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.