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.

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.

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.