Catching Up!

Hey everyone! Okay, so I haven't posted since Lea and Marc's wedding on September 6th... and that's not because I don't have anything going on.  I've actually got another 10 weddings to blog about, and THAT'S the reason I haven't had a chance to blog.  This has been a busy August/September/October with 18 weddings, a couple of them being last minute weddings.  On top of that all, I had a week or so "off the grid" with surgery I needed to have.  Nothing major, though now I've got a 1 inch scar and a boring "hyperparathyroidism" story to go with it.  I think the only brides that knew anything about it were Randi (who's wedding I just performed yesterday) and Vicki (who's wedding I performed a day or so before the surgery).

Of course, spending that time recovering gave me more of an opportunity to take a break and reflect on the important things in my life, such as my wife, my daughters Maya and Shayla and of course, the fact that I love what I do.  So to that end, I didn't let the surgery stop me from officiating, as I am obligated on a personal level to make sure all of my brides have weddings that go smoothly.  But now I'm back to catch up on my blogging and to make sure I don't fall behind again.  Because aside from performing weddings, I love to talk about them.

So, if I performed your wedding in September/October, the blog post should be up within the week.  Check back!  And if your wedding is coming up, I'm looking forward to seeing you again!

Be well,

-Ryan.

Lea and Marc: 9/06/09

Wow, what a beautiful day, what a perfect setting, you could not get better than this.  A simple and beautiful ceremony on top of a lush green hill, with the blue skies peeking through sunny moody clouds.  The winery had great locations and a photographer could spend hours there just having a great time photographing wedding couples.  In my waiting to have this couple sign their license, I had a chance to hang out with them for a while.

So while there are a lot of wedding venues that I like, this winery has such an sweet feel to it... very romantic and whimsical.  And Lea and Marc are just one of those very likable couples that are contagious in their happiness.  I had a great time working with them and I wish them the best of luck in life.  May your skies always be as blue as they were on your wedding day!

Be well,

-Ryan.

Amanda and Bryan: 9/5/09

A great day for a wedding and Amanda and Bryan are a great couple.  They were smiling the whole ceremony and they really couldn't keep their hands off of one another!  They almost got an early kiss during the ceremony, but they held back.  We had a great time together and I had a lot of fun spending time with their family as well.  It was clear that family is important to these two, and it was clear Amanda had a great relationship with her father.

Oh, and then there was Lorraine.  Lorraine, Lorraine, the bridesmaid Lorraine... pictured below on the right with her brother.  Lorraine played comic relief for the day... great sense of humor.  Any other officiant would have had to chastise you, Lorraine.  :)

Another great wedding and another great couple.  I wish I could have spent all day with this family, and I'm honored that they let me have a glimpse into their lives.

Be well,

-Ryan.

Dawn and Kevin: Pleasantdale Chateau 8/29/09

This has been the wedding that I've been waiting for all year.  I do so many weddings every year, but this one was more personal to me.   I've known Dawn since elementary school so of course I was so happy to hear she was engaged.  When I got her email asking me to perform her wedding, I was truly honored.  Meeting with her and her fiance brought back conversations of the past about our childhood days, but it also brought new conversations of the future and the new life Dawn would be starting with Kevin.  Kevin is a great guy with a great personality, and the two of them really click together. 

The Pleasantdale Chateau is a gorgeous venue and everything went off without a hitch.  The grounds are immaculate, the flowers were beautiful, the food was delicious, the music was perfect and of course, the bridal party was stunning.  The Chateau is really exquisite, and this wedding had it all... classical guitar in one room, harp in another, a cello and keyboard combination in yet another room.  No matter where you went there was great music setting the tone and fantastic food as well.

So here's to seeing old friends in the bridal party.  Great to see you Julie, Talia and Stephanie.  Here's to running into Mike and Jeff... and Andrew and Debra (and their beautiful kids Sarah and Hannah).  And of course, here's to Dawn and Kevin!  I'm so glad to have reconnected with you after all these years.

Be well.

-Ryan Kaplan.

Meredith & Rob: View on the Hudson 8/28/09

Meredith and Rob had a lovely outdoor wedding planned in Scarsdale, but the weather wasn't going to comply with that.  Thankfully their reception was at the View on the Hudson in Piermont, so though we moved the ceremony inside, they still had a great space and a beautiful view.  As the name states, The View on the Hudson has fantastic views and great service all around.

Meredith and Rob were a little rushed when they came in from taking pictures, but everything got underway and went very well after a quick touch up from their hair and make-up specialist.  Tara Colavecchio (tjqc67@aol.com) was right there to handle the whole bridal party when they arrived.

The ceremony went well, and in my opinion, you can't beat the view of the bridge.  I had my picture taken at the photobooth before leaving... oh and I picked up this quote from them...

"It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye." -Antoine De Saint-Exupery

Great quote and it just emphasizes that love may not be seen or necessarily quantified, but it is everything.  And being a part of that in any small way on your wedding day is why I love what I do.  Thanks Meredith and Rob.

Be well,

-Ryan.

Indiana and Nelson: Monteverde 8/16/09

Back for a fourth time this summer to Monteverde, this time for Nelson and Indiana's ceremony.  This was one of my more interesting ceremonies, most definitely.  Indiana is Spanish, so I used some Spanish in the ceremony, and Nelson's background was Jewish, so we incorporated both Hebrew and Yiddish as well.  So for one ceremony we had English, Spanish, Hebrew and Yiddish going on throughout.  But it was great and everyone felt included.  Personally, I love working in different languages (even those that I don't have any background in, such as Dutch and Italian which I've previously done).  I feel bad for my wife though, as I have a tendency to practice while walking around the house for days, working on the pronunciation.  In the end, I know the couples I work with appreciate it and I know Indiana and Nelson did.

It was a beautiful day out and Nelson's brother played flute while the guests were being seated, and just as we were about to begin, in kicked the Spanish guitar music by Shan Kenner.  He kept the music going through the cocktail hour and it was definitely a great vibe.  For some reason, Monteverde seems to fit nicely with classical guitar.  I had a great time with Indiana and Nelson, and the day doesn't seem like it could have gone better.  Everyone laughed and cried and then laughed again, the weather was perfect, the music was great, and Indiana and Nelson were definitely happy and in love.

Now to Yoham, Nathan and Joshua... help Indiana and Nelson fulfill their goals by becoming highly successful and paying for them to sit around and enjoy life.  Come on, boys, is that too much to ask?

Be well,

-Ryan Kaplan.

Joseph and Elizabeth: 8/14/09

Joe and Elizabeth came to me at the last minute to be married in Bear Mountain State Park.  As she is Spanish, I managed to incorporate Spanish into my ceremony, which is always fun for me.  This was a very intimate day with just family in attendance.  Joseph is a very spiritual person and so it seems is Elizabeth.  They make a great couple and I'm glad I was able to accommodate them at the last minute.  Joseph had some impromptu words to say during the exchange of vows which I must say were very nice and very touching.

Following the ceremony I had the opportunity to spend time with them taking some pictures and talking with the family.  This just confirmed what I knew, which is that this family is a great family.  They are a really great group of people and I look forward to keeping in touch with them.  The day was really perfect, with the sun shining and the birds flying around, next to the lake with the mountain in the background.  You couldn't ask for a sweeter time.

Best of luck, guys!  Give my regards to your family!

Be well,

-Ryan Kaplan.

Jessica & Andrew: Catlin Gardens 8/9/09

Okay, I'm a little behind in my posting.  I apologize profusely!  I'm catching up now in anticipation of September's onslaught of weddings.  Additionally, I've got to find my pictures of Jessica and Andrew to add to this posting.  I know, I know.

Jessica and Andrew had a great wedding at a great venue.  Catlin Gardens in Slate Hill has such a beautiful outdoor garden.  No matter where you turn, it just keeps getting better.  It has little bridges, ponds, flowers, a beautiful covered area for weddings, water features, twists and turns, and I'm sure there's a lot I haven't seen, though I perform there often.  And Jessica was such a lovely bride with an infectious smile.  The happy couple was so sweet, and I thought it was great that they didn't get to see each other until they were face to face standing in front of me.

The ceremony went great, and though there was a little rain, everyone stayed dry.  We did the breaking of the glass and then  I believe everyone made it indoors before the rain started.  The only people left outside were the bridal party, and they got rides and umbrellas from the staff.  Me, I enjoy walks in the rain, so I was just fine.

I wish Jessica and Andrew all the best with their new life as a young newly married couple.  Congratulations and give my regards to your families, especially grandma!

Be well,

-Ryan Kaplan.

Melissa and Matt: Monteverde 7/25/09

I truly love what I do.  Working with great couples week after week at the happiest point of their lives is bound to be fun.  I love finding out more about them, more about their relationship and how they interact.   I'm always honored to be entrusted by a couple to perform their special ceremony.  I love all the couples I work with, and the couple I married this weekend was no exception.  Melissa and Matt are great people and we just clicked.  Take that and add a great setting like Monteverde, and the wedding is bound to be a memorable one.

Audrey was zipping around in her cart as usual, ready to transport a guests or two to the various areas of the wedding.  I actually tried some of the passed food which is unusual for me.  I actually tried the codfish I believe, which is DEFinitely unusual for me.  The food was really great, though I should expect no less from Monteverde.  It was a beautiful day, and as these pictures show, the place looked great.

Melissa and Matt had so much information to impart to me that their ceremony overflowed with their personalities and their energy.  They were best friends and co-workers before they realized that they had somehow fallen in love.  As they said, theirs is a cautionary tale... to all you cynics, true love exists, and it may lurk where you least suspect it!

So a great couple, some great friends, a little issue with large metal horses, some touching words by Matt and Melissa and I'm sad to see another couple go.  I'd be remiss if I didn't also mention Shana, Wedding Coordinator.  She and her assistant were on top of things all the way, and when a small fire started on the grass, Shana ran towards it, ready to put it out.  Now that is dedication!  Shana's website is in the process of being worked on, but you can always email me if you want to inquire about her services.  She had attention to detail, a good personality, and apparently she fancies herself a firefighter as well.  :)  Everyone was having a great time as you can see, and I'm sure the fun continued throughout the reception.

Okay, Melissa and Matt... don't you guys forget about me.  You know I was ready to help you with those horses if it came down to it.  And Monteverde, I'll see you soon at Indiana's wedding in August!

Be well,

-Ryan Kaplan.

Dina and Mike: 7/11/09

What a great day for a wedding.  The weather was perfect for an outdoor affair at the Valley Regency in Clifton, NJ.  One bride, one groom, and something like 21 other people in the bridal party... wow!  Dina and Mike had been friends since they were 14 and you could see it in the way they interacted.  These two came from different backgrounds, so in order to incorporate them both, we added a unity candle and the breaking of the glass.  Everyone had a great time.

After the ceremony, the bridal party was ready to party, and all of the cute flower girls were ready for bubbles.

I had a great time working with Dina and Mike and spending time with them after the ceremony as well.  Congratulations and best of luck to you both!

On another note, congratulations to Gus and Pakiza married by my father William Kaplan.  This wedding was postponed once due to Gus getting into a motorcycle accident.  He needed a long while to recover from his accident, so we were all glad when the 2008 wedding was rescheduled in 2009. Pakiza, you've got to keep that boy out of trouble!

My father reports that the wedding went great and that everyone there had a great time.  So, that's two great weddings in one day.

Be well.

-Ryan.

Madeline and Devin: Beckwith Pointe 6/27/09

Another great wedding at Beckwith Pointe.  And not to jinx anything, but I've never been rained out of a wedding there.  Okay, that's not a guarantee, just a general observation of my times at Beckwith. 

Okay, so the groom is military, as you can see in the pictures, and he looked dapper in his uniform, and the bride was beautiful and glowing.  During the ceremony she couldn't contain her smile as they faced each other and held hands.  One of the nice parts of this ceremony was the special benediction that was given by one of Madeline's family members.  Father Bill came up and offered a beautiful final blessing.  Apparently he had performed the weddings of more than a few of the people in attendance, so it was nice that we were able to coordinate something that would allow him to be a part of Madeline's day.

Michael and Angel were on hand as usual to ensure that everything went smoothly, and I got to pop in and say hello to Linda in the office for a second.  The sound was great, as provided by Eddie from Top Notch Music Productions.  So if you're looking for DJ, give Top Notch a call.  And if you're looking for a venue, definitely take a look at Beckwith.  You get a great gazebo, on the beach... the inside is great... the food is great, and the staff is always friendly and professional.  Heck, even the bartenders are great.  I'm sure I'll be back at Beckwith soon.  I look forward to it!

Madeline and Devin, I wish you best of luck.  Stay safe, Devin.

Be well.

-Ryan Kaplan.

Diana and Frank: Vow Renewal 6/20/09

Diana and Frank are such a great couple and when they talk about their marriage, the energy and love is truly infectious.  This was their 10 year anniversary and they had a lovely renewal in their home.  Because of the rain, we weren't able to have the ceremony outside, but their house was perfectly suited for an indoor ceremony.

They have a great story... they met and right away Frank knew he was going to marry her, and he told her so on the night they first met.  It took her another 8 weeks to come to the same conclusion.  Frank has three sons and at the time of his marriage to Diana he had a two year old grandson, Nicolas.  Well, now, ten years later, Nicolas walked Diana down the aisle, and there were a whole gaggle of grandchildren.  Ava, Michael, Kayla and Alissa joined the family over the past ten years, and they all played a big part of the ceremony.  Kayla performed a reading, and they all took part in several family traditions that Diane had created.  This was more than a renewal, it was truly a new bonding experience for the whole family.  A final toast was given by Frank's youngest son Christopher who will be getting married in July somewhere in Chicago.  Best of luck to you, Christopher, and may you be blessed with as great a marriage as your father, and may you have children as great as your brothers do.

One of the things that stood out were the words that Frank and Diana said to each other.  They were both so open, honest and sincere and everyone felt it, and if anyone watching wasn't crying, they were definitely getting choked up.  And in addition to the seriousness when they spoke of their feelings for each other, they were also making everyone laugh throughout the ceremony.  And this was one couple I could NOT stop from kissing before I got to the end.  They did apologize for their inability to restrain themselves, and I figured since they were already married, it was okay.  I lost count at four kisses.

Stak Photographers was there to take pictures and Steve and Tak were awesome as ever.  I'm looking forward to seeing what they captured.  I was excited that Diana and Frank went with them at my recommendation.  Diana and Frank also had a cello and violin duo that sounded great (Ambience Strings @ 516-313-9581).  Finally for the ceremony we incorporated a dove release (it had stopped raining).  After seeing the dove release, I would opt for that over a butterfly release.  It's not as difficult as it would seem, and it's definitely not as expensive as it seems.  There are more issues with a butterfly release, and you don't always get the results that you want.  Trust me!  Considering the overall costs of the wedding, the price of the doves would be miniscule.  In this case, I believe there were between 4 and 6 trained doves and they flew out and circled the house three times before they headed off home.  It was quite majestic and I'm sure everyone will not soon forget it.  Chris at Graceful Doves did a great job, so visit his website to find out more.

Taylored Menus Inc did a great job with the catering, and as there were a lot of kids around, some of the passed foods included mini burgers and french fries.  I must say, I normally don't eat anything, but I did grab a mini burger out of curiosity and it was really great.  The servers were great as well.

All in all, it was a great day.  And after everything, Frank, looking very James Bondish in his tux told me he'd see me in another ten years.  Okay, Frank.  It's a deal.  I've marked it on my calendar!

Be well.

-Ryan.

Gina & John Paul: Monteverde 6/19/09

Back at Monteverde for another ceremony.  With all the rain we've had recently I thought we'd be rained out, but the weather cleared for enough time for the ground to dry out and we were able to have the ceremony outside.  Mark Ten Eicken (Markten@Verizon.net) was playing great acoustic guitar to set the mood for the ceremony and the cocktail hour.

The family and friends of this bride and groom were great and had such a great energy.  They actually applauded as everyone in the bridal party came down and we all had a great time during the ceremony.   Gina and John Paul were happy and in love and it was clear to everyone there.

As always, the staff at Monteverde was great and as always Audrey was on hand to see to it that everything went smoothly.  I look forward to coming back to Monteverde for Melissa and Matt's wedding in July and then Indiana and Nelson's wedding in August.

Be well,

-Ryan.

Sandy & Mike: Monteverde 6/13/09

My first wedding of the year at Monteverde in Cortlandt Manor, and I've got another one next weekend and then one in July and one in August.  Monteverde is another classy wedding venue, and I often find myself performing multiple weddings there in a year.  Audrey is always great and always on top of every last detail.

Sandy and Mike are a great couple and it showed.  During their ceremony they were smiling at each other, and though I'm pretty sure I was the only one speaking, I could see that the two of them were communicating with each other during the ceremony.  They couldn't stop their playful and fun natures from coming through, and it was great fun working with them.  You can tell their personalities just by some of the music they played.  Sandy walked down to "Your Love is Better Than Ice Cream" by Sarah McLachlan, and after the ceremony they walked out to "I Wanna Grow Old With You" by Adam Sandler.  As everyone walked from the reception area to the cocktail hour, the Adam Sandler song was played by the dj, and it blended into a beautiful instrumental version being played live on the harp by Margaret Sneddon as she greeted the guests with her music.  If you're interested in having music at your wedding and you want to keep things simple and elegant, harp is the way to go and Margaret is definitely great.

One of the great moments at the wedding happened beforehand and behind the scenes.  Watching eight grown men trying to pin flowers on each other without any help from their spouses was quite entertaining.  They did manage though.  

Another thing that stuck out in my mind was the homemade "Wishing Tree" that was originally going to be outside.  When it was clear that the weather wouldn't cooperate, somehow between the florist and the staff at Monteverde, they brought a tree under the tent and it looked beautiful.

Anytime I think of Sandy and Mike I will always think of M&M's dancing... yeah, it's sort of complicated to explain, but it makes perfect sense.  So, that was another great wedding and I look forward to two more weddings next weekend, the one being at Monteverde again and the other being a 10 year wedding renewal at a couple's home.

Be well!

-Ryan Kaplan.

Rosie & Jason: Beckwith Pointe 5/31/09

Back from Beckwith after performing Rosie and Jason's ceremony.  The skies were looking cloudy and we were a little worried for a while, but in the end, it only rained for a couple of minutes during the picture taking.  Rosie was definitely an adventurous bride, walking on the sand in heels and climbing over rocks a bit as well.  The more I spend time there, the more I realize that they've truly got the best views.  There are so many great places for pictures at Beckwith.

Once again, here was another ceremony where the bride and groom were really in-tune with each other.  And there was definitely a time when I thought Rosie and Jason weren't going to wait for me to pronounce them before kissing.  Everyone had a great time during the ceremony and the couple's dog C.C. was present as well.  Both Rosie and Jason's families were great and I had a nice time speaking with all of them both before and after the ceremony.

The sand ceremony during the wedding was very nice, and we incorporated the couple's favorite song "I Could Not Ask For More" by Edwin McCain and we also incorporated their favorite romantic movie, "Rocky".  I know, I know, you might be thinking "a movie about boxing?".  But I agree with Rosie and Jason... "Rocky" is one of the most touching love stories around, and that theme is followed throughout most of the movies.  If you're still credulous, I challenge you to watch the first one again and then we'll talk.

All in all, another beautiful wedding as usual when you get married at Beckwith.  After all the paperwork was signed I headed off... but not before spending some time talking with Michael, Linda and Angel.  They are just some of the people that make Beckwith great... along with Pat in the kitchen and Linda and Nicole in the office, the atmosphere is always warm and friendly.  Now that I think about it... it's kind of like back in the days when Sal was still with us.

Okay, now it's late and I've got to close up for the night.  Thanks for stopping by.

Be well.

-Ryan Kaplan.

Liz & Derrick: Rockin' Out at The Crescent Club 5/29/09

I truly love performing wedding ceremonies.  I get a chance to see some great places, great views, everyone is always happy at weddings, and I get to meet some great couples.  Liz and Derrick (or as Liz named them, "The Delinquents") are a great couple and they almost convinced me to stay all night.

First off, they named themselves "The Delinquents" because it took them a while to get back to me on various aspects of the ceremony.  Okay, so they finally got back to me on Thursday for their Friday wedding.  But that's okay... I worked on their ceremony and got them back something they really really liked.  One of the more fun aspects of this wedding for me was that I had a chance to incorporate another language into the ceremony.  Derrick's family is Dutch, and so I worked on a couple of Dutch phrases for the ceremony to honor them and for anyone in attendance that would understand it.  I had a chance to use Dutch back in March (Danielle & David's wedding) and it was great to be able to put it to use so soon again.  In the past, I've incorporated Spanish, Italian and even a phrase or two in Greek.  Now twice in the span of a couple of months I've had the chance to speak some Dutch.

This wedding took place on Long Island, right on the beach and it was truly perfect.  The weather in the morning was against us, but by the afternoon, it was beautiful out.  The sand, the sky and the couple all looked great.  When I got there they were in the middle of their pictures on the beach, without their shoes on.  We did a quick run through, and it was sweet to see Liz tear up in anticipation of the real thing.

The ceremony went great and both Liz and Derrick decided to say something in addition to their vows and I've got to say, I was very very impressed by the poem that Derrick wrote.  It was very heartfelt, well put together, and one of the most touching things I've seen in the over 100 weddings I've performed.  The two of them held hands the whole time, and they were so connected up there, I thought they weren't going to wait for me to finish before getting their kiss.

After their ceremony, they did some rock pictures with the guitar and drums, with Derrick playing a mean "Paradise City".  During their cocktail hour, they invited me in to sit with them while they ate a bit.  We had a great time talking and as I said, they almost convinced me to stay.  However, I knew the drive back would be long, and it was getting late.  I left knowing that they would definitely keep in touch.  

...one more wedding this weekend.  I get to head back to Beckwith...

Be well.

-Ryan Kaplan.

Amy & Tommy: 5-23-09 @ The Inn at Central Valley

Amy and Tommy are a great couple and they had a wonderful wedding at The Inn.  It was a great day, the weather was perfect, the bridal party was enjoying themselves, and the Amy and Tommy looked great.  During their ceremony, they were so wrapped up in each other.  They held hands the whole time, and I'm pretty sure that I'm the only one that caught Amy saying I love you to Tommy in the middle of the ceremony.  They were smiling and happy the whole time, as a bride and groom should be.  They were locked on each other and their love truly showed.  We incorporated a sand ceremony into the ceremony and then Amy and Tommy walked off to an electric guitar version of the standard recessional.  Another great couple I am blessed to have met.

Before I left the for the evening, Tommy mentioned that the next step would be to start a family, and I wish them all the best.  I know they'll keep in touch and let me know how things go.

Be well!

-Ryan Kaplan.

Jody & Anthony: 5/15/09 @ Beckwith Pointe

Beckwith Pointe: The best wedding spot in New York.  Okay, okay, I'm biased... that's where my wife and I got married 12 years ago.  Back in the days when Sal ran the place and there was no rooftop ceremony area.  Sadly, Sal has since passed on, but he still has family running the place.  Performing a wedding at Beckwith is like going home for me.  I know all the staff, I know the whole place, Angel is always there making sure everything goes smoothly.  They know me there also, and they always recommend me.  I end up doing a lot of ceremonies there and I'll be back again in two weeks for another ceremony.  Their gazebo will be waiting.

Tonight I was performing a special ceremony for Jody and Anthony, two great people that really know how to have a good time.  Their personalities shone with exuberance throughout the day.  It was a bit windy for the unity candle, but we made do.  By the end of the ceremony the mother's of the couple were shedding tears, as were more than a few people in the audience.  After the ceremony, as I waited to obtain the signatures for the marriage license, I got a chance to take a few pictures with my Olympus E-3 camera.  Jody and Anthony were having such fun I was privileged to be able to capture some their intimate photo-shoot (pictured above).  Beckwith has such nice areas for photography and Jody and Anthony were ready to pose.  I had a great time with them in the planning of the ceremony and on their day; their love and happiness was infectious.  When I left them, they were definitely ready to party... I'm sure the rest of their night went fabulous.

So always keep in mind, if you want a wedding on the beach but you want to stay in New York, there's a strip of great wedding venues in New Rochelle (Surf Club, VIP Club, Glen Island, etc.).  They all have different appeals, but to me, Beckwith is the place to be.  

Be well!

-Ryan Kaplan.

Jim and Zanda: 5/9/09

A Mother's Day posting today, so we'll make this one quick.  I had a great time yesterday speaking with a couple that is planning their 10 year wedding renewal for this June.  They're planning a nice ceremony on their property and we're going to focus the ceremony on how they've grown both as individuals and as a couple as well as the importance of family within their lives.  I look forward to their event in June.

After the meeting, I performed Jim and Zanda's special ceremony at Blue Hill Farm in Tarrytown.  It was a great evening for a wedding and the music from Jeff Ross and Nantucket Music set the tone perfectly with great music from a simple set-up of guitarist, keyboardist and percussion.  Jim and Zanda had such a great connection, and it's clear that Zanda has a great relationship with Jim's daughter Catherine.  All in all, their intimate wedding went off perfectly.  They had great family and friends that were clearly so excited to see them get married.  And of course, the family dog Nikita was on the grounds as well, though he wasn't allowed inside.

Now I'm off to continue in the Mother's Day celebration.  I'm looking forward to the other 4 weddings I have this month.  I've even got one that allows me to work on my Dutch phrases.

I hope you are all enjoying your Sunday.

Be well,

-Ryan Kaplan.

ANNIVERSARY POST: APRIL

Okay, we've just entered May, and my month is shaping up to be a busy one.  I just wanted to look back on my Special Ceremony April weddings from past years.  I still remember the fun and enjoyment I had in performing each wedding, so looking back is always fun for me.

In April 2008 I performed a wedding for Morgan and Tim at Snug Harbor.  They had seen me perform a wedding at the same venue for friends, Joleen and Jon, and they loved the ceremony and asked me to officiate at their wedding.  Snug Harbor is a great location on Staten Island.  They have a couple of different wedding locations on their grounds.  Morgan and Tim were such a happy couple and it was great to be able to see Joleen and Jon again as well.

Anna and Daniel had a great wedding in NYC.  They had both written such amazing things in their response to my questions that I was able to really say a lot about them both.  They had a violinist (LouEllen:917-593-1010) with whom I'd worked with before at a wedding 5 hours upstate.  Anna sent me an email afterwards saying "Daniel and I would like to thank you.  The ceremony was wonderful!  The family and friends loved it.  We will always cherish the memory of this event.  Thank you for making it perfect!"

Evelyn and David had a great ceremony in Central Park under a beautiful tree (pictured above).  I remember it was such a great day, the music in the background was great and it seemed like everyone had a blast.  I wish all my couples as beautiful a day as Evelyn and David had.  My wife and daughter were with me at the park, and after the wedding we had a great time walking around.

Sue and Carl had a simple ceremony in my sun room, which has been used now for weddings on a couple of occasions.  Simple and sweet, just the two of them and a couple of witnesses. 

Jenny and Oleg were married in an intimate restaurant Brooklyn back in April 2006.  Loads of traffic to get there, but being prepared I made it there early.  Jenny and Oleg were such a great laid-back happy couple.  They had fun personalities and made a great couple.  She looked great and he looked suave in his military dress.

Happy Anniversary everyone!  I hope you're all doing well!!!

-Ryan Kaplan.

Helena & Andrew: 4/26/09

I performed a special ceremony earlier today for Helena and Andrew's wedding out on Long Island at Chateau Briand.  Long Island weddings always require extra driving time, because in my experience, there is always traffic getting to Long Island.  I planned for an extra hour of driving time to put me at the venue at my usual "1 hour early" arrival time and it worked out perfectly.

This wedding was running smoothly thanks to Galas Inc.  They had two planners in attendance to make sure that everything went off without a hitch.  I had plenty of time to review the ceremony with the bride and groom, make sure they had everything we needed and to answer any last minute questions they had.

This was an interesting ceremony as Andrew comes from a strictly Christian background, and Helena's background is Hindu.  I had been referred to them through another wedding I performed in August 2006 for Penelope and Ge which incorporated Hindu traditions as well.  For today's ceremony we were performing the unity candle (which went on to represent the Hindu fire diety Agni) as well as the exchange of garlands and the 7 blessings (both Hindu traditions).  I worked to blend their backgrounds and show respect and deference to them both.  Helena took a very active role in the ceremony revisions and I feel the end results were great.  Everyone laughed when they were supposed to and teared up when they were supposed to as well.  There was a great vocalist named Ebony that performed "Ribbon in the Sky" during the unity candle.  To cap off the ceremony, during their walk back up the aisle, Helena and Andrew pulled out sunglasses and walked away in style.  I'm looking forward to seeing the pictures!

Today's slight snag was that there was a microphone but no stand.  I prefer not to be encumbered by having to hold a microphone, though I do it when necessary.  However, I normally carry a microphone stand in my car for these occasions, so this was easily rectified.

The weather was beautiful, and everything went perfectly.  Chateau Briand has such a nice feel to its outdoor area, and it was easy to see that the pictures will turn out gorgeous.  They've created what they call an "outdoor oasis" which does give you the feel like you are getting married on a resort in Aruba.

Marlene at Galas Inc. did such a good job in planning, I look forward to working with her in the future.  In the end, Helena and Andrew looked happy and in love as I left them.  As for now, it's later than I should be up.  My two daughters are going to wake me up early in the morning whether I've rested or not, so I'm off to bed.

Be well!

-Ryan Kaplan.

Welcome Wedding Blog

This is the first posting on the brand new Special Ceremony blog.  I've been meaning to start a blog for a while now, and videographer Tim Alan Smith gave me the final push needed.  So here I am, world.  I'll be here blogging about some of the many weddings I do, any interesting challenges I come across, any interesting wedding stories, etc.  I'll be recapping some weddings from previous years each month in an "Anniversary Post" as well.

Maybe you're here to get some insight into me and the ceremonies I perform.  Maybe you're a couple I've worked with and you're checking in to see what I might be up to.  Maybe you've stumbled upon this blog by accident.  However you got here, I welcome you.  Feel free to comment and say hello.   If I've worked with you before, I do remember you.  If I haven't worked with you, then I'd be happy to meet you.

We'll see how this blog progresses.  This is uncharted territory for me, but it appeals to my expositive nature.

Be well!

-Ryan Kaplan.