​TI know, I know, it's Tuesday but time flies in January!  We did a fabulous wedding this weekend; the setting? The definition of 'fabulous'...the Pleasantdale Chateau in West Orange NJ.  It is one of the iconic settings for celebrations of all kinds, but 'fairytale wedding' comes to mind immediately as you enter through the gates and discover the secluded estate.  It really is magical and all the creative details they tuck into their weddings make every event memorable, grand but somehow intimate all at the same time.  Much of this magic can be traced right back to Fred Fogg, who oversees a warm and professional staff. 

It is an almost overwhelming  (in a fabulous way!) but there were two details from the cocktail hour that really set the tone for a delicious and exciting evening ahead!

Wait for it.....a Moscow Mule Bar!  Fully customizable  with different flavors and served in those adorable copper mugs.  Genius!  It's a stylish, trendy drink, the mugs are wintery and cute and judging from the number of people happily mingling with mugs in their hands, it was a giant hit! 

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Happy Monday!  Today, we're going to talk about kids.  Many of my couples have children and they wonder how to include them in the wedding ceremony in ways that are fun for them and the guests but also comfortable for the children.  Of course, having them walk down the aisle  (as flower girls and ring bearers if they're young; escorting the brides or grooms down the aisle), maybe including an appropriate simple reading if they're willing and not too terrified.  (I always have a back up reader, which is usually me, just in case!)
 
One of the other popular ceremony elements is the sand ceremony, and this works beautifully for families with several children of ranging ages.   Your NJ wedding officiant (okay, your any-state wedding officiant, lol) can help you decide on the colors for each of you to pour.  You might choose colors that match your home, your ceremony or pick colors that match your personalities, since each of you will bring distinct points of views to the family!  My lovely couple last weekend is expecting, and since we don't know what that child's personality will be, we DO know that they  will be another jewel in the family. We added a little charm to represent them!

I also tell my couples to give the family vessel a little shake every year on their wedding anniversary. The pattern they created on their wedding day will evolve every year, just as their family will!

And don't worry if there is sand everywhere....life is messy!  

We love weddings!  (And my team of wedding ministers does a LOT of weddings in NJ, NY, and PA so we get to see a LOT of great ideas).  We have a chat session after our weekends, so I thought, why not share some of the ideas with you?   So here we go! On NYE day!

I had a chance to celebrate the new year  at the fabulous Palace at Somerset Park, and what a  fantastic way to start a new year and a new journey.  My couple incorporated their personal history into the ceremony; they are both adventurers, (in the truest sense of the word), with a love of Forumula One Racing and Disney!  They are enthusiastic travelers and they love all things Disney (what a good combination)!  They plan to visit EVERY Disney park on the planet and it's no surprise that their honeymoon will kick things off in California's iconic park.  (They started off with a bang; their first trip together was to the Disney park in Hong Kong!)  

I loved touches of heritage they added to the wedding; during cocktail hour, the bride reappeared in a stunning red dress (very traditional for Chinese brides) but the surprise?  The groom had a dinner jacket made from the same embroidered satin!  Very chic and a lovely way to incorporate history into their future.  (The scrumptious dim sum at the cocktail hour was a nice touch too!)

What to take away?  Don't shy away from including YOU in your wedding!  Whether it's 'hidden Mickeys", a taste of your heritage or a ceremony that includes your personal journey, every little detail will give your guests a little window into your partnership.