Judie L. Guild. NY Registration #77862. NewYorkOfficiant@gmail.com.
Indoor Weddings
It was raining cats & dogs and lions & tigers & bears
J+A wanted to marry on the Brooklyn Bridge. I wanted to marry j+A on the Brooklyn Bridge. And Liam wanted to photograph J+A on the Brooklyn Bridge and throughout DUMBO. After all, the groom wore a kilt, and the bride lovingly made her dress. They were so sweet and so cute. The forecast suggested the […]
MoreTiny marriage ceremony in a hotel suite
Small ceremonies in hotel suites are great alternatives for those who prefer a private service away from prying eyes. They are also fantastic during cold or steamy hot temperatures, as well as when rain cascades. A+S married in the New York Palace. The Waldorf-Astoria and Roosevelt Hotels also offer lovely suites and beautiful niches throughout […]
MoreSophisticated and Relaxed Home Wedding Ceremony
T+T are an elegant pair. They planned to marry in Battery Park on the Esplanande until cold and rain deterred these plans. Fortunately, they lived nearby. When I casually inquired about what the rest of their wedding day would hold, the groom replied “dinner and a trip to get some M&Ms in the evening.” The […]
MoreA Perfect Marriage Ceremony in Long Island’s Westbury Manor
I’ve written this before: I really love Westbury Manor. When I officiated a brunch wedding ceremony for two beautiful women there just a few hours ago, I felt as though I married them in a cozy, classically decorated, and immaculate home. Retro paintings or prints hang in wooden frames. Pretty (non-plasticy) flowers abound. Apple cider […]
MoreIntimate Marriage Ceremony at Eleven Madison Park Restaurant
Eleven Madison Park Restaurant keeps the nicest staff. They are smart, sophisticated, and gracious hosts. Perhaps the employees are commendable because their employers allocate nearly every Sunday as a day-of-rest. Truly, this restaurant understands that if you make your staff happy, they will be gentler towards patrons. Besides the joy of the personnel, my couple […]
MoreWedding Ceremony in the Green Building, Brooklyn
Where do a secret speakeasy style lounge, a cavernous feeling, dilapidated warehouse, and charm combine? At the Green Building, of course! It is a darkish, romantic “raw space” with a funky back-room area that represents the welding together of refinement and urban grittiness. My couple even brought along their dog for photos, although he didn’t […]
MoreFamily gets married in an elegant ceremony at Grand Central
Judie, Sorry it took me so long to reply, our computer was broken and I could only see the pics from my phone. We absolutely love them!! We are very happy with how they came out and are so excited to have them. You and Liam did a great job with everything and are very […]
MoreTop of the Rock Wedding Ceremony
I could stare at this couple all day long; they are so pretty inside and out!!! Melanie and John’s love story offers reminders to take advantage of every possible opportunity. In May 2009, Melanie rushed to Nissan to have her car serviced on a lunch break. John insisted she slow down long enough to receive […]
MoreSmall Wedding Ceremony in the Merchant House Museum
With excitement, I genuinely anticipated the lovely simplicity of this intimate ceremony in the Merchant House Museum for many moons. The Merchant House Museum is a cozy venue for a winter wedding. With a few understandably strict policies, it is not for everyone. But it’s perfect for those who prefer to feel as though they […]
MoreGuerrilla wedding on the steps of a church
Eight hundred years ago, couples did not marry inside the church. They exchanged brief vows in the present tense at the church doors. Then they ventured inside for mass–the sermon, communion, and blessing. This lovely couple, who planned a quick weekend elopement or destination wedding from afar, did nearly the same thing. In a civil […]
MoreA personal prelude for ceremony in a Brooklyn home
Connected by a common passion for using unions to achieve a more inclusive society, Shaun and Kate met in a Chicago cafe last (last) August. A national union organizing director, Shaun was swooping in to help her small school union solidify its campaign. Kate noticed Shaun’s trademark fedora with a smile and felt a spark. […]
MoreRenaissance Hotel 57 Wedding Ceremony
Curiously, despite officiating 500 weddings or so at this point, I had yet to be one of those celebrants who presided over a ceremony with an enormous wedding party with lots and lots of attendants. My very sweet and warm gay couple last night, though, forever altered that record. Nineteen of their closest family and […]
MoreScottadito Osteria Toscana (Brooklyn restaurant wedding)
Scottadito Osteria Toscana offers a warm, inviting atmosphere for an intimate ceremony in a restaurant. Located in Park Slope, it is a family friendly place: no one will feel uncomfortable here. My couple had what I consider to be a “perfect small wedding” there. The flowers–gorgeous. The bride–gorgeous in lace; the groom too! The violinist […]
MoreOne if by Land, Two if by Sea (Manhattan restaurant wedding)
I really like this restaurant for small weddings, perhaps 20-65. So did my couple yesterday. The soft ambiance is wonderful; the brick, slightly odd room shapes, high ceilings, and fireplaces really feel “classic New York.” According to my groom, if you have a wedding with fifty guests, you can have the entire restaurant, which includes […]
MoreThe warmth of home weddings
I think this photo reflects the sweet intimacy of a home wedding far more than my words. Most of my destination weddings take place with a glamorous NYC backdrop. But not all. A few weeks ago, I helped tie the knot for a couple who rented a brownstone in Park Slope and recited vows with […]
MoreA happy ending in Grand Central
Linda and Hunter met twenty years ago in college. Together for three very intense months, youthful self-involvement and worries about marrying at such tender ages compelled each to pursue separate dreams. Both ventured onwards to enjoy mostly fabulous lives. Hunter helped raise a son, and Linda’s career paths took her to fashion, Prague, and magazine […]
MoreTo upstate NY’s Mount Merino does this NYC celebrant go
Y+D, Match.com linked you in time and space. But you connected in the same way as long, lost friends do and fell in love in the same way as teen-agers do. You did not think it possible to suffer from “bouts of love arrhythmia and insomia” as adults, but you did—and continue to do so. […]
MoreGetting married in a restaurant encircled by family in Queens
Here are some photos from a wedding ceremony held in Trattoria L Incontro, located in Astoria, Queens. Hi Judie, Liam, I would like to Thank you for a wonderful ceremony, even with all the rain and stress of the big day our wedding turned out truly delightful. Thank you for accommodating all the changes and being […]
MoreQuick Sampling of Ceremony Sites from July 2011
While waiting for my job to officially commence, I managed to sneak a few photos of *some* locations to which I’ve traveled using an “ancient” 35mm Minolta. Yes, that’s a film/analog camera. Please pardon the dusty scans. Having performed twenty-eight weddings in July and now working through my thirty-three weddings this August, I think you’ll […]
MoreManhattan Penthouse Ceremony
Presiding over ceremonies in very cool lofts is certainly a perk of this job. The Manhattan Penthouse at Fifth Avenue and 14th Street is no exception. The view is nice, but the simple elegance and location sets the space apart from others. Here is the prelude to my couple’s ceremony last night: This pair met […]
MoreFrom the New York Palace to Central Park: Classy Destination Wedding
This is the reading they selected: “I Will Be Here” by Steven Curtis Chapman: If in the morning when you wake, if the sun does not appear–I will be here. If in the dark we lose sight of love, hold my hand and have no fear–I will be here. I will be here when you […]
MoreIntercultural Ceremony at Sunset Terrace, Chelsea Piers
As a marriage celebrant, I enjoy the best view of the couple during their ceremony and stellar landscape views. The Sunset Terrace overlooks the Hudson River at Pier 61 of the Chelsea Piers. Unlike other lofts (such as RamScale or the Glasshouses), Sunset Terrace not only sits right next to the Hudson; one could take […]
MoreMarriage Ceremony at Grand Central (Bonus: wedding photos in Tudor City Gardens)
J+J are wise. They wanted a true elopement: in fact, when the bride saw someone she knew in Grand Central, she darted back up the stairs until the groom conveyed to their friend with a little white lie and the friend left. (Yes, “for real.”) Grand Central was a natural choice: they danced for the […]
MoreElite Palace Ceremony
If you read this blog, you know my forehead crinkles in response to the concept of the catering hall wedding. Visions of dated colors and mirrored ceilings flash through my memory. I’ve encountered a few very nice reception halls, though, such as the Westbury Manor and Swan Club. But those are in Nassau County. Until […]
MoreStudio Square Wedding Ceremony
Located in Long Island City, Studio Square is fast becoming the site of choice for couples planning an intimate, modern wedding ceremony. I entered in freight elevator powered by a human to a glossy loft space with a cute outdoor patio. And smiled when I saw the heart place holders decorating the table where D+C […]
MoreOfficiating at a Loft with a View
L+B married in the fun Manhattan loft of RamScale. They opted for a standard ceremony, but requested I integrate two quotes they liked. I wove them into a new mini prelude, which is below. Every urbanite has witnessed lovers lost in themselves on a train. They gaze adoringly and kiss without care. Delightfully unaware of […]
MoreHip Brooklyn Wedding Ceremony at Linger Lounge
EXCERPT FROM THEIR CEREMONY: You have requested I read a special piece entitled “A Parable” by Maynard James Keenan, which best captures your love: “We barely remember who or what came before this precious moment. We are choosing to be here right now, hold on, stay inside this holy reality, this holy experience. Twirling round […]
MoreSnug Harbor Wedding Ceremony
The Snug Harbor Cultural Center is among the places I often recommend to my couples: it is perfect for elopements, intimate weddings, and large weddings alike. Why? Its diversity! When a couple invited me to officiate their ceremony in the Chinese Scholar Garden, I came early to snap a few shots (more are in the […]
MoreSwan Club, Long Island Wedding Ceremony
I am definitely appending the Swan Club in Roslyn, Long Island to the list of catering / reception halls in which I sincerely enjoy officiating! The Swan Club is part of an older Spanish-esque designed estate overlooking or adjacent to a tiny inlet that gives way to the Long Island Sound. The specially designated ceremony […]
MoreWestbury Manor Wedding (+breaking of the glass texts)
I tend to view reception or catering halls as “evil necessities.” They hold lots of people and are cheaper than hotel and historical landmarks. Except the Westbury Manor. If I ever had to plan an affair on Long Island with 100 – 120 guests or less, I would choose this beautiful location. I had the […]
MoreEloping at NYC Museums (winter wedding ideas)
The temperature is now dipping below thirty degrees here in NYC. In January, many days are likely to be in the teens, especially with the windshield factor. February too is typically very cold. I’ve put a bit of a moratorium of booking any weddings outside between January 2nd through February/early March. In some cases, I […]
MoreLimerick Wedding Vows & a Surprise Wedding in Brooklyn
Vann and Julie met about two years ago a mere two weeks before Vann returned home to England. In those two weeks, their attraction and friendship solidified. Julie willingness to brave a week in icy British weather to visit Vann further revealed the intensity of their connection. Vann returned to NYC and soon moved into […]
MoreNewspaper Announcements (Service by Humanist Minister)
A local newspaper recently published a wedding announcement for one of my couples. To some, this may seem an outdated practice. I agree that it is old-fashioned. But I also think it’s quite sweet and links the couple to their community. Please click here to read it.
MoreSlide-show Wedding Ceremony at Manhattan Loft
RamScale is a wedding venue on West Street with stellar views of the Hudson River, the Jersey shoreline, Manhattan Rooftops, and even Lady Liberty. There, K + T married before about forty loved ones in a most atypical ceremony. They put together a fabulously animated and humorously narrated multimedia slide-show with photos, video, and music […]
MoreAlmost Autumn Wedding at the Queens Botanical Garden
I’ve professed love for the Queens Botanical Gardens before in warm weather with not a drop of rain. I’ll do so again today because raindrops plummeted from the sky on Sunday. At the QBG, couples have two choices in rainy weather. They can move the ceremony completely inside into the green auditorium. Or they can […]
More“W” Hotel Wedding Ceremony (Union Square)
I adore officiating weddings in the “W” Hotel (Westin Hotel) at Union Square. John, the banquet manager, is a great guy. The staff is both friendly and perfectly able to orchestrate a wedding. And, most of all, I love the acoustics in the classically designed ballroom. I find that a microphone acts as an invisible […]
MoreIntercultural Wedding at Terrace on the Park
Referrals are always a joy. I married Shirvahna and Petr in July 2008 at the “W” Hotel with David Burton as the photographer. It was such a memorable wedding that David still recalled it with great warmth as we chatted before Shrivahna’s cousin’s wedding at an iconic Queens location that once hosted the World’s Fair […]
MoreQueens Botanical Garden Wedding
I’ve officiated at weddings in the Queens Botanical Garden a number of times. I admit that the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens and the Snug Harbor Cultural Center are possibly more romantic and intriguing for photos. Yet the QBG is convenient, has a friendlier staff, and is more democratic when it comes to weddings. Yes, it is […]
MoreRoosevelt Hotel Wedding
I met Ann and Joe of Nova Scotia for the first time on their wedding day. Having spoken to Ann on the phone, I knew we would get along easily. Together for years, they decided to exchange wedding vows and secure the public record (the marriage license) to make their union “official.” Given the prospect […]
MoreWedding at NYC Historic Site
The Old Stone House is a great site for a small wedding in any season. It’s not alone, the Voekler Oth House in Queens and the Merchant House in Manhattan are wonderful alternatives. Getting married in a historic site in New York is ideal for those, like me, who love the warmth of more intimate […]
MoreElegant Glen Island Harbor Club Wedding
Imagine: A cozy waiting area for your guests. Clean bathrooms — and plenty of them. Soft colors in ivory/cream-ish, beige, and dashes of greens and pinks on the carpeting (not that tacky over-done carpeting with bright gold and pink). A huge, tall room with windows on three sides that can seat 200 guests comfortably and […]
MoreTie the Knot on a Boat!
Felice and Graeme married on the bow of the Lucille at East 23rd Street and FDR Drive as about forty or fifty guests watched and cheered from the pier and twenty or thirty family members surrounded them on the boat’s front deck. A writer and phycisist respectively, this intercultural couple thoughtfully placed phycisist textbooks in […]
MoreWedding Ceremony in a Theater! (+thank you note)
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 […]
MoreQueens County Farm Wedding
The Queens County Farm is a brilliant choice for any nature-loving, local couple. It is cozy, quaint, and affordable. Lindsay and Rick needed few decorations: they used fresh-cut flowers, including daisies, in classic jar bottles, some candles that will surely flicker beautifully against old-fashioned lead windows, and gave their guests hot sauce, which perfectly matched […]
MoreElegant Wedding at The Glass Houses
Some four or five years ago, Liam (spouse-to-be then) and I were wandering around the galleries in Chelsea. Having drank too much coffee to try to get rid of a headache induced by teaching six classes at various New York colleges at the time, I really needed to find a restroom. We came across one […]
MoreBlue Hill at Stone Barns Wedding
I am totally in love with this site. Tucked away in Westchester — but conveniently only a ten minute taxi drive from the Tarrytown Metro North stop — Blue Hill is a restaurant situated on a farm. A real farm. A very picturesque farm. And a farm that yields much of the food served in […]
MoreAlger House Wedding
Down-to-earth Traci and Dave secured my services back in March. When I met them, I knew we were likely to be a great match. They selected the Alger House as their ceremony and reception site. For those not familiar with it, the Alger House is a townhouse/brownstone renovated to service various events, including weddings. I […]
MoreFrom The Plaza to Central Park
Eric and Maria were unsure as to where to have their wedding ceremony in Central Park, which is why I had the pleasure of meeting them in The Plaza. The Plaza is a lovely, classic hotel very conveniently located near the southern end of Central Park. As “recovering Catholics,” they wanted a spiritual, yet non-religious […]
MoreTop of the Rock Wedding
William proposed to Heather about one year ago at Top of the Rock. Throughout the past year, they considered approximately twelve wedding plans, including running to Vegas to elope, which they rejected for its overt showiness and, well, inelegance. Finally — or so they thought — they decided to simply go to their local courthouse […]
MoreChateau Briand Wedding
If you are inviting lots of guests who are traveling from both NYC and Long Island, the Chateau Briand should probably be on your list for possible sites. It’s close to the LIRR (walking distance!) and has a nice outdoor space complete with television screens. Most probably know that I am not personally inclined towards […]
MoreRitz-Carlton Hotel Wedding (Battery Park)
A small wedding need not be held at home or in a public park. Some couples, like Danielle and Lee, dream of a small wedding in a beautiful location. Since their ceremony highlighted the virtues and joys of friendship, it was most appropriate that their most cherished friends and family celebrated with them. In fact, […]
MoreSmall Wedding at The Loading Dock (Brooklyn)
I know that many of my couples read this blog not only to review my work. They also review ideas. Here is one: rather than a park, garden, or formal hotel affair, consider a “dinner party” wedding! Actually, many of couples who are more mature in years select this route. Kevin and Nina married at […]
MoreSt. Paul’s Chapel Wedding
Cindy and James contacted me in the winter. I was – am – thrilled they soon enlisted my services for their wedding. (Note to future couples: some dates are exceptionally popular for weddings: for June 5th, I received seven firm requests and had to decline all but one other couple who requested me as their […]
MoreTribecca Rooftop Wedding
Alaska native Allie and New Jersey native Vilas married on Sunday, May 23, 2010 only a few minutes before the sun cast brilliantly colorful rays across the Tribecca Rooftop and throughout the loft area where about 150 guests relaxed and mingled after the ceremony. Like many intercultural couples today, so-called cultural barriers are essentially non-existent […]
MoreEarly 2010 Weddings
Here are some scans of photos from some of my weddings and elopements in early 2010. The count so far this year is already 35! Susannah & Steven’s elegant, traditional civil ceremony at the New York Palace Aruni and Mike’s Sri Lankan + Jewish intercultural ceremony at Bargemusic Lila and Jake’s whimsical “Dr. Seuss” Central […]
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