What A Glorious Year!

Hello Friends! I can't believe I haven't told you anything about the current wedding season, 2019. It has been a great year, filled with laughter, heartfelt moments and happy tears! My 2019 wedding season began in April at Fort Belvoir's Officer's Club with Gloria and Leo. In May I officiated a wedding ceremony in the Silver Slugger Suite at Nationals Park. What an awesome experience!! From the time I arrived until the final pitch, I felt like I had been transported to a different world. The attendants were attentive, the couple glowed, the guests were mesmerized and the Nationals beat the Cubs. June found me at the Springfield Country Club, Bon Air Rose Garden, Carnegie Institution for Science and Zion Springs Farm. In July I was at Woodlawn Plantation and 2941 Restaurant. August I stood with a couple at the District Winery and in August I was at Herrington on the Bay. 1757 Golf Club and Kent Island Manor. September started at one of my favorite venues, The Carlyle House and from there I went to the Piedmont Club, Embassy Suites, Harbour View and River Farm. On October 4 I stood with David and Kathleen at the Winery at Bull Run on a beautiful fall afternoon. Saturday October 5, I had the honor of standing with Meaghan and David at The Line in DC. 

I am blessed to have 10 more weddings before the 2019 wedding season concludes. I will be at a private home, Airlie Conference Center, Potomac Point Winery and Restaurant, the Tower Club, Embassy Suites, The Ritz, Riverside on the Potomac and 2941 Restaurant. And each of these weddings will be marked by the special rapport I share with each of the couples.

I close this post with the following poem by James Weldon Johnson, a 2018 couple introduced me to...I'm moved by the words and sentiment. 

“When buffeted and beaten by life's storms,

When by the bitter cares of life oppressed,

I want no surer haven than your arms,

I want no sweeter heaven than your breast.

When over my life's way there falls the blight

Of sunless days, and nights of starless skies; 

Enough for me, the calm and steadfast light

That softly shines within your loving eyes.

The world, for me, and all the world can hold

Is circled by your arms;

for me there lies,

Within the lights and shadows of your eyes,

The only beauty that is never old.”

An Amazing 2018 Wedding Season, Part II

Greetings! I shared in An Amazing 2018 Wedding Season, Part I blog post that I would post a recap of the weddings I officiated the last two months of 2018. On November 2, I was at Harbour View in Woodbridge. The owner, Lisa Krauss, is a jewel! She and her team are awesome, doing whatever is needed to make the day special for the couple. Chris and Camille are in love and in like! They are such a special couple and so much fun to be around. Camille and Chris' ceremony ended with the following quote, a quote tattooed on the arm of a July bride, Erika.  "Hold fast to dreams for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly. Hold fast to dreams for when dreams go, life is a barren field, frozen with snow." Dreams by Langston Hughes

Laura Ritchie, Principal Event Designer, Grit & Grace, introduced me to Joey and Emily who wed at Salamander Resort and Spa, Middleburg. They wed late afternoon November 3, outside. It was a bit chilly, but we made it. I know I say all of my couples are beautiful, but they really are! With Emily and Joey's involvement, we crafted a ceremony that was meaningful to them, full of love, passion and humor. From the vows exchanged, each promised "to love...in the good times as well as the bad and even more during the ugly." Marriage is wonderful, however it does require daily work.

On November 11 at The Little Inn of Washington, Nailah and Jack married. It was a brisk afternoon and yet the couple married on a grassy knoll in the presence of nature's glory. It was just the couple, the photographer and me. The ceremony began with the following quote penned by Maya Angelou, "In all the world, there is no heart for me like yours. In all the world, there is no love for you like mine."

Often weddings take me to a new venue...this time to Zion Springs Farm. Jasmine and Sydney married November 17, 2018 on a chilly day, but the brides prevailed and married in the presence of their families and friends as the sun was setting. They are beautiful young women, full of life, love, and potential! The brides penned their vows that were marked with passion and humor. And then the party began and what a party it was.

I was blessed to officiate 4 weddings at 2941 Restaurant during the year. My last wedding for 2018 at this venue was December 1. Lusia and Victor married on a rainy day, but the sun shined fully on them as they said "I do!" The energy in the room was awesome and I thoroughly enjoyed my time with this special couple and their guests. The staff at 2941 is awesome and responsive which makes 2941 one of my favorite venues!

December 8 took me to a loft apartment in Old Town Alexandria for Connor and Amanda's ceremony in the presence of their families. The couple incorporated several touches to personalize their union and involve their families.

Harbour View welcomed me again on December 15 for Charlotte and Mauricio's wedding. The decor was magical with tiny white lights and draping along with Disney themed touches such as the centerpieces on the dinner tables...a single red rose under glass...a nod to the movie Beauty and the Breast! And I added several quotes from various Disney movies to the script that resonated with the couple. Thanks for allowing me the freedom to balance your desires with reverence suitable for such a major step as marriage.

Who would have thought that a lovely couple who met at Gadsby's Tavern at an English Country Dance would ask me to officiate their wedding ceremony in the presence of their families and friends! Well, Charles and Michelle did just that. I concluded their ceremony with an excerpt from Gift From the Sea about the importance of being in the moment. After the kiss, the happy couple danced a waltz. Oh, did I mention they and about half of their guests were dressed in period clothing? It was grand!

The 2018 wedding season was amazing...I met so many wonderful couples who decided to take their relationship to the next level, marriage. And I was invited to stand with them on their wedding day to witness their exchange of I do's. I'm excited for 2019, who knows where I will be and who I will be with...it really doesn't matter much, every wedding I have the honor of officiating is grand!!

An Amazing 2018 Wedding Season, Part I

The 2018 wedding season began for me on January 27, 2018 at the Carnegie Institute of Science in DC. The bride wore a beautiful gown that took my back to the elegance of Jackie O! The groom wore tails and the decor was over the top. In March, I was at the Athenaeum in Old Town Alexandria for an intimate late afternoon ceremony. 

In April, I had the honor of officiating a wedding at the Fairmont Hotel in DC. The attire was black tie and the wedding party and guests were stunning in tuxedos and ball gowns. The bride was stunningly beautiful and her groom was so handsome. 

I enjoyed a wedding held at DAR, it's historical and regal and it holds so much history. Everytime I'm there to officiate a wedding, I am humbled by the opportunity I currently have and the opportunity denied to opera singer Marian Anderson. 

At the Salamander Resort in Middleburg, VA, in May, at the request of the bride and groom, I read Beauty That Is Never Old by James Weldon Johnson at their wedding...a passionate and romantic poem. 

Have you been to District Winery in DC yet? I was there to officiate a wedding in June and again in September. Both couples are fantastic and huge dog-lovers. The views from the rooftop are amazing. 

Fate took my back to DAR in July for a formal ceremony that was absolutely beautiful! A violinist played during the ceremony and a live band had everyone on the dance floor. In August, on a warm and humid day, in Haymarket, I had the honor of standing with two brides that at the time were both on active duty. I had such great fun.

The September weddings were over the top gorgeous and I was blessed to stand with some amazing couples in Falls Church (2941), Leesburg (Raspberry Plain and ROTP), DC (District Winery, La Vie and Hotel Monaco), and Middleburg ( Goodstone Inn). 

A very happy couple stood in the 250 year old stables of Riverside on the Potomac in Leesburg and said, "I do," in October. October ended with a wedding at Jones Point Park on a cold, rainy day, but the brides' smiles were not diminished!

Stay tuned to learn about my experiences during the months of November and December. 

I truly love what I do, I have the opportunity to meet awesome couples doing wonderful things in their communities. Why do I love meeting,  learning and embracing what's important to these couples? Each couple allows me into their lives, sharing intimacies and trusting me not to violate their trust. And on their wedding day, I watch their expressions as they pledge to be a couple forever. It doesn't get much better!

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!

Jason and Fabiola

On April 2, 2016 in Sao Paulo, Brazil, my nephew Jason married the love of his life, Fabiola. My husband Floyd and I were guests at their wedding. It was a wonderful and unique experience to be a guest at a wedding and not the officiant! Fabiola chose the church where her parents were wed 34 years ago to pledge her love to Jason. It's a Catholic church rich with artifacts that help define the church and it's doctrine. There were three weddings held at the church April 2 so Fabiola and the other two brides selected the flowers that would adorn the church for all 3 weddings. Beautiful! Since the cost was shared, the brides could be extravagant in their selection of flowers. There were several customs that I would like to see incorporated in the "right" wedding I officiate in DC/VA/MD. The first showcased the mother-of-the-bride and the groom's father. My brother escorted Fabiola's mother to the altar. The second custom is the mother-of-the-groom escorting her son. Unfortunately my sister-in-law wasn't able to attend so I had the honor of walking Jason down the aisle to the altar. The next custom allows the bridal party to recess to the back of the church forming a greeting line for the bride and groom who then follow. A car was waiting for Jason and Fabiola to take them directly to the reception venue. Their guests greeted them at the reception and all of the family photos were taken in the atrium of the reception venue. The reception was great fun and everyone over the age of 21 enjoyed the national drink of Brazil, Caipirinha (Portuguese pronunciation:  [kajpiˈɾĩj̃ɐ]) ).