Brooklynites Jessica and Brian came to Forest Hills, Queens for their wedding ceremony in search of an inexpensive, yet creative option for their wedding. They married on Friday the 13th in an old movie theater (Cinemart Theater) with family and friends surrounding them with tons of warm support. They requested a “sweet and simple” civil ceremony with a dash of dignified quirkiness. While their vows were the tried and true traditional ones — Do you take N. as your lawfully wedded husband/wife to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness, in health, and to love, honor, and cherish for all the days of your life? — I did integrate a bit of fun and humor. As a surprise and in honor of their daughter, I added a passage by Dr. Seuss. Afterwards, they celebrated at neighboring Theater Cafe, a very cute, if no-frills, restaurant on Metropolitan Avenue.
For those not familiar with the Forest Hills-Kew Gardens neighborhoods, know that these are older, “urban villages” in Queens with beautiful homes. Although Kew Gardens has few restaurants, Forest Hills has some, such as Theater Cafe, Danny’s Wine Bar, and My Kitchen. If you travel a bit more towards Williamsburg on Metropolitan Avenue, you’ll come accross Uvarara (a wine bar) among others.
Our best kept secrets are our two old movie theaters that feature independent movies. Built in the 1920s, Cinemart Theater is a simply adorned, yet cozy theater that offers inexpensive rentals ($200 or so). Kew Garden’s Cinema is definitely more classy, but more expensive ($500) with more limited hours (full theater rentals in the morning only). Both are fabulously off-beat wedding ceremony sites, especially for those who prefer an indoor wedding and are on a budget.
Hi Judie,
Jessica
Wedding Officiant in NYC and the Hudson Valley 