I am blessed to have met May Durkovic, Editor, Winery Weddings Magazine at a recent Association of Wedding Professionals meeting. Please read our interview using this link: http://www.wineryweddingmagazine.com/qa-with-an-officiant/
The photo posted was taken June 7, 2014 at Glenview Mansion, Rockville, Maryland. I was there to officiate the wedding of Mark and Ola. A cousin of the bride's, Karo, who took the picture using my iphone has been married for seven months so I took the opportunity to ask him what words of wisdom would he pass along to the bride and groom. Karo shared the importance of tolerance and the need to forgive quickly. I was able to work his comments into the ceremony. Thanks Karo!
As the bride and her father were approaching the groom, I asked him if he was okay and he responded in a monotone, "I feel like a rock star!" He has a great sense of humor and great timing, I did everything to keep my laughter in check!
This couple married at Jones Point Park Saturday with the Potomac River at their backs June 28 about 10:35 a.m. The weather was perfect! They were surrounded by his parents and brother and her sister and their friends. Her parents were "Skyped-in" so they too could be a part of this wonderful occasion. I enjoyed my conversation with the groom's mother. Her marriage was semi-arranged and they married within weeks of the initial introduction. She shared that when you aren't in love, you can ask the difficult questions. As it turned out, their goals and values were similar, and now 35 years later, they not only like each other, they love each other. Now, back to the bride and groom. I asked them in the presence of the other what they most admire about their spouse-to-be and each gave me one word...he said, "her drive; and she said, "he's simple." During the ceremony I shared this exchange and went on to say by simple I believe the bride means he's easy going, flexible, adaptable and how he will remind her to slow down and smell the roses. To him I said her strengths will carry you far in life since she's motivated, ambitious and focused, however it's important to have balance. Two Indian traditions were incorporated into the ceremony, the groom presented his bride with a beautiful necklace, quite delicate and exquisite and then his mother fed them both a sweet followed by the groom feeding his bride and the bride doing the same with her groom. I met this couple just moments before they exchanged vows, but time isn't a factor, they are two very special people with loving families and friends! Thank you for the pleasure of meeting you and standing with you on your wedding day.
