Rita & Bridget's Super Fun & Sorta Nerdy Ceremony

Bridget and Rita...just married!

When I met Rita and Bridget I adored them on the spot. They were sweet and funny, and my kinda people! Needless to say, I had fun creating their wedding ceremony. 

This winter wedding took place at Old Towne Hall in Crystal Lake, providing a warm and intimate setting for this fun and unique event. 

The brides created a whimsical and welcoming atmosphere with all of their DIY touches. From the flowers adorning the tables to the seating arrangements, Bridget and Rita put their personal touch on all of the details. 

Their ceremony was so much fun to write and included some nerdy references, lots of love, and even a unique unity ritual of their own creation. Rita and Bridget are craftsy folk, so they each created a piece of work for the other. (I'm especially impressed that they were able to keep these a secret from one another!) 

After their vows and the ring exchange, they each opened the artwork the other created for them. They then placed these pieces side by side, inside a frame, which they sealed shut together. In the piece on the right (created by Bridget) you can see their silhouettes in blues and purples, huddled over a coffee cup, commemorating their first date at a coffee shop.

While this was definitely my favorite part of the ceremony, I loved that they were willing to include some nerdy references, including Harry Potter and gaming. I mean, they did first meet at a bar game night, playing Cronikole.  

Their unique and personal touches were evident throughout the venue. For example, instead of individualized seating, guests were grouped at tables, according to their association. So, there were family tables, as well as tables for co-workers from the framing shop, and friends from gaming groups. Hence, the "Framers" and "Gamers" table. 

What's not to love with these two?!?! 

Bride selfie!

Bridget and Rita were such a joy! The rehearsal the day before was full of laughs, so I knew we were going to have a great time on the big day. Boy, was I right! The ceremony was full of laughter (even if one of the times it was because no one got our joke), and even a few tears. Most of all, it was full of so much love. 

Rita and Bridget, I wish you all the love in the world. Keep making each other laugh and keep shining your light.... and "I forget the rest." 

I'm a Guest Blogger! - Tips for Personalizing Your Wedding Ceremony

I was invited by the wonderful Greatest Expectations to write a blog post about personalizing your wedding ceremony. So, of course, I did!

The article covers several ways to make your ceremony a reflection of the two of you, including music, readings, and unique rituals. 

Photo by Julia Franzosa Photography

So, what are you waiting for?

Head on over and read my article, The Perfect “I Do” for You- How to Personalize Your Wedding Ceremony 

This Ring Bearer Really Came Out of His Shell

What happens when two veterinarians get married? Their pet tortoise gets the honor of being their ring bearer! And before you wonder how long it took him to make it down the aisle, I'll tell you that Andrea and Charlie didn't make him walk - he was pulled in a decorated wagon. Solomon rode in style! 

Here I am with the bride and groom, showing my appreciation for a job well done.

Thanks to Tom Nicol Photography for this great photo!

Published!

So.... my niece is getting married and she's been checking out the wedding magazines lately. Here's a photo she sent me when she was paging through ChicagoStyle Weddings magazine. 

This is the lovely feature on Sara and Missy's wedding, which was also on the website. Click HERE to see more of this gorgeous wedding, captured by the fantastic Rebecca Marie Photography. 

Modern Family Wedding Photo Shoot!

So excited to see our Modern Family wedding photo shoot featured on the Sassy Chicago Weddings blog! Be sure to CLICK HERE to see all the shots of this incredibly happy and colorful event.

Below are photos, courtesy of Ocken Photography, of rituals that were included in the ceremony part of the stylized shoot. 

First, the couple participated in an adaptation of a food sharing ritual known as the Tasting of the Elements. In this ritual, various foods represent the "for better or for worse" of married life. In our version, the couple shared a variety of candies - including Hot Tamales to represent the heat of an argument 

As you can guess, the candy was a big hit with the kids!

We ended with a family sand ceremony. The dads and each of the kids picked a color to be layered in a tall vase. Not only was this fun for all the participants, the results yielded a bright and beautiful keepsake.

It was so much fun working with this couple and their adorable kids. And it didn't hurt that I had the opportunity to be back at Catalyst Ranch.

Thank you to Kerrie of Citygirl Weddings and Lauren from the Ranch for including me in this wonderful celebration of marriage equality! 

And a huge thank you to Ocken Photography for the wonderful photos!

Jessica & Sang-Woo's Multicultural Ceremony at Greenhouse Loft

The couple posing at same spot where Sang-Woo proposed.

This is long overdue, but I am finally getting around to sharing some details of Jessica &; Sang-Woo's gorgeous wedding from September of 2012. (I told you this was overdue!)

A true Chicago couple, their wedding took place at the wonderful Greenhouse Loft, with the ceremony outside on the lovely patio.

Photo by SnoStudios

Sang-Woo and Jessica's ceremony was a true reflection of them as a couple. They shared their love story, including how they met by chance (or maybe fate!) at John Barleycorn and the sweet and funny story of Sang-Woo's proposal outside of the Field Museum. They both value the importance of family and made sure to include their parents in the ceremony. They also incorporated Korean wedding traditions in honor of Sang-Woo's heritage.

Wine sharing 

Happy tears during the vows. Photo by SnoStudios

One of these traditions was a wine-sharing ceremony. In a traditional Korean wedding, a couple will sip wine that has been poured into two halves of a gourd, traditionally grown by the bride’s mother. When the wine is sipped, the two halves of the gourd are symbolically reunited and made whole, representing the joining of two lives.

In honor of this ritual, Sang-Woo and Jessica shared small cups of wine, presented by Jessica’s mother.

Parents tossing chestnuts & jujube fruits for Parents' Blessing
Photo by SnoStudios

Another important Korean wedding tradition is the Parents’ Blessing. In this ritual, the couple’s parents bless the couple by "showering" them with wishes for many children. They do so by tossing nuts and fruit at the bride and groom, who will try to catch them in a wedding cloth. The number caught represents how many children the couple will have. 

I'm happy to report that this ritual was a success - Jessica and Sang-Woo have a beautiful new baby boy!

Guests writing wishes on the wishing stones
Photo by Anita Vaughan

At the end of the ceremony, guests were asked to stop at a table with river rocks and write their wishes for the couple on the rocks. A wonderful keepsake for the couple!

This wedding had so many lovely elements - but the best part? The bride and groom! I had such a wonderful experience working with Jessica and Sang-Woo and seeing their ceremony take shape. They are two of the nicest people you could ever hope to meet - and they know how to have fun!!





Thank you to SnoStudios for generously sharing these photos. And, of course, I have to give a huge shout out and thank you to Heather of Greatest Expectations Special Events and Weddings. She made everything run seamlessly - and made it all utterly gorgeous!

Incredible sweet table! Photo by Anita Vaughan

Congratulations on the birth of your son, Jessica & Sang-Woo! He is one lucky little boy to have you two as parents!

Adorable flower girl! Photo by Anita Vaughan

Maria & Lisa's Intimate Backyard Ceremony

I had so much fun working with Lisa and Maria as we created their ceremony!

Their wedding day started off being pretty wet, especially after the previous day's storms. But, a little drizzle wasn't going to stop us! Despite it being cool and a little misty, we had the ceremony in the garden, with a beautiful flower arch as a backdrop. 

Maria and Lisa included a flower-gathering ritual, during which family members came forward to present them with flowers to create a bouquet. It was so sweet to see their loved ones come up, especially when Maria's little nephew announced with a big grin, "Here you go!" You could definitely feel the love surrounding them!

Now I'm just dying to see all the gorgeous photos by the amazing Oriana of Okrfoto. I know they'll be fantastic!

Hanging out with Lisa and Maria before the ceremony

Following the ceremony, guests joined the couple at a neraby restaurant for a reception, and then came back to their house for cake. Look how sweet that cake looks! And since it's from Luscious Layers Bakery, you know it was delicious! And from what I'm told, there wasn't a single crumb left over. 

Fabulous cake by Luscious Layers Bakery

Congratulations, Maria and Lisa! Thank you for letting me be a part of your wonderful wedding day. You're the best!! And now that I've sampled the results of your amazing baking skills, you'll never get rid of me. 

Luis & Dan's Incredible Wedding Photos - with Bacon and Eggs Socks!

This past fall I officiated Luis and Dan's wedding ceremony at Uncommon Ground (known as the "Greenest Restaurant in America.")

They were lucky enough to hire the amazing Hilda of Angel Eyes Photography. Not only is she always fun to work with, I knew there would be amazing photos. Boy, was I right! 

Be sure to check out her blog post about the wedding. Don't you just love those bacon and egg socks? 

Here are a few photos in the meantime, but be sure to go to the blog for more!

Breakfast footwear

Handfasting during the ceremony

Luis and Dan light up the night!

If you need a photographer for your wedding, Hilda is fantastic. But you can already see that from her work. And did I mention how much fun she is??

Hot Chocolate in the City!

Now that cold weather is around the corner, doesn't a big mug of hot chocolate sound good?

Which, of course, got me to thinking about winter weddings. Wouldn't it be fun to include a drink sharing ritual in your winter wedding? 

And if this concept appeals to you, you need to check out some of my favorite businesses who create a divine cup of cocoa. They are TipsyCake and Katherine Anne Confections, both of which are a part of the Chicago Hot Chocolate Tour. 

A cup of deliciousness from Katherine Anne Confections

They were recently featured on WGN News. Check it out here: Chicago Hot Chocolate Tour: Sample some of the city's finest drinking cocoa

Luis & Dan's Wedding: Laughs and Tears - and an 80's Band!

Last night I had the most amazing experience of officiating the wedding ceremony of an old friend. Luis and I have known each other since the 6th grade! So, while it was a little surreal - I mean, I still remember us running around in the school playground! - it was also one of the most wonderful moments I've ever had.

Luis and Dan are two of the greatest guys you could ever hope to meet, and the process of creating their ceremony made me fall in love with them both. It's no wonder they want to spend their lives together!

Handfasting cord

 Their wedding took place at Uncommon Ground on the north side of Chicago. The atmosphere was perfect, the food was great - and there was an 80's band. They even had a singer/guitarist who played Crowded House and Eddie Veder during the cocktail hour. What could be better??

The ceremony was so much fun - and wound up being "interactive" with lots of jokes & commentary from the peanut gallery..... I mean, the guests. Not to mention that the grooms kept cracking jokes!

Dan and Luis opted to include a handfasting ritual, so I made their cord as a wedding gift. It included charms representing each of them and their lives together. The red ribbon symbolized the story of the Red Thread of Destiny. Their good friend, Irwin, came forward to offer a blessing during the handfasting.

They also included a blessing stone ritual, where all the guests received a rose quartz on which to place their blessings and wishes. The stones were collected and placed in a vase. Dan and Luis each had a stone in the the shape an their chosen animal totem, which they placed on top of the rose quartz.

And of course, there were tears and laughs - and it was a night I'll never forget! Especially since my feet are still sore from dancing so much!

Angel Eyes Photography was on hand to document the evening, so I'll share a link to those pixs when they're available. In the meantime, here are shots of the ceremony taken by my hubby!

Luis enters with Best Man, Polo

The tears started pretty quickly. Luckily, I came prepared!

Irwin offers a blessing during the handfasting.

Lots of laughs during the ceremony!

Exchanging vows.   Denise, Dan's Maid of Honor, approves

Luis & Dan face their loved ones for the guests' vow of support.

Congratulations, Luis & Dan. I can't tell you how much it means to me to have been a part of your wedding day. I wish you lots of love and happiness. And I expect you to make me dinner (hint: MEATLOAF!!) some time. Love you!!

Adding a Little Spice to a Ceremony!

The shady courtyard 

Yesterday was hot. Nasty, humid HOT. While I was looking forward to Sandra and Pete's wedding, I was a little worried about an outdoor ceremony. I am no friend of the heat. But, luckily, the Hyatt Deerfield has a lovely, and more importantly, shady courtyard. It created a perfectly intimate atmosphere for the ceremony. And it was surprisingly comfortable! Whew.


I also had the honor of having the ceremony be observed by a prospective Life-Cycle Celebrant student (who was nice enough to snap the picture to the left). I'm glad she got to see this particular ceremony because, not only was I marrying a great couple, they picked a unique ritual for the ceremony!

Sandra and Pete opted to include a planting ritual, using a pot of oregano. I love this idea! (You can see it on the table in the photo below by Angel Eyes Photography)

Oregano represents love and honor. It is also said that the goddess Aphrodite gave oregano as a gift to mortals to keep them happy. It was a the perfect symbol for a ritual illustrating the significance of joining two lives in marriage. And, they can make use of the herb when they cook at home!

Congratulations, Sandra & Pete! I wish you a lifetime of love, laughter.... and delicious dinners!

A view of the ceremony by Angel Eyes Photography

I can't wait to see all the beautiful photos by Angel Eyes Photography! 

Handfasting & Blessing Stones Explained

I have to start by saying that I had such a great time at Indie Wed yesterday!! Yes, I was utterly exhausted by the time I got home, but I had a ball!

One of the best parts was meeting brides and grooms and talking to them about various wedding ceremony rituals. Here I'm explaining the handfasting ritual. This is an ancient Celtic tradition, believed to be the origin of the term "tie the knot." 

Handfasting cord

In this ritual, the couple holds hands and a cord or ribbon is wrapped around their joined hands. They can exchange vows at this time, if they choose, or have their Celebrant recite the Blessing of the Hands.

Handfasting at Indie Wed

Blessing Stones

 I also had the chance to explain the Blessing Stones. In this ritual, guests are given a stone (or shell, or anything they choose) at the beginning of the ceremony. During the ceremony guests are asked to hold the stone in their hands while making a wish for the couple. After the guests have bestowed their blessings upon the stones, they are collected by a friend or family member. This will then be a keepsake for the couple. 

It was really fun getting to explain the rituals that I believe add so much to a couple's ceremony

Tie the Knot with a Handfasting Cord!

Another of the rituals I will be demonstrating at my Indie Wed workshop will be handfasting.


I finished these sample cords this morning. Yay! 


In addition to the workshop, I'll also have a cord at my table if anyone wants to see how it's done. Stop by and I'll help you tie the knot! 


See ya soon.

Elise and Ed's Wedding - Featuring a Mixed Drink

A few months ago I had the honor of marrying Elise and Ed, one of the nicest couples around.

They had a lovely ceremony, held at Hotel Baker in St. Charles, also the site of the reception. Hotel Baker is a fantastic spot for a wedding - and just about any celebration! Built in 1928, this historic hotel is in downtown St. Charles and sits right on the Fox River.

The original plan was to have the ceremony in the rose garden, on the patio overlooking the river. But, rainy weather forced us indoors. The good news is that the Rainbow Room ballroom is gorgeous - and boasts a light-up floor. It was a lovely place for the ceremony!

One thing I loved about Elise and Ed's ceremony was that they opted for a unique unity ritual. Rather than a sand ceremony or a unity candle, they chose to share a drink. Now, sharing a cup of wine is pretty common, but they did something that was a little more "them." They took their two favorite beverage, iced tea and lemonade, and poured them together to make an Arnold Palmer. They then shared the concoction - a perfect unity ritual!

And one more great detail - they had personalized bottles of Jones Soda as party favors for their guests. Love it!!

Lauren & Randy's Lake Michigan Wedding

I recently had the honor of officiating Lauren & Randy's wedding at Navy Pier. More specifically, it was on Mystic Blue, one of the beautiful yachts at Navy Pier.

I have to confess that I was really nervous about this ceremony. I was already starting to worry about it a few months ago.

The reason is that, about a year ago, I learned that I am not a boat-lover.

It happened when I was with my son and his friends on an educational "cruise" on a big sailboat at Milwaukee's Discovery World. They kids collected water samples, checked out the samples under microscopes and did lots of other cool stuff. The problem was, I started getting really queasy. I went below deck, thinking it would help. Wrong! that made it worse. Thank goodness one of the other parents noticed my misery and offered me a Dramamine. Yay for prepared moms!

My only other boat experience was on a boat outing with my husband's office on the day of the Air and Water Show. Pretty much every one was miserable, with several people hanging their heads over the sides. But, the owner of the company refused to dock early, because he fully intended on getting his money's worth.

Hence, my nervousness about the Navy Pier wedding. I probably checked with the Lauren about a hundred times, making sure I would be able to get off the boat before it sailed.

Well, it was all needless worry, because I stepped aboard and didn't feel a thing. Yay!

It was so beautiful, as you can tell from the top photo, taken before the guests arrived.

It had been raining while I was driving towards downtown and it was pretty dreary as we waited for the boat. But, as we waited, the sun began to peek out. By the time we began, it had turned into a gorgeous evening. The view was spectacular!

The ceremony included a handfasting ritual, in which Randy's mom and step-mom participated by wrapping and unwrapping the cord. The handfasting cord was truly the most beautiful one I have ever seen. Lauren, an art teacher and very gifted artist, made the cord by hand, incorporating colors meaningful to her and Randy. She also put a loop on one end, so it can by hung up in their home as a keepsake.

Great idea for all you crafty couples!

It was so wonderful to be a part of this lovely wedding.

Congratulations Lauren & Randy! I wish you a lifetime of love and joy!

P.S. You will be relieved to know that Lauren did not actually push Randy off the boat (bottom photo). Well, at least not while I was there to witness it!

Pagan Wedding Customs

I have spoken with couples who have asked about incorporating Pagan rituals into their ceremony. What people don't often realize is that many of our wedding traditions can be traced back to Pagan ceremonies. A perfect example is the wedding ring. The circle is an important Pagan symbol, representing eternity, with no beginning and no end.

Handfasting is considered an Irish ritual, but it is also a Pagan tradition as it can be traced to pre-Christian customs.

When considering a Pagan wedding, couples sometimes wonder how to incorporate their beliefs and philosophy into the wedding. Here are some ideas I've found:

Brooms: Although most people associate it with African American weddings, jumping the broom has also long been a Pagan (and Wiccan) wedding tradition. Brooms can also be used as decorations for the reception, as they are a symbol of fertility (hearth and home). Small decorative brooms (available at craft stores) can be adorned with dried herbs, flowers, or ribbons for a nice touch.

Possibilities for wedding reception keepsakes and decorations include:

• Packets of flower seeds or plant seedlings
  
• Jars of honey (sacred to Aphrodite)
• Bells - used to ward off evil spirits
• Potpourri which includes orris root, a violet-scented fixative regarded as a love plant
  
• Keychains - keys have magical significance (unlocking of the mysteries)

These are all ideas that could be great DIY projects for you crafty couples. You can also easily personalize your projects to make them more meaningful for your guests- and you! Enjoy!