About 2000 Lovingly Officiated Weddings by Judie L. Guild. NY Registration #77862. JudieGuild@outlook.com.
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 […]
MoreThis 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 […]
MoreAs 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 […]
MoreJ+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 […]
MoreIf 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 […]
MoreLocated 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 […]
MoreL+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 […]
MoreEXCERPT 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 […]
MoreThe 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 […]
MoreI 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 […]
MoreI 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 […]
MoreThe 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 […]
MoreVann 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 […]
MoreA 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.
MoreRamScale 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 […]
MoreI’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 […]
MoreI 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 […]
MoreReferrals 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 […]
MoreI’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 […]
MoreI 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 […]
MoreThe 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 […]
MoreImagine: 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 […]
MoreFelice 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 […]
MoreBrooklynites 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 […]
MoreThe 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 […]
MoreSome 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 […]
MoreI 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 […]
MoreDown-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 […]
MoreEric 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 […]
MoreWilliam 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 […]
MoreIf 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 […]
MoreA 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, […]
MoreI 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 […]
MoreCindy 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 […]
MoreAlaska 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 […]
MoreHere 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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Wedding Officiant in NYC and the Hudson Valley 