Reprinted from NYC: THE OFFICIAL GUIDE at www.nycgo.com

With the passage of the Marriage Equality Act, people from all over the country and all around the world are asking the question: can I come to New York City and get married? The answer is yes! Whether you're a lifelong local or someone who has dreamed of coming here your entire life, New York City is the ultimate spot for you to tie the knot.

Here's what you need to know:

Who can get married in New York now that the Marriage Equality Act has passed?
The Marriage Equality Act allows same-sex couples to get married in New York just like opposite-sex couples, with the same rights, responsibilities and privileges under State and City law.

Can I get married in New York City even if I don't live there?
Yes. Couples who reside in New York or in another state or country are all welcome to marry here.

When can same-sex couples begin marrying in New York?
The Marriage Equality Act allows same-sex couples to obtain marriage licenses starting 30 days after the Act was signed into law. State law generally requires couples to wait 24 hours after receiving a license before they can be married. For more information, visit cityclerk.nyc.gov.

How do I get a marriage license in New York City?
To get a marriage license, apply for one from the New York City Clerk’s office. Once you obtain a license, it is valid for 60 days. For more information, visit cityclerk.nyc.gov.

Can my spouse and I get married in New York City if we were already married in another state or country?
Yes. You and your spouse can get married again in New York, whether you reside here or not. (Note: New York already recognizes lawful marriages, including same-sex marriages, that were performed elsewhere.)

Posted June 26, 2011 8:10 PM by Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

By Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway
Wedlok.com

August 8, 2008 finally arrived! You may recall, 7-07-07 was last years big day. 8-08-08 Was the BIG wedding day this summer.

Eight, in Chinese, sounds like the word "wealth". Many couples of all backgrounds took advantage of the auspicious date to begin their married lives together.

I had the honor of officiating the nuptials of Carla and Stephen Bonica. At the risk of sounding like a doting parent, they are truly a darling couple.

This was a very special wedding! I was connected to Carla through my dear friend Heather Connor. Here's a photo of Heather, me and the beautiful bride!

Carla and Stephen are a truly beschert couple (meant to be!). They wed at the Foundry, which is an awesome, hip venue in Long Island City. The rain stopped in time for a clear and sunny early evening ceremony. One of their special touches to their reception was importing beer from McSorely's Old Ale House, where they met.

They also had a lovely and personal ceremony. The bride and groom invited their close family members to stand with them beneath and around the huppa. What a warm and loving experience!

The bride and groom added some interesting factoids about the number 8 in their program, lincluding:

* 8 Is considered a lucky number in Asian cultures

* A "lying down" eight symbolizes infinity.

* In cooking recipes, there are approximately 8 pinches to a teaspoon.

* In numerology, 8 is considered the number of building, and in some theories, the number of destruction.

* 8 is the retired jersey number of Baseball Hall of Fame members Cal Ripkin, Jr., Carl Yastrzemski and Yogi Berra, to name a few.

* 8-08-08 began the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China ... and Stephen and Carla got married!

Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Bonica!

Posted August 11, 2008 5:57 AM by Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

By Laurie Sue Brockway
From Wedlok.com

" I realize my purpose is to console - to personally wipe away tears through selfless love, compassion, and service." - Amma

Every year since 1999 I have made it a point to see Ammachi (Mata Amritanandamayi) the awesome Hindu Saint who gives "darshan" by hugging people. We all call her Amma.

You can read more about her in the recent New York Times article, Tour of Embrace Makes a Stop in Manhattan.

It is said she was "born with a smile." When you see her smile you truly know how she can reach out and touch -- and bring healing -- to so many.

She welcomes people of all faiths and beliefs, and truly believes we are all one. I suspect the reason she does not tire of her work, or feel drained by it, is that she considers that we are all the same, not separate from one another.

Amma, which means mother, is spiritual mother to millions. Her ministry of love is one of the most profound expressions of giving I have ever seen. Her humanitarian efforts -- disaster relief, feeding the poor, orphanages, helping women reclaim their power -- is wide-reaching and grows with each year. Her motto is "Love and Serve."

Now in her fifties, Amma has become a Mother Teresa like personage, devoted to doing good works and shining the light of love on the world's problems. Speaking in her native tongue, she has addressed the United Nations General Assembly to the Cannes Films Festival. From her native India, to the the United States, Canada, the world, she tours for the purpose of touching people's lives.

When you visit Amma for a healing hug, you literally kneel before her and she pulls you to her chest, chanting a sacred sound or prayer in your ear. Many of those who visit her believe she is able to take our burdens and worries because she has a heart big enough to embrace us and all our human woes.

Anthropologist Jane Goodall called Amma "God in human form."

Continue reading "Amma - The Hugging Saint in New York" »

Posted July 12, 2008 8:19 AM by Editor | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

By Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway
From Wedlok.com

I am so excited to share the good news that my guest column on Summer Love appears today in my favorite newsletter, The Three Tomatoes.

The Three Tomatoes was created and is edited by Cheryl Benton, and columnists include the awesome Valerie Smaldone, New York Queen of radio and Broadway, and Joan M. Stigliano, a talented designer and Feng Shui expert and dear person, who also happened to be one of my teachers at the Long Island Feng Shui Institute!

The Three Tomatoes is dedicated to boomer women of a certain age, wisdom and wherewithall, and focuses on the New York Market. Find out more on the publishers page.

Subscribe to The Three Tomatoes at www.thethreetomatoes.com.

Pictured above, The Three Tomatoes Founder and Editor, Cheryl Benton.

Continue reading "A Buddhist Approach to Romance - Summer Love!" »

Posted July 3, 2008 12:30 PM by Editor | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

By Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway
Editor, Wedlok.com

We had a wonderful Wedding Goddess Blessing of the Brides's and Groom's in Central Park on June 14.

Three couples joined us for the special event to Bless and De-Stress Grooms and Brides-to-Be. We met at the lotus pond in the South Garden of the Central Park Conservatory Garden.

Left to right, the adorable to-be-weds are Jose and Claire (August 2), Jeff and Tiff (September 28) and Jay and Hilda (OCtober 11).

We got through the blessing right before a huge rain storm, which of course, means good luck!

This is an annual blessing I officiate each year with my hubby, Rev. Victor Fuhrman. For those of you who could not be there, here is the opening blessing we shared:

Our prayer for you is that your path to the altar empower you and prepare you for marriage. We begin with a blessing.

And so it is! - Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway

Posted July 3, 2008 12:09 PM by Editor | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

See the trailer

We loved this movie!

It is one of the funniest, sweetest, most inspiring romantic comedies we've seen in a long time.

Not only does it treat us to a classic a Disney love story with a modern twist, and fine acting (Amy Adams rocks as the Princess-to-be), it is set in some of the most romantic spots in New York City.

In the multiple scenes filmed in Central Park, we recognized all our favorite spots for weddings! Bridal Bridge. Bethesda Fountain. Belvadere Castle. And many spots near (and even in a boat on) the Central Park Lake.

Central Park weddings are always so romantic and it was so awesome to see all those favorite spots so magically alive with singing and dancing.

The Princess-to-Be and her New York Prince (Patrick Dempsey) even dance with a dozen or so Brides and Grooms in the park. Ah, felt like wedding season!

It left us with such a happy, upbeat feeling -- just the way we feel officiating at weddings in Central Park.

Check out the magical "official" Disney website and trailor for Enchanted and this cool report posted to YouTube.

Posted December 27, 2007 6:47 AM by Editor | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway will answer your questions and help relieve wedding stress. Please e-mail your questions and wedding challenges to The Wedding Goddess.

Dear Wedding Goddess:

My husband-to-be is a different faith than me. He is Jewish and I am Christian.

I am very used to holiday services, but he is uncomfortable coming to a church. Is there a neutral place to go in New York City? It would be nice to also find out about other traditions and to expand our horizons. -- Maureen

Dear Maureen –

Luckily, NYC is home to a number of wonderful ways to blend yours faiths and enjoy non-denominational and interfaith spirituality together. I will be sharing more on this in months to come.

For a lovely Sunday service, try the Community of Peace and Spirituality, headed by my colleagues Rev. Allan Lokos and Rev. Susanna Weiss, founders and spiritual directors. They are a husband and wife team of ordained interfaith ministers and they welcome everyone with open arms.

This is a unique, friendly and joyous Sunday service. It is also a chance to take time out to reflect and relax. They usually feature a powerful interfaith prayer and meditation, a speaker who shares insights on a different faith or spiritual practice each week, as well as an often humorous and always inspiring homily called “One Minister’s Thoughts.”

Each Sunday they create a beautifully balanced environment in which people of all faiths can gather and share a sacred experience. The service honors the world’s great religions and spiritual paths and in doing so makes everyone feel included. This is not a “church” per see, so your fiancé should be quite comfy there, yet it is structured like a worship service so you will feel at home as well.

The Sunday morning gatherings of celebration, meditation, and prayer are from 11:00 AM to 12 noon at the Community’s new home, 593 Columbus Avenue, corner of West 88th Street.

This service is perfect for people who consider themselves “spiritual” but not very religious. “The Community of Peace and Spirituality is a place for those who long for a deeper sense of the spiritual self and have not found it in traditional religious dogma and practices,” the ministers explain.

“Individually and collectively each person discovers the truth of their own path. An Interfaith perspective guides the Community where all are invited without regard for race, creed, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, economic, or social status.”

Prior to becoming ministers, both Rev. Allan and Rev. Susanna enjoyed successful performing careers on Broadway, in concert, and in dance, so they bring a wonderful touch of music and dance to their services.

For information, visit their website: http://www.interfaithhome.org/

Many blessings,

Rev. Laurie Sue

Continue reading "Ask The Wedding Goddess" »

Posted December 13, 2007 9:55 AM by Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

By Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway
More on this topic at Hinduism.About.com

I love wedding rituals of all kinds, and have a particular fondness for and experience with the Hindu wedding ceremony. I am often called upon to marry interfaith couples, where one partner is Hindu and the other is another faith, and asked to blend in some of the rituals typically officiated by a Hindu priest or "Pandit" (spiritual facilitator of sacred events who can speak the chants and rituals).

Of course, I offer these blessings in English, and will often involve the families to contribute to certain sacred aspects of the ceremony, to make the ceremonial elements as authentic and true to the faith as possible.

It is a double blessing when my couples also opt for a traditional Hindu ceremony, which was the case with Traci and Partha. This awesome couple asked me to officiate their official interfaith ceremony at Tribeca Rooftop in Manhattan, blending their Christian and Hindu traditions. And they invited me to attend the family gathering the next day, where the groom's family arranged a traditional Hindu ceremony.

I got there just as the groom's mom was preparing the altar on an Indian table cloth placed on the floor. That is also where most of the guests would sit, on the floor, another Hindu tradition.

It was a beautiful blend of Indian and Midwestern cultures. All the women were in Saris, including the brides side of the family. The men on the groom's side wore Kurtas, traditional Indian wear, while the bride's side came in shorts on the hot summer day.

It was really a sweet combination. And maybe a tad of a culture shock for the Iowa contingent. The women in saris on the grooms side chatted away -- because in their culture, the wedding is a social occasion, not something to be solemn about or to jsut sit and observe quietly (although the Priest and I both told them to bring it down a notch a few times). The brides side, especially the guys, were used to weddings as a more solemn occasion at church so they sort of sat quietly and observed.

The event was colorful and festive and it took place in an amazing New York City high rise apartment with all-glass walls, looking out on New York City, as the ancient rites proceeded. Luckily, the pandit who was leading things was wonderful and he explained each step as he went along.

He also allowed me to offer the couple a blessing, touching blessed rice and flower petals to their forehead with a Sanskrit prayer he led us through-- a privilege usually reserved only for relatives (and only relatives older than the couple, by the way).

The Hindu wedding ceremony has many components and it is quite beautiful, specific and filled with chanting, Sanskrit blessings and ritual that is thousands of years old. An important aspect of the Hindu ceremony is to light a sacred fire, created from ghee and woolen wicks, to evoke the God, Agni (Fire), to bear witness to the ceremony.

The highlight is Saptapadi, also called "The Seven Steps." Here, traditionally the bride’s sari is tied to the groom’s Kurta, or a sari shawl might be draped from his shoulder to her sari. The couple also pours puffed rice upon the sacred fire, groom holding on to brides hands, to represent prosperity (which is what Partha and Traci are doing in this photo, as part of the Seven Steps rite).

Read my story on this topic at Hinduism.About.com, which Hinduism Guide, Subhamoy Das, shared with his readers today.

Continue reading "Seven Steps Around the Sacred Fire - Hallmark of the Hindu Ceremony" »

Posted November 27, 2007 5:20 AM by Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Find out more at www.meta-md.com.

Good news for stressed out brides: It's okay to feel happy and sad while planning your wedding!

Brides have long been sold a bill of goods regarding the emotional state they are "supposed" to be in during what is commonly known as "the happiest time of your life." There are so many ups and downs on the way to the altar that some brides feel there is something wrong with them when bridal hormones and stress kick their emotions around and up and down.

If only we realize at the start of the wedding planning journey, there will be stress. There may be a little strife. You may wish you eloped to Las Vegas (and you are welcome here!). But this is all part of life, exacerbated by the fact that your emotions can be on edge when dealing with such a major life event.

Next Tuesday, November 13, Steven Hodes, MD, will be addressing the topic of "The Power of Happiness and Sadness: Why You Need Both for a Truly Healthy and Balanced Life" in Manhattan at the Quest Lecture Hall, 242 East 53rd Street in Manhattan from 7 to 8:30 PM.

This is part of his ongoing FREE lecture and dialog series, "Tuesday with Dr. Steve." While it is not specifically for brides and grooms, it will be helpful to anyone who wonders if there is something wrong with them if they do not feel happy all the time!

Dr. Steve is a board certified physician with almost 30 years in private practice and author of Meta-Physician on Call for Better Health: Metaphysics and Medicine for Mind, Body, and Spirit (Praeger Publishers, 2007), in which he writes about the connections between metaphysics, medicine, and healing. He's a traditional doc with a metaphysical point of view.

Here are some of the points he will discuss:

Continue reading ""Tuesdays With Dr. Steve" Can Help Brides Embrace All Emotions!" »

Posted November 10, 2007 6:27 AM by Editor | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

By Jessica Meyer
Listen to sample musical selections

From the first note played as your guests arrive, to the moment you begin your new life together, the music serves as a true reflection of the unique atmosphere you want to create for your wedding day. Just as your dress, flowers and surroundings convey your personal style, so should your music!

Not so long ago, the “Wedding March” was one of the limited musical choices that brides had for coming down the aisle. Nowadays, many other wonderful classical melodies can be played to set the tone for your ceremony - from what have become “standards” for weddings, to more unconventional gems of the repertoire the average bride would not know about.

Another option for personalizing your ceremony is to incorporate more contemporary songs which can express even more intimate sentiments. Anything song that is dear to a couple can be selected - from jazz favorites, to Beatles classics, to movie themes, to Coldplay. With access to many fine classical musicians here in New York, you can select music that will be tailor-made to fit the vision of your special day.

Here are some tips you can use when selecting your ceremony music:

Selecting the right kind type of ensemble for the venue: Is string quartet the norm? Not necessarily - there are many different ensembles you can have, all of which depend on your personal taste, the kind of acoustics the venue has, and how many guests you are expecting. Having less than 130 guests? Then a trio would be fine (or a duo if under 80 guests). Having an outdoor wedding? Then a flute in the ensemble can really help to project sound across a grassy open space. There is a good chance that the vendor you are talking to may have played there before – so ask for their expert opinion on what has worked well and what has not in that space.

Know what kind of ensemble can play your repertoire: Vendors often supply brides with CD’s that have samples of the music they play. When listening to a sample CD, there are going to be instruments that you love hearing and others that you don’t care for. For me, it usually narrows down to the flute - some people love the flute with strings and/or harp, or they really prefer just a string sound. Expecting to have more contemporary repertoire played during your ceremony or cocktail hour? Then stick to ensembles with strings, flute and/or clarinet (unfortunately, jazz on harp doesn’t really work!). However, a harpist in addition to a quartet with strings and/or flute is truly gorgeous for a ceremony. Each vendor will have their own recommendations based on the musicians they are used to working with.

Choosing selections to fit your musical style: When you listen to any CDs you receive from potential vendors, keep a running list of songs you like, as well as a list of songs you don’t particularly care for. Whoever your music specialist is, they should be able to get a sense of what styles of music you like and dislike, and will help you decide which selections would be best for certain parts of the ceremony and cocktail hour. If you would like the ensemble to play a more obscure or contemporary piece that is not on their CD or repertoire lists, check with them anyway to see if they have it in their library. They should also have access to people who can arrange songs specifically for the ensemble you choose, if sheet music is not available.

Whether it is soft, romantic music, a march declaring the entrance of the bride, or the favorite song that you listen to on your home sound system everyday – your selections can both set the right mood for your guests and make you feel as beautiful as you look. Enjoy!

Jessica Meyer is owner and violist of Venus Ensembles, one of New York’s leading providers of the finest classical and jazz musicians to enhance your wedding day. Her training at Juilliard, combined with the experience of having planned and performed almost 1000 wedding ceremonies, enables her to provide expert and personalized guidance on musical options. Having been a recent bride herself, she realizes how important it is to have a personal Live Music Consultant to help you create the unique atmosphere you have always envisioned. The best part is, you can study a list of classic wedding music and hear samples in different combinations at: http://www.venusensembles.com/.

You can also reach Jessica at 877-888-3687.

Posted October 11, 2007 5:27 AM by Editor | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway

I had the honor of being a guest on The Joan Hamburg Show on WOR, out of New York, and was part of an exciting show on weddings. Joan invited leaders of the New York City wedding industry - cake maven Sylvia Weinstock, celebrity wedding planner Marcy Blum, editors of TheKnot.com among them -- and asked me to her be her guest on interfaith and non denominational weddings.

The show was taped live, with an audience, at Bridal Reflections at 286 Fifth Avenue, and airs this morning in the 9 AM to 11 AM time slot of The Joan Hamburg Show. You can also listen to it on line.

Joan is an amazing consumer reporter and interviewer and all-around lovely person. I was thrilled last year when she featured me as a leading non-denominational and interfaith minister in her book, City Weddings: A Guide to the Best Bridal Resources in New York, Long Island, Westchester, New Jersey & Connecticutt (Universe Publishing, 2006).

It was such a fun show. First of all, Bridal Reflections is an amazing bridal salon. It is an almost zen approach to bridal gowns, with a lovely waterfall outside the door before you even enter. Inside is so elegant, with some of the most scrumptious wedding gowns hanging beautifully on mannequins and elegantly displayed on racks.

The wedding industry is know for causing "snow blindness" and "white out" when brides go to bigger salons to shop. Bridal Reflections makes brides -- and everyone -- feel welcome and treats the eye to a truly beautiful bridal site. They hosted a loved reception for Joan's radio show. I met the owners. I can only image their service to brides is top notch and very RELAXING!

During the taping of Joan's show, two models came out between segments to model awesome wedding gowns, offering an informal bridal fashion show. I see A LOT of wedding dresses in my line of work but even I got excited by some of the gorgeous gowns at Bridal Reflections.

Check them out at www.bridalreflections.com

Visit Joan Hamburg at: http://wor710.com/pages/39665.php

Posted September 21, 2007 5:31 AM by Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Brooklyn Botanic Garden is a beautiful oasis of trees, flowers, and pastoral scenes—and the perfect place for a marriage ceremony.

Sehr Khandwala and Ashnil Dixit celebrated their love there this summer. Their marriage brought together two faiths - Muslim and Hindu - and joined two lovely families. One of the most beautiful sites -- other than bride and groom, of course -- were all the guests donned in gorgeous saris and the traditional garments of Pakistan and India.

The ceremony was a loving, non-denominational and nontraditional ceremony and the guests loved it. Many had never seen quite a ceremony, since those in India and Pakistan are usually done in quite a different manner. It took place in a beautiful green meadow. Truly an awesome site.

A reception followed by the two lotus ponds which are home to dozes of different varieties of Nelumbo nucifera - the formal name for these sacred water lillies. Then it was dinner in gorgeous the Palm House (best service, yummy food!).

Brides and groom have a wonderful experience at this venue, especially with a catered affair.

For smaller groups of guests and for brides and grooms who just want to enjoy the environment, try
the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden, with its magical mirror-like waterscapes, cloud-pruned maples, and waterfalls or the Cranford Rose Garden, where thousands upon thousands of fragrant roses bloom in summertime. These areas are available on a limited basis (usually outdoor weddings at 9 am on Saturdays before the Botanic Garden opens for visitors).

For more information contact: http://www.bbg.org/vis2/weddings.html

Posted September 17, 2007 8:48 AM by Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Brides are always asking me for the best hair and make up vendor in New York City. I can wholeheartedly recommend Once Upon a Bride. This is a company that is truly devoted to the inner and outer radiance of brides on the wedding day.

Proprietress Stacey Lyn Weinstein is not only a walking advertisement for her good work, she is a very caring person. Her specialty is hair and hair designs. She has a staff of make up artists and other hair professionals who work like busy bees throughout the wedding season.

One of her makeup wizards did the make up for my wedding three years ago and even persuaded me to wear false eye lashes, for better photos. It worked!

I still get my hair cut at Stacey's salon, Violet, at 296 Elizabeth Street in NYC so I often get to see her and the staff doing pre-wedding bridal consultations. Wow... I didn't realize it sometimes takes a village to figure out what will make you look best on your wedding day.

Between Stacey, her staff, Mom of the bride and assorted sisters and bridesmaids, there is a lot that goes into deciding on your bridal hairdo! You can reach Stacey at the Salon at 212-353-2350. Check out the website at www.ouab.com. Stacey will be sharing some of her beauty tips with Wedlok.com readers in weeks to come.

Posted September 12, 2007 6:25 AM by Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

By Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway

Rachel Leanza and Sanith Wijesinghe were married in a unique wedding ceremony Oak Ridge House at Forest Park, Queens June 9. We just got photos so we are sharing them now.

The bride is American and groom comes from Sri Lanka. She is a teacher and singer and her entire family is musical. One of her sisters and cousins sang at the wedding and the bride serenaded the groom at the reception.

Turns out his family is musical too - his Mom and dad surprised everyone by singing a Sri Lankan wedding song as a humorous video played!

In the ceremony, we included several special blessings from the Sri Lankan tradition. The family Candle lighting ceremony -- in which parents and bride and groom light oil candles on a tall, temple-size brass lamp to symbolize the joining of families on the wedding day. His Mom made sure those candles got lit!

We also did the famous Sri Lankan string ceremony. For this I had an assist from the grooms Dad and Sister.

Continue reading "Traditions from Sri Lanka Highlight Ceremony in NYC" »

Posted September 11, 2007 6:03 PM by Editor | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Bethesda Terrace in Central Park was hopping on September 1 when Shari Fox and Michael Laval said their "I Dos" before a crowd of hundreds.

They only had about 20 guests, but the area was filled with characters lounging by the perimeter of one of the most famous and beautiful fountains (the one with the big angel) in Central Park and wandering around the area.

I spoted three separate processionals of young girls dressed like colorful mini brides, escorted around the fountain by at least 8 uniformed men each. They were celebrating a custom many Latina girls will follow when they turn 15 called The "quinceanera" and posing for photos like crazy. Off to the side I could see a big man dressed like a wizard. Not to mention the 75 to 100 people seated on the huge, long, majestic staircase to the left, watching the break dancing team that is there every Saturday.

Continue reading "Thoth of "America's Got Talent" Serenades Central Park Wedding Couple" »

Posted September 3, 2007 11:54 PM by Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

A busy Labor Day weekend began in New York City yesterday, with couples flying in from around the world to get hitched in the Big Apple.

Lindsay Purvis and Robert Buckingham of Tyne & Wear, England, tied the knot yesterday in Shakespeare Garden in Central Park. They exchanged vows beneath the shade of the trees that surround the ancient sundial at the top of the garden's hill.

The bride looked gorgeous in a silk gown fit for the Academy Awards and the groom looked terrific in Hugo Boss. Although he doesn't like to be reminded, he looks A LOT like Freddy Prinze, Jr. -- but even more handsome!

Continue reading "Lindsay and Rob Say "I Do" In Central Park" »

Posted September 1, 2007 9:40 AM by Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

It was a bright sunny day in the the Central Park Conservatory Gardens when Emily Riedman, 26, and Tim Walkiewicz, 31, said their "I dos."

They married in the North Terrace of the beautiful garden, which is one of Central Park's most extraordinary wedding ceremony venues.

Emily is an art teacher and Tim is an artist, so the creative couple had a loving, nontraditional ceremony, surrounded by dear friends and family. They felt that New York City and Central Park have played and important part in their relationship and they wanted to express their love in a place that uniquely represents the city they love.

One of their wedding readings included this Buddhist Wedding Prayer by Lama Thubten Yeshe. It captured the essence of the promises they made on their wedding day.

Today we promise to dedicate ourselves completely to each other, with body, speech, and mind.

In this life, in every situation, in wealth or poverty, in health or sickness, in happiness or difficulty, we will work to help each other perfectly.

The purpose of our relationship will be to attain enlightenment by perfecting our kindness and compassion toward all sentient beings.

The New York Post covered their wedding so you can read more in the online edition.

Posted July 15, 2007 11:19 AM by Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Getting married in New York City? Congratulations!

Any couple getting married in NYC must have a valid marriage licence issued within the State of New York. You can attain the license anywhere in the state, and it is only valid in New York State.

A New York State Marriage License remains valid for up to 60 days, and you must have it in hand for no less than 24 hours before your ceremony can be performed.

Try not to stress yourself by leaving it until the last minute if you can avoid it ... but if you are coming from out of town to get married and will have limited time before your ceremony, please make sure the Clerk's Office is open on the days before your wedding. (They close on weekends and for some holidays).

Here is some information on how to get your marriage license from the New York City Clerk's Office, which has five offices in the boroughs of NYC.

Continue reading "How to Get Your Marriage License in New York City" »

Posted July 6, 2007 6:53 AM by Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Another thing you need to know about New York City is not to schedule a wedding that will require people to hail cabs between 4PM and 5:30 PM - especially on a Friday.

It is rare to find an available cab at that time on most week days. On Friday, it takes a miracle. And If you have to go from Manhattan to Brooklyn, you can pretty much fuhgetaboutit.

Cab drivers in the City typically must bring their cabs back to the garage by 5 PM so that the new shift of drivers can begin. Most of the garages are in Queens. The last place cab drivers want to go is into Brooklyn bound traffic.

A wonderful couple asked me to marry them tonight at the amazing Giando on the Water in Williamsburg Brooklyn. I had never been there and was coming from a meeting in Manhattan. My regular car service could not get me and all others were booked so I braved it on the streets searching for a yellow cab with it's light on (means it is available). There were none. After a half hour, I began to panic.

Continue reading "Ellsworth Forrester - Music and A Miracle" »

Posted June 29, 2007 9:19 PM by Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

By Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway

I have one bit of advice for anyone getting married in Central Park in the summer months. Get a permit if your are thinking of tying the knot in the Shakespeare Garden!

I offciated the wedding of the lovely Gillian Waddell, a biomedical scientist, and Derek Sword, a systems officer, from Dundee Scotland there last Friday, June 22. They flew in for a small and romantic ceremony in New York's glorious Central Park. We'd planned it for months but since it is not required to have a permit for groups less than 20 we didn't think we would need one.

When we arrived we discovered an entire camera crew doing a photo shoot right at the Sundial where the couple wanted to have the ceremony -- and they had a permit to use the area!

The Sundial is in a lovely little cove in the center of the spectacular Shakespeare Garden, which is located the equivalent of a two block walk in from Central Park West, at 79th Street. The whole garden is so well kept, that many people love to get married there, as well as have special events. On a Friday in the summer, it is also brimming with school children and tourists who love to walk up the floral path and investigate the little nooks and crannies. Not surprisingly, it is a favorite locale of many couples who come here to marry from England, Ireland and Scotland.

On Gillian and Derek's wedding day, Not only was there a fashion shoot going on, there were 80 people on treasure hunt, and one of their spots was the Sundial. They kept arriving in groups of four to investigate it.

But love was in the air so everyone in the Garden cooperated long enough for me to officate the wedding and for photographer Ben Asen to get the shots. The fashion photographer, his crew and models stopped work to witness the wedding! In fact, everyone stopped to witness.

Continue reading "A Celtic Wedding In New York's Shakespeare Garden" »

Posted June 28, 2007 9:19 AM by Editor | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

WE, the Women's Entertainment Network, has found a sweet little enterprise in their Bridezilla show. Its doing well and it keep on going, delighting audiences with episodes of brides getting cranky, loud and sometimes abusive with everyone in their midst.

Every wedding season, WE trots out a new way to hype their show by challenging real brides to make themselves look like total bafoons.

This year, there was a $25,000 jackpot dangling at the end of a gross wedding cake eating competition. That's the cost of the average US wedding these days, so you can see why some budget-minded brides might consider making fools out of themselves.

Real brides in beautiful wedding dresses stood before a small mountain of little blue and white wedding cakes and stuffed in as much as they could, as quickly as they could, as the cameras rolled at the Times Square event in Manhattan.

Stephanie Florio, of Sayville, N.Y, was the winner according to the NY Daily news, which ran a gallery of photos today.

The cakefest promoted the upcoming season of Bridezillas and gave Bride-to-be Stephanie and her intended some extra wedding spending cash. But it is just another slam on brides and weddings, showing brides in a gross and unbecoming light.

Posted June 24, 2007 5:00 PM by Editor | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This