parents are divorced and at the father's marriage to Vicki with his teenage daughters present he vows, "...together we will wipe the old canvases of our lives clean...knowing that I never truly loved until now..." Katie's younger sister asks, "what were we? His practice family?" 

When I meet with a couple and learn there is a child(ren) from a previous relationship, I want to know will the child(ren) attend and would the couple like the child(ren) to have a roll. I'm also cautious of the readings I select or use of information I gather from the couple because I never want a child to hear something that may negatively impact her/him and/or the biological parent not in attendance. Last spring I had the pleasure of working with a couple that decided to marry. The groom and bride have children from previous marriages. The groom said the bride is "the gal he's been looking for his whole life." A beautiful sentiment, but I wasn't going to quote him for fear of hurting his children.

Sometimes life deals us a severe blow and we are totally lost. Earlier this summer, a bride-to-be carried her baby full term and then the baby passed. And the groom-to-be left. Katie from A Hundred Weddings is lost one night. While on the phone with an ex-boyfriend, he says, "where are you?" and she responds, "the end of the road, literally." "Huh," he said. "No place to go but back." Sometimes we have to re-live the excruciating pain over and over again, before we can go back. This woman lost everything she valued and wanted at the same time. I pray for her, the soul of her baby and for him. They are in tremendous pain that only our Lord can heal.

Katie saw her cousin crying at the altar and couldn't understand why. Getting married is a happy time, but her cousin didn't look happy. Ten years later she asked her cousin, "...why did you cry?" Valerie responded, "...well, I think it was just overwhelming for me. I was only nineteen, you know." Katie pushes, "...but were you happy?" And Valerie says, "Oh honey, it was the happiest day of my life." I take the time to explain happy tears if there are children present because they only know to associate tears with sadness/pain. Again, it's crucial to be attuned to your audience. 

Putting together a wedding script for any couple is always a welcomed challenge. Did I hear the couple correctly? Am I capturing their sensibilities? Once I had a bride who shared she's all butterflies and unicorns so I sent her draft scripts based on self declared sensibility. She quickly let me know that is a side she doesn't show the public!

If you are attending a wedding later this year, really listen to the words spoken by the officiant. Were the words spoken respectful of the bride and groom and those in attendance? 

Wishing you happiness,

Leora

Wedding Updates

It's been too long since I've written about my wonderful and glorious wedding experiences! In April I was at The Tower Club and 2941 Restaurant. The view at the Tower Club is breathtaking and the ambiance at 2941 is grand. At 2941 its as if nature's sanctuary is open for all to enjoy. Early May I was back at 2941, then onto a private farm in Leesburg; Westfields in Chantilly; Strong Mansion and Bull Run Golf Center. This month I was at Oxon Hill Manor, always stunningly beautiful with its offerings of flora and fauna, Bolger Center and Kreeger Museum. I plan to return to Kreeger and tour the gardens, take in the architecture and gaze at the grand artwork. In July and August I return to three favorite venues, Stone Tower Winery, Salamander Resort and Riverside on the Potomac!

Brides wore traditional and non-traditional gowns/dresses while grooms stuck with the all-time favorite black tuxedo although one stepped out in a navy tux!

And the ring-bearers and flower girls! They steal the show!! Alex was the ultimate ring-bearer. He took his duties very seriously. Ethan was a bit shy so his mom walked with him. At one venue, flower petals on the lawn is a no-no, but the flower girl used her imagination, and graced the lawn with imaginary petals.

Weddings are truly magical!