tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71560703382367333462024-03-06T03:19:03.774-05:00Alisa Tongg Celebrant BlogStories and Inspiration For Ceremonies and Meaningful RitualsAlisaTonggCelebranthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10641909328520358283noreply@blogger.comBlogger87125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7156070338236733346.post-23445522800136211582021-03-02T08:01:00.001-05:002021-03-02T08:01:54.632-05:00Get Married For Free at River House at Odette’s in New Hope<h2 style="text-align: left;">Equal Dignity Pop-up Nuptials is getting the band back together to provide Free wedding ceremonies for ALL, especially those who are concerned about their right to marriage equality, hosted at River House at Odette’s in New Hope.</h2><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOHEoj_x915ktW97Cn_zzEftLggRfQqAjOomy7SG4gMh-HkGK6PBVL_tgtm7PXOGbQZCItnCYidjPCv-awvRo8x0nHGNYwj62e659fCjdcIlJlO3QYJamMvCnycb62-aLMcalqKWtLaF-h/s1351/EDPUN+white.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1351" data-original-width="1075" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOHEoj_x915ktW97Cn_zzEftLggRfQqAjOomy7SG4gMh-HkGK6PBVL_tgtm7PXOGbQZCItnCYidjPCv-awvRo8x0nHGNYwj62e659fCjdcIlJlO3QYJamMvCnycb62-aLMcalqKWtLaF-h/w510-h640/EDPUN+white.JPG" width="510" /></a></div><br />Sunday March 21, 2021 (that’s 3-21-21) for those who like the number 3, and are looking for an anniversary date that is easy to remember!<br /><a href="https://www.equaldignitypopupnuptials.com/" target="_blank"><br />Equal Dignity Pop-up Nuptials</a> celebrates all families joining with affirming, LGBTQIA+ inclusive, free civil ceremonies. Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania’s top wedding industry vendors donate time and services to give couples a big-budget marriage ceremony at no cost.<p></p><p>Celebrants <a href="http://alisatonggcelebrant.com/">Alisa Tongg</a>, <a href="https://www.cynthiamanchester.com/" target="_blank">Cynthia Manchester</a> and <a href="https://lehighvalleycelebrants.com/">Donna Forsythe</a> will be officiating the civil wedding ceremonies for free to all couples on a first come, first joined in marriage basis, Sunday March 21, 2021 at the <a href="https://www.riverhousenewhope.com/">River House at Odette’s</a> in New Hope, Pennsylvania. Marriers are encouraged to bring their own witnesses, vows, rings, glass to stomp, broom to jump or other wedding ceremony tradition. </p><p>The March 21st event will be the second for Equal Dignity Pop-up Nuptials, powered by the local wedding community and volunteers representing several floral companies, photographers, live musicians, venues, officiants, hair and make-up artists, a cake shop and event planning agencies. The inaugural Equal Dignity Pop-up Nuptials event married six couples over the 2020 Thanksgiving weekend. River House at Odette’s has put together special packages for dinner and overnight stays for those who want to extend their celebration on property for the March 21st event! </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHYTcu2MIBO7nX5QJQlobIe3_5oBAls9jLoiVR-hK3b2_Uak92KXWCXK_FU495FEP82F6yd3uziyoi82IiUphnUOFXaNsr0V96nnPrgdBgpDMIxSqKpzRFBVr_eRdWZhXeP6JRG-Bx8NCO/s2048/Alison+Conklin%252C+Equal+Dignity+Pop-up+Nuptials.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHYTcu2MIBO7nX5QJQlobIe3_5oBAls9jLoiVR-hK3b2_Uak92KXWCXK_FU495FEP82F6yd3uziyoi82IiUphnUOFXaNsr0V96nnPrgdBgpDMIxSqKpzRFBVr_eRdWZhXeP6JRG-Bx8NCO/w300-h400/Alison+Conklin%252C+Equal+Dignity+Pop-up+Nuptials.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />Couples who wish to participate in the free civil ceremonies at River House at Odette’s, may bring up to 8 witnesses with them and are encouraged to pre-register for a time slot. <p></p><p><a href="https://www.equaldignitypopupnuptials.com/">https://www.equaldignitypopupnuptials.com/</a> Those who prefer to walk-in will be married on a first come first served basis. </p><p><br />PENNSYLVANIA MARRIAGE LICENSES<br />Pennsylvania requires a three-day wait to issue a marriage license. Information about how requirements and locations a marriage license may be applied for and obtained may be found at: http://www.usmarriagelaws.com/search/united_states/pennsylvania/<br /><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Equal Dignity Pop-up Nuptials Sunday, March 21, 2021<br />Free Civil Ceremonies Officiated by Celebrants Alisa Tongg, Cynthia Manchester and Donna Forsythe<br />-One Day Only-<br />First come, first joined in marriage<br />River House at Odette’s<br />New Hope, Pennsylvania</b><br /></p><p><br />All couples invited. Must present a valid PA marriage license.<br />BYO: witnesses, vows, rings, glass to stomp, broom to jump or other wedding ceremony tradition. <br /></p><p><a href="https://www.equaldignitypopupnuptials.com/ " target="_blank">Pre-register here</a><br /><br /><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvw6n3f4ZBmrjO0jhnPi95ZaN3UNN57nEPoAZZkq3SHKChePnhVKi7NQKeGVyL7HI0qyJfc4z7c8FfYlkkcRUh_vnf_2s1-Sc7kTH-DukhhPOfT2I6S6Lzn41vHhbyTV2_wPMhvjuaxtfT/s2048/haleyrichterphoto-peeks-026.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1363" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvw6n3f4ZBmrjO0jhnPi95ZaN3UNN57nEPoAZZkq3SHKChePnhVKi7NQKeGVyL7HI0qyJfc4z7c8FfYlkkcRUh_vnf_2s1-Sc7kTH-DukhhPOfT2I6S6Lzn41vHhbyTV2_wPMhvjuaxtfT/w400-h266/haleyrichterphoto-peeks-026.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqE4v_ruwWjF26unMDGCWlHWUJO6PhRujZjdUPdT7M9Dj-wOQM4W1GmWK9P5A6BewouyTWO5BGKMvBMo2-BTt_vrnmnGl00eD7vUbSY9K-5W5wlsIkCUzTn5hs4ouazieTp9NPasMIwMoS/s2048/Kate+Neal+Photography%252C+Equal+Dignity+Pop-Up+Nuptials%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqE4v_ruwWjF26unMDGCWlHWUJO6PhRujZjdUPdT7M9Dj-wOQM4W1GmWK9P5A6BewouyTWO5BGKMvBMo2-BTt_vrnmnGl00eD7vUbSY9K-5W5wlsIkCUzTn5hs4ouazieTp9NPasMIwMoS/w400-h266/Kate+Neal+Photography%252C+Equal+Dignity+Pop-Up+Nuptials%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_tq9aHNa3l_XOWwA3Kf9pNE2gAIsV4vWqcO68BEyp_h-mhNncbHcJBct6tDDQNuIwRHXgCBOgOOKRChvJ6-9LeR3CJtmWtggos8W_R4vAdyMz8JmmpBlK7cRSyXUgf_u8QzYrR9CXyM1t/s2048/EqualDignityPopUpNuptials_Salt%252BCedarPhotography2020_0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_tq9aHNa3l_XOWwA3Kf9pNE2gAIsV4vWqcO68BEyp_h-mhNncbHcJBct6tDDQNuIwRHXgCBOgOOKRChvJ6-9LeR3CJtmWtggos8W_R4vAdyMz8JmmpBlK7cRSyXUgf_u8QzYrR9CXyM1t/w480-h640/EqualDignityPopUpNuptials_Salt%252BCedarPhotography2020_0002.jpg" width="480" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTQNcxsRNb9FEzoMJ8KSn30Or3Bi4GbsKoVwxW44jMF8v6RnY4QI6SA0KFbnYHOFiBKZXVE5swfUNhIJvXSMKDxZrpHFM1HzAoENfZx3c-M6t2-CqItGjin_vNPuqXKh-f3_lNXp5xFTln/s2048/Jennifer%252BRebeccaMarried_Salt%252BCedarPhotography2020_0031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTQNcxsRNb9FEzoMJ8KSn30Or3Bi4GbsKoVwxW44jMF8v6RnY4QI6SA0KFbnYHOFiBKZXVE5swfUNhIJvXSMKDxZrpHFM1HzAoENfZx3c-M6t2-CqItGjin_vNPuqXKh-f3_lNXp5xFTln/w400-h266/Jennifer%252BRebeccaMarried_Salt%252BCedarPhotography2020_0031.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf38Q7o01UFoHWDKbFa57cs2_KIvsyXKW8jOdmsKQzsJTYhC0YBvknOrqCPdAYBP_Rs9sjBfXA8qOIaxJyMZ8_LJNHqOGsDp-xqDzoau9Ld86LaeXlI50PjM5h_8XpVvv4aeoGIR2d4VoW/s2048/JackieAndre-PopupNuptials-40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf38Q7o01UFoHWDKbFa57cs2_KIvsyXKW8jOdmsKQzsJTYhC0YBvknOrqCPdAYBP_Rs9sjBfXA8qOIaxJyMZ8_LJNHqOGsDp-xqDzoau9Ld86LaeXlI50PjM5h_8XpVvv4aeoGIR2d4VoW/w400-h268/JackieAndre-PopupNuptials-40.jpg" width="400" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU8ISfhmBkNeUk5ZGC5uOltGGWyNCGiRGKq6a_zSUK0OFf8ujHW14Wnl2tZDZMp3vHnR5K6O2l4fg5INgPyu8A41myw7GCRSUaCkZfOBIMBahTggBVjjUJojVpF1ZKC9FbJqjFPC4ay-Cu/s2048/Q39A1382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU8ISfhmBkNeUk5ZGC5uOltGGWyNCGiRGKq6a_zSUK0OFf8ujHW14Wnl2tZDZMp3vHnR5K6O2l4fg5INgPyu8A41myw7GCRSUaCkZfOBIMBahTggBVjjUJojVpF1ZKC9FbJqjFPC4ay-Cu/w400-h266/Q39A1382.jpg" width="400" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Bb4rtK5whTyzrqbXm6bQbVOgwAQHJceQpk-fMGuHRvZbuuvhrNs6xAxaU_VfEC4tJEkRTMY-f04ULKVh8TBUawkVeoQvT2AKSSJHuyWV2O8DU__wy4nmw20wHPZuiaAToOiDfrcfhcNs/s2048/IMG_3703.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Bb4rtK5whTyzrqbXm6bQbVOgwAQHJceQpk-fMGuHRvZbuuvhrNs6xAxaU_VfEC4tJEkRTMY-f04ULKVh8TBUawkVeoQvT2AKSSJHuyWV2O8DU__wy4nmw20wHPZuiaAToOiDfrcfhcNs/w480-h640/IMG_3703.JPG" width="480" /></a></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5iretji9ylUieFZv3KamBaT6GF2Dl5Db9dQ7__3c9JxcOQWpVD0lQYDDLaDxpERx0Gkww5_f89-ZmpLCvZR8xDtV2JEMp-AZErTtYsNYroRpxbZEFst-HLrfrlTePmqdStTLIaacOFCTN/s2048/Celebrant+Alisa+Tongg+rainbow%252C+Alicon+Conklin%252C+Equal+Dignity+Popup+Nuptials.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5iretji9ylUieFZv3KamBaT6GF2Dl5Db9dQ7__3c9JxcOQWpVD0lQYDDLaDxpERx0Gkww5_f89-ZmpLCvZR8xDtV2JEMp-AZErTtYsNYroRpxbZEFst-HLrfrlTePmqdStTLIaacOFCTN/w426-h640/Celebrant+Alisa+Tongg+rainbow%252C+Alicon+Conklin%252C+Equal+Dignity+Popup+Nuptials.JPG" width="426" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkTsDXKIleHEeCXniGKRi7G19qxPG7xlEJmD4DFRDV7FxORcl8r00mofXBgdF9eopUWDe6A9KOFCv5bIxbTBGiuWYXc3e37MyvPTUUlTdTWmN3kxaFgCLiYyODFePTAa6jnx7jI42Ux8m7/s2048/november_29_2020_273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkTsDXKIleHEeCXniGKRi7G19qxPG7xlEJmD4DFRDV7FxORcl8r00mofXBgdF9eopUWDe6A9KOFCv5bIxbTBGiuWYXc3e37MyvPTUUlTdTWmN3kxaFgCLiYyODFePTAa6jnx7jI42Ux8m7/w426-h640/november_29_2020_273.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /></div>Photographers who became Equal Dignity Partners in 2020<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Kate Neal Photography</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Haley Richter Photo</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Alison Conklin</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Salt and Cedar</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Bokeh Lane</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jess Palatucci <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><br />AlisaTonggCelebranthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10641909328520358283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7156070338236733346.post-61763495070004152012020-11-04T08:42:00.003-05:002020-11-19T20:36:25.389-05:00Equal Dignity Pop-Up Nuptials...Philadelphia Edition<p style="text-align: center;"><b>Oops I did it again! Time to break out my custom rainbow stole.<br /></b></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib6wXjaWgSndho-GtIoWcdUGcUA2b1oBAEOZAHMprsUqvV6Dn4e9YbEeH0ROBOD_ifAYwDCqle65pQ5zhE8y1NgX_2mG_ng2LSbT_o-uw7nTVnnofprS_nmty1qc4aXidyD_pK4IdOS_30/s900/Pop+Up+Nuptials-93+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Douglas+James+Photography+.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib6wXjaWgSndho-GtIoWcdUGcUA2b1oBAEOZAHMprsUqvV6Dn4e9YbEeH0ROBOD_ifAYwDCqle65pQ5zhE8y1NgX_2mG_ng2LSbT_o-uw7nTVnnofprS_nmty1qc4aXidyD_pK4IdOS_30/w400-h266/Pop+Up+Nuptials-93+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Douglas+James+Photography+.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celebrant Alisa Tongg officiates one of the first legally recognized same-sex marriages in the State of New Jersey, Jersey City 2013. Douglas James Studios. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><h1 style="text-align: left;">Equal Dignity Pop Up Nuptials</h1><h2 style="text-align: left;">Free wedding ceremonies for All, especially those who are concerned about their right to marriage equality. Hosted at Pomme Radnor, Philadelphia's Main Line.<br /></h2><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://bit.ly/pafa-popup-wedding-2020" target="_blank">Register Here</a><br /></p><p>(November 4, 2020) Wedding industry professionals and Philadelphia businesses have come together to provide free wedding ceremonies for couples who desire to make their partnerships legal in the Keystone State, over the long Thanksgiving family-holiday weekend, especially those who are concerned about their equal right to marriage.</p><p><br />Celebrant Alisa Tongg, Rev. Cynthia Cherish Malaran and Humanist Celebrant Cynthia Manchester will be officiating the civil wedding ceremonies for free to all couples on a first come, first joined in marriage basis, Sunday November 29th, 2020 12 Noon-4pm at Pomme Radnor, wedding and events venue on Philadelphia's Main Line.<br /></p><p><br />This will be the third pop-up marriage equality event created by Alisa Tongg. Her first, prompted by her sister’s need to make her marriage legal, was held just days after marriage equality was adopted in New Jersey in 2013.</p><p> <br />Marriage equality became the law of the land in all 50 states in June 2015, with a 5-4 United States Supreme Court decision in the landmark civil rights case, <i>Obergefell v Hodges</i>, which ruled that the fundamental right to marry is guaranteed to same-sex couples as well as opposite-sex couples.</p><p></p><blockquote><br />“No union is more profound than marriage for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice and family. In forming a marital union, two people become something greater than they once were….” Justice Anthony Kennedy, <i>Obergefell v Hodges</i> Ruling 2015</blockquote><br /><br />Tongg says, <i>“I’ve quoted part of Justice Kennedy’s Obergefell v Hodges ruling in every wedding ceremony that I’ve conducted since June 2015. Unfortunately, with the recent shifts in the Supreme Court, American’s equal right to marriage with their chosen partner is still being debated. One of the phrases used in the landmark ruling is about our inherent right to “equal dignity” under the law, and an environment of equal dignity is what I aim to create with this event.”</i><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoPXfKYl2oGRbVI-kIZhH9mjhFsREiKlmWgoeP-w8YN3OOAvk2u0ygrw-_XPBWUH7EbiyBLSwEctHQKxzGWrxUE_P-IATbKaXbxGMzB6gU0kP-i7XS_rgGP5Mm2L-JM3zIhAxLje8GuJjk/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoPXfKYl2oGRbVI-kIZhH9mjhFsREiKlmWgoeP-w8YN3OOAvk2u0ygrw-_XPBWUH7EbiyBLSwEctHQKxzGWrxUE_P-IATbKaXbxGMzB6gU0kP-i7XS_rgGP5Mm2L-JM3zIhAxLje8GuJjk/w400-h400/Pomme+Radnor.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><i>“As humans and as a company we believe that everyone deserves equal rights and the right to marry the person they love,”</i> says Rebecca Mulholland, owner of RAM Floral, a Philadelphia-based floral styling company will be creating a ceremony arch fitting of the moment. <i>“I’m participating in this beautiful day because of that reason. What an honor to be thought of as an ally. If I get nothing more from the experience of this day, simply being thought of as someone who supports humanity and love before anything else, is all I could ask for.” </i><p></p><p><br />Several other Philadelphia-area florists have offered to donate bouquets and boutonnieres to the LGBTQIA+ couple participants. <br />Several, fine art and wedding photographers have also volunteered to be on hand to capture the nuptials; among them, award-winning editorial, portrait and wedding photographer <b>Alison Conklin</b>.</p><p><br />Couples who wish to participate in the free civil ceremonies, may bring up to 10 witnesses with them and are encouraged to <a href="http://bit.ly/pafa-popup-wedding-2020" target="_blank">pre-register</a> for a time slot. Those who prefer to walk-in will be married on a first come first served basis. <br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://bit.ly/pafa-popup-wedding-2020" target="_blank">Register Here</a><br /></p><p><u><b>COVID PRECAUTIONS</b></u><br />Every guest and volunteer will be required to complete health screening questionnaire before arriving, getting temperature checked, and wearing masks unless they are the couple saying vows. </p><p><br /><b><u>PENNSYLVANIA MARRIAGE LICENSES</u></b><br />Pennsylvania requires a three-day wait to issue a marriage license. And with the pandemic backlog in many courthouses, we suggest that you start this process as soon as possible. Bucks County has implemented a pretty smooth online marriage license application process, check them out! <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gN2k1MHM95U" width="320" youtube-src-id="gN2k1MHM95U"></iframe></div><br /><p></p><p>Information about how requirements and locations a marriage license may be applied for and obtained may be found at: <a href="http://www.usmarriagelaws.com/search/united_states/pennsylvania/">http://www.usmarriagelaws.com/search/united_states/pennsylvania/</a><br /><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: center;">Equal Dignity Pop-up Nuptials Sunday, November 29th, 2020</h2><h2 style="text-align: center;">Free Civil Ceremonies Officiated by Celebrants Alisa Tongg and Cynthia Manchester, and Rev. Cynthia Cherish Malaran.</h2><h2 style="text-align: center;">-One Day Only-</h2><h2 style="text-align: center;">First come, first joined in marriage</h2><h2 style="text-align: center;">Pomme at Radnor</h2><h2 style="text-align: center;">12noon-4pm</h2><p><br /><b>All Couples Invited. Must present a valid PA marriage license.<br />BYO: witnesses, vows, rings, glass to stomp, broom to jump or other wedding ceremony tradition. </b> <br /><br /><br /><br />alisatonggcelebrant.com</p><p><a href="http://clovereventco.com">clovereventco.com</a><br />www/pafa.org/event-rentals<br />ramfloral.com<br />djcherishtheluv.com<br />alisonconklin.com<br />cynthiamanchester.com</p><p><a href="http://pommeradnor.com">pommeradnor.com</a><br /><br /></p><br />AlisaTonggCelebranthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10641909328520358283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7156070338236733346.post-54813235066594495402020-05-26T13:01:00.012-04:002021-01-04T15:16:12.329-05:00Promise Ridge FAQsWe're thrilled to have you consider Promise Ridge for your upcoming elopement or microwedding ceremony. We understand that there are a lot of factors that come into play even when planning a simple wedding. Here are the most frequently asked questions that people have when trying to determine if Promise Ridge is the right fit for them and their families. -Alisa Tongg<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2LTiXaDT5tyAKuBmNz66Y45jX08PYNKOB8JIynHCshCuAoPnIB8zfhmMGwZcXxnazdipeFUMJlUJwCojRtG73KiolGOAGJtnPZKVsHWVkvHD_T8hlcSk_JdNkHDTR5FNdQu9kwGkq-bwX/s1600/DSC_2769.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1061" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2LTiXaDT5tyAKuBmNz66Y45jX08PYNKOB8JIynHCshCuAoPnIB8zfhmMGwZcXxnazdipeFUMJlUJwCojRtG73KiolGOAGJtnPZKVsHWVkvHD_T8hlcSk_JdNkHDTR5FNdQu9kwGkq-bwX/s640/DSC_2769.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<b>COVID-19: How does the global pandemic affect Promise Ridge ceremonies?</b><br />
<br />
We're fortunate that Promise Ridge ceremonies are already restricted in guest count, between 2-20 depending on if couples are eloping or having a microwedding, and all out of doors, so many of our couples have not had to alter their original plans too much. <b>For as long as the CDC is recommending gathering size to be limited, we
will follow whatever that recommended restriction as our capacity as
well.</b><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig3xF1a-KRwt96mXhhI1cuso_6iBDTl_2CQ4u4wV96Jhj6IFxIT7QAykRNQGTF8O1UgQmFoVqR4Ssd1lmFbPrbJXsEpEVb3-G1YP_2ZboxoRRE7BZ7rwtebxpP-_7bKZUKfajnNRoYfe8E/s1600/IMG_1762.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig3xF1a-KRwt96mXhhI1cuso_6iBDTl_2CQ4u4wV96Jhj6IFxIT7QAykRNQGTF8O1UgQmFoVqR4Ssd1lmFbPrbJXsEpEVb3-G1YP_2ZboxoRRE7BZ7rwtebxpP-_7bKZUKfajnNRoYfe8E/s400/IMG_1762.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Storytellers & Co</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><br />
</div><div>Promise Ridge is primarily a ceremony space, and people can continue to have beautiful legal ceremonies here as long as they have a valid Pennsylvania marriage license. Several Pennsylvania counties are currently offering a pilot program to conduct the marriage license application process virtually (Bucks County is our FAVORITE!), but may limit the issuing of licenses on an emergency basis or to only residents of that county. Please check with your local Clerk of the Orphans' Court office for more details. </div>
<br />
<br />
<h3>
<b>Accessibility</b> <span style="font-weight: normal;">My grandmother uses a cane, how accessible is Promise Ridge for someone with mobility challenges? </span></h3>
<br />
Promise Ridge is accessed through a garden and then a slightly sloped path on a lawn. Guests witness ceremonies (and pose for family photos) from the vantage of the Infinity Deck, which is sturdy and level. We’ve had guests with prosthetic legs, those who use canes and walkers, as well as wheelchairs all enjoy a ceremony and celebration here. The ground-level guest bathroom is not ADA compliant however.<br />
<br />
<br />
<h3>
<b>Capacity</b> <span style="font-weight: normal;">I see that there is a 20-person capacity at Promise Ridge, does that count my fiancé/fiancée and me? What about infants and children, do they count toward the 20? </span></h3><p>
<br />
Because of the limitations of the natural space along the edge of the ridge, there is a 20-person capacity to groups who gather here for ceremony and celebration. Every human who gathers for the ceremony counts toward that capacity. There is no wiggle room. </p><p>We don’t, however, count the professional vendors working the event (i.e. celebrant, photographer, private chef, cinematographer, acoustic musician, etc.) toward that number.<br />
<br />
<br />
</p><h3>
<b>Are there certain timeslots? </b></h3><h3><span style="font-weight: normal;">We can conduct ceremonies any time of day, so there are not predetermined time slots per se. The time the sun sets is the biggest factor in advising couples about when to start their event. Promise Ridge microwedding ceremonies include 90 minutes onsite, if a couple is intending to add reception-style catered features (like special dances, a sparkler exit, seated dinner, cake + bubbly, etc.) you can simply add up all of the corresponding time needed to accomplish your celebration goals, to figure out how much time you will need to extend after ceremony. The average couple extends 2.5 - 3 hours, making the total event time here 4-4.5 hours. When trying to determine the best time to plan your event here, type into google, "sunset stroudsburg {the date of your wedding}". We recommend that 30 minutes after sunset is the latest you would be here. Take that hard end time (sunset time + 30 minutes) and subtract your total event time. That will give you a ball park idea of when your arrival will be and what time to tell your other vendors (photographer, florist, musician) to plan for. <br /></span></h3><h3><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></h3><h3><b>Pets</b> <span style="font-weight: normal;">Our puppy is part of our family, is Promise Ridge pet-friendly? </span></h3>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbhORye-zhBHWvzNmkDRijGMn52F9zglK-8Un_MLeEb5vrhQsfU4yAWitQTlghFugG-wvUrdKbiTJRou8C8dVYQP6Fy17kNlxi_pHfCY8BKWP4iPovcNCyy-HLaxpH5Au6j4d6BAU8Ts0s/s1600/Hollie-Sam-wedding-color098.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbhORye-zhBHWvzNmkDRijGMn52F9zglK-8Un_MLeEb5vrhQsfU4yAWitQTlghFugG-wvUrdKbiTJRou8C8dVYQP6Fy17kNlxi_pHfCY8BKWP4iPovcNCyy-HLaxpH5Au6j4d6BAU8Ts0s/s640/Hollie-Sam-wedding-color098.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">M2 Photography</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Yes, leashed well-behaved dogs are welcome to join at Promise Ridge gatherings. Here on the Ridge, there are a multitude of stimulants (other wild animals, wind, potted plants) so you’ll want to have someone designated to be in charge of your furry friend for before and during the ceremony. <b>The kindest way to include your pup in your wedding celebration, is to have them present for photos before the ceremony and then to have a dog sitter take your puppy back home or to your hotel.</b> It is very exciting being on the ridge, so often even then most calm well-behaved dog, is higher strung in this environment.<br />
<br />
<br />
<h3>
<b>Children</b> <span style="font-weight: normal;">Do kids count toward the capacity? </span></h3>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2mmsuOn4iWyjcdFCkwImu1zBbp2IzaxqgvEGP2TjjjcxzcLrfKwJ7DVHM2Bi6icHIk7rntcVHMqxny3QD-9TcFkASZRNYF1gMT6y9vjlFt0BwdLPYLkVhQhTmCv8rZ82N0xEUE863RIbF/s1600/Kailer_Matt_vow_renewal20170723_183.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2mmsuOn4iWyjcdFCkwImu1zBbp2IzaxqgvEGP2TjjjcxzcLrfKwJ7DVHM2Bi6icHIk7rntcVHMqxny3QD-9TcFkASZRNYF1gMT6y9vjlFt0BwdLPYLkVhQhTmCv8rZ82N0xEUE863RIbF/s400/Kailer_Matt_vow_renewal20170723_183.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Children are a welcome addition to ceremony at Promise Ridge. M2 Photography</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Yes every human counts toward the 20 person capacity limit. In order to have a truly magical ceremony experience, we recommend that all toddlers and rambunctious little ones have an adult designated with the responsibility of their safety along the edge of the ridge, so that the couple can focus and be present in the moment.<br />
<br />
<u><br /></u>
<br />
<h3>
<b>What Happens If It Rains?</b></h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhKRkINjetpvZRBuHFsKf0JQ8v7rv3D2e7Mjyyg77gD1FSnpt5Kkto9xLaYRsQ-MLG94_dkjCZDB9oBilVbB9zr3tIpLHdUHFyi9Fj2GPfvgRAWBEerhv4sgWbdciv26r6TPxlOS2Xzisp/s1600/DSC_7965.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhKRkINjetpvZRBuHFsKf0JQ8v7rv3D2e7Mjyyg77gD1FSnpt5Kkto9xLaYRsQ-MLG94_dkjCZDB9oBilVbB9zr3tIpLHdUHFyi9Fj2GPfvgRAWBEerhv4sgWbdciv26r6TPxlOS2Xzisp/s640/DSC_7965.jpg" width="422" /></a></div>
We're thrilled about all the protection our new beautiful pavilion provides from the elements. If it is non-stop rain when you're here for your ceremony, we'll simply move the ceremony seating under cover of the overlook pavilion and let the mountain views be your ceremony back drop. Many couples who have been here during on/off rain, venture out along the ridge and in front of the Living Wall during breaks in the sprinkles for some pretty epic photographs.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5L91ou0cdPvHWQ1kfo1jCVIGsSJ8iW1Wy7JX_ouAVmNFz7HXpQoc2u0H-9ZwyaFkMa2kySoDYMl5gIiLz_g5Ink2virYbS76wEyYiZkS_kXqoz-lKVy2QQFKuAU4q0jA6PRGVHxqDwzIY/s1600/DSC_7970.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5L91ou0cdPvHWQ1kfo1jCVIGsSJ8iW1Wy7JX_ouAVmNFz7HXpQoc2u0H-9ZwyaFkMa2kySoDYMl5gIiLz_g5Ink2virYbS76wEyYiZkS_kXqoz-lKVy2QQFKuAU4q0jA6PRGVHxqDwzIY/s640/DSC_7970.jpg" width="422" /></a></div>
<br />
<b></b><br />
<h3>
<b>Self-Uniting Marriage License</b> <span style="font-weight: normal;">We have a self-uniting marriage license and want to have a friend officiate, is this something allowed? </span></h3>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr5C6jkq0ZO7fa5SDQ6zAejp0hkxo1sKnrMyr9RdWeSzgIopr-1MDN3TnRT-2ZjX8CEPyauM5JM0cm_J5XgEaLP_u50gZXCpNbx4RaR3y8VmX715olo9AtsNCBKbz2ZD8fHwF8TitQE0i3/s1600/Kailer_Matt_vow_renewal20170723_207.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr5C6jkq0ZO7fa5SDQ6zAejp0hkxo1sKnrMyr9RdWeSzgIopr-1MDN3TnRT-2ZjX8CEPyauM5JM0cm_J5XgEaLP_u50gZXCpNbx4RaR3y8VmX715olo9AtsNCBKbz2ZD8fHwF8TitQE0i3/s400/Kailer_Matt_vow_renewal20170723_207.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celebrant Alisa Tongg officiates the ceremonies at Promise Ridge, her at-home ceremony space. M2 Photography</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Promise Ridge is the at-home ceremony space of Celebrant Alisa Tongg, and is only available for couples whose ceremonies she officiates.<br />
<br />
<h3>
How do most people use their 90 minutes on site?</h3>
<div>
People usually use their time here like this:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
0:00 Couple arrives with photographer, first look, dress portraits in Mural Room</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
0:30-:45
Guests arrive and make their way out to Infinity Deck for ceremony
(whatever this time is, is the time you should put on your invitation)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
0:50 Ceremony (15 minutes for Elopements, 20 minutes for microweddings)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
1:10 Photos with family, groups etc.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
1:30 everyone heads out to dinner somewhere, or for couples extending their time here for a family style gathering, this is when cocktail hour, cake and bubbly and/or sit down dinner begins.</div>
<h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXhCjxyY1fy2AzEAcCao2_s7VIY5wR_xdmBO17FaXGXrbnuYjXu2DE-oNdhirbaiz9mdU2uFFOVGO27tYpWCJiJYaZsFcAmG2StjFlrIuVPivrafs9rXjXMCR0Oiuq8QsRNV7gzqHLc19Z/s1600/DSC_7896.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXhCjxyY1fy2AzEAcCao2_s7VIY5wR_xdmBO17FaXGXrbnuYjXu2DE-oNdhirbaiz9mdU2uFFOVGO27tYpWCJiJYaZsFcAmG2StjFlrIuVPivrafs9rXjXMCR0Oiuq8QsRNV7gzqHLc19Z/s640/DSC_7896.jpg" width="422" /></a></div>
</h3>
<h3>
Is there a place for us and our families to get ready?</h3>
Most people come here camera ready (meaning hair and makeup are done) so that they don't use a disproportionate amount of their 90 minutes onsite getting ready. Instead, they prefer to use their time here taking photographs, being in the moment and of course, getting married!!! Couples tend to use the Mural Room as their personal space to leave their belongings and take formal portraits. <br />
<br />
<h3>
<b>Tour</b> <span style="font-weight: normal;">When can we come see the venue? </span></h3>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPhX5HYCWvVzaHpQ-u2kIIUXqEGPnWOmk5BRxfnFKqI33U2oyIfKJZl0n-yAE5N_gI8HQvvZ9r0y7nEFDdcV3KkMHKDtrfJY_FS4tJUquaJ_TTCp5Yk_C271Y9NloQdxnpCGEzNaj7Tfur/s1600/BB3B0A30-2B11-4A85-84AC-EDF0BBE32D2D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPhX5HYCWvVzaHpQ-u2kIIUXqEGPnWOmk5BRxfnFKqI33U2oyIfKJZl0n-yAE5N_gI8HQvvZ9r0y7nEFDdcV3KkMHKDtrfJY_FS4tJUquaJ_TTCp5Yk_C271Y9NloQdxnpCGEzNaj7Tfur/s400/BB3B0A30-2B11-4A85-84AC-EDF0BBE32D2D.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Because Promise Ridge is my home, I don't do tours—it would require extra expense/personnel to prepare the grounds for non-ceremony visitors and I want to keep Promise Ridge an easy and stress-free experience. I am happy, however, to schedule a consultation to speak on the phone, Skype or Facetime, to explain my process for creating a personalized ceremony and answer any questions that will help you feel comfortable with this as your ceremony location.<br />
<br />
<br />
<h3>
<b>Music</b> <span style="font-weight: normal;">We really want to have a first dance, is that possible? How does that work? </span></h3>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGCgR5lAMQWSun0sz9icMO6k0LliX2XUnL9uWQiodCjdGqj3Plz29Dn9E226X-YxjU9-LU5ENSN4WvWo534VjjHkROAEKVqoVQMW6vLfRbvIMj0bld9rRLgzksEmEqaZ4PHWKCI4_CH_58/s1600/SciasciaWedding__171.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGCgR5lAMQWSun0sz9icMO6k0LliX2XUnL9uWQiodCjdGqj3Plz29Dn9E226X-YxjU9-LU5ENSN4WvWo534VjjHkROAEKVqoVQMW6vLfRbvIMj0bld9rRLgzksEmEqaZ4PHWKCI4_CH_58/s400/SciasciaWedding__171.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ricky Delgado Photo by Jessica Manns</td></tr>
</tbody></table><p>
<u><b>Our number one </b></u>recommendation is that couples hire a professional acoustic musician to provide the soundtrack and dreamy vibe of their big but micro day. Working with a professional musician adds one more layer of care and customer service because they will help orchestrate all those important moments so that you don't have to be directing everyone. And don't worry, we don't count the professional musician working your event toward your 20 person capacity.</p><p><a href="https://www.ericerickson.com/" target="_blank">Eric Erickson,</a> <i>Woodstock's EXTRA-Sensitive Singer/Songwriter</i><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/theheartheads/">Ricky Delgado</a> <br />
<a href="https://www.pennstrings.com/">Penn Strings</a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/shaunlallymusic/">Shaun Lally Music</a> <br />
<br />
Our second choice recommendation is that couples prepare a playlist of the songs they want to be a part of their day (for walking up the aisle, first kiss, family photos, and important dances etc.) bring a Bluetooth speaker and designate your coolest friend to be music coordinator for the celebration.</p><p><u><b>DJs and other outside event-hosts, are not permitted.</b></u></p><p><br />
</p><h3>
<b>Photographers </b></h3>
<h3>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Who do you recommend for photographer? Do we have to choose someone from your list?</span></h3><p>
<b><br /></b>
We're fortunate to be near so many talented, kind and skilled photographers. While you are free to hire whomever you want, we can absolutely recommend everyone listed below on account of their past performance making Promise Ridge couples gleeful.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://dearlybeloved-weddings.com/">Dearly Beloved Weddings</a><br />
<a href="https://storytellersandco.com/">Storytellers and Co.</a> <br />
<a href="http://m2-photography.net/">M2 Photography</a> <br />
<a href="https://www.ninalilyphotography.com/">Nina Lily Photography </a><br />
<a href="https://www.withloveandembers.com/">With Love & Embers</a><br />
<a href="https://www.marshallscottphotography.com/" target="_blank">Alison Conklin</a></p><p><a href="https://www.marshallscottphotography.com/" target="_blank">Marshall Scott Photography </a><br />
<a href="https://bethelannphotography.com/">Bethel Ann Photography</a><br />
<a href="https://www.kayceshoffner.com/">Kayce Shoffner </a> <br />
<a href="http://jessicamannsphotography.com/">Jessica Manns Photography</a> <br />
<a href="https://handandarrow.com/" target="_blank">Hand and Arrow</a><br />
<a href="http://www.sammisheaphotography.com/">Sammi Shea Photography</a><br />
<a href="https://madelineisabella.com/">Madeline Isabella</a><br />
<a href="https://cwrphotography.com/">Carolina Rivera</a><br />
<a href="https://www.reneedeephotography.com/">Renee Dee Photography </a><br />
</p><h3>
</h3>
<h3>
<b> </b></h3>
<h3>
<b>Video/Film</b></h3>
<h3>
</h3><p>
<b><br /></b>These are our favorite and consistently dreamy filmmakers, *indicates photo and film packages are available.<br />
<br /></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>
<a href="https://dearlybeloved-weddings.com/">Dearly Beloved Wedding Films*</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.alyssakaufmanfilms.com/" target="_blank">Alyssa Kaufman Films</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://bucketlistfilms.net/" target="_blank">Bucket List Films </a><br /></li><li><a href=" https://www.roslynfilms.com/" target="_blank">Roslyn Films </a> </li><li>
<a href="https://staggerfilms.com/">Stagger Films*</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.solidityfilms.com/">Solidity Films</a><br />
</li></ul><h3>
</h3><h3> </h3><h3>Live Streaming / Virtual Wedding Capabilities<span style="font-weight: normal;"> <br /></span></h3><h3><span style="font-weight: normal;">For couples who want guests to be able to participate in the day, hear vows, witness a first dance and toasts, check out:</span></h3><div><a href="https://shutterandsound.com/" target="_blank">Shutter and Sound </a><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.lovemedophotography.com/" target="_blank">Love Me Do</a></div><div><a href="https://staggerfilms.com/" target="_blank">Stagger Films</a><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.chadbowditchfilms.com/" target="_blank">Chad Bowditch Films</a><br /></div><div><br /></div>
<h3>
Florists</h3>
<h3>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Are there recommended florists who can create bouquets, boutineers, and some other special arrangements for our gathering afterward?</span></h3><p>
These are our favorite!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.alliumfloraldesign.com/">Allium Florals & Event Designer </a><br />
<a href="http://www.acottagegardener.com/">Talana Marias</a> </p><p><a href="http://www.acottagegardener.com/" target="_blank">A Cottage Gardner </a><br /><br /> <br />
</p><h3>
<b>Hair and Makeup</b></h3><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> These are our favorite:</span></h4><h3><span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="https://www.makeupbyroxy.com/">Makeup by Roxy</a></b></span></h3><h3><a href="https://www.bluebirdbrides.com/"><span style="font-size: small;">Blue Bird Brides</span></a></h3><h3><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.stroudsmoor.com/spa/">Shear Design Salon</a><br /></span></h3><p><a href="https://www.bobbiejobridal.com/"><span style="font-size: small;">Bobbi Jo Bridal</span></a></p><p><a href="http://www.merakibeauty.co/"><span style="font-size: small;">Meraki Beauty</span></a><br /></p><h3><b> </b></h3><h3><b>Accommodations</b> <span style="font-weight: normal;">I think we’ll make a holiday out of this, where should we stay? </span></h3>
<br />
Promise Ridge is located in the Pocono Mountains in the town of Stroudsburg. Condé Nast Traveler Magazine recently designated the Delaware Water Gap as “the most beautiful place” in all of Pennsylvania, and we agree, there are several charming B and Bs, historic hotels and a ton of vacation rentals within minutes. Our favorite spots are under 15 minutes drive away:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.shawneeinn.com/">Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort</a> <br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.santoshaontheridge.com/">Santosha on the Ridge</a> <br />
<br />
<br />
<b></b>
<br />
<h3>
<b>Nearby Restaurants</b> <span style="font-weight: normal;">We want to meet up with a larger group of friends to celebrate after our intimate ceremony, is there a place nearby that is good for moving our celebration to? </span></h3>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSPsCtliQCCIFc4mrjlKDUc0mmLzoHarGlKyAaefQfOXY3GYdwqWPbgNbL8urGiRlMjA4OOIhlaV3vjh4T30rdqgfApbif9JgwAf9KBFMcI8CQtBFtfd66iY_WQv3SRYc2KnX-pQTYT2H3/s1600/AMHighlights66.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSPsCtliQCCIFc4mrjlKDUc0mmLzoHarGlKyAaefQfOXY3GYdwqWPbgNbL8urGiRlMjA4OOIhlaV3vjh4T30rdqgfApbif9JgwAf9KBFMcI8CQtBFtfd66iY_WQv3SRYc2KnX-pQTYT2H3/s400/AMHighlights66.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cafe Duet garden dinner. Ashley Gerrity Photography</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Absolutely, here is a list of our favorite establishments all within a 15-minute drive that will be able to take care of a group. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.shawneeinn.com/dine/gem-keystone-brewpub/">Gem and Keystone </a> <br />
<a href="https://www.lanesendfarmpa.com/">Lane’s End Farm</a> <br />
<a href="https://www.barleycreek.com/food/catering">Barley Creek Brewing Co. Pavilion </a><br />
<a href="https://www.stroudsmoor.com/restaurant/">Stroudsmoor Country Inn Restaurant</a> <br />
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/cafeduetevents/">Café Duet</a> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFeNESPaSP5J_zjiPLdCOUXTmD_0_fbsD1RcmHWQRYpcnB3jYEXIWRMC985ypby8s40lJFgQNRCHhV-s6gHh1-YsxbdWpUL_n82dRHwM9AxeDk9cFbB9gBASdHnabG00xzC-ZJ7zFXP-SG/s1600/Stroudsmoor+Inn+Restaurant%252C+Jessica+Manns%252CSciasciaWedding__468.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFeNESPaSP5J_zjiPLdCOUXTmD_0_fbsD1RcmHWQRYpcnB3jYEXIWRMC985ypby8s40lJFgQNRCHhV-s6gHh1-YsxbdWpUL_n82dRHwM9AxeDk9cFbB9gBASdHnabG00xzC-ZJ7zFXP-SG/s400/Stroudsmoor+Inn+Restaurant%252C+Jessica+Manns%252CSciasciaWedding__468.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Danielle and James kiss at their post-Promise Ridge reception dinner for 50 at Stroudsmoor Country Inn Restaurant. Photography, Jessica Manns</td></tr>
</tbody></table><p style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">
All of this sounds great, how can I book a date and find out more about extending time after ceremony for a catered celebration?</h3><p>We'd love to help you start planning your Promise Ridge microwedding or elopement! Please submit an inquiry through the form on our <a href="http://alisatonggcelebrant.com/" target="_blank">website</a> when you are within a year's time of the desired date. If you are flexible on the particular date, please include desired month, season and/or day of the week you are open to, and we will respond with all of the available dates that meet your criteria. Due to the volume of inquiries for Alisa Tongg's Celebrant services and Promise Ridge availability, we only respond to inquires that meet our booking standards (ie: capacity and are not for more more than a year away.)</p><p>
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_sAPNp9a9ggPOn4Oynv36fqZRlWC2fR3vcceriGOEPzi-HFx6_lG8Bqt_BgmzA5mvbzc5NFHxQ54N7K0p6w1zl2_WwdVB1mBV9dd9doCaQZfe57Ts0ahxaXGRHy6JztnTUEUH1UgQnc3Y/s750/Dearly+Beloved+Weddings%252C+Promise+Ridge.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="750" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_sAPNp9a9ggPOn4Oynv36fqZRlWC2fR3vcceriGOEPzi-HFx6_lG8Bqt_BgmzA5mvbzc5NFHxQ54N7K0p6w1zl2_WwdVB1mBV9dd9doCaQZfe57Ts0ahxaXGRHy6JztnTUEUH1UgQnc3Y/w500-h333/Dearly+Beloved+Weddings%252C+Promise+Ridge.jpeg" width="500" /></a></div><br />AlisaTonggCelebranthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10641909328520358283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7156070338236733346.post-56271182620685904542020-05-18T16:22:00.004-04:002021-02-28T06:44:36.860-05:009 Things to Consider if You're Getting Married Right Now in the Middle of the COVID-19 Pandemic<div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSKbtrwTknTOdH34tKyYUXLjktKqnkfKkLe5skC5P4Ig9DkA8X_tF9CzaIThy5RCI45pXufpP0NrZTPScJGQfouFcVmgiiXIbb-0Es6E63PUEIlC_-0a_eyBOnvz6LqvNwsXnKWWaktUZT/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="373" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSKbtrwTknTOdH34tKyYUXLjktKqnkfKkLe5skC5P4Ig9DkA8X_tF9CzaIThy5RCI45pXufpP0NrZTPScJGQfouFcVmgiiXIbb-0Es6E63PUEIlC_-0a_eyBOnvz6LqvNwsXnKWWaktUZT/s320/_48A9974.jpg" width="248" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kelly Rose Photo<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Now that we’re firmly in spring, and many states are still restricting movement and gatherings, it looks as though most 2020 couples who were planning a large traditional wedding celebration, or destination wedding, are having to re-evaluate what they want their wedding day to be like in light of a global health pandemic. Many couples may choose to postpone their wedding and extend their engagement into 2021, while other couples are scaling back the scope of their original celebration to just include their inner circle in a microwedding, and another set of couples are deciding that they just really want to be married to their partner and are making arrangements for a legal marriage ceremony in the meantime while they figure out how best to celebrate with everyone at a bigger gathering sometime in the future. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>As an officiant and a microwedding expert, I have been in the fortunate position to be able to help so many couples who, at no fault of their own, find themselves trying to navigate a new path. I wanted to share my discoveries on how I have been advising my couples on how to set up for a wedding ceremony and celebration and also provide the answers to the questions I am being asked right now:</div><div><br /></div><br /><div><b><font size="4">1) Valid Marriage Licenses</font></b></div><div><b><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5WuHFl-p6CVgpRW0KJ9EX7Dqo-DLQeis3sVWsdiWpxKosV-1QUHnlWY6T-BFxijihY005WRxMB1mprA7keMLTBORSw85aNPOGUgDiIW9QeNd59xF6oqsaCzipmlEaJiKdfxMtB4PVbZcA/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1534" data-original-width="1024" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5WuHFl-p6CVgpRW0KJ9EX7Dqo-DLQeis3sVWsdiWpxKosV-1QUHnlWY6T-BFxijihY005WRxMB1mprA7keMLTBORSw85aNPOGUgDiIW9QeNd59xF6oqsaCzipmlEaJiKdfxMtB4PVbZcA/s320/M2+Photography.jpg" width="308" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">M2 Photography<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><font size="4"></font></b></div>Pennsylvania- Virtual Marriage Licenses<br /><div>Several Pennsylvania counties have pivoted to provide (on a pilot basis) a virtual option for applying for a marriage license. For the most part this entails an online portal to submit documentation like ID and application, followed up with a video call with a clerk, then a valid marriage license is sent in the mail to the couple. In Pennsylvania, a valid marriage license issued by any county can be used anywhere in the state for 60 days. If you are in this position of needing to be legally married now, check out <b>BUCKS</b>, <b>MONTGOMERY, DELAWARE</b> counties—they are offering virtual application processes without residency or emergency stipulation requirements. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div><b><font size="4">2) Virtual Ceremonies</font></b></div><div><b><font size="4"><br /></font></b></div><div><b>New York State</b> was the first to announce an executive temporary order, “Project Cupid” which allows couples to not only apply for their marriage license through a fully online process, but to also legally marry in a virtual ceremony with a qualified officiant. The couple, officiant and two witnesses all need to be physically located in New York State at the time of the ceremony.</div><div> </div><div>For information about virtual weddings in New York <a href="https://www.cityclerk.nyc.gov/content/marriage-license" target="_blank">here</a>. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>California</b> has also instituted a temporary online marriage license application process and authorization for virtual video conferencing wedding ceremonies. Just like in New York, the couple, officiant and one witness need to be physically located in the State of California at the time of the ceremony.</div><div><br /></div>There is no word on if these options will continue permanently, and professional officiants are trying to figure out the best way to collect signatures of the couple and witnesses to complete this paperwork. If you go this route, please be kind and considerate to the marriage bureau clerks and your professional officiant, everyone if figuring it out as we go.<br /><br /><br /><div><b>Virtual Weddings Everywhere Else:</b></div><div>While many states are starting to offer options for applying for a marriage license virtually, <u>there is no legal mechanism to also solemnize the marriage and conduct a legal ceremony virtually</u>—the couple and the officiant must be in the same physical location. But there are a few ways you can get creative with how to meet the legal requirements for ceremony while also keeping your circle tight.</div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><b>Scenario 1: Meet in person with officiant earlier in the day to do the legal part, and then later, while gathered with your family, Zoom or FaceTime in the officiant to conduct the meaningful ceremony with personalized vows, virtually. This might be easily described as a "front porch license signing."<br /></b></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUbWpTWdreZYOfch9mZYPOqE8YeBuDTjrU55v8bd6Lv5cRcx7WTqju_VdSQAdc4K8MTcLBAE9a9gte20dsvk_-J4HzeIdavegVG8ftrVtEq0POS7g8JMBOUaT7InQ-m_PCd0K8guyoz0c4/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUbWpTWdreZYOfch9mZYPOqE8YeBuDTjrU55v8bd6Lv5cRcx7WTqju_VdSQAdc4K8MTcLBAE9a9gte20dsvk_-J4HzeIdavegVG8ftrVtEq0POS7g8JMBOUaT7InQ-m_PCd0K8guyoz0c4/s320/_48A9555.jpg" width="273" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kelly Rose Photo<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><b><br /></b></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><b>Scenario 2: Arrange a private elopement ceremony in a location where the couple and officiant can maintain safe physical distance from each other and invite your guests to witness your ceremony and vows virtually through Live Stream.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPHiIMPJbAcWS7Y3ouGyCsnnuuTKElHMoiUwrOrHpsMWmF7JS3wpepQqFj60HXyLe7OjrHzy0E1bvpid35o640gwfHfVccHd4az0nRYV958mbn4lDxoMr8PzbIZ0jJS8PcyqV-ve9UrJCU/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPHiIMPJbAcWS7Y3ouGyCsnnuuTKElHMoiUwrOrHpsMWmF7JS3wpepQqFj60HXyLe7OjrHzy0E1bvpid35o640gwfHfVccHd4az0nRYV958mbn4lDxoMr8PzbIZ0jJS8PcyqV-ve9UrJCU/s320/IMG_2359.jpeg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celebrant Alisa Tongg hanging with the family who attended an elopement ceremony via Live Stream, Love Me Do.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></b></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><b></b><br /></div><b><font size="4"><br /></font></b><div><b><font size="4">3) Groupings by Household for Outdoor Ceremony</font></b></div><div><b><font size="4"><br /></font></b></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdCodApd_AF5Aiu3JSQC7a9xwyt1C6PUz_Bo61WGAUCVghntl3r38lH1E8n6gfgArQDWFweuOJ0xf_JWHL2FjGXjM19fEbW_PkvB3ERqrR8om17WzZL8op_sVQEBsnd2kvEOgG0qjcNTQT/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdCodApd_AF5Aiu3JSQC7a9xwyt1C6PUz_Bo61WGAUCVghntl3r38lH1E8n6gfgArQDWFweuOJ0xf_JWHL2FjGXjM19fEbW_PkvB3ERqrR8om17WzZL8op_sVQEBsnd2kvEOgG0qjcNTQT/s320/_48A9308.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kelly Rose Photo<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>In the event that you opt for a microwedding gathering instead of an elopement, when setting up for ceremony, make an extra wide aisle. If guests will be seated while witnessing the marriage ceremony, place ceremony chairs in clusters by household, where each cluster is at least six feet away from other clusters. We’ve been working with our Promise Ridge microwedding couples the week before their ceremony to identify households and those who need to maintain their physical distance from the rest of the group, within their guest list.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><b><font size="4"><br /></font></b><div><b><font size="4">4) Adjust Ceremony Elements</font></b></div><div><b><font size="4"><br /></font></b></div><div>Instead of ring blessings, passing the sign of peace, handfastings and other ceremony rituals that require guests to intermingle in close proximity with each other, or touch the same item, include ceremony elements like Signing the Marriage License, a Tree Planting, Unity Beer Blending or a community vow of support--all rituals and actions that can be done while maintaining everyone’s personal space.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div><font size="4"><b>5) The Officiant Stands to the Side of the Ceremony Space</b></font></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhKcyx5FcaQwDFyOwOrQjpOCQuEbV_hjQ5WtUm3Q8V4A9j-5Fe0KKlUQjk2KgBK3xN0Y0lUKOMUpd0ZdG_V-7rfvtW4DP4lQvjNDE2xc2naHCiiQ951GmlPPMhwcX9NEh-OTE2Ftu3Xk64/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhKcyx5FcaQwDFyOwOrQjpOCQuEbV_hjQ5WtUm3Q8V4A9j-5Fe0KKlUQjk2KgBK3xN0Y0lUKOMUpd0ZdG_V-7rfvtW4DP4lQvjNDE2xc2naHCiiQ951GmlPPMhwcX9NEh-OTE2Ftu3Xk64/s320/JFP_1185.JPG" width="387" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Julie Floro Photography<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div>The officiant is one of the only vendors for whom wearing a mask while performing just doesn’t make sense. In order to help maintain a safe physical distance from my couples and their families, I have changed where I stand during ceremony so I don’t have to wear a mask. Instead of standing in the traditional spot—between and in front of the couple--I am now standing off to the side for outdoor ceremonies. When I am officiating a ceremony at Promise Ridge, I am standing off of the ceremony platform entirely but close enough to still be heard. If a couple feels more comfortable with their officiant wearing a mask, they’ll need to make arrangements for a microphone on a stand to amplify the officiant’s words.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>6) Ask a Friend to Officiate</b><br />No one knows how long
we’re going to have to be mindful about crowd size, and if these
restrictions continue through the summer, couples may want to prioritize
a close friend or family member being at their microwedding ceremony
instead of an outside professional officiant. The good news, is that my
new online class is designed to help lay officiants do a good job at
this task.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="1600" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQpfoUKmgdhh2pS6ycQQGnzbbruhpQCTAI-u8N2FfFZbdZqcx-GxMsVGpZVQzfP1MwTaF19QeHA1bey7g2ZT81JGfX8gyyHudSzLrjqcDG8JCgdtmzLB7x8rX3paGTkmRDu2QmoyvLjJ32/s400/WCMC_Alt_Logo_3a.jpg" width="400" /></div>
The Wedding Ceremony Master Class is online, can be completed in about an hour and includes my tried and
true questionnaire (so the uncle officiant has a lot of APPROPRIATE
material to pull from), a starter ceremony (so the friend officiant
doesn't waste time cobbling together awkward scripts from the internet)
and my primer on VOWS for the couple. And at the start of 2021 I've updated the class to include a BONUS video lesson on <b>"How to Officiate During the Pandemic".</b><br /><br /><a href="http://www.weddingceremonymasterclass.com/">www.weddingceremonymasterclass.com</a><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div><font size="4"><b>7) Cake + Cutting Ceremony, Champagne Toasts</b></font></div><div><font size="4"><b><br /></b></font></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0RcsKFzgjWzmPprf8GFnpkZCBkLrt1xJMMo9FlGd10_39f-v84slf6cBYQU_ptD7-YUWr8NINz-iPaRciMHYLibafUczG3kQJXMXMjK3vCq0hu0Y-syE7CBXsLh4UWcf1NjyeoQYlnM2z/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0RcsKFzgjWzmPprf8GFnpkZCBkLrt1xJMMo9FlGd10_39f-v84slf6cBYQU_ptD7-YUWr8NINz-iPaRciMHYLibafUczG3kQJXMXMjK3vCq0hu0Y-syE7CBXsLh4UWcf1NjyeoQYlnM2z/s320/8832A047-E588-4EFE-8B3C-21AE879610BD.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Creme Brulee Cake<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>With all the uncertainty right now with the restaurant industry, (take out, individual plates, family style, buffet woes etc.), the original desire remains—we want to celebrate by sharing a special meal with loved ones. My suggestion while we are still in the middle of this pandemic and trying to figure out how to return to these communal meals and moments, is that couples forego a wedding banquet (for now!) and instead opt for a simple cake + cutting ceremony with a champagne toast.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYjX5xOtOchQPz6FeqTIIqNivTWjT4vgF67hlfvlg1oC1tdnUrmYvIw3ZFtsWDcFhSEPFnkBzGvXi8rKXRqrOLqlMc_w3BDL4negmMWVqQCyjA-Wi-gHKdAMpSMMfO0EiuGJKHapnTXE1i/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4369" data-original-width="6553" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYjX5xOtOchQPz6FeqTIIqNivTWjT4vgF67hlfvlg1oC1tdnUrmYvIw3ZFtsWDcFhSEPFnkBzGvXi8rKXRqrOLqlMc_w3BDL4negmMWVqQCyjA-Wi-gHKdAMpSMMfO0EiuGJKHapnTXE1i/s320/Michelle+%252B+Christian-sneak+peeks-13.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Madeline Isabella Photography<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Everyone can keep safe distance from those outside of their household while still sharing in the wedding ritual of cutting a cake and eating something sweet together. With everyone standing and spread out in a manner that each person is comfortable in, speeches and toasts can also be done in this configuration while not being a constant visual reminder of the crisis. <br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT4XaF5BRKXI-t5Eb7NciYqQoMBP8RMhtCHmkRU3ddY8Ntz2pqV284MAzFNjscUhu2SOnd1z6lS40wDWRmobwV2HFu8PYeF-lKwguM2YxQuTfk_KqVBvxZ64uxBVZDZrlLfsO4LI72A8SI/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3439" data-original-width="2624" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT4XaF5BRKXI-t5Eb7NciYqQoMBP8RMhtCHmkRU3ddY8Ntz2pqV284MAzFNjscUhu2SOnd1z6lS40wDWRmobwV2HFu8PYeF-lKwguM2YxQuTfk_KqVBvxZ64uxBVZDZrlLfsO4LI72A8SI/s320/80DF6C90-282D-4F2B-911D-3CFB6A268D88.jpg" width="275" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Storytellers & Co maintaining a safe distance while photographing<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>One of the most compelling draws of having a microwedding is soaking in all the intimate and genuine relationships with everyone gathered. Speeches and toasts to the couple are a natural way that guests can express their love for the couple on this momentous occasion. I recommend that couples ask a handful of the most important people in their life to prepare some formal remarks. Recommended time frame to give people time to prepare a toast or speech is 6 weeks. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div><font size="4"><b>8) Consider Making a Commitment to Each Other</b></font></div><div><br /> </div><div><i><font size="1">Oxford University study: changing the way our social networks are structured—rather than simply reducing the amount we socialize—could be effective in flattening the curve.</font></i></div><div><i><font size="1"><br /></font></i></div><div>If you don’t want to be physically distant from your own families on your wedding day, consider making a commitment to modify your behaviors in the 14 days leading up to the event. Inspired by New Zealand’s approach to lifting restrictions as well as my own family dynamic with shared custody, if everyone who is to attend your nuptials takes care to isolate their household members and use safety precautions when having to go out into public (maintaining 6-feet of physical distance, wearing masks, washing hands etc.) then everyone can feel safe and comfortable being close and maintaining each other’s health during your celebration. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>As a celebrant, I am currently working on creating a Social Bubble Commitment Ceremony for when Stay at Home Orders are lifted and we, as a society, slowly start expanding our social circles again.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><font size="4"><b><br />9) Practice Safe Vendors!</b></font><br /><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghAQagvR1gD4XUXFCimT49UO4fQtTEmpr7efwl9DVq0iI6YcRkMvWk4D0SUnb0pfjNn6kmJlqF1M3ENxRcSsJLk1nc8X6TTPm5K5ze_OBIEJJJd1MP-DaOJjIlcb3wbI4hAD4R4d1oai8u/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghAQagvR1gD4XUXFCimT49UO4fQtTEmpr7efwl9DVq0iI6YcRkMvWk4D0SUnb0pfjNn6kmJlqF1M3ENxRcSsJLk1nc8X6TTPm5K5ze_OBIEJJJd1MP-DaOJjIlcb3wbI4hAD4R4d1oai8u/s320/31325CEF-96CC-4F83-984E-4752F6C90720.jpg" /></a></div>Wedding vendors, photographers, videographers, catering servers etc., wear masks when possible, use hand sanitizer often, and most importantly, communicate with other professionals to maintain physical distance from other vendors providing a service at the gathering.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcDLNhahkhG0-4WqofUIVcRd5IAMWTGYY0bCpj3CbSwMl3T56G7xoIFy8UaOPLAkaQXbzu9K-Cz4xfG3UVBtLZ6BZOaihImBzjzocsHEc3D-YhTNv-5de4xa2zrG8ffnwj-LoxtWbIjQC1/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcDLNhahkhG0-4WqofUIVcRd5IAMWTGYY0bCpj3CbSwMl3T56G7xoIFy8UaOPLAkaQXbzu9K-Cz4xfG3UVBtLZ6BZOaihImBzjzocsHEc3D-YhTNv-5de4xa2zrG8ffnwj-LoxtWbIjQC1/s320/IMG_1655.jpeg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chef Kara Snyder prepared elegantly boxed individual dinners for a social distanced family dinner after ceremony.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><br />AlisaTonggCelebranthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10641909328520358283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7156070338236733346.post-25989351145829244222020-03-18T11:48:00.000-04:002020-03-18T11:48:20.386-04:007 Things You Can Do To Prepare For Marriage In The Time Of COVID-19<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHxikE5O_8vZPdH2qv1l_yUcdRmtPdfeJy3mFhiOVlnShiKHhykJWSgFGCFG49XYHf0bNYL2qG_q9xWfK2dqBg4CKszn4o3McPoO0FtVBCIkoM44Z9sS4ByIjXFHH7OBQXsymuxXJP18ZP/s1600/ceremony+space%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer+wedding%252C+Pat+Robinson+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHxikE5O_8vZPdH2qv1l_yUcdRmtPdfeJy3mFhiOVlnShiKHhykJWSgFGCFG49XYHf0bNYL2qG_q9xWfK2dqBg4CKszn4o3McPoO0FtVBCIkoM44Z9sS4ByIjXFHH7OBQXsymuxXJP18ZP/s400/ceremony+space%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer+wedding%252C+Pat+Robinson+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pat Robinson Photography</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Lots of wedding plans that have been a year or even two years in the making, are having to shift and adapt this week as we, as a society in earnest, adjust our behavior to flattening the curve of the COVID-19 outbreak. Here are 7 things you can do to prepare for marriage in the time of a global pandemic. <b> </b><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>1) VOWS </b><br />Use this opportunity to look for ways that you can show up for your partner in the life ahead, let these real-world daily things and acts of kindness inform your vows. Check out my how-to on <a href="http://alisatonggcelebrant.blogspot.com/2015/12/vows-primer.html#.XnI7F5p7lBw">Vows here</a>.<br /><br /><b>2) MICROWEDDINGS NOW, BIG CELEBRATION LATER</b><br />Consider having a microwedding ceremony, with group size following the current <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2Findex.html">CDC guidelines</a>. At the time of this post, the CDC guideline is groups of 10 or less. Hire a professional officiant and photographer for this pared down ceremony, so that it will feel special and real when you think back on it. <br /><b><br />3) MAKE IT OUTDOORS</b><br />As a celebrant, I personally feel safer officiating an elopement or microwedding ceremony in an outdoor ceremony space so that I can maintain my distance from the couple and their family during the ceremony. Everybody’s health and safety is top priority.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQXwA-LSOWmyMbH_6aAkcARcMald3LEtHjnuobCYEBqaRyxtkpuTvxsVq03s5mPSBeB8vVd0kXB0Bo6N65ZQ7jYvR8GOF_R_aTECrnKSIreUmJa_iWnz5sEwvnd0K_xwwoVJhdsJVR0FBk/s1600/046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQXwA-LSOWmyMbH_6aAkcARcMald3LEtHjnuobCYEBqaRyxtkpuTvxsVq03s5mPSBeB8vVd0kXB0Bo6N65ZQ7jYvR8GOF_R_aTECrnKSIreUmJa_iWnz5sEwvnd0K_xwwoVJhdsJVR0FBk/s400/046.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emily Wren Photography</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>4) ADJUST BEHAVIOR</b><br />As an officiant, I've already adjusted the types of ceremony elements we might include in a ceremony for couples in the foreseeable future, for example <b>Passing the Sign of Peace</b> <i>(where people greet each other with a handshake, hug or a kiss)</i> or a <b>Ring Blessing</b> <i>(where the rings are passed around and everyone has a chance to infuse them with their best wishes before the couple exchanges them)</i> are not going to be in any of the ceremonies I conduct until we're through this pandemic.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxF3WO0hD-ICRPQD21Pmo37drBnXR9k3v650DNGYD7MxO5GYpUfeg7cBGCSl1K8My4DxtrmQSyxdZuDNKaFExoimrPa3iscgI6dHvcMs3kLPqvdk8hM05K-aaR3b_zwRoD6XzsARN_2_E0/s1600/Kelly+%2526+Rich+passing+the+rings.+Terrain+at+Styers.+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant.+Joyeuse+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="532" data-original-width="800" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxF3WO0hD-ICRPQD21Pmo37drBnXR9k3v650DNGYD7MxO5GYpUfeg7cBGCSl1K8My4DxtrmQSyxdZuDNKaFExoimrPa3iscgI6dHvcMs3kLPqvdk8hM05K-aaR3b_zwRoD6XzsARN_2_E0/s400/Kelly+%2526+Rich+passing+the+rings.+Terrain+at+Styers.+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant.+Joyeuse+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /><b>5) SELF-IMPROVEMENT DURING QUARANTINE</b><br />No one knows how long we’re going to have to be mindful about crowd size, and if these restrictions continue through the summer, couples may want to prioritize a close friend or family member being at their microwedding ceremony instead of an outside professional officiant. The good news, is that my new online class is designed to help lay officiants do a good job at this task.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="1600" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQpfoUKmgdhh2pS6ycQQGnzbbruhpQCTAI-u8N2FfFZbdZqcx-GxMsVGpZVQzfP1MwTaF19QeHA1bey7g2ZT81JGfX8gyyHudSzLrjqcDG8JCgdtmzLB7x8rX3paGTkmRDu2QmoyvLjJ32/s400/WCMC_Alt_Logo_3a.jpg" width="400" /></div>
The Wedding Ceremony Master Class is online, can be completed in less than two hours (and with social distancing!!!) and includes my tried and true questionnaire (so the uncle officiant has a lot of APPROPRIATE material to pull from), a starter ceremony (so the friend officiant doesn't waste time cobbling together awkward scripts from the internet) and my primer on VOWS for the couple. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.weddingceremonymasterclass.com/">www.weddingceremonymasterclass.com</a><br /><br /><br /><b>6) BE FLEXIBLE</b><br />I think the best thing we can all do right now is stay home, keep making plans for the future and have a flexible attitude if something needs to change -- whether that's date, venue, a particular vendor, or if Gran can attend. <br /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGEJWP_hjTOcDE1TG-AWhF4plvlt7oMELfnQ86oQUlhcqP-gjX_EioYgQILX7sHKDEoGJZgvCot1wh04tQ_8g2Cb4lZleTTPe3wWpetKwGCsYjPTgXnLcmMly2o-YIt-uIuStyHM4S8dKg/s1600/Overlay07_HEARTS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1597" data-original-width="1600" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGEJWP_hjTOcDE1TG-AWhF4plvlt7oMELfnQ86oQUlhcqP-gjX_EioYgQILX7sHKDEoGJZgvCot1wh04tQ_8g2Cb4lZleTTPe3wWpetKwGCsYjPTgXnLcmMly2o-YIt-uIuStyHM4S8dKg/s320/Overlay07_HEARTS.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /><b>7) REMEMBER WHAT MATTERS</b><br />And we’re book-ending this post by focusing again on what matters the most—honoring your relationships. When things get crazy and everything around us is uncertain, I hope that you can draw strength from remembering that marriage commitments traditionally include a basic premise, ‘for better or for worse, good times and difficult, sickness and health.’ If you’re reading this, my wish for you is that you have someone or a handful of people in your life that you are “in it with”, people who you trust and who provide some stability during these unstable times. Do whatever you need to do today to be that someone, that shelter in the storm, for the people you love too.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikXDUWpibuD1L_K6moIGu2WIkPblrlJaneZ0-DREmP-Ig8M71U_qvWeAJN0M2s71L_Rt0gt_PCImAuSOUILD4b_lRya9cnriPYoxmOR_pq2KhJd6Dn7gdsF_FOMgfDbS2Avb5WzQK7BB09/s1600/Shower+of+Blessings%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+%25C2%25A9AlexisJuneWeddings+.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikXDUWpibuD1L_K6moIGu2WIkPblrlJaneZ0-DREmP-Ig8M71U_qvWeAJN0M2s71L_Rt0gt_PCImAuSOUILD4b_lRya9cnriPYoxmOR_pq2KhJd6Dn7gdsF_FOMgfDbS2Avb5WzQK7BB09/s400/Shower+of+Blessings%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+%25C2%25A9AlexisJuneWeddings+.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alexis June Photography</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />AlisaTonggCelebranthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10641909328520358283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7156070338236733346.post-80727494652081685962020-02-12T10:34:00.002-05:002020-02-12T10:34:43.258-05:00Asking a Friend or Family Member to Officiate? All The Reasons You Shouldn’t And The One Reason You Should<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirFGv8NkIdRJaQu7CsTK7nZjaR8TNMAOVHkkwAUcvfGfL2I6L8lubYj9iSmbMVtoXvsfxtKrusHg2hF51DjKo6jZdPbaJbbUVN9FLmavcGgKp7dF27zWreaAp2BSgdNTGiPxagX9ay_om2/s1600/friend-officiate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="589" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirFGv8NkIdRJaQu7CsTK7nZjaR8TNMAOVHkkwAUcvfGfL2I6L8lubYj9iSmbMVtoXvsfxtKrusHg2hF51DjKo6jZdPbaJbbUVN9FLmavcGgKp7dF27zWreaAp2BSgdNTGiPxagX9ay_om2/s400/friend-officiate.jpg" width="325" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i><b>Will you marry us?</b></i><br /><br />One doesn’t need to search hard for real wedding examples of how asking a friend to officiate a wedding ceremony can go wrong. There have been numerous articles written and horror-stories shared in wedding boards about having a Friend or Family Member officiate, and still more examples of regret that people would never share because they don’t want to hurt the feelings of someone they care about.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.brides.com/story/couples-regret-friend-officiate-wedding">5 Couples Who Majorly Regretted Having a Friend Officiate Their Wedding</a><br /><br /><a href="https://officiantguy.com/blog/why-you-shouldnt-ask-your-friend-to-officiate-your-wedding-ceremony/">Top 7 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Ask a Friend to Officiate Wedding Ceremony</a> <br /><br /><a href="https://www.gq.com/story/how-do-i-disapprove-of-a-wedding">My Friends Are Getting Married and I Don’t Think They Should. Help!</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.engagedandready.com/eight-reasons-why-friends-or-family-members-shouldnt-officiate-your-wedding-ceremony/">Eight reasons why friends or family members shouldn’t officiate your wedding ceremony</a><br /><br />This round up by fellow celebrant Donna Forsythe is particularly illuminating...<a href="https://www.adoreweddingslv.com/when-your-friend-officiates/">When Your Friend Officiates—What Do the Pros Have to Say?</a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPTuLoIosn-_zwUUFgqs9nizp6cP4cEDi9WCXww5eyVFO_KUNzSDRf4_iQn-R0h4nA07l2L_rj7rxv_sPwmDeGuxIXmDjD0RoLCxlBU48jXvxkLcRHPQFbw1LZd6VHqdILSzHtBpHYfKsi/s1600/ash+imagry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="668" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPTuLoIosn-_zwUUFgqs9nizp6cP4cEDi9WCXww5eyVFO_KUNzSDRf4_iQn-R0h4nA07l2L_rj7rxv_sPwmDeGuxIXmDjD0RoLCxlBU48jXvxkLcRHPQFbw1LZd6VHqdILSzHtBpHYfKsi/s400/ash+imagry.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ash Imagery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
As a professional officiant, I have the great fortune of only being at weddings where the ceremony is spectacular. But that is not the case for the majority of wedding industry professionals. In fact, two years ago, I started being approached by wedding planners, venues and other wedding professionals, asking if I would put together a ceremony ghost writing/ training/ coaching package for their clients who have asked a friend to officiate the wedding ceremony, because wedding professionals know that everything on the wedding day is affected by how the ceremony goes.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>If creating a powerful ceremony moment (the genuine fairytale moment couples are imagining when they ask their friend or family member to officiate) were as easy as following a wedding board checklist, or reciting a sample script available online, then why are wedding professionals at these weddings still reporting such easily avoidable mistakes?</i></blockquote>
<br />
<h4>
<b>Well, the answer is because, creating the type of ceremony experience most people are dreaming about is harder to do than you’d think. There’s an art to performance, ceremony and communicating from the heart. And learning an art, takes time and repetition. </b></h4>
<h4>
<b> </b></h4>
<a href="https://www.weddingceremonymasterclass.com/">Wedding Ceremony Master Class for Friend Officiants</a> is the result of professional wedding planners, photographers, venues and videographers alerting me to the problems and dramas of so many of their weddings when a Friend or Family Member is not prepared to officiate, freezes up (or worse yet—doesn’t even show!) or makes the ceremony awkward, uncomfortable or a joke. <br /><br />The biggest Pro to all those Cons, though, is when the Friend or Family Member asked to officiate does a great job, deepens the friendship and creates forever-cherished memories with the couple. A successful officiant helps people connect emotionally in that moment. A well-written and delivered ceremony helps the couple demonstrate to their community what makes them special as a couple, <i>the WHY of it all</i>. A moving ceremony helps everyone rally around what the couple is hoping for the future.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWKd-FDbKYftMe3b27631gA34qow-4pKFdbG-pGNdzMgY-Iq7owOrZH_MJhgDyfg-TuD3vnXFDPkmLMme1WlTs2f4Rn0fND7_fTjJ1HmennMWav7XG9TDHiyFd069-7Y_3aA-Xrl4RxVqr/s1600/Overlay07_HEARTS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1597" data-original-width="1600" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWKd-FDbKYftMe3b27631gA34qow-4pKFdbG-pGNdzMgY-Iq7owOrZH_MJhgDyfg-TuD3vnXFDPkmLMme1WlTs2f4Rn0fND7_fTjJ1HmennMWav7XG9TDHiyFd069-7Y_3aA-Xrl4RxVqr/s320/Overlay07_HEARTS.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
As an award-winning Life-Cycle Celebrant and a professional officiant, that’s the kind of experience I am delivering each time. It’s often assumed by everyone present, that I am a good friend of the couple because of the warmth I bring to the writing and delivery of a wedding ceremony. Sometimes it takes a professional to deliver the kind of ceremony experience that we hope a friend can provide. I’ve created this <a href="https://www.weddingceremonymasterclass.com/">Wedding Ceremony Master Class</a> to teach Friend and Family Member Officiants my process of creating those kind of powerful, moving, and memorable ceremonies where everyone leaves with “hearts filled with love.”<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1XUjGxWuLaeaTved09O9CcuoCvrOYxAQh-spt6U10_7C8AkTZyH5THXfOwasHvDbNz5ctUoB560HeUkuYiHvh3Xj3SKT1VTQUv5D6yx48vuMXxTL9nPwjQ_nznDHygtQWsmBzQeK40Yek/s1600/dn_0375+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1XUjGxWuLaeaTved09O9CcuoCvrOYxAQh-spt6U10_7C8AkTZyH5THXfOwasHvDbNz5ctUoB560HeUkuYiHvh3Xj3SKT1VTQUv5D6yx48vuMXxTL9nPwjQ_nznDHygtQWsmBzQeK40Yek/s400/dn_0375+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love Me Do Photography</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><br />AlisaTonggCelebranthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10641909328520358283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7156070338236733346.post-41791691139534628022020-02-02T14:16:00.000-05:002020-02-02T14:16:09.519-05:00How to Officiate Your Friends' Wedding<h2>
<b>Officiating a Friends’ Wedding? I created this online course just for you!</b></h2>
<h2>
<b> </b></h2>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7jY0g-pjZKqhYedRoiG5li4QF5WEslFtCZ_r7jMC_slHYANOpyO_mfHD8lFIpvWgSAB9df_Hffdxx1OuPu_aMkLEPODhV96r2O03sTjYtGbUTOoL0-xwqJnDnZwSpvaP9MmaWV_PE3ANp/s1600/WCMC_Alt_Logo_3a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="1600" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7jY0g-pjZKqhYedRoiG5li4QF5WEslFtCZ_r7jMC_slHYANOpyO_mfHD8lFIpvWgSAB9df_Hffdxx1OuPu_aMkLEPODhV96r2O03sTjYtGbUTOoL0-xwqJnDnZwSpvaP9MmaWV_PE3ANp/s400/WCMC_Alt_Logo_3a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<h4>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">I've cracked the code on writing and performing meaningful and inclusive
20-minute ceremonies, and every aspiring Friend Officiant will receive
my tried and true, universally appealing, Starter Ceremony, with simple, straightforward and most importantly, non-gaggy language, so that they
can use the bulk of their creative efforts making that ceremony
personal, charming and memorable for all the right reasons.</span><b><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyg_3lz5dG094IgQDw6rDVWPcR_5V2Ujp2BZ5scZRGKJXWuamQ1cKusUyqU0l6kxVebH8P2ex20ZqyPwnDplHkH-GUkKy1z8zVg4fNRPe6r2euylPwuEHhykqhGPCFvRCs7eVveqNOUhPm/s1600/pat+robinson+with+words.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyg_3lz5dG094IgQDw6rDVWPcR_5V2Ujp2BZ5scZRGKJXWuamQ1cKusUyqU0l6kxVebH8P2ex20ZqyPwnDplHkH-GUkKy1z8zVg4fNRPe6r2euylPwuEHhykqhGPCFvRCs7eVveqNOUhPm/s400/pat+robinson+with+words.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pat Robinson Photography</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</b></h4>
</blockquote>
<b>Why Friend Officiants?</b><br />
<br />
<b>“Two years ago, I started to be approached by wedding planners and other wedding professionals, asking if I would put together a ceremony ghost writing/ training/ coaching package for their clients who have asked a friend to officiate the wedding ceremony.</b> I know the primary appeal of having a friend officiate is that personalization is such a strong factor for today’s couple. Couples want all the pieces of their wedding to be a reflection of who they are, what their story is, and what their hopes are for the future—authentically.<br />
<br /><b>Having someone who loves them in the role of officiant is a natural draw for modern couples.</b> I get it! The problem is that even the best, most put-together-public-speaking-loving-friend, is a lay person when it comes leading the process of creating ceremony flow and content. What ends up happening is the honored friend (or worse yet, the bride!) devotes tens of hours scouring the internet for sample ceremony scripts and cobbling together official-sounding language that is NOT an authentic representation of the couple’s personality and style. Lots of times, the friend (knowing the cobbled together script is not great) panics and backs out of the responsibility close to the event date, or shows up at the wedding unprepared for day-of considerations, causing chaos—hence the requests from a handful of wedding planners to create something to help this phenomenon.<br />
<br /><b>I’ve created this online Wedding Ceremony Master Class to take Friend Officiants through my process of authoring and performing a simple, genuine, memorable and meaningful ceremony.</b> Wedding Ceremony Master Class students will receive a tried and true questionnaire to help the couple and their Friend Officiant identify important sentiments that need to be included in the ceremony, a Starter Ceremony –a framework for the Friend Officiant to work in, a demystification of what legally needs to be said/done in the ceremony, and (my favorite part!) a coaching session to help prepare the Friend Officiant to knock it out of the park."<br />-- Alisa Tongg, Fairy God Celebrant<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/bB0OgxvCi10/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bB0OgxvCi10?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
<h3>
The Wedding Ceremony Master Class for the Friend Officiant</h3>
<h4>
Covers Three Important Aspects:</h4>
<b>1) Making It Legal.</b> Although online ordination is the legal tool for the lay officiant in the majority of states, there are a handful of states where a friend who has been ordained online actually puts their friends’ marriage in legal jeopardy. Celebrant Alisa Tongg’s Wedding Ceremony Master Class will equip Friend Officiants to be able to confidently use the phrase, ‘by the authority vested in me…’”<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<b><br />2) Writing a Ceremony.</b> Starting with what questions to ask the couple, Wedding Ceremony Master Class will take Friend Officiants through Celebrant Alisa Tongg’s tried and true process of creating a heartfelt, simple, meaningful and appropriate ceremony that will be about 20 minutes in length.<br />
<br /><b>3) Performance-getting ready to shine.</b> From what to wear, what’s in your hands, when a microphone is needed, an overview of the responsibilities of other wedding professionals the Friend Officiant will have to work alongside, when to collect the marriage license and a performance trick that will boost confidence right before the aisle, the final part of Wedding Ceremony Master Class will prepare Friend Officiants so they can deliver a memorable ceremony, for all the right reasons.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCK5BfIpwC0lXdXK1T45_72Ay0M1Dd8ck0XV88iD6y4YBk1J-nKqMUKCI2GyY1Gfz2_1UsQOFfS1f43XMWxE1C803srFy_6AIh4w3j2h9FdnYDmbE7B23QaiK369gHOAkhKeNhea2ObpPN/s1600/WCMC_Alt_Logo_4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1394" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCK5BfIpwC0lXdXK1T45_72Ay0M1Dd8ck0XV88iD6y4YBk1J-nKqMUKCI2GyY1Gfz2_1UsQOFfS1f43XMWxE1C803srFy_6AIh4w3j2h9FdnYDmbE7B23QaiK369gHOAkhKeNhea2ObpPN/s320/WCMC_Alt_Logo_4.png" width="278" /></a></div>
<br /><i>Wedding Ceremony Master Class is an online course that students complete at their own pace, (although I recommend that you give yourself at least 8 weeks to do the classes and complete each step in preparing for being at the end of the aisle on one of the biggest days of your Friends’ lives.)</i><br /><br /><a href="http://www.weddingceremonymasterclass.com/">www.weddingceremonymasterclass.com</a><br />AlisaTonggCelebranthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10641909328520358283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7156070338236733346.post-90582720443649770682019-09-02T10:05:00.000-04:002019-09-02T10:05:05.556-04:00Civil Celebrant Bill SB 833, Introduced In The Pennsylvania Senate<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizN4qKrp0FpwZmtVGWrsV1zRVfqgnbbh16ISIhk9Pnz3_hqftyebEENl-IJfTC9i3q0KNQuw8I6VHvEcGTvPSQsAXcReoZgxewx7KOciQXkow-1PDNvo2Zs5qA0vRictQ4H_3YoHe_4WQL/s1600/Celebrant+Alisa+Tongg+with+Pennsylvania+Senator+John+Blake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizN4qKrp0FpwZmtVGWrsV1zRVfqgnbbh16ISIhk9Pnz3_hqftyebEENl-IJfTC9i3q0KNQuw8I6VHvEcGTvPSQsAXcReoZgxewx7KOciQXkow-1PDNvo2Zs5qA0vRictQ4H_3YoHe_4WQL/s400/Celebrant+Alisa+Tongg+with+Pennsylvania+Senator+John+Blake.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celebrant Alisa Tongg with Pennsylvania Senator John Blake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We need you now! We are almost there! Our Pennsylvania Civil Celebrant Bill SB 833 has been introduced by Sens. Farnese, Fontana, Blake and Brewster and the bill is similar to the NJ Civil Celebrant Law R.S.37:1-13 amending their marriage statutes to expand their list of who is authorized to solemnize marriages in the state. <b>Along with judges, mayors, and clergy, they added a new category of people professionally trained to create and perform ceremonies--Civil Celebrants.</b> For that to happen, they need your help to advance this bill up for a vote!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1063" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhquI9vcMruEAhRj-sIs_WdxoVq4aefFQs9SxO7rERy0Yq28TJqcOzpSpCYPr0MjLw9SSDyIfnZMF4LzoME0OQrVu8905n4eCR-07ujNEIzZD5dJYAReBlvyPguxwzRXoXkuwB-pKhXP4Wq/s640/SB+833.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="424" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.legis.state.pa.us/CFDOCS/Legis/PN/Public/btCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&sessYr=2019&sessInd=0&billBody=S&billTyp=B&billNbr=0833&pn=1142">https://www.legis.state.pa.us/CFDOCS/Legis/PN/Public/btCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&sessYr=2019&sessInd=0&billBody=S&billTyp=B&billNbr=0833&pn=1142</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Last year, only 1:4 weddings took place in a traditional religious institution, <u>that means that the overwhelming majority of modern couples are hosting their weddings and ceremony in a venue or out in nature, not in a church.</u> <br /><br />
<h4>
Nearly 40% of Pennsylvanians 30 years old and younger are “Unaffiliated” with a religion. <u>T<b>he religiously unaffiliated, in fact, are the second largest religious group in the commonwealth</b></u> (right after Catholics). And furthermore, Pennsylvania is considered a “more religiously diverse” state, meaning that the occurrences of interfaith marriages are much higher here than in other parts of the country. </h4>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwCpoBMMn29oU58rTMdWqnmFoi6LPfB6os13_poVqSIM6waML3TwCHAGnCoxQSYFa7hzZnCInJPUkbkfw7y2iz5vm-bWdpI3Ai1u601XWOY3xKCe1vTP-DQUXlFCmKvu9yt0PXYE3BEM2p/s1600/PACelebracy-layout-Final-01-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1036" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwCpoBMMn29oU58rTMdWqnmFoi6LPfB6os13_poVqSIM6waML3TwCHAGnCoxQSYFa7hzZnCInJPUkbkfw7y2iz5vm-bWdpI3Ai1u601XWOY3xKCe1vTP-DQUXlFCmKvu9yt0PXYE3BEM2p/s640/PACelebracy-layout-Final-01-1.jpg" width="414" /></a></div>
<br /><br />Couples who want a religion-free wedding ceremony, or a wedding ceremony that honors more than one faith or culture) are being left behind by our current marriage laws. <br />
<br /><b>This is the time to reach out to your State Senator to let them know how very important the bill is to the PA wedding industry</b>.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtq8LMD9qzvVROLe6b3YtAIsW2CvqgSLT66zvzP6aBiquweg4mIFPwhGFDT6s-M1YNzlqmp8xSNqQPvoRhKX9CTOGjER4ptXiCS5EYkdisXz4mqRBQ0aS86-RxUPjpgcvtaEvYmjoiVg6f/s1600/Alexa+and+Frank+Married-Ceremony-0097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtq8LMD9qzvVROLe6b3YtAIsW2CvqgSLT66zvzP6aBiquweg4mIFPwhGFDT6s-M1YNzlqmp8xSNqQPvoRhKX9CTOGjER4ptXiCS5EYkdisXz4mqRBQ0aS86-RxUPjpgcvtaEvYmjoiVg6f/s400/Alexa+and+Frank+Married-Ceremony-0097.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alexa + Frank at their wedding and ceremony at Philadelphia's Union Trust Building, Laura Napoli Photography</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Let’s do this now! See the list attached for the PA Judiciary Committee, then please go to their websites and contact them. These are the Senators who will decide if this bi-partisan economic bill goes up for a vote.<br /><br /><br /><u><b>FOR SB 833 Civil Celebrancy Bill<br />Senate Judiciary:</b></u><br /><br />Senator Lisa Baker (R)<br />Lawrence Farnese (D)<br />Wayne Langerloc Jr.<br />Joseph Scarnati III<br />Camera Bartlotta<br />Scott Martin<br />Joe Pittman<br />Mike Regan<br />Gene Yaw<br />Maria Collett<br />Art Haywood<br />John Sabatina<br />Steven Santarsiero<br />Senator Tina Tartaglione<br /><br />Senator Lawrence Farnese Jr. Senate Box 203001 Harrisburg, PA 17120-3001 Room: 543 Main Capitol (717) 787-5662 FAX: (717) 787-4531<br /><br />Senator Lisa Baker Senate Box 203020 Harrisburg, PA 17120-3020 Room: 362 Main Capitol (717) 787-7428 FAX: (717) 787-9242<br /><br />Senator Lisa Baker 22 Dallas Shopping Center Dallas, PA 18612 (570) 675-3931 FAX: (570) 674-5037<br /><br />Senator Lisa Baker 2512 Route 6 Hawley, PA 18428 (570) 226-5960 FAX: (570) 226-5964<br /><br /><br />Senator Wayne Langerholc Jr. Senate Box 203035 Harrisburg, PA 17120-3035 Room: 187 Main Capitol (717) 787-5400 FAX: (717) 772-0573<br /><br /><br />Senator Joseph Scarnati III Senate Box 203025 Harrisburg, PA 17120-3025 Room: 292 Main Capitol (717) 787-7084 FAX: (717) 772-2755<br /><br /><br />Senator Camera Bartolotta Senate Box 203046 Harrisburg, PA 17120-3046 Room: 19 East Wing (717) 787-1463 FAX: (717) 772-2108<br /><br /><br />Senator Camera Bartolotta 95 West Beau Street Suite 107 Washington, PA 15301 (724) 225-4380 FAX: (724) 225-4386<br /><br /><br />Senator John Gordner Senate Box 203027 Harrisburg, PA 17120-3027 Room: 177 Main Capitol (717) 787-8928 FAX: (717) 787-9715<br /><br /><br />Senator John Gordner 603 West Main Street Bloomsburg, PA 17815 (570) 784-3464 FAX: (570) 784-9379<br />
<br />Senator Scott Martin Senate Box 203013 Harrisburg, PA 17120-3013 Room: 459 Main Capitol (717) 787-6535 <br /><br /><br />Senator Scott Martin 48-50 W. Chestnut Street Suite 308 Lancaster, PA 17603 (717) 397-1309<br /><br /><br />Senator Joe Pittman Senate Box 203041 Harrisburg, PA 17120-3041 Room: 281 Main Capitol (717) 787-8724 <br /><br /><br />Senator Joe Pittman 618 Philadelphia Street Indiana, PA 15701 (724) 357-0151 FAX: (724) 357-0148<br /><br /><br />Senator Joe Pittman 109 South Jefferson Street Kittanning, PA 16201 (724) 543-3026 FAX: (724) 548-4856<br /><br /><br />Senator Mike Regan Senate Box 203031 Harrisburg, PA 17120-3031 Room: 15 East Wing (717) 787-8524 <br /><br /><br />Senator Mike Regan 1 East Harrisburg Street Dillsburg, PA 17019 (717) 432-1730 FAX: (717) 432-1733<br /><br /><br />Senator Mike Regan 2151 Market Street Camp Hill, PA 17011 (717) 975-1985<br /><br /><br />Senator Gene Yaw Senate Box 203023 Harrisburg, PA 17120-3023 Room: 362 Main Capitol (717) 787-3280 FAX: (717) 772-0575<br /><br />Senator Gene Yaw 175 Pine Street Suite 105 Williamsport, PA 17701 (570) 322-6457 FAX: (570) 327-3703<br /><br /><br />Senator Maria Collett Senate Box 203012 Harrisburg, PA 17120-3012 Room: 183 Main Capitol (717) 787-6599 <br /><br />Senator Maria Collett Gwynedd Corporate Center 1180 Welsh Road Suite 130 North Wales, PA 19454 (215) 368-1429 FAX: (215) 368-2374<br /><br />Senator Maria Collett 1410 West Street Road Suite A Warminster, PA 18974 (215) 674-1246 FAX: (215) 674-1361<br /><br /><br />Senator Art Haywood Senate Box 203004 Harrisburg, PA 17120-3004 Room: 10 East Wing (717) 787-1427 FAX: (717) 772-0572<br /><br />Senator Art Haywood 1168 Easton Road Abington, PA 19001 (215) 517-1434 FAX: (215) 517-1439<br /><br />Senator Art Haywood 7106 Germantown Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19119 (215) 242-8171 FAX: (215) 242-6118<br /><br /><br />Senator John Sabatina Jr. Senate Box 203005 Harrisburg, PA 17120-3005 Room: 457 Main Capitol (717) 787-9608 FAX: (717) 772-2162<br /><br />Senator John Sabatina Jr. 12361 Academy Road Philadelphia, PA 19154 (215) 281-2539 FAX: (215) 281-2798<br /><br />Senator John Sabatina Jr. 8016 Bustleton Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19152 (215) 695-1020 FAX: (215) 695-1027<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Senator Steven Santarsiero Senate Box 203010 Harrisburg, PA 17120-3010 Room: 184 Main Capitol (717) 787-7305 <br /><br />Senator Steven Santarsiero Building 100, Suite 121 2003 Lower State Road Doylestown, PA 18901 (215) 489-5000 <br /><br />Senator Steven Santarsiero 3 Terry Drive Suite 201 Newtown, PA 18940 (215) 497-9490 <br /><br /><br />AlisaTonggCelebranthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10641909328520358283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7156070338236733346.post-87894326642012300302019-05-24T08:26:00.001-04:002019-05-24T08:26:54.766-04:00Update Celebrancy Bill: Senator Farnese Seeks Co-Sponsors on Civil Celebrants!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxKEum8ekZad91muj04uagQykLw2kc1XxFwrV1Jo036Wtsx_vhUehjpDIWAWvOXbvwKBhYdvxgzoLEtmHvSCQIPs7iLxpPbJqXitzVWHcscUBJTVm_dIo3_Zi-IBt77h5BJvfZxOHmNaMc/s1600/SenatorLarryFarnese.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="257" data-original-width="196" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxKEum8ekZad91muj04uagQykLw2kc1XxFwrV1Jo036Wtsx_vhUehjpDIWAWvOXbvwKBhYdvxgzoLEtmHvSCQIPs7iLxpPbJqXitzVWHcscUBJTVm_dIo3_Zi-IBt77h5BJvfZxOHmNaMc/s400/SenatorLarryFarnese.jpg" width="305" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span id="goog_686921584"></span><span id="goog_686921585"></span></div>
We're very excited to share that <a href="http://www.senatorfarnese.com/about">Senator Larry Farnese</a>, of Pennsylvania's first district Philadelphia, is proposing legislation to modernize the Pennsylvania marriage officiant statutes to include certified civil celebrants (people with my formal training in ceremony) and he is currently seeking co-sponsors on the bill. Their pitch is a strong economic one, here's how their office is talking about the need for this modernization:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Couples preparing to marry in Pennsylvania deserve to have all their dreams met on that special day. On average, Pennsylvanians spend nearly $30,000 on the wedding of their dreams and the wedding industry generates $2 billion in annual sales.<br />
<br />
Of the 73,304 marriages that occurred in Pennsylvania last year, 74% were held outside a religious institution, however, Pennsylvania law only permits religious leaders, judges, or mayors to solemnize marriages. This forces couples who do not wish to have a religious ceremony at the mercy of city hall schedule, seeking out busy judges, or opting to find someone who ascribes to their beliefs and gets ordained online.<br />
<br />
New Jersey recently recognized the ability of trained, certified Civil Celebrants who craft personal ceremonies and are highly sought out by couples to solemnize marriages. It is time for Pennsylvania to do the same. However a couple chooses to declare their fidelity, the Commonwealth should recognize the witnessed, licensed, joining of two lives.<br />
<br />
So please join me in sponsoring legislation to create a certification for civil celebrants to preside over weddings in Pennsylvania.</blockquote>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPUrMwoi5CDfdyKqznQUS3mru-4FK0uQZXjYE7nqBpv-UvqSeqWzyIhvbd27kj5WTMgSE77Diq2t46ia2PRZ3B3nnNKOEcYHKicA9ApZPHvFasoQXVSpI3zmATXNlY6tA07kEbX2KlNjKY/s1600/22577DFF-5C85-4D82-8880-FFAE42A61996.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPUrMwoi5CDfdyKqznQUS3mru-4FK0uQZXjYE7nqBpv-UvqSeqWzyIhvbd27kj5WTMgSE77Diq2t46ia2PRZ3B3nnNKOEcYHKicA9ApZPHvFasoQXVSpI3zmATXNlY6tA07kEbX2KlNjKY/s400/22577DFF-5C85-4D82-8880-FFAE42A61996.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
If you would like to help this effort to modernize our marriage laws here in the Commonwealth, you can call your Pennsylvania State Senator and ask them to consider co-sponsoring this economic bill. Find your representative here: <a href="https://www.pasen.gov/">https://www.pasen.gov/</a><br />
#CelebrancyBill <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgucgx__d_BYNrfN5oY2a5qpPBxphq9L_E8oBKEa13VIKqMw0CJJR_JKDbOWkU0t2qhgIRkmbBe6VLxoGwDrK2aKDAAXZJHAlzedG_SWYtf6slrwR8Nrv2QR_sKLe0iwgJVWiSu48sbYAUi/s1600/PACelebracy-layout-Final-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1036" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgucgx__d_BYNrfN5oY2a5qpPBxphq9L_E8oBKEa13VIKqMw0CJJR_JKDbOWkU0t2qhgIRkmbBe6VLxoGwDrK2aKDAAXZJHAlzedG_SWYtf6slrwR8Nrv2QR_sKLe0iwgJVWiSu48sbYAUi/s640/PACelebracy-layout-Final-01.jpg" width="414" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />AlisaTonggCelebranthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10641909328520358283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7156070338236733346.post-56578778917910718382019-04-18T08:32:00.000-04:002019-05-31T12:52:06.575-04:00Why We Need Celebrancy in Pennsylvania, Co-signed by 100 Wedding Industry Leaders<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWrjY-dI3Zt8FeKidCw1iNGInQFjJvMYr7sxh1tPlWeSie8KIx03A8xfBoL1mCfLXKLmV8-cvLqBiEKK6EOSNeM4YqOA4Sz_FH57upcVaWqyUmKyfhi-6NA-b2yivSQfGKDohR3wZc7jDR/s1600/PACelebracy-layout-Final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1036" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWrjY-dI3Zt8FeKidCw1iNGInQFjJvMYr7sxh1tPlWeSie8KIx03A8xfBoL1mCfLXKLmV8-cvLqBiEKK6EOSNeM4YqOA4Sz_FH57upcVaWqyUmKyfhi-6NA-b2yivSQfGKDohR3wZc7jDR/s640/PACelebracy-layout-Final.jpg" width="414" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Economic impact of Celebrancy in Pennsylvania</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In 2014, New Jersey passed a bi-partisan economic Civil Celebrant Law R.S.37:1-13 amending their marriage and civil unions statutes to expand their list of who is authorized to solemnize marriages in the state. Along with judges, mayors and clergy they added a new category of people professionally trained to create and perform ceremonies--Civil Celebrants. Pennsylvania couples are starting to expect the same choice.<br />
<br />
The Knot’s 2017 Wedding Study reported that only 26% of couples hosted their weddings in a “traditional” religious institution. Furthermore, according to PRRI Surveys, 40% of individuals under 30 claim “no religious affiliation.” The current Pennsylvania marriage statute leaves this growing majority of the population who are looking for a ceremony that elegantly blends their family traditions, faiths and story, behind. The Knot’s report supports this cultural and consumer shift and identifies that personalization is a top consideration when making wedding purchasing decisions and 64% of couples identify personalization as “the most important consideration.” <b>Civil Celebrants are educated and trained to create and perform personalized ceremonies.</b><br />
<br />
We the undersigned, would agree that this statistic is reflective of our experience in the wedding industry as well. Commonwealth businesses have already adapted their business models and offerings to meet this new norm; but it’s not enough, our couples are often confused about what legal options are available to them when they are filling the role of officiant in their wedding. Philadelphia boasts some of the most beautiful, well-respected and highly sought-after wedding venues and event spaces in the country, the overwhelming majority of which are not houses of worship or courthouses. Additionally, Pennsylvania/Philadelphia continues to be ranked as one of the top 10 regions nationally where people spend the most on their weddings. Trends and expectations in the actual ceremony are rapidly changing too and our laws need to catch up if we want to stay competitive. <br />
<br />
The New Jersey law notably recognizes the changing face of family by providing couples of all backgrounds, traditions, cultures and faiths a greater choice in how they want to mark the beginning of their married life together. Equally important, the law also promotes high-standards in ceremony preparation and delivery by requiring celebrants to successfully complete professional education and training in ceremony and ritual to be eligible to register with the State—creating a whole new profession: Civil Celebrant. A similar Celebrancy bill in Pennsylvania would fill an unmet economic and societal need while also modernizing the law. <br />
<br />
We are asking for your support and leadership in passing similar legislation here in the Commonwealth to give today’s couples the choices they’ve come to expect with regards to ceremony. We’d love to keep Pennsylvania a top-of-mind and an attractive place for people to get married and host their weddings. <br />
<br />
Please see the New Jersey <a href="https://nj.gov/state/dos-civil-celebrant.shtml">Civil Celebrant Law</a> we’re interested in using as model legislation, the <a href="https://www.mcc.co.mercer.pa.us/registerofwills/Disclaimer.Marriage.License.Officiants.pdf">current Pennsylvania marriage statutes for your reference</a> (Yikes!), as well as the spending report from <a href="https://www.theknotww.com/press-releases/the-knot-2017-real-weddings-study-wedding-spend/">The Knot’s 2017 Wedding Survey</a>.<br />
<br />
Sincerely,<br />
Alisa Tongg, Celebrant, Monroe<br />
<br />
David Beahm, David Beahm Weddings, Bucks<br />
Danielle Pasternak, DPNAK Events, Bucks<br />
Douglas James, Douglas James Studios, Bucks<br />
Meg McSweeney, Celebrant, Bucks<br />
Brianna Alcorn, terrain events, Chester County<br />
Denise Stearns, Celebrant, Chester<br />
Stephanie Gundy, Celebrant, Dauphin County<br />
Susan Strayer LaMotte, Exaqueo, Delaware County <br />
Haley Richter, Photographer, Delaware County<br />
Sarah McKay, Photographer, Delaware County<br />
Vanessa Kreckel, Two Paper Dolls, Delaware County<br />
Lori Weinrott, Peachtree Catering/Pomme/Parque Ridley Creek, Delaware County<br />
Shannon Wellington, Shannon Wellington Weddings, Delaware County<br />
Natalie Wallace, birdhouse wedding films, Harrisburg<br />
Jacqueline Smith-Bennett, Celebrant, Harrisburg<br />
Rob Lettieri, Rob Lettieri Photography, Lackawanna<br />
Bob Sanchuk, Two Sticks Photography, Lackawanna<br />
Kelly Trapper, Constantino’s Catering, Lackawanna <br />
Danielle Coons, Photography, Lackawanna<br />
Sammi Shea, Sammi Shea Photography, Lackawanna<br />
Kevin Fonash, Fonash Studios, Lackawanna<br />
Linda Berger, Celebrant, Lancaster<br />
Jillian McGrath, With Love & Embers, Lebanon<br />
Ryan McGrath, With Love & Embers, Lebanon<br />
Krista Hurst, The Hursts & Co., Lebanon<br />
Michael Hurst, The Hursts & Co., Lebanon<br />
Sarah Petryk, Allium Floral Events & Styling, Lehigh<br />
Abby Ogden, Fox and Finch Vintage Rentals, Lehigh<br />
Meg Fox, Fox and Finch Studio, Lehigh<br />
Eric Paez, Vault 634, Leigh<br />
Alicia Smith, ILE Events, Leigh<br />
Cindie Feldman, 29Cooks, Lehigh<br />
Kevin Feldman, Gather Emmaus Event, Lehigh<br />
Katelynn Walsh, Hair and Makeup Artist, Lehigh <br />
Christina Campbell, Nina Lily Photography, Lehigh <br />
Kristy Rice, Momental Designs, Luzerne<br />
Susan Farrell, Big Top Rentals, Inc., Luzerne<br />
John Phillips, MCR Design Group, Luzerne<br />
Danae Husband, Kindred Souls Photography, Luzerne <br />
Sarah Pawlowski, Flourish Grace Calligraphy, Luzerne<br />
Christopher Souza, Penn Strings, Monroe<br />
Paris Kiriakis , Weddings by Paris Entertainment, Monroe<br />
Eileen Noelle Photography, Monroe<br />
Joy Danielewicz-Britton, Limousines Four Less, Monroe<br />
Todd Britton, Limousines For Less, Monroe<br />
Susie Forrester, Susie Forrester Fine Art Photography, Monroe<br />
Nicole Taylor, Photographer, Monroe<br />
Cynthia Malaran, DJ CherishtheLuv, Monroe<br />
Lois Heckman, Celebrant, Monroe County<br />
Melissa McManus, M2 Photography, Montgomery<br />
Michael McManus, Stagger Films, Montgomery<br />
Leah Gallo, Storybook Designs Co., Montgomery<br />
Susan Stein, Celebrant, Montgomery<br />
Adam Skuba, Skuba Entertainment, Northampton<br />
Ken Jones Jr., Mercantile Home, Northampton<br />
Ron Morris, Mercantile Home, Northampton<br />
Erika Urso, Love Bites By Erika, Northampton<br />
Nicole Hutnyk, Rabbit Rabbit Crew!, Philadelphia<br />
Christopher Nguyen, Feast Your Eyes Catering/ Front & Palmer, Philadelphia <br />
Sara Murray, confetti & co., Philadelphia<br />
Danielle Iannetta, Philadelphia Weddings Magazine/ VP, NACE-Venues, Philadelphia/Camden NJ<br />
Rasa Stirbys Benefico, Birchtree Catering, Philadelphia<br />
Allegra Derengowski, Birchtree Catering, Philadelphia<br />
Mugu Radu, Philadelphia String Quartet, Philadelphia<br />
Tom Harmon, Solidity Films, Philadelphia<br />
Claudia Harmon, Jollifer Floral, Philadelphia<br />
Emily Wren, Emily Wren Photography, Philadelphia<br />
Greg Cornish, Emily Wren Weddings, Philadelphia<br />
Jill Magerman, Celebrant, Philadelphia<br />
Beth Palubinsky, Celebrant, Philadelphia<br />
Linda Newsted, Celebrant, Philadelphia<br />
Aleksandra Ambrozy, Hair and Makeup Artist, Philadelphia<br />
Dustin Genereux, Photograper, Philadelphia<br />
Christy Howton, PaperTree Studio, Philadelphia<br />
Tanti Lina, Papertini Studio, Philadelphia<br />
Jon Homes, Lovesick, Philadelphia<br />
Tom Wright, Lovesick, Philadelphia<br />
Cathie Berrey-Green, BeauMonde Originals, Philadelphia<br />
Allen Green, BeauMonde Originals, Philadelphia<br />
Ashlee Mintz, Photographer, Philadelphia<br />
Heather Sizemore, HLS Photography, Philadelphia<br />
Kelly Giarrocco, Photography, Philadelphia<br />
Alexandria Proko, Alexandria Catherine Events, Philadelphia<br />
Milanee Long, Garces Group, Philadelphia<br />
Erin Proud, Proud To Plan, Philadelphia<br />
Ashley Aragona, hello, bird, Philadelphia<br />
Denise Weaver, Denise Marie Photography, Philadelphia <br />
Sean Strub, Mayor of Milford/Hotel Fauchere, Pike <br />
Brandon Grimglia, 403 Broad, Pike<br />
Cara Pawlowski, Wedding Coordinator, Pike<br />
Amanda Griffenkranz, Wedding Coordinator, Pike<br />
Jen Haefeli, Poetic Illustrations, Pittsburgh<br />
Laura Portia Brady, Theodora James Inc, Pittsburgh<br />
Sandee Monahan, Celebrant, Pittsburgh<br />
Jessica Manns Photography, Susquehanna<br />
Seneca Lewis, Seneca Ryan Co. Photography, Susquehanna<br />
Justin Genzlinger, Settlers Hospitality, Wayne<br />
Katharine Brown, 6th and River, Wayne <br />
Julie Piazza, Chippy White Table, Wyoming County<br />
Karyn Pashchuk, Chippy White Table, Wyoming County<br />
Cecelia Cronin, Chippy White Table, Wyoming County<br />
Robin Tyler, Celebrant, York<br />
Dorry Bless, Celebrant, Hunterdon County New Jersey<br />
Susan Norcross, The Styled Bride, Gloucester County, NJAlisaTonggCelebranthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10641909328520358283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7156070338236733346.post-74848456999720988112019-02-13T11:11:00.000-05:002019-02-13T11:39:52.080-05:00Let's Update the Marriage Laws in Pennsylvania. Join my Wedding Industry Coalition!<h3>
I've taken on a huge task for 2019--to get the marriage laws updated here in Pennsylvania, and I need your help to do it!</h3>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvEm6lCexxwe0JDNY4QXTSLasp0ViVdAyBrT7asPfp7k-oqTe_BvSZxHdFvTElPrCa32ubhokh9BrtHnkP3YflEXVGhsetyex7eKNvbVJiKETO0EbfqwLxDl224zXL_I0kuV8q0Aim2t07/s1600/KaylaCait-Wedding-4330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvEm6lCexxwe0JDNY4QXTSLasp0ViVdAyBrT7asPfp7k-oqTe_BvSZxHdFvTElPrCa32ubhokh9BrtHnkP3YflEXVGhsetyex7eKNvbVJiKETO0EbfqwLxDl224zXL_I0kuV8q0Aim2t07/s400/KaylaCait-Wedding-4330.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Danielle Coons Photography of the first marriage license to be signed on the famous Chippy White Table</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">As a fellow wedding industry professional serving Pennsylvania, I know that our current marriage laws are often a source for confusion and uncertainty for our wedding clients. According to The Knot’s 2017 Wedding Survey, <b><i>only 26% of couples chose to be married in a “traditional” religious institution.</i></b> For those of us in the Pennsylvania wedding industry, we see first hand how quickly the culture and expectations surrounding weddings is changing. This growing trend toward personalization and a more sophisticated consumer, has not only inspired a lot of creativity in what businesses offer (wedding venues, film, pizza trucks, music and entertainment); the styles of gatherings that are desired has also expanded (elopements and microweddings); and in a very short time, we’ve seen the market accept new traditions and expectations too (for example a First Look is now common place where as, 15 years ago it was still considered bad luck.) <b>Trends and expectations in the actual ceremony are also rapidly changing too and our laws need to catch up. </b></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEIJVHkaMSVob_eMZPvRN6GnBetWD4vvDyLl1dB82xpQMas_nK4gkkoSbT7ZG3OEichOgRK-pcktSTk-F_XgDh_2B5UiGg_e96bhzd41jK0GKzeG9XSdXWWDpDwH9TYpzqY8wIjM4x0b0c/s1600/KaylaCait-Wedding-4365.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEIJVHkaMSVob_eMZPvRN6GnBetWD4vvDyLl1dB82xpQMas_nK4gkkoSbT7ZG3OEichOgRK-pcktSTk-F_XgDh_2B5UiGg_e96bhzd41jK0GKzeG9XSdXWWDpDwH9TYpzqY8wIjM4x0b0c/s400/KaylaCait-Wedding-4365.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Danielle Coons Photography</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgENYrARmxyX6mWvf3LjErnNdrCoFIC-P7eTqDL4RjC8qROOFJfW51Qh4ZRaXpU2hILFvorfXaCAH0K_sZlbviPA-LkSSii1ZYZ_nIlPbmycC6kQuor6DXaOmmq0vHXp-TERB1Gy7fBgydn/s1600/IMG_9847.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgENYrARmxyX6mWvf3LjErnNdrCoFIC-P7eTqDL4RjC8qROOFJfW51Qh4ZRaXpU2hILFvorfXaCAH0K_sZlbviPA-LkSSii1ZYZ_nIlPbmycC6kQuor6DXaOmmq0vHXp-TERB1Gy7fBgydn/s320/IMG_9847.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love Shack Photography</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In that same survey, <b>64% of marrying couples</b> said that, “<b>personalization was the most important consideration</b>” when making decisions and planning their wedding. A couple years ago, New Jersey passed a bi-partisan economic Civil Celebrant Law R.S.37:1-13 amending their marriage and civil unions statutes to expand their list of who is authorized to solemnize marriages in the state. Along with judges, mayors and clergy they added a new category of people professionally trained to create and perform ceremonies--Civil Celebrants. Civil Celebrants are formally educated and certified to perform personal ceremonies for people from all backgrounds, cultures, traditions, and faiths.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1kwEsaSqxwZCf-lXwQ4S8_6GM6myEea5D-W6SNb23VDzNjxEgc9u9qJLxV2nnNsLvS2CH3oXwuXzFEtexI21p4duWqI-BL60VbLMz8o5yWIUO27mUFJBTAk3kDe8ABkTVdyo97C86vVsY/s1600/184C66C4-B3F5-4999-BB7A-BE46056861ED.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1kwEsaSqxwZCf-lXwQ4S8_6GM6myEea5D-W6SNb23VDzNjxEgc9u9qJLxV2nnNsLvS2CH3oXwuXzFEtexI21p4duWqI-BL60VbLMz8o5yWIUO27mUFJBTAk3kDe8ABkTVdyo97C86vVsY/s400/184C66C4-B3F5-4999-BB7A-BE46056861ED.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
Due to the tremendous success of the addition of Civil Celebrants to the New Jersey code, (<i>and the highly anticipated adoption of this law in New York State this year</i>) I have volunteered to lead the effort in updating and modernizing the marriage laws here in Pennsylvania. <b>I want Pennsylvania to continue to be competitive in the wedding industry and adopting a version of this law will codify and give our clients what they are desiring the most when planning their weddings: a personalized ceremony that elegantly blends their family traditions, faiths and story.</b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjphAJB9dTC4_fS0KAU4RKadV3u-tyX50W1tzWtLE2cXo2mZ2eK3vRfR0MJxdkrpQ5SyU_Omclyzf8zAJwDNdTYTIiCig-MLAhT8sHZeMz1UwORBjFb15mi86PpzLc8A0muF_NGmUQSZhNg/s1600/101ninalilyphotography-hollyhedge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjphAJB9dTC4_fS0KAU4RKadV3u-tyX50W1tzWtLE2cXo2mZ2eK3vRfR0MJxdkrpQ5SyU_Omclyzf8zAJwDNdTYTIiCig-MLAhT8sHZeMz1UwORBjFb15mi86PpzLc8A0muF_NGmUQSZhNg/s400/101ninalilyphotography-hollyhedge.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nina Lily Photography</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I need your help to do this. My first step in the process is to contact and introduce this benchmark legislation to our Pennsylvania Senators and Representatives (who will need to champion the initiative to update our laws). My plan is to send a letter of introduction to our representatives and have it signed not only by other celebrants like myself, but by a <b>coalition of other professionals invested in the wedding industry</b> here in Pennsylvania. <span style="font-size: large;"><b>We’re all used to working together to give our couples and their families the weddings they dream about, and I hope you will join me in this effort</b></span>.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwtLts3nbrAghAJqJld7lMAejDYT3xaUOaOLeBrs_YFUeNlC0Cqx0-iQA-i_WvK4XKITTGMNamwtFaickyOPaSTb7xC616GYrY1dJ6K4gGjSKrxgu7ESkZUDF8Jm922u463GGOMRm4iqD9/s1600/FED9A72D-ADBF-41FB-A20C-3B7E79C705B4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1160" data-original-width="1600" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwtLts3nbrAghAJqJld7lMAejDYT3xaUOaOLeBrs_YFUeNlC0Cqx0-iQA-i_WvK4XKITTGMNamwtFaickyOPaSTb7xC616GYrY1dJ6K4gGjSKrxgu7ESkZUDF8Jm922u463GGOMRm4iqD9/s400/FED9A72D-ADBF-41FB-A20C-3B7E79C705B4.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<h2>
<b>TLDR; Join my wedding industry coalition by adding your name to the letter to our PA Representatives. It's time to modernize our marriage laws!</b></h2>
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">↬</span>Please let me know by sending me an email <a href="mailto:alisa@alisatonggcelebrant.com">alisa@alisatonggcelebrant.com</a> by February 22nd, if you would like to add your name to the letter I am preparing to send to our representatives and in which county you/your business resides. <br />
<br />
<br />
X’s and O’s<br />
<br />
Alisa Tongg, Celebrant<br />
www.alisatonggcelebrant.com<br />
570-369-3955<br />
alisa@alisatonggcelebrant.comAlisaTonggCelebranthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10641909328520358283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7156070338236733346.post-38848082678618312672019-01-06T13:17:00.001-05:002019-04-04T17:49:40.531-04:00Renee DiAugustine Bower, Consummate 'Hometown Girl', Sweet Cheeks, Beloved 'in the Sunshine'<br />
This weekend, friends and family gathered to celebrate the life of Renee DiAugustine Bower. There were several gatherings over the weekend for the community to bring their stories and provide connection and comfort to each other. Renee was my friend too, and I wanted her to have the final rite
deserving of such a bright light, so I offered to be her celebrant
and am forever grateful that her husband Derek gave me the honor. Earlier in the week, I met with friends and family to interview them about their most treasured memories about Renee, her biggest accomplishments, the dreams she was working toward and what the legacy is that she leaves behind. I had the privilege of writing Renee's Obituary, Funeral Service (<a href="https://www.mayofh.com/obituaries/Renee-DiAugustine?obId=3976576#/obituaryInfo">read Renee's Obituary here</a>) and on Friday, delivering the Life Portrait Eulogy in downtown Berwick, where Renee dedicated her life to building and enhancing her community. I am sharing it here so that Renee’s loved ones can find it when they are missing her and want to be reminded of all the ways she was, all the ways she influenced and touched their lives.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT8s0fcHYyDE2LB0p9rSHXAfveKfvfh1vk7wrdn-V94L9S6WBC_C4yWu2LYGDkH0_3-pUwHs9bOajNCydYVb_l2xW2lb3Nzt4ZD83Kl4QdLOj-lEoRPWOLf9UbZJCHkU8v9biQ6aFtPqAv/s1600/Renee+DiAugustine+Bower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT8s0fcHYyDE2LB0p9rSHXAfveKfvfh1vk7wrdn-V94L9S6WBC_C4yWu2LYGDkH0_3-pUwHs9bOajNCydYVb_l2xW2lb3Nzt4ZD83Kl4QdLOj-lEoRPWOLf9UbZJCHkU8v9biQ6aFtPqAv/s640/Renee+DiAugustine+Bower.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<h3>
<b>Life Portrait Eulogy</b></h3>
<br />
She was born on January 21st, 1991 at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, to her adoring parents, Lori Roinick and Joe DiAugustine and welcomed enthusiastically to the family by her big sister Becky.<br />
<br />
Renee was a beautiful big-hearted little girl with sparkling brown eyes and wide smile that came easily. Her first favorite movie was Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, which she happily watched on repeat on the family’s worn VHS tape. She was creative and sentimental—she never got rid of anything. Like most children, Renee hated cleaning her room, but that didn’t mean that she was sloppy. From a very young age, her mother Lori remembers that she took personal pride in how she dressed. She was very particular-her clothing had to match! This hometown girl built friendships in those early days at Holy Family School and carried them throughout her life. And if you asked her what her favorite meal was growing up, she would say anything her Mom Mom served at family dinner.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW8XCodbSLiNpaw-DfU9tCnFGQYTAfrLIrA4v-KgdP-UrwwjuUyWnB6JPtmkDxeJ09_z_QsB9l9OEK7pxkiNujXR_9T2g9amORJpHnX3-sXi9nkS3_x3QpTNAJ6kzLseYW7VPe2u-Wf2iP/s1600/Lori%2527s+favorite+photo+of+her+daughter.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW8XCodbSLiNpaw-DfU9tCnFGQYTAfrLIrA4v-KgdP-UrwwjuUyWnB6JPtmkDxeJ09_z_QsB9l9OEK7pxkiNujXR_9T2g9amORJpHnX3-sXi9nkS3_x3QpTNAJ6kzLseYW7VPe2u-Wf2iP/s640/Lori%2527s+favorite+photo+of+her+daughter.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
As a teenager, Renee attended Berwick High School, Go Bull Dawgs!!!. It was during these years that Renee really blossomed into her own. She was a natural leader and well-respected by her peers and teachers alike. Always active and involved Renee was a member of distinguished honors. She had developed a reputation among her peers as a “genius and a big nerd” … Yet, she had this uncanny ability to connect with and become friends with anyone and everyone. Time outside of school was spent with friends--watching Austin Powers on Friday nights at her dad’s house, and soaking up the sun on summer days playing in her gram’s pool.<br />
<br />
During these years in High School, Renee was elected and served as president for the <a href="https://www.lionsclubs.org/en/discover-our-clubs/about-leos">Berwick Leo Club</a>, the mentoring arm of Lion’s International, a community service organization whose mission is to “join individuals together to give of their valuable time and effort to improving their communities and the world”. The Lion’s motto is “kindness matters”. And Renee took these lessons to heart and carried these tenets out into the world.<br />
<br />
College years were more of the same as Renee pursued everything with a spirit of excellence. Renee DiAugustine was a name frequently spotted on the Dean’s List for her academic achievements. And in those hours spent outside of the classroom, Renee continued her education in building lifelong friendships, serving her community, and leadership development in several honors societies. Always, stretching herself to try new things, Renee also joined a country dance club, the fruits of her time in it have been a great source of laughter and inside jokes in the years since. <br />
<br />
A vibrant young woman and natural leader, Renee is who the professors turned to when they needed to hire a teaching assistant for their courses. After four years at Bloomsburg, Renee graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a double minor in Gender Studies and Sociology with a concentration on children, family and youth.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuIVG09OnfctHZTnLC3N0wGXorN_X4qVjkTDPK76dtmxdSjK2YvevvqQQ7b7gMDPn9fT88W7_k-mqicZffxliBsKxyzGsUUwjQnBPcnGGjLylIcSscdLwj2LqygvJNzvmxvXpRlfrecH-Z/s1600/Poem+by+grandfather+Thomas+Roinick.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuIVG09OnfctHZTnLC3N0wGXorN_X4qVjkTDPK76dtmxdSjK2YvevvqQQ7b7gMDPn9fT88W7_k-mqicZffxliBsKxyzGsUUwjQnBPcnGGjLylIcSscdLwj2LqygvJNzvmxvXpRlfrecH-Z/s640/Poem+by+grandfather+Thomas+Roinick.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A grandfather's recollection of his grandaughter's life: A Star in the Heavens Above, a poem written by Thomas Roinick. During the service, Thomas stood next to me at the podium, holding my hand to give his strength as I read his poem aloud. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
At the start of the second semester of her junior year, something big and life-changing was about to happen to Renee. A boy she had known from high school, a guy who was as much of a jock as she was a nerd, a fun-loving “country boy” named Derek Bower, drove out to see Renee in her on-campus apartment, for her birthday. The two of them stayed up all night talking--Renee lounging on her dormitory-issue bed and Derek sitting on the floor leaning back on the thin mattress. They talked about everything and anything…their families, hopes, dreams, dramas and stuff that made them laugh—it was a real heart-to-heart, never running out of things to share. Derek remembers that the following night, he drove out to Bloom and they stayed up again talking into the wee hours of the morning.<br />
<br />
The connection between them was so easy and natural and exciting, that Derek decided the next step would be to see if Renee could pass the ‘friends test.’ The particular test Derek devised was taking Renee out to a remote cabin in the woods with his brother Jacob and two best friends Dave and Robert Albertson in his painstakingly restored 1985 Chevy Blazer (with seat belts just installed for the occasion!)…in the middle of a snow storm. <br />
<br />
Growing up, Renee’s dad Joe, was not an overbearing type–-but he did have just a few very reasonable guidelines to keep his daughters safe as they stepped into adulthood. One of his rules was <i>‘don’t ever put yourself in a position where you are the only girl’</i>. On this one occasion where Renee disregarded her dad’s rule, she ended up following another more universal principle she had been taught by her family—and that was the importance of trusting her intuition. She listened to the little voice inside her and decided to trust the bond that had been developing with Derek. At the end of the weekend Renee had not only passed the friends test but the five-some became responsible for a new tale told by locals--the Legend of Black Forest.<br />
<br />
A couple weeks later, on March 15th, 2011, Derek and Renee shared their first kiss. Neither of them can remember exactly what went off--a siren, car alarm, shooting on the television- but there was a loud noise that startled them and pulled them back from that first blissful kiss. Somehow Derek ended up on his back twisting on the ground in all the commotion, waving his hands around, exclaiming, <b>“so many emotions!”</b> They laughed about that moment, when they officially became a couple, for all the days they had together. <br />
<br />
Derek says that he credits Renee, and her kind and easy influence, for helping him grow leaps and bounds from the 20-year old man he was at the start of their romance to who he is today. Two years after that first ‘so many emotions’ kiss, Renee DiAugustine became Renee Bower. Derek and Renee intertwined their lives with abandon. There wasn’t anything that either of them did without the help and support of the other. At family and friend gatherings, you would ALWAYS find Renee perched on Derek’s lap. Throughout all their years together, they were in constant conversation.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw785AUJn4Y0S9W7JMyLy9FcOE9Mrdlk2TnXPI7gTk884F9l2vFsD8Kqg_VXOVUURbygSalLIK_lVA_frwd1LDS7v0_OrMm2uATALPkGiYhnG8Ac_pNVZ1VoWsVhI0XiLrjboYh7GPKWRM/s1600/Derek+and+Renee+on+wedding+day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="596" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw785AUJn4Y0S9W7JMyLy9FcOE9Mrdlk2TnXPI7gTk884F9l2vFsD8Kqg_VXOVUURbygSalLIK_lVA_frwd1LDS7v0_OrMm2uATALPkGiYhnG8Ac_pNVZ1VoWsVhI0XiLrjboYh7GPKWRM/s640/Derek+and+Renee+on+wedding+day.jpg" width="422" /></a></div>
<br />
Secure in her marriage, as a newlywed, Renee turned her attention to helping her Pop Pop fulfill his last big wish—to save the Berwick Theater. <br />
<br />
The Berwick Theater is where Renee’s grandparents Vincent and Lucille had gone on their first movie date (back when it was The Strand), legend has it that at the end of the night, when he walked Lucille back to the car to take her home, he wrote “I’m going to marry you” with his finger in the condensation on the window. Decades later, Vincent bought that same theater, it was one of the many businesses he had opened in his life long pursuit and commitment to preserve life and the community in historic downtown Berwick. <br />
<br />
Renee was the sixth generation of her family to make a life here in Berwick. And when it became clear what needed to be done to save the theater, Renee started a fundraising campaign so that they could convert to digital instead of reel. She worked with the Berwick chapter of the United Way to create a non-profit designation for the Theater, and it became the <a href="https://theberwicktheater.org/">Berwick Theater and Center for the Community Arts</a>. <br />
<br />
Back in those early days, any normal person could have looked at the seemingly insurmountable task before her and cut their losses, but Renee’s response when asked about her determination to make her Pop’s vision a reality was, “Failure isn’t in my vocabulary…it’s just not an option.” <br />
<br />
There were quite a few articles and television pieces done to showcase this unusual inheritance, of how Renee took up the mantle to save this downtown fixture. Jamie Colby, the host of <a href="https://youtu.be/2f_al3JXO0A">Strange Inheritance</a> finishes her profile episode impressed by, just 23-year old Renee, “Some people are driven by money when they start their business,” she says, “some are driven by notoriety. <b>But Renee is driven by something more meaningful: legacy.</b> What often starts out as a burden, becomes an opportunity.”<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Y5bDEka13gqRaCGtGGg8Y95JkId44Gb8ImMGm1s2f4gIY7SmMoVCU2gKLtfUHbPhjPPUWmoI0I1DnPVFnSBZc25WuhcC9ODBJc4eIUbTEVbpaa0ZWMZhxJ-Fo2OdS5AqmmhKmht0RxHn/s1600/Renee+interviewed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="389" data-original-width="588" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Y5bDEka13gqRaCGtGGg8Y95JkId44Gb8ImMGm1s2f4gIY7SmMoVCU2gKLtfUHbPhjPPUWmoI0I1DnPVFnSBZc25WuhcC9ODBJc4eIUbTEVbpaa0ZWMZhxJ-Fo2OdS5AqmmhKmht0RxHn/s400/Renee+interviewed.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
And that’s how Renee saw this challenge, not as a burden but as an opportunity. And there were so many opportunities that emerged from those precious and challenging days when Renee and her Pop were working together on the Theater, and Derek and Joe were hand-making and restoring all the things for their upcoming wedding celebration. Joe restored a giant popcorn machine and an old candy bar from the theater into a bar for cocktails, Derek built a make shift table and a custom dance floor. Derek jokes that he had to build everything because they were cheap, but Pop saw the situation differently. Pop, who had spent his life adapting in business and starting new ventures, was instrumental in helping Renee and Derek transition all the work they had done building custom pieces for their wedding, into a full fledged rental business. <a href="https://www.forgetmenotvintageinc.com/">Forget Me Not Rentals.</a><br />
<br />
Renee worked diligently for years before she could even pay herself. And being able to see opportunities where they weren’t obvious, must have been a trait that ran in the family, because years after she graduated, Renee would be invited back to campus to speak to other students about how she used her degree, leveraging and adapting her whole education to start her own business and how she created her own path as Executive Director at the Theater. Renee loved giving back to others, especially people in transition and give a word of encouragement. She always looked forward to her annual visit back the Bloomsburg to speak as a mentor.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUJ_uqA0puyHto_tsxL0YBjS3SbcKRfY-qHl3TvPu450gSPrNxPVSLVXr-vUvtEVm3jQxxb71k5qVY6T3OiBfJ5Bs9WQWxgRA5WPlTAIK0uOY9DHmOU5xhWZVDYqNreZ3QeLV8-HcRyhZ3/s1600/Berwick+Theater+Celebration+of+Life+Renne+Bower.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUJ_uqA0puyHto_tsxL0YBjS3SbcKRfY-qHl3TvPu450gSPrNxPVSLVXr-vUvtEVm3jQxxb71k5qVY6T3OiBfJ5Bs9WQWxgRA5WPlTAIK0uOY9DHmOU5xhWZVDYqNreZ3QeLV8-HcRyhZ3/s400/Berwick+Theater+Celebration+of+Life+Renne+Bower.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Renee and Derek enjoyed a relationship where they each had absolute faith in the other as a partner—there wasn’t anything, and I mean anything that they couldn’t accomplish together. Derek remembers in the early days of Forget Me Not, Renee came home one night just beaming with excitement—she had just sold their first big wedding for 250 people. They’d need about 25 tables and by the way, the wedding was next week! At that time, they had a few vintage furniture pieces and the china from their wedding in inventory, but once Renee had an idea for something, it was full steam ahead, nothing could stop her, not even lack of inventory. <br />
<br />
The next morning she and Derek were at Lowes at 7am buying the supplies they needed to make 25 tables, in batches. Derek had never done woodworking before, but they knew they could figure it out. They got through the week, with Derek building a few tables at a time, Renee would apply the polyurethane and as soon as they were dry, the tables would get shuttled over to the venue. They always laughed when they remembered the grandfather of the bride coming over inspecting while the reception dinner was still being set up, the grandfather, admiring one of the new tables, leaned in close and took in a lung full, “wow, they even smell fresh too!” he said with wonder. <br />
<br />
When Declan was born on April 27th, 2016, Renee transformed into her best self, being a mother came naturally to such a compassionate, affectionate and giving person. With his arrival, came excitement, joy and the courage to chart her own future. Declan was and is the perfect mix of both his parents and he was easy love. Renee cherished her “amazing little family” and loved snuggling with her “little doodle” in the morning after coffee and taking him to visit her favorite place—the swings in the Evansville Park across from her uncle’s house—the place where Eddie Donlin snapped her favorite candid photo of her and Derek from their wedding day. Renee just delighted in giving Declan the best education she could from the start, whether of it was teaching him to count as a baby, or signing him up for every enrichment program in town—he was going to be prepared to seize the opportunities that came his way in life.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWsjXfRBxSVaVW9CvH5YCSdoKl5z_oNwmhbSJylw9vJ-2I5B18JaFFm-lSO0UJShOvqB8qsu6GgLheoBQpNL9IAekTaYSHxWMIzpnXUCxvUfe3bYdjBsZvu_fGoWo9F2XlZhxwnHBTZ-FC/s1600/Declan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1278" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWsjXfRBxSVaVW9CvH5YCSdoKl5z_oNwmhbSJylw9vJ-2I5B18JaFFm-lSO0UJShOvqB8qsu6GgLheoBQpNL9IAekTaYSHxWMIzpnXUCxvUfe3bYdjBsZvu_fGoWo9F2XlZhxwnHBTZ-FC/s400/Declan.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
As a colleague and collaborator, Forget Me Not provided Renee the opportunity to create new friendships with other creatives in the wedding industry. And just like that Dean’s List in college, her styling and event collaborations can be found celebrated in the top wedding magazines and blogs. <br />
<br />
So many people trusted Renee to create a warm and artful atmosphere at their weddings—the most important day of their lives. And she earned that trust in spades in the way that she infused her thoughtfulness into her customer service and business relationships. Often tinkering on set ups up until the last second. She was the consummate professional.<br />
<br />
While building her business, she was sure to support and promote the small businesses of her friends too. Her best friend Candice Mock shares that, “she can’t think of anyone outside of her own family, who has helped her become a better person” as much as Renee did. They were like “iron sharpening iron with ideas and encouragement” as they grew their businesses together, navigated newlywed life and became mothers at the same time. They say that a rising tide lifts all vessels, and Renee lived this philosophy of generosity and cooperation throughout every aspect of her life.”<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghGvmqMS9Yfq-YRaPh7jK1hEKaXdeE_d0nk3IDYP50rs1ZnyILeYn0LtazBoRkyMwEVA2YebG0ls4rIv69fZMchMQVgb7TAqO8ThDm4gQok3G7IkhGLaZbxAje7KJLGmSkKJiHNLkxumav/s1600/Forget+me+Not+dinner+Friedmans+Farm+Barn.+jpg.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="536" data-original-width="410" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghGvmqMS9Yfq-YRaPh7jK1hEKaXdeE_d0nk3IDYP50rs1ZnyILeYn0LtazBoRkyMwEVA2YebG0ls4rIv69fZMchMQVgb7TAqO8ThDm4gQok3G7IkhGLaZbxAje7KJLGmSkKJiHNLkxumav/s640/Forget+me+Not+dinner+Friedmans+Farm+Barn.+jpg.webp" width="488" /></a></div>
Her friend Kristy Rice shared that all of her memories of Renee are centered around her “tremendous generosity of spirit and self.” Before they had the opportunity to even meet and become friends, Renee had just heard of Kristy and that she was going through the adoption process. Renee volunteered, insisted really, that Forget Me Not help with Kristy’s adoption shower, Renee and Derek completely outfitted the event for 100 people, setting up and tearing down and would not take no for an answer. <br />
<br />
When it came it time for Kristy’s son Isaac to celebrate his second birthday, Renee volunteered, again, to help. Isaac’s birthday was to be the first event Forget Me Not hosted in their new event space. Kristy remembers that Renee, Derek, Lori –the whole family was involved, putting up dry wall, installing light fixtures all to ensure this little boy’s birthday would be a bash to remember-- all because Renee genuinely wanted to give back and to ease the burdens of a fellow creative. These were indeed extraordinary gifts to be on the receiving end of, but these gestures were not out of the ordinary for Renee. Renee was a “beacon of generosity.”<br />
<br />
I was recently going through my emails, texts and Facebook messages, trying to grasp hold of the digital footprint that Renee left—proof of all the things we planned and talked about—proof of our connection. I saw an email from February 2013 that made me curious, because I didn’t think that I had known Renee for so long. The email was from djslammer76—Derek Bower inquiring if I was available to officiate a wedding ceremony at Barn at Boone’s Dam, June 1st, for him and his fiancée Renee. <br />
<br />
It would be a few years after this, that I would actually get to meet and work with Renee through the wedding industry. And then I became her friend through our collaborations and her involvement in my <a href="https://www.baconandloxsociety.com/">Bacon & Lox Society</a>. Two years ago, I asked Renee to do something kind of crazy. I asked her to pack up a truck full of their furniture, drive it to Stroudsburg, and then set up a communal table and seating for 50, oh yeah, and a lounge, in the middle of remote McMichael’s Creek, and she would need to have it all packed back out of the water at the end of the event before the last of the sunlight was gone and it was pitch black too.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj45QVXtXtjLPkrFbRPOBrjJNzZJJrJ5eCWMiTt4LygRf_kARkReD489NMGS_aTRUfV1qZDpOutAfiS1mGyYLb0SPv6l12X-4F4MPy5UlHFHLtmli0EUrrB9ckmPsivG_e3kYZZ16MsDRJ/s1600/Bacon%2526Lox_058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj45QVXtXtjLPkrFbRPOBrjJNzZJJrJ5eCWMiTt4LygRf_kARkReD489NMGS_aTRUfV1qZDpOutAfiS1mGyYLb0SPv6l12X-4F4MPy5UlHFHLtmli0EUrrB9ckmPsivG_e3kYZZ16MsDRJ/s400/Bacon%2526Lox_058.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bacon & Lox Society Full Circle Meal, 2017 Photo M2 Photography</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
“Yes! Count us in!” was Renee’s immediate response.<br />
<br />
Earlier last year her answer was the same when I asked if she could set up a communal table for another gathering of creatives on the frozen ice of the Delaware River—this ice dinner event was an exercise in “how we could create something beautiful and help each other not only survive, but thrive in difficult times.” <br />
<br />
“Yes! Count us in!” was Renee’s immediate response.<br />
Everything about Renee communicated this truth—“You can count on me.” And I knew I always could. Renee wasn’t able to attend the ice dinner in the end, she had just started chemotherapy and wasn’t feeling well. But she still made it all possible, Derek was there early and then again late dropping off and then picking up all the chairs, tables and rugs on the ice.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggT4vmsa8ztQvOde0e8ZVauIDrQ2aoGlvSfkCA0TdLQE2N9xTxofLo8NrWbz3ySKhM86LFhMsZi2RPg-0JgdRbSDwtkztne9uFYbmDWM29ttSEf77ZYiMGpDzdaQpxSDGUXOm1_Npsqdup/s1600/0262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggT4vmsa8ztQvOde0e8ZVauIDrQ2aoGlvSfkCA0TdLQE2N9xTxofLo8NrWbz3ySKhM86LFhMsZi2RPg-0JgdRbSDwtkztne9uFYbmDWM29ttSEf77ZYiMGpDzdaQpxSDGUXOm1_Npsqdup/s400/0262.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">End of the night, Bacon & Lox Society Ice Dinner, photo Rob Yaskovic</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This summer, we did the creek dinner again, the formal name of this gathering is “Full Circle Meal”, and I can say this now, because it’s in the past, this year was even crazier. Water levels were the highest they’ve ever been and we extended the length of our table to 60 creatives. Renee and her faithful crew showed up early in the morning and started unloading all the furniture, wading across the deepest part of the creek, which was still thigh high.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVgIZ8C_FZgPejRF5Zjv-5Zj8XgQ3QBjo3hGbswXxPNeH09rKosUwJCeXDOzoyXgBXhf3TPE5GY6W8NTqDdHwY1IceMJvPmQfX0vqEkuVqZ4r3tE1A20vG4Cdq8uHlPhuQ7sc2lIZyBp-E/s1600/IMG_6178.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVgIZ8C_FZgPejRF5Zjv-5Zj8XgQ3QBjo3hGbswXxPNeH09rKosUwJCeXDOzoyXgBXhf3TPE5GY6W8NTqDdHwY1IceMJvPmQfX0vqEkuVqZ4r3tE1A20vG4Cdq8uHlPhuQ7sc2lIZyBp-E/s640/IMG_6178.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Forget Me Not crew wades into the thigh-high creek to start setting up the Communal Table.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
At the end of the event, instead of complaining about being exhausted, Renee marveled in gratefulness as everyone turned their attention and joined their efforts to pack out the creek. Attendees set up an assembly line of sorts, passing chairs and tabletops and legs out of the water and up the hill and back to the truck at the end of the night. The way Renee processed difficult things into opportunities and saw the beauty and power in simple acts of cooperation was a rare trait, and one that I admire her very much for. That, and her can-do attitude.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSVMY6aGCth77lv5V3wcDsDmtV0MOiDVkk5U-FPm53inmfZZI_LrBwfrppX6KQrfFaGpfJimBRR3ukjFtlowrTvbrsu8btldo5npAOMhUguZ1JFsD-uj_Dx4Xq8_jwzPdayLRsH9Mu2zM7/s1600/BLSCreekDinner_228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSVMY6aGCth77lv5V3wcDsDmtV0MOiDVkk5U-FPm53inmfZZI_LrBwfrppX6KQrfFaGpfJimBRR3ukjFtlowrTvbrsu8btldo5npAOMhUguZ1JFsD-uj_Dx4Xq8_jwzPdayLRsH9Mu2zM7/s400/BLSCreekDinner_228.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Put yourself in the way of beauty, Redfield Photography</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiHrQrIkArL4IUbJlVH3NpH2yOYoLVz6QRov4jX1jEdccaTXBBCYYv__gxbnuM3rhVZB7sGfXddQAoDC1sSC4UXJ127gJ5H8ILUQuo5yTXsI46xgE78Qyl_9-rj-bKmU_rZu6l-A_Yg3_t/s1600/BLSCreekDinner_094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiHrQrIkArL4IUbJlVH3NpH2yOYoLVz6QRov4jX1jEdccaTXBBCYYv__gxbnuM3rhVZB7sGfXddQAoDC1sSC4UXJ127gJ5H8ILUQuo5yTXsI46xgE78Qyl_9-rj-bKmU_rZu6l-A_Yg3_t/s400/BLSCreekDinner_094.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Redfield Photography</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-v-WvqIUNu4FBvxkNOtcFsHz68asx_VkwLAM8eB5BILmS_cVlwGxTqKOrc8HaXqAdEoqD2pj44qPOe2Vih7udpGWUXyE_ZJ1cSJ9w7CeQBjzfNVAWpLQmNz-RdAkuxw2N8F3UsTLpMMI4/s1600/BLSCreekDinner_285.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-v-WvqIUNu4FBvxkNOtcFsHz68asx_VkwLAM8eB5BILmS_cVlwGxTqKOrc8HaXqAdEoqD2pj44qPOe2Vih7udpGWUXyE_ZJ1cSJ9w7CeQBjzfNVAWpLQmNz-RdAkuxw2N8F3UsTLpMMI4/s400/BLSCreekDinner_285.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Redfield Photography</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLCkY-VWWtnlLiBxIfqWNrLc2g9Aj5CZKdhXpgIXIfVEjp-V-_QCfnOepl3Ps8EIV3qDE_cuUTy4Zn3SSwL7QAbKmnxkOKVyAl7N_6hTQU4N05I5uKApkQUMaijwLDt7aD2vfHH4JZ-eoC/s1600/BLSCreekDinner_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLCkY-VWWtnlLiBxIfqWNrLc2g9Aj5CZKdhXpgIXIfVEjp-V-_QCfnOepl3Ps8EIV3qDE_cuUTy4Zn3SSwL7QAbKmnxkOKVyAl7N_6hTQU4N05I5uKApkQUMaijwLDt7aD2vfHH4JZ-eoC/s640/BLSCreekDinner_03.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Redfield Photography</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1LtkFTchQGD6cHq8Gxz_pA8PLUzmsosq-6Vg4kwLZwMAuEw7zikltlzZ8VpBhXjl08znBQkGXFdzxAcLMGNyvoSNESzzEfX5DwT9OJc1QBInuXmbvAWsutquDpMIV0UOsS6cbLCAhj2uo/s1600/BLSCreekDinner_18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1LtkFTchQGD6cHq8Gxz_pA8PLUzmsosq-6Vg4kwLZwMAuEw7zikltlzZ8VpBhXjl08znBQkGXFdzxAcLMGNyvoSNESzzEfX5DwT9OJc1QBInuXmbvAWsutquDpMIV0UOsS6cbLCAhj2uo/s640/BLSCreekDinner_18.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friendships--the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Redfield Photography</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
For the last two years, Renee was giddy and proud to lend her talents and inventory to outfit and style the tent and the communal tables for Farmers, Friends and Food United—Berwick Area United Way’s Farm Dinner and annual campaign kick off event. And when Giving Tuesday came around, it was the <a href="http://www.berwickareauw.org/">Berwick Area United Way</a>’s programs and efforts that Renee amplified to her circle of influence. Most recently, she raised awareness for the prescription food program United Way facilitates through the Beyond the Blend Market, helping local families in need make healthy choices.<br />
<br />
In the fall of 2017, the world stopped turning when Renee was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Derek dove into the details of the disease and treatments. He became an expert, much to Renee’s chagrin, in the world of cancer podcasts. <br />
<br />
A lot of plans shifted when Renee first got sick two years ago. Energy and efforts were now focused on Renee healing, and she restructured their business model to be able to prioritize time with family and their community commitments. <br />
And it worked! She did heal. Renee spent this last summer in remission and with a renewed lease on life. <br />
<br />
The first round of chemotherapy had made it near to impossible for Renee and Declan to have a physically affectionate skin-to-skin relationship while she was under going treatment. Having to stay arms length from her little doodle was torture to Renee. Now that she was free of the limitations of those strong drugs, nothing would keep her away from her son. She spent the entire summer of her remission, soaking him up. Together, they’d hike with a stroller from mid-Berwick all the way up and down east Berwick—stopping at Grandma’s, Mom Mom’s and then the park, every day, on repeat. <br />
<br />
In a very short matter of time, Derek says it was three days max, Renee was able to accomplish the ultimate life goal of every Italian mother across the world and throughout history—Declan went from being a Daddy’s boy into a full-blown Mama’s boy. She devoted all of her energy to savoring Declan. <br />
<br />
<h4>
She reinvested in the things that mattered most to her: family and her community.</h4>
<h4>
</h4>
When her six-month scans came back, on the day of the second Farmers, Friends & Food United dinner, showing that the disease had returned, she and Derek compartmentalized the news for the next two days. Renee was so excited and proud to be hosting a beautiful styled event for her hometown. The proceeds and friends raised at the farm dinner, would go far to benefit her community. Once the tables, chairs and every rainbow goblet had been collected and packed up, they gathered to make a new plan for how to beat cancer again.<br />
<br />
Never once did Renee think that she was going to die from cancer. For someone so organized and obsessed with planning for the future, she didn’t spend any of her last days preparing for them to be her last. She was resolute in her optimism. In a Facebook post to her friends back in November, she announced that the Hodgkins Disease had returned and she was optimistic about being treated at a new medical center, she told everyone that she had already started this new treatment and that it “had already yielded noticeable results.” She said she felt “at peace” and knew that the road ahead would not be easy, but she was resolute, she wrote, <b><i>“I know I’ve got this!”</i></b><br />
<br />
Cancer helped Renee focus her priorities. She said, “I’m living my life every moment that I get.” Her time with family, friends and the commitments that brought her fulfillment, unapologetically got moved to center stage. She was grateful to her MVP, Derek and looked forward with anticipation for his new wood shop to be completely set up this winter. <br />
<br />
In her last weeks, she was still sowing seeds and nurturing dreams and projects for her family and community. She was getting her hair done, having holiday family photo shoots, continuing conversations, working on projects, hunting for a house, and going on a trip (for the first time ever with out Derek)--with her “bestest friend and momma” to Cape Coral, Florida. Lori and Renee were working on a new business together, to expand staging and styling home interiors and this trip was their first venture.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinijxDy8llVDf4PvfsUWGSGTjO2FZDP5U6k2rkPQkod4irbPFGXYOmJ4HM1basl0oixFzl5lizrDdUg6_t2KFezUsxT8qnROiYdi2B1_KDWHoZkr0htPwSnVeGKHdzzOoYro9IAwGKbBxl/s1600/Forget+me+not+dinner+tent.+jpg.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1278" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinijxDy8llVDf4PvfsUWGSGTjO2FZDP5U6k2rkPQkod4irbPFGXYOmJ4HM1basl0oixFzl5lizrDdUg6_t2KFezUsxT8qnROiYdi2B1_KDWHoZkr0htPwSnVeGKHdzzOoYro9IAwGKbBxl/s400/Forget+me+not+dinner+tent.+jpg.webp" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Over the years, Lori and Renee always enjoyed working together on styling and design projects. They loved growing their special relationship and making plans for the future. When Renee got sick, Lori’s hands-on involvement in the day-to-day made it possible for Declan to be with the whole family in the warehouse-making his own magical childhood memories like going for rides on the pallet jack. The whole family has been involved in growing the business but no one has been more influential on the aesthetic direction of Forget Me Not, or it’s growth over the years, or on Renee than Lori. Renee trusted, admired and depended on her mom.<br />
<br />
Renee was a big believer in the power of affirmation and speaking good things into existence for her life. Two months ago, Renee and Derek found their dream house—it was a mid-century modern masterpiece, with a flat roof, lots of right angles and right out of a Mad Men episode. They were under contract and spent several nights sitting in their car in the driveway visualizing and fantasizing about the life they would have in that house—they could clearly see them as a family working to fix it up and playing with Declan in the yard as he grew.<br />
<br />
As she battled this disease, there were two visions for the future that sustained Renee and gave her hope: The first--She was going to beat cancer, her hair was going to grow back and she and Derek were going to renew their vows at <a href="http://www.alisatonggcelebrant.com/elope.html#.XDI9vNF7knc">Promise Ridge</a> (I would officiate this time.) With this vision of the future in mind, Derek had Renee’s engagement ring and wedding band redone this Christmas to include stones representing strength, endurance, love and peace. The second vision, was that they were then going to go on a Family Honeymoon and take Declan to Disney World and just enjoy all the wonder and imagination… just the magic of being together.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxrJF5olumUnPCIOOw_pzoBKwsXF8-hpAg3i0dITJO9UNpnmT25kFCtcgZww5WMjNRd43KWC4VOqKYCteBgR1rr2-6dMJfikpXuG-Du6Mv2zDrx_OVZ67l09IlPOR2iPWI4uft0xMreojF/s1600/Renee%2527s+Sunrise+Promise+Ridge.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxrJF5olumUnPCIOOw_pzoBKwsXF8-hpAg3i0dITJO9UNpnmT25kFCtcgZww5WMjNRd43KWC4VOqKYCteBgR1rr2-6dMJfikpXuG-Du6Mv2zDrx_OVZ67l09IlPOR2iPWI4uft0xMreojF/s640/Renee%2527s+Sunrise+Promise+Ridge.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise over Promise Ridge on the morning of Renee's funeral service.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Derek shares that his faith in their ability to do anything and overcome any obstacle together was so absolute that neither he nor Renee realized just how grave the physical situation had become when she was admitted to the hospital almost three weeks ago. She was going to pull through. Because that’s what Renee does. What the doctors found was that remnants of the first round of chemotherapy treatment from the year before had reacted in a negative way to the cocktail of drugs in the new treatment causing lung toxicity and ultimately Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome. <br />
<br />
For the first time in her life, Renee was going to have to go under sedation and into a medically induced coma in an effort to address her breathing. Always, playful with her sweet Derek, the last photo she posed for was her sitting forward on the hospital-issue mattress, making a silly face while blowing into a spirometer.<br />
<br />
About 10-minutes after they started the anesthesia, a nurse came running out to the family, saying that Renee was asking to speak to her step-mother Angela. The last thing Renee said, before she gave into the sedation, is she asked Angela to please promise to “take care of my dad, Declan and Derek.”<br />
<br />
Renee’s heart beat for the last time on December 29th, 2018. Derek, the love of her life, partner, sweetheart, best friend, daddy to her sweet handsome boy, was there by her side. He had “assumed the position”—holding her hand tightly, for last time. Renee was 27 years old … she had built and accomplished more and loved deeper than many who get three times as much of a chance. She was not alone at that moment, she was surrounded by all her favorite people, her father Joseph, his fiancée Angela, her mother Lori and her boyfriend Rick, Derek’s brother Jacob and his fiancée Lindsay were there too. <br />
<br />
<br />
<h3>
<b>Community Bouquet</b></h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEx9iM83fi9HZu8zqt4DVXVsWATKmSRlpq1FlKpi5QqeGqFn-uwNuy-Jtv0LtiO9dzopEoEBZGpkJSpwSzIbF56Jgw9ujgnP-MCqmmR-GjucbVG84_FPWN5Jn9fQ1TCdGaARARaJduhHcV/s1600/Remembrance+Sign+for+Renee+Bower.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEx9iM83fi9HZu8zqt4DVXVsWATKmSRlpq1FlKpi5QqeGqFn-uwNuy-Jtv0LtiO9dzopEoEBZGpkJSpwSzIbF56Jgw9ujgnP-MCqmmR-GjucbVG84_FPWN5Jn9fQ1TCdGaARARaJduhHcV/s640/Remembrance+Sign+for+Renee+Bower.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div>
As mourners came into the Mayo Funeral Home, they were invited to contribute a flower to the Community Remembrance Arrangement, where every flower assembled had a meaning that embodied part of Renee's legacy. Kristy Rice created take away Remembrance cards with some of the flowers that had been selected to honor Renee for their symbolism. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYwho1bHPiy2zvLciiM7GZH0ZNF3DglbiPViKuiCY6SIAWzEeXE9JGseIeAMF0vdd46ltqBkpywZhKnD_3uduG6JWfyehQsrD_SMGXTwF3Pw-BvsWUfXIgVgNeJ7-MtTLgr0KOSi5lRo3o/s1600/Remembrance+Floral+Arrangement+Renee+Bower.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYwho1bHPiy2zvLciiM7GZH0ZNF3DglbiPViKuiCY6SIAWzEeXE9JGseIeAMF0vdd46ltqBkpywZhKnD_3uduG6JWfyehQsrD_SMGXTwF3Pw-BvsWUfXIgVgNeJ7-MtTLgr0KOSi5lRo3o/s640/Remembrance+Floral+Arrangement+Renee+Bower.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div>
At the end of the funeral service, I explained that, "Anyone who knows Renee though, knows that she would be uncomfortable being the recipient of this outpouring of affection and admiration—she was much more comfortable being the giver. So in her honor, I’m going to ask everyone here before you leave, to take a piece of this arrangement with you. <br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>"As we prepare to head back out into the world, please bring Renee with you. Do something kind in her memory, extend grace to someone who is hurting, volunteer, sign up for BeTheMatch.org, dream a really big dream and then work hard to make it come true, talk to her son about her legacy…these are the ways we will keep Renee alive and honor her memory." -Alisa Tongg, Celebrant</b></span></blockquote>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdUJyhfcoymrLT1q9GvxJm4a01qNVLVXrDFvj1OCAzzrlPn7xWRULyhfIikhg_ak34kqklmkkC1AO-7AlQs6TdBZbfk5Ge_aOOgtdJ5_FNNTFRZNFH9SDPjA3C8fjjJSj38wKgAISuDd79/s1600/BecauseRenee%252C+Kristy+Rice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="848" data-original-width="848" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdUJyhfcoymrLT1q9GvxJm4a01qNVLVXrDFvj1OCAzzrlPn7xWRULyhfIikhg_ak34kqklmkkC1AO-7AlQs6TdBZbfk5Ge_aOOgtdJ5_FNNTFRZNFH9SDPjA3C8fjjJSj38wKgAISuDd79/s400/BecauseRenee%252C+Kristy+Rice.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">watercolor by Kristy Rice</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdaNmSK_HjucZ1nE6O6i08PC7I82fgmnRe7XzA2jUXD2RY-r1hjw-wk-wCXUyMhbP3GYzlRvfWXQbkmQOj_i5vALqB0SiHi_Q9NzqnuDnj5aP-NZJmzuCbVNH3acG2uHekk4hRiMRjcvXg/s1600/Remembrance+keepsake+watercolor+by+Kristy+Rice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdaNmSK_HjucZ1nE6O6i08PC7I82fgmnRe7XzA2jUXD2RY-r1hjw-wk-wCXUyMhbP3GYzlRvfWXQbkmQOj_i5vALqB0SiHi_Q9NzqnuDnj5aP-NZJmzuCbVNH3acG2uHekk4hRiMRjcvXg/s640/Remembrance+keepsake+watercolor+by+Kristy+Rice.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remembrance keepsake watercolor by Kristy Rice.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />AlisaTonggCelebranthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10641909328520358283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7156070338236733346.post-59493010944310591752017-05-11T08:00:00.002-04:002017-05-11T08:01:57.835-04:00Embracing Second Chances, Birth Family Reunion CeremonyEarlier this year, I was privileged to perform a ceremony in the misty
woods of Union, Washington, to reunite a young man with his birth mother
and her family. The experience was one of catharsis, healing and new
beginnings. I hope that by sharing their story and how I created their
ceremony, that others yearning to repair this primal bond, will find
inspiration and hope.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/87bAPiOgiA0/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/87bAPiOgiA0?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
Read more about this <a href="https://medium.com/@alisatongg/birth-mother-found-embraces-second-chance-to-be-a-mother-family-gathers-for-ceremony-a50d4df2ada9">Birth Family Reunion Ceremony here</a>.<br />
<br />
Ceremony | <a href="http://www.alisatonggcelebrant.com/">Alisa Tongg, Celebrant </a><br />
Film | <a href="http://pfweddings.com/">PFFilms</a><br />
Photography | <a href="http://bradleylanphear.com/">Bradley Lanphear </a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />AlisaTonggCelebranthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10641909328520358283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7156070338236733346.post-14890486863525427612017-05-02T14:09:00.000-04:002017-05-02T19:40:57.822-04:00Sebastian's Baby Blessing and First Birthday Party<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS-w0bfiLc_lfxT5bGQmfNlPe1ljiLF_y3b2YjS5N2Pw_4dS-hYCjbIJ4rh05dDPzxUJqj_929SoWTWmwR-16G2f6L-VdDdqEeRtry0Tb90X5mqZeVx9L9AFFNOgS0fKQBbXswwrGAWHeN/s1600/Birthday+carrot+cake%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+baby+Blessing+and+Birthday%252C+Amanda+Brooke+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS-w0bfiLc_lfxT5bGQmfNlPe1ljiLF_y3b2YjS5N2Pw_4dS-hYCjbIJ4rh05dDPzxUJqj_929SoWTWmwR-16G2f6L-VdDdqEeRtry0Tb90X5mqZeVx9L9AFFNOgS0fKQBbXswwrGAWHeN/s640/Birthday+carrot+cake%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+baby+Blessing+and+Birthday%252C+Amanda+Brooke+Photography.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Last fall, while at the Bacon & Lox Society Full Circle Meal, I got to chatting with my friend Nicole who had recently had a baby. In the five months since giving birth, this end of summer dinner party, was their first time out alone as a couple again. We started talking about ways to mark and celebrate the addition to their family. Immediately, what comes to mind for most people raised Catholic, is a christening or baptism, but since, Nicole and Lou no longer belong to a house of worship, a religious christening or baptism didn’t seem to make sense for them. Before the night was over, we agreed that we’d work together to create a special way to welcome her new son into the world.<br />
<br />
And this spring it finally happened, we planned Sebastian’s Baby Blessing Ceremony to coincide with his first birthday…and it was a very special celebration indeed. Everyone pitched in, giving freely of their talents to make this first birthday party a remarkable one. Here’s how we did it.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgfEyPMZLK5sxv5lN464fYkukLLuIegf0QP_rYLMFkxckTRFvqGdPl8gLy7cfM28Gfqb3P37ZNlPIwwVxd6V6a9OPae7kTDbqQlKXoM7Qfc6_wdcGLYSbaFn7JZ_aue1KvNapOYieLs-ZW/s1600/Sebastian+monthly+garland%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+baby+Blessing+and+Birthday%252C+Amanda+Brooke+Photography+Favorites-0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgfEyPMZLK5sxv5lN464fYkukLLuIegf0QP_rYLMFkxckTRFvqGdPl8gLy7cfM28Gfqb3P37ZNlPIwwVxd6V6a9OPae7kTDbqQlKXoM7Qfc6_wdcGLYSbaFn7JZ_aue1KvNapOYieLs-ZW/s400/Sebastian+monthly+garland%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+baby+Blessing+and+Birthday%252C+Amanda+Brooke+Photography+Favorites-0001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">garland made of snap shots of Sebastian for each month</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT2-Z0cfuOvVfeTaRDpVcjroGOcHgvYjS5Yh7DePktaJcCVerFv9YEMkIn6ZlLKIrMrF7P7bsc_KjqZu4iw6nOKgzhiXUXNSkxPSN4l0GbzsqgfJFKwnqaC2hjUX6lnL0MFsCrt5UtSgwj/s1600/Alisa+Tongg+Favorites-0005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT2-Z0cfuOvVfeTaRDpVcjroGOcHgvYjS5Yh7DePktaJcCVerFv9YEMkIn6ZlLKIrMrF7P7bsc_KjqZu4iw6nOKgzhiXUXNSkxPSN4l0GbzsqgfJFKwnqaC2hjUX6lnL0MFsCrt5UtSgwj/s400/Alisa+Tongg+Favorites-0005.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everyone gathered in a circle to start.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz87J9u5CiP_u0oTj76ru2E6_8Dhtc21hEWSikQHn6nydeyIpMEoPpIySBFGVIupZ1vtggIz1s82IbRAYO_xo9GZ7zg-O4nZTV3M_QjXxKWTY7_P7aPfd8oRQMj0YNRybm4cyxTnM0bTs2/s1600/parents%2527+affirmation%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+baby+Blessing+and+Birthday%252C+Amanda+Brooke+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz87J9u5CiP_u0oTj76ru2E6_8Dhtc21hEWSikQHn6nydeyIpMEoPpIySBFGVIupZ1vtggIz1s82IbRAYO_xo9GZ7zg-O4nZTV3M_QjXxKWTY7_P7aPfd8oRQMj0YNRybm4cyxTnM0bTs2/s400/parents%2527+affirmation%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+baby+Blessing+and+Birthday%252C+Amanda+Brooke+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then Lou, Nicole and Sebastian stood in the center of everyone, as we talked about what his name meant and why he was given it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDMA7Kk9RAPy7M_0JiEa__xebhAsarV5SbFuRhCFkZ0mNp37FgItQRiqwsel2l02Vh_XqrS2cOPmY-XnFtk1nOs-sxV37OjWODdNqgOnG-FvQAB5T_pjYUsFnig8Nc3iIx6aiA7IgLyWQw/s1600/Parent+vows+to+baby%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+baby+Blessing+and+Birthday%252C+Amanda+Brooke+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDMA7Kk9RAPy7M_0JiEa__xebhAsarV5SbFuRhCFkZ0mNp37FgItQRiqwsel2l02Vh_XqrS2cOPmY-XnFtk1nOs-sxV37OjWODdNqgOnG-FvQAB5T_pjYUsFnig8Nc3iIx6aiA7IgLyWQw/s400/Parent+vows+to+baby%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+baby+Blessing+and+Birthday%252C+Amanda+Brooke+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VOWS: mom and dad took turns making promises to Baby Sebastian.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBlkNeccqGTSI3pJZS3WgMeu1ML8a_qu_-Qmxh-kEnmdb7gdEK52OhgBbWMMKJGLC096Y4sAbNlzqWiZhGR51TSk8lorFdjKRwQITIydA50DgbQnvye-8Qd_g51KJk1EbRcukzEPkvxQky/s1600/Vows+to+baby%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+baby+Blessing+and+Birthday%252C+Amanda+Brooke+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBlkNeccqGTSI3pJZS3WgMeu1ML8a_qu_-Qmxh-kEnmdb7gdEK52OhgBbWMMKJGLC096Y4sAbNlzqWiZhGR51TSk8lorFdjKRwQITIydA50DgbQnvye-8Qd_g51KJk1EbRcukzEPkvxQky/s400/Vows+to+baby%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+baby+Blessing+and+Birthday%252C+Amanda+Brooke+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb6rInLDaB1VXRhgCOLGfJRWcHwfjMrABmbGwTTVg7yVe9g6gqkk67as_Ct4v_MiBO2SaaOkNN3-k9foZkdV0YZcLUz7LgyARLak9SFaj_8tkKFuGKckOjKyXguUkEEteiyR7j53C6Bx2N/s1600/Julian+is+comissioned%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+baby+Blessing+and+Birthday%252C+Amanda+Brooke+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb6rInLDaB1VXRhgCOLGfJRWcHwfjMrABmbGwTTVg7yVe9g6gqkk67as_Ct4v_MiBO2SaaOkNN3-k9foZkdV0YZcLUz7LgyARLak9SFaj_8tkKFuGKckOjKyXguUkEEteiyR7j53C6Bx2N/s400/Julian+is+comissioned%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+baby+Blessing+and+Birthday%252C+Amanda+Brooke+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then it was big brother Julian's turn. We spoke about the importance of sibling relationships and then I asked him if he would make a promise to be brave in life enough to follow his own dreams, knowing that his younger brother would always look to him as an example. This commissioning of a big brother, was one of everyone's favorite parts of the entire day.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQVQ5QRTw-ULzjDkF027rLSWHU38KKEh4GTQqqT63qTYW5KFzzyAQptiq5x21OpKpiAgDvyvgb-pNP67hyg7NZxCW8dSEU3NjL2PeuAeFHYp-Omg3G-9PoRjTbV7Y-5zAZGqzC_ArZAgtO/s1600/grass+for+adventure%252C+shower+of+blessing%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+baby+Blessing+and+Birthday%252C+Amanda+Brooke+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQVQ5QRTw-ULzjDkF027rLSWHU38KKEh4GTQqqT63qTYW5KFzzyAQptiq5x21OpKpiAgDvyvgb-pNP67hyg7NZxCW8dSEU3NjL2PeuAeFHYp-Omg3G-9PoRjTbV7Y-5zAZGqzC_ArZAgtO/s400/grass+for+adventure%252C+shower+of+blessing%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+baby+Blessing+and+Birthday%252C+Amanda+Brooke+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Every family was invited to bring a symbolic ingredient to create a shower of blessings. Here big Brother Julian adds a some blades of grass for Adventure. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjunZAASvobWiNwUYGJIGe3n62ciK6U2g1mGkvFYTnl_KPyTfEo7qcLsA1XdigqEx30Nz3kYfBsf0rSf_jkmEPKAYSUuhpapTeyYO7M41sE-JsUChy-8CSazrCOwT0z_zJbQbmnh5JgdWg5/s1600/ingredients+for+a+blessed+life%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+baby+Blessing+and+Birthday%252C+Amanda+Brooke+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjunZAASvobWiNwUYGJIGe3n62ciK6U2g1mGkvFYTnl_KPyTfEo7qcLsA1XdigqEx30Nz3kYfBsf0rSf_jkmEPKAYSUuhpapTeyYO7M41sE-JsUChy-8CSazrCOwT0z_zJbQbmnh5JgdWg5/s400/ingredients+for+a+blessed+life%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+baby+Blessing+and+Birthday%252C+Amanda+Brooke+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everyone took the time to research which symbolic ingredient best captured their hopes for Sebastian's life.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC2AnyXjshrXUQxMjmU6I1nLYA2MvZyoZom2lpt9FlarA0lTpjb2ni8CxOndvD2PlV9xeoztOWSyyRB8eBxTivH78pKHIVcwNatFdqHd3WhPzjYvJ0a6VLg6gAoAAWOVudOIx1HTMJ4FiZ/s1600/all+the+good+things%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+baby+Blessing+and+Birthday%252C+Amanda+Brooke+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC2AnyXjshrXUQxMjmU6I1nLYA2MvZyoZom2lpt9FlarA0lTpjb2ni8CxOndvD2PlV9xeoztOWSyyRB8eBxTivH78pKHIVcwNatFdqHd3WhPzjYvJ0a6VLg6gAoAAWOVudOIx1HTMJ4FiZ/s400/all+the+good+things%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+baby+Blessing+and+Birthday%252C+Amanda+Brooke+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBiCWJ2-axyCsbhLgXuPjMilpz0zxyCx0IQgRHIvcrCH2kbF_hLePcnia9kPYPTvwewrV8uNnrCjuFTLVw5soD2hwryJMKTMnoUxxH4Q2ELgWbl2Dw7z3w_E2KrHUsLp504uLlZt2DnhKr/s1600/Hopes+for+baby+Sebastian%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+baby+Blessing+and+Birthday%252C+Amanda+Brooke+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBiCWJ2-axyCsbhLgXuPjMilpz0zxyCx0IQgRHIvcrCH2kbF_hLePcnia9kPYPTvwewrV8uNnrCjuFTLVw5soD2hwryJMKTMnoUxxH4Q2ELgWbl2Dw7z3w_E2KrHUsLp504uLlZt2DnhKr/s400/Hopes+for+baby+Sebastian%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+baby+Blessing+and+Birthday%252C+Amanda+Brooke+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv_5z01lJi56jCW6fN64z7zVridyxAWiVf0hgSd6Ux-FcsS_nRvTBNV8_JkgvuRwLWQ62758QFVrU1c7HpQ6-OD15cctlPixDOneAjuapo3jMz1etmjjKnSX38QSEZGY3hAcPHjWIQM7Bk/s1600/Ingredients+for+a+good+life%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+baby+Blessing+and+Birthday%252C+Amanda+Brooke+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv_5z01lJi56jCW6fN64z7zVridyxAWiVf0hgSd6Ux-FcsS_nRvTBNV8_JkgvuRwLWQ62758QFVrU1c7HpQ6-OD15cctlPixDOneAjuapo3jMz1etmjjKnSX38QSEZGY3hAcPHjWIQM7Bk/s400/Ingredients+for+a+good+life%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+baby+Blessing+and+Birthday%252C+Amanda+Brooke+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A pitcher full of love, hopes and blessings. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We moved outside for the Shower of Blessings, the whole family huddled under the parasol for it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidR9460_EwoIxTDJYp2kUvrv8hFEiY6wvh5UB5qkfj64M3NhdByUYMNrPCWQgqjWT3sj6N97Ydi-kQ0SBo7-N6L1VNCiamLoAZZPwum9wcCris5M6AKzgoBtKpyouDzWMdd8HMtz4SmR6A/s1600/Family+Shower+of+blessing%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+baby+Blessing+and+Birthday%252C+Amanda+Brooke+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidR9460_EwoIxTDJYp2kUvrv8hFEiY6wvh5UB5qkfj64M3NhdByUYMNrPCWQgqjWT3sj6N97Ydi-kQ0SBo7-N6L1VNCiamLoAZZPwum9wcCris5M6AKzgoBtKpyouDzWMdd8HMtz4SmR6A/s640/Family+Shower+of+blessing%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+baby+Blessing+and+Birthday%252C+Amanda+Brooke+Photography.jpg" width="426" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBpMJ0le5PQoHifwdcdwiCv-8fgaHlayoTDi537ijdwh-sowwRUhLKmor_PqYlcWWrYHKlHgLdQVbEtSsM6VKQLXeePuQPQRFtRtaIS1zqFXgF_pHkfvSxpdjg6TMT7cAjDkAQKVYkzxrw/s1600/baby+shower+of+blessings%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+baby+Blessing+and+Birthday%252C+Amanda+Brooke+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBpMJ0le5PQoHifwdcdwiCv-8fgaHlayoTDi537ijdwh-sowwRUhLKmor_PqYlcWWrYHKlHgLdQVbEtSsM6VKQLXeePuQPQRFtRtaIS1zqFXgF_pHkfvSxpdjg6TMT7cAjDkAQKVYkzxrw/s400/baby+shower+of+blessings%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+baby+Blessing+and+Birthday%252C+Amanda+Brooke+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4yzY-cFj4PJ57L-BC3zObsGaYBWqWIRmE5SDK0vBg8fkdgkPYjmwylbwZIVl30GBqCSLbWNiAt5NkReE_5Iccdyx-xy-91U174szf2w7v_7RtVtIF3HSgNUOzh_2ofoak5ksca3jsW-oA/s1600/shower+of+blessings+for+a+growing+family%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+baby+Blessing+and+Birthday%252C+Amanda+Brooke+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4yzY-cFj4PJ57L-BC3zObsGaYBWqWIRmE5SDK0vBg8fkdgkPYjmwylbwZIVl30GBqCSLbWNiAt5NkReE_5Iccdyx-xy-91U174szf2w7v_7RtVtIF3HSgNUOzh_2ofoak5ksca3jsW-oA/s400/shower+of+blessings+for+a+growing+family%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+baby+Blessing+and+Birthday%252C+Amanda+Brooke+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxdiFTZ_p5C2lQsOuWaTpqTskvLlJtD8N_TG70TMfI2b8kWmeHbKUpBsqYvw5D-H-scxQZ1CmBYD5iyE8_Pf76eUwLtMOzcpCq6-XYOTXm96mdXur-HnmXIgGuBuX0GqSdhwJtYCnamZZe/s1600/kid+group+portrait%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+baby+Blessing+and+Birthday%252C+Amanda+Brooke+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxdiFTZ_p5C2lQsOuWaTpqTskvLlJtD8N_TG70TMfI2b8kWmeHbKUpBsqYvw5D-H-scxQZ1CmBYD5iyE8_Pf76eUwLtMOzcpCq6-XYOTXm96mdXur-HnmXIgGuBuX0GqSdhwJtYCnamZZe/s400/kid+group+portrait%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+baby+Blessing+and+Birthday%252C+Amanda+Brooke+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxeAr7acWqmW4WgxFORbNdExcPAifdc7Gnx1dRT-DUcnAXrschKDxxP0YxqZDuOUllSzw_tsrzMYpy9yO1E6iUPv1DKrtzvnHAZVb7cBFcWvmieaj7nLHs18un0ZnP4_lEYzhD56y0V-jY/s1600/Time+capsule%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+baby+Blessing+and+Birthday%252C+Amanda+Brooke+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxeAr7acWqmW4WgxFORbNdExcPAifdc7Gnx1dRT-DUcnAXrschKDxxP0YxqZDuOUllSzw_tsrzMYpy9yO1E6iUPv1DKrtzvnHAZVb7cBFcWvmieaj7nLHs18un0ZnP4_lEYzhD56y0V-jY/s640/Time+capsule%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+baby+Blessing+and+Birthday%252C+Amanda+Brooke+Photography.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everyone brought something for the Time Capsule that will be opened again when Sebastian turns 18.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZxQDaz0MgaVPade8vIatxLhP304XrnsmMREcCDZlYyjj4oilsmOmfma7Ltnw4GEXu-BVvaB7b8-ezNSZN87j90F6Nb07uh_Kuj-RK48VGZCsK84E9BkWr7JpLh7bsx7tfHYzJFKiau-Ew/s1600/tree+planting%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+baby+Blessing+and+Birthday%252C+Amanda+Brooke+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZxQDaz0MgaVPade8vIatxLhP304XrnsmMREcCDZlYyjj4oilsmOmfma7Ltnw4GEXu-BVvaB7b8-ezNSZN87j90F6Nb07uh_Kuj-RK48VGZCsK84E9BkWr7JpLh7bsx7tfHYzJFKiau-Ew/s640/tree+planting%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+baby+Blessing+and+Birthday%252C+Amanda+Brooke+Photography.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQbrjvOzBCRVYA2fX9sGMHJZ7Nq0JKW22MOr3CsS0l7nW21oS3x4NZJelOyg-L2DxWhXqJvVTmKg80L0u7-Qu1gJrqnPShRCM8cG0fPKnEZ2JglVk1YIZGJAy3H0bd4YbuUqsFFdjrtz-/s1600/watering+tree%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+baby+Blessing+and+Birthday%252C+Amanda+Brooke+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQbrjvOzBCRVYA2fX9sGMHJZ7Nq0JKW22MOr3CsS0l7nW21oS3x4NZJelOyg-L2DxWhXqJvVTmKg80L0u7-Qu1gJrqnPShRCM8cG0fPKnEZ2JglVk1YIZGJAy3H0bd4YbuUqsFFdjrtz-/s400/watering+tree%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+baby+Blessing+and+Birthday%252C+Amanda+Brooke+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sebastian's birthday tree, everyone took turns adding a handful of soil or watering it. Before the ceremony began, I earned my Baby Blessing Celebrant chops by helping to plant the placenta under the root ball. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6PNCzPoE6cK08zDMQ2MipRWcCZAz86O6lam9c5w8h-osDTayPGR2wZTX6KLgmVgcnR4wB-41LkFzkNnIEH13U5bQSExvfyqrUr68s_oAyiHqX5_8rW6oYerM7lpn0G0KMT1dD6Q0B8LtG/s1600/Alisa+Tongg+Favorites-0026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6PNCzPoE6cK08zDMQ2MipRWcCZAz86O6lam9c5w8h-osDTayPGR2wZTX6KLgmVgcnR4wB-41LkFzkNnIEH13U5bQSExvfyqrUr68s_oAyiHqX5_8rW6oYerM7lpn0G0KMT1dD6Q0B8LtG/s640/Alisa+Tongg+Favorites-0026.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thank you Amanda Brooke for this portrait of my celebrant birthday twirl.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There was a sushi food truck... (the rest of the photos here are ones that I took)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjput8WurWS0KS85XCPGkGl0cPl6V2yA57Ww79DueNTdA7EMg6TAkpjyXuW3_sG3X0olmGED7WFgmtv3HcH8zb_vyHIcmjR0z6fTz6_q8z8-15h49DQoxZCyCtlA1Jjof3j2zXe_mvVtDuL/s1600/59C286B0-8224-47B9-B6E2-5A71129F4ECF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjput8WurWS0KS85XCPGkGl0cPl6V2yA57Ww79DueNTdA7EMg6TAkpjyXuW3_sG3X0olmGED7WFgmtv3HcH8zb_vyHIcmjR0z6fTz6_q8z8-15h49DQoxZCyCtlA1Jjof3j2zXe_mvVtDuL/s400/59C286B0-8224-47B9-B6E2-5A71129F4ECF.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7pw0t8VKfZvf3ZR7IjIRX78nY6MSqeZvaoWHhhpYD8HGgfEK-joX-MYTTBT4OCMfF7a3jxbvS07OVdnG8CI5E4yexc8pLfOSV1paLSPHtYvTxHBYO-pv4Kb17KispPfK5PVtjfwKj39Dj/s1600/4DC2AD53-91FC-4729-BAA8-2ACB29ACC939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7pw0t8VKfZvf3ZR7IjIRX78nY6MSqeZvaoWHhhpYD8HGgfEK-joX-MYTTBT4OCMfF7a3jxbvS07OVdnG8CI5E4yexc8pLfOSV1paLSPHtYvTxHBYO-pv4Kb17KispPfK5PVtjfwKj39Dj/s400/4DC2AD53-91FC-4729-BAA8-2ACB29ACC939.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd8EjaUmoxJHZ-3fn9Y6eN6AWLKtdbSUSR8_hyphenhyphenxwIyHxzrU4ivZVHtHKxWjh647pvwF-kUJRvN1Uqp1eBBN_AetTE6vcZS3ajSQmfvti38ba6gIEdrvY82mMo8ZEtYN5kP-j32VMcvXxWr/s1600/4D1F6654-B7EB-4A70-8A76-ACA9871D9F5F.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd8EjaUmoxJHZ-3fn9Y6eN6AWLKtdbSUSR8_hyphenhyphenxwIyHxzrU4ivZVHtHKxWjh647pvwF-kUJRvN1Uqp1eBBN_AetTE6vcZS3ajSQmfvti38ba6gIEdrvY82mMo8ZEtYN5kP-j32VMcvXxWr/s400/4D1F6654-B7EB-4A70-8A76-ACA9871D9F5F.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
While everyone enjoyed sushi and summer noodles, there was just enough time for a costume change. No self-respecting birthday honoree goes without at least one.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1WgbxeTxm2HUaQSpi_BHGlFAMLcriuCGyb6e5YKpqIVxydP41Vl1YNLfrr1vM6VQoS2EX1FXmfwMzsxQHZxzdMVI3Nv2eoLm6OtgmyLnrxF-9hdteH0AmfUG0lLI6J9IhdOnmvMieGo8o/s1600/where+the+wild+things+are+adventure+boat%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+baby+Blessing+and+Birthday%252C+Amanda+Brooke+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1WgbxeTxm2HUaQSpi_BHGlFAMLcriuCGyb6e5YKpqIVxydP41Vl1YNLfrr1vM6VQoS2EX1FXmfwMzsxQHZxzdMVI3Nv2eoLm6OtgmyLnrxF-9hdteH0AmfUG0lLI6J9IhdOnmvMieGo8o/s640/where+the+wild+things+are+adventure+boat%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+baby+Blessing+and+Birthday%252C+Amanda+Brooke+Photography.jpg" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then things got Wild.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgftngDZNxuccykmkdrFiRgoGguBEkGYzBM_tVhMUKeWW1tiwTi4vjKqwjuZ7JaU4IvGfY7NJwYjYn8GCc45JJkUDj8YSIdoX5GPkfdDQtJ5JkcIH3sOpwUN411WzuvjmBkwQ74_WiIItQM/s1600/baby+Sebastian+on+his+birthday%252C+photo+by+Alisa+Tongg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgftngDZNxuccykmkdrFiRgoGguBEkGYzBM_tVhMUKeWW1tiwTi4vjKqwjuZ7JaU4IvGfY7NJwYjYn8GCc45JJkUDj8YSIdoX5GPkfdDQtJ5JkcIH3sOpwUN411WzuvjmBkwQ74_WiIItQM/s640/baby+Sebastian+on+his+birthday%252C+photo+by+Alisa+Tongg.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIj1Gg6pmyoPeZiUMcGYNSNuBdy9aKbCzbir-GUgmXfAXL4o1rs1xBZNhcqAQoakeX7PXaC3QRR36orGVRWNBijDFdx4M0R1qDLUX3lHpMtJSWQxkKfQ-kmeeevly-bwUfHbAb_ng6m-hc/s1600/Brothers%252C+photo+by+Alisa+Tongg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIj1Gg6pmyoPeZiUMcGYNSNuBdy9aKbCzbir-GUgmXfAXL4o1rs1xBZNhcqAQoakeX7PXaC3QRR36orGVRWNBijDFdx4M0R1qDLUX3lHpMtJSWQxkKfQ-kmeeevly-bwUfHbAb_ng6m-hc/s640/Brothers%252C+photo+by+Alisa+Tongg.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK5Ooef6UzNtO0BBAccnt_1Nnu-UeeNjDwJiJxViHgpOWKkp6Uc6KHQ-2DeyG5vRDFzFMs3t7bHQ5433DLgpAO2aFMMR0t9fj1fXJ4hOXAgPjK4zOvZVrEe7YRukxSbatjP1RZgGnXk0Ce/s1600/Alisa+Tongg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK5Ooef6UzNtO0BBAccnt_1Nnu-UeeNjDwJiJxViHgpOWKkp6Uc6KHQ-2DeyG5vRDFzFMs3t7bHQ5433DLgpAO2aFMMR0t9fj1fXJ4hOXAgPjK4zOvZVrEe7YRukxSbatjP1RZgGnXk0Ce/s400/Alisa+Tongg.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby Sebastian, thoroughly blessed and loved, is WILD for his grandma's carrot cake.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKLtnQeRi-3RoAzdEaKS-1BmfOzB8OXLaV_OAjZ6pa2OwSRZleZHNQilAYdGiy-BdykPxGB5ilBh09OPJa5cUtGrPlfZUWvgW4TWl8gbk_mIZMHxrnuxXkLOTJaoULpyEFlWEEwnrmI0vc/s1600/Family+Portrait.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKLtnQeRi-3RoAzdEaKS-1BmfOzB8OXLaV_OAjZ6pa2OwSRZleZHNQilAYdGiy-BdykPxGB5ilBh09OPJa5cUtGrPlfZUWvgW4TWl8gbk_mIZMHxrnuxXkLOTJaoULpyEFlWEEwnrmI0vc/s400/Family+Portrait.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Photographer: <a href="http://www.amandabrookephotography.com/">Amanda Brooke Photography</a><br />
Celebrant: <a href="http://alisatonggcelebrant.com/">Alisa Tongg Celebrant</a><br />
Sushi Food Truck: Wabi Sabi Kitchen<br />
Three Layer Carrot Cake: Grandma Deb<br />
Venue: <a href="http://www.dutotmuseum.com/">Dutot Museum</a><br />
Wild Things Boat and Birthday Suit: <a href="https://www.giftsforthegoodlife.com/">Gifts for the Good Life</a>AlisaTonggCelebranthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10641909328520358283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7156070338236733346.post-31382928600778428002017-01-30T09:01:00.003-05:002017-01-30T09:01:59.724-05:0029 Cinematic, Non-Boring Songs For Wedding Ceremony, Processional Edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
For those who are looking for something other than Pachelbel's iconic,"Canon in D" to walk down the aisle to, here's a list of some of the most interesting tunes my real couples have chosen. In many cases, they ask their string quartet or ceremony musicians to play it live. Every one of these 29 songs, made me, the officiant, feel like I was in a movie.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
“All My Days” by Alexi Murdoch </div>
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Y-VQXTN1m60/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Y-VQXTN1m60?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
“California Stars” Billy Brag + Wilco<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/gxzMbAMO73k/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gxzMbAMO73k?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
“Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Ingrid Michaelson <iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/5sQeQC4hT10/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5sQeQC4hT10?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
“Come Away With Me” Norah Jones</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/lbjZPFBD6JU/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lbjZPFBD6JU?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
“Do You Remember” by Jack Johnson </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/5U7rDh8x-Lw/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5U7rDh8x-Lw?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
“Dream” Priscilla Ahn </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/MKfDwChOoHI/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MKfDwChOoHI?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
“Final Fantasy IX-Prelude” </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/D4d6P4D_EAY/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/D4d6P4D_EAY?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
“Hallelujah” Jeff Buckley </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/y8AWFf7EAc4/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/y8AWFf7EAc4?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
“Home to Me” by Andru Bemis </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/BPLu3En7YYM/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BPLu3En7YYM?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
“Hoppipolla” Sigur Ros </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/hnAwPeqrdAk/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hnAwPeqrdAk?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
“Hoppipolla” The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/7Up3kWZd7cc/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7Up3kWZd7cc?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
“I Like to go to the Barn Because I Like the Barn” by Band of Horses <br /><iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/jPHXj_FbqgA/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jPHXj_FbqgA?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
“In My Life” by The Beatles </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/-eCh3y5VROM/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-eCh3y5VROM?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
“Inside it all feels the same” Explosions in the Sky </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/EQO_Sqe1mKI/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EQO_Sqe1mKI?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
“Man in Me” by Bob Dylan </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/s10ldVRHRSw/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/s10ldVRHRSw?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
“Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want” The Smiths <iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/a5wl_O67Qto/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/a5wl_O67Qto?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br />"Reign of Love" by Coldplay </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/yMHkOelzu9s/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yMHkOelzu9s?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
“Stacks” by Bon Iver </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/S6rAmBt8xPs/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/S6rAmBt8xPs?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
“Storybook Love” Mark Knopfler </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/8ifSUhwmIMU/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8ifSUhwmIMU?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
“We Are Going To Be Friends” by the White Stripes <iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/PKfD8d3XJok/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PKfD8d3XJok?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
“The Luckiest” Ben Folds </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/f9bRmuP-kQY/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/f9bRmuP-kQY?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
“The way that I love you” by Jeff Pianki </div>
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/FaJkDaFjdOI/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FaJkDaFjdOI?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
“These Days” Nico </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/0_z_UEuEMAo/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0_z_UEuEMAo?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
“The Winner Is” Devotchka </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/7655cAA_CTg/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7655cAA_CTg?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This Year’s Love, David Gray </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/6zN4_7hq77g/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6zN4_7hq77g?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
“Throne Room” by John Williams </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/h5N6_NWtVxY/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/h5N6_NWtVxY?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
“Turning Page” Sleeping At Last <iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/VKBfsz3P7Us/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VKBfsz3P7Us?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
“We Bought a Zoo” Jonsi </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/pw1ahI_o388/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pw1ahI_o388?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
"Zelda’s Lullaby” Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/cAVn71rNImI/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cAVn71rNImI?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br /><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>
AlisaTonggCelebranthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10641909328520358283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7156070338236733346.post-6085756501841711012017-01-26T09:29:00.005-05:002017-01-27T15:33:41.560-05:00Colleen + Dan, All The Words Of My Heart<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDjOyJ-dfPHejEgIO8vXrchxrlbDKG52Gf1AXWNDZ8WWhBXCYbKSB5Sr9NzjAwJTHw09LNPiavyerBy94pX7V9NXm1CzWtuIVxaH1PIIxHJbB_6qkqN14lHrgTIYrWyFdq5hMsXHHdwNHb/s1600/recessional+at+the+Hort+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Horticultural+Center+wedding%252C+M2+Photography+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDjOyJ-dfPHejEgIO8vXrchxrlbDKG52Gf1AXWNDZ8WWhBXCYbKSB5Sr9NzjAwJTHw09LNPiavyerBy94pX7V9NXm1CzWtuIVxaH1PIIxHJbB_6qkqN14lHrgTIYrWyFdq5hMsXHHdwNHb/s400/recessional+at+the+Hort+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Horticultural+Center+wedding%252C+M2+Photography+copy+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With a Beatles-themed ceremony soundtrack, Colleen and Dan stepped into married life together while "Blackbird" played.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7aEi61Ga41tg8cgKegMQ3LK3brsdK6YV5oVdn-eQEGWs-7HGg-EidsQfQAJ6x7qj-1HjxF3-ECRzlaDEpaptHJx2mutw1yqNUrAjPPrwMtrEwq2izNkySkQroEvMjSHuE97ruB99Dg8w-/s1600/Portrait+Alisa+Tongg%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Horticultural+Center+wedding%252C+M2+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7aEi61Ga41tg8cgKegMQ3LK3brsdK6YV5oVdn-eQEGWs-7HGg-EidsQfQAJ6x7qj-1HjxF3-ECRzlaDEpaptHJx2mutw1yqNUrAjPPrwMtrEwq2izNkySkQroEvMjSHuE97ruB99Dg8w-/s400/Portrait+Alisa+Tongg%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Horticultural+Center+wedding%252C+M2+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Colleen and Dan’s ceremony was rooted in the strong examples that their
families have provided for them. We began with a thoughtful remembrance
for each of their late grandparents and then a tribute to their parents
as they welcomed the bride and groom into their families.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8m58C3wLVC7taTUCo2U1NxfGbDZTldcCQmrDYssFt8zqNgD_DQkYvSZNkpIS_YedKERHoVzjH0Ab137c7qH_rQpn741vRKoQ-FK1-opBgSbKcnSdbsPt_SrUZ5WqUVb0TtGNu2cm2Fseb/s1600/Circle+of+Love%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Horticultural+Center+wedding%252C+M2+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8m58C3wLVC7taTUCo2U1NxfGbDZTldcCQmrDYssFt8zqNgD_DQkYvSZNkpIS_YedKERHoVzjH0Ab137c7qH_rQpn741vRKoQ-FK1-opBgSbKcnSdbsPt_SrUZ5WqUVb0TtGNu2cm2Fseb/s640/Circle+of+Love%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Horticultural+Center+wedding%252C+M2+Photography.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Circle of Love, as guests arrived at The
Horticultural Center, they were invited to contribute a fern to the Circle of Love in the ceremonial space.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Tribute to Parents:</b><br />
One
of my favorite moments in every ceremony is when I give both sets of
parents the opportunity to welcome the new couple into their families.
Style-wise, I love the egalitarian nature of the language used, the
inclusion of both families equally and the profoundly emotional moment
when I see parents affirming that they will see their new son or
daughter-in-law as one of their own. Dan and Colleen chose to pay
tribute to their parents admirable qualities as their families expanded,
it was a wonderful way to begin and set the tone for their entire
ceremony.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxUptjD-uircHS86PkuP1oL0V2nvazOnkbHw5ztieGshHnbcmw9Zwe07sQMJRiOQNpHzEXf7rzEHw6HikvMqCpA6RD52LP34jb9eVoB0rdWbx9sQ-mLq8VONoWiQOntDbK8c9cFun94Gta/s1600/First+row+tears%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Horticultural+Center+wedding%252C+M2+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxUptjD-uircHS86PkuP1oL0V2nvazOnkbHw5ztieGshHnbcmw9Zwe07sQMJRiOQNpHzEXf7rzEHw6HikvMqCpA6RD52LP34jb9eVoB0rdWbx9sQ-mLq8VONoWiQOntDbK8c9cFun94Gta/s400/First+row+tears%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Horticultural+Center+wedding%252C+M2+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiCsc6Lw7NyfZN_p-CipPsDPg-B_KMniAtn2WoQFhqKJqLmbT1GrqIpg5ZVN_AxCyGqsCjhlEfFIVCJacUcz0dp8A23JHY6o72YOcRxz-Tcz2BXa1G8mIKze4U3Xv5cjYGXs49mVBcru-5/s1600/laughing+mother%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Horticultural+Center+wedding%252C+M2+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiCsc6Lw7NyfZN_p-CipPsDPg-B_KMniAtn2WoQFhqKJqLmbT1GrqIpg5ZVN_AxCyGqsCjhlEfFIVCJacUcz0dp8A23JHY6o72YOcRxz-Tcz2BXa1G8mIKze4U3Xv5cjYGXs49mVBcru-5/s640/laughing+mother%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Horticultural+Center+wedding%252C+M2+Photography.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">“Kathleen, you’ve given your family an extraordinary gift in your example of resilience and inner strength. And Gary, your exemplification of kindness is the standard from which Colleen and Dan want to emulate in their own lives.” </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOyKOr7ZHphqRYYoox3EChY17T4hddJo_5e9lJJij4IFGeckge9F8ir94EdzAT18Fiic3XCPqj4y1p5KFpBdgnjR_z3nKNCZYYuIw9g-hahbgSA65TpXONV3XpDpMHDd9fNSK6q_M-9Pjx/s1600/first+look+with+dad%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Horticultural+Center+wedding%252C+M2+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOyKOr7ZHphqRYYoox3EChY17T4hddJo_5e9lJJij4IFGeckge9F8ir94EdzAT18Fiic3XCPqj4y1p5KFpBdgnjR_z3nKNCZYYuIw9g-hahbgSA65TpXONV3XpDpMHDd9fNSK6q_M-9Pjx/s400/first+look+with+dad%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Horticultural+Center+wedding%252C+M2+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">“Robin and Mark, your love is an inspiration to your tight-knit family.
Colleen says that when she thinks about what kind of relationship she
hopes to grow with Dan in the future—it’s your happy friendship and
successful marriage that she wants to have too.”</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinw4fmjS7zxzI87aVF2-MSenrEsxCv2Lt4RQUWMqs6gjeh_rqmFKw2DdFvMgDQyUu5v-5nWL-XAMvAMOFpVRaLj-qTU1RLp1-xiI0-IeTsPaORbcv5H_9u74Sge4R2MeAFvh4Ih5C33WCC/s1600/Best+Puppy%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Horticultural+Center+wedding%252C+M2+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinw4fmjS7zxzI87aVF2-MSenrEsxCv2Lt4RQUWMqs6gjeh_rqmFKw2DdFvMgDQyUu5v-5nWL-XAMvAMOFpVRaLj-qTU1RLp1-xiI0-IeTsPaORbcv5H_9u74Sge4R2MeAFvh4Ih5C33WCC/s400/Best+Puppy%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Horticultural+Center+wedding%252C+M2+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finn, the Best Pup</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihAhyphenhyphenApNxqIay02zmoMrkdMAx_19-yS-9JQKWni18LO2L9Ut9xTNA2uc6t5yDBZnSkEkCbILtKIK-r4pQym1_743FFo7un6B6WNlZkEq5OL7Wl6f9Ds1bGQJKGLhrJRB9V2PX3IjBjYTX0/s1600/Dan+portrait%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Horticultural+Center+wedding%252C+M2+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihAhyphenhyphenApNxqIay02zmoMrkdMAx_19-yS-9JQKWni18LO2L9Ut9xTNA2uc6t5yDBZnSkEkCbILtKIK-r4pQym1_743FFo7un6B6WNlZkEq5OL7Wl6f9Ds1bGQJKGLhrJRB9V2PX3IjBjYTX0/s640/Dan+portrait%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Horticultural+Center+wedding%252C+M2+Photography.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
"He’s adventurous and fun-loving, competitive, loyal and handsome ... a
true partner in life, you’re meant for each other...This is a man who inspires you to be a better person
while simultaneously making your feel safe, and cherished for who you
already are."--Alisa Tongg, Celebrant</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIa_mM6BGHfQwkyDbH7iYfS6ZYk1WHPUekUyygcudbyqtrRDrRbhoctnCCMqaZ732YEtVoah1JOZZGjj3hcfd7G29f2oNKM0TpQR8QlcpL4rT-1KqWgaKTwNz8OclCEchLiOTJGks0FPpG/s1600/Kitty+and++Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Horticultural+Center+wedding%252C+M2+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIa_mM6BGHfQwkyDbH7iYfS6ZYk1WHPUekUyygcudbyqtrRDrRbhoctnCCMqaZ732YEtVoah1JOZZGjj3hcfd7G29f2oNKM0TpQR8QlcpL4rT-1KqWgaKTwNz8OclCEchLiOTJGks0FPpG/s640/Kitty+and++Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Horticultural+Center+wedding%252C+M2+Photography.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"She’s smart hard-working and beautiful inside and out, independent and
motivated, strong-willed and decisive. She’s curious about the world
around her, fiercely loyal and loving. Hers is the smile that can light
up a room and warm your heart. She knows you better than you know
yourself. With her, you’re home."--Alisa Tongg, Celebrant</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Love Story</b><br />
Dan remembers vividly the first time he ever saw Colleen. It was June 27th, 2009, he and his friends were enjoying this particular summer evening at the diviest bar in all of Sea Isle City—Ocean Drive, otherwise known as ‘The OD’. <br />
<br />
Sometime early in the evening, Dan looked up from his conversation with his friends and noticed a beautiful blonde girl standing next to the bar waiting for a drink. Just like in a movie, the room had become dark except for around the girl, and she had a glow around her—it was as if someone somewhere was pointing a spotlight to illuminate her--to make sure he was paying attention and that he didn’t miss this. Dan remembers it was love at first sight.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipdDJoFL6Y8aGHUOXSPAzFp9iKVRJx0LKIA9S8yKv0YWJgWzrceHqfp-96ocSPKbvaOYy4SYqD4hMauU1H4alGqNNj3ttse9t47cjsXeTfu9LutDjpztcExcvwdYoG9cLM3D9stx4MJwlC/s1600/beaming+colleen%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Horticultural+Center+wedding%252C+M2+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipdDJoFL6Y8aGHUOXSPAzFp9iKVRJx0LKIA9S8yKv0YWJgWzrceHqfp-96ocSPKbvaOYy4SYqD4hMauU1H4alGqNNj3ttse9t47cjsXeTfu9LutDjpztcExcvwdYoG9cLM3D9stx4MJwlC/s640/beaming+colleen%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Horticultural+Center+wedding%252C+M2+Photography.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
And that’s how it started…For the rest of the summer, they were inseparable. Most weekends, Dan would come out to Colleen’s neighborhood in Manayunk, and that’s when Colleen recognized that what she had with Dan was love. Thinking back on that time, she says it was their weekends together that she most looked forward to that whole year.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoy_LMjogIOJ2mkteztYdAcsbcfiZ3VLHyLaNJPBOZCFMmJzR9SsqiKJfkLzyJba13EQviimpaAVml82F1LWpgro1OxXXTL7G7oIYFJHCDZD9gguogY7LKzoDuNySRO1aCz0MtDuKpZ7K6/s1600/arcitectural+indoor+ceremony%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Horticultural+Center+wedding%252C+M2+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoy_LMjogIOJ2mkteztYdAcsbcfiZ3VLHyLaNJPBOZCFMmJzR9SsqiKJfkLzyJba13EQviimpaAVml82F1LWpgro1OxXXTL7G7oIYFJHCDZD9gguogY7LKzoDuNySRO1aCz0MtDuKpZ7K6/s400/arcitectural+indoor+ceremony%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Horticultural+Center+wedding%252C+M2+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht1qw-wz-eCSk6b1-9PlULPel8G4oWUDBeRoG9qK4-y1jdXpPyFQLaV97GK0VUT5Jb0ooXFmXstys4LPjoabVvuNx27tKpF5r3KqTbtizLvM498gR5BL0EVjQWRrOTaUBu0oZy6tRuJgGX/s1600/Ceremony+space+indoor%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Horticultural+Center+wedding%252C+M2+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht1qw-wz-eCSk6b1-9PlULPel8G4oWUDBeRoG9qK4-y1jdXpPyFQLaV97GK0VUT5Jb0ooXFmXstys4LPjoabVvuNx27tKpF5r3KqTbtizLvM498gR5BL0EVjQWRrOTaUBu0oZy6tRuJgGX/s400/Ceremony+space+indoor%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Horticultural+Center+wedding%252C+M2+Photography.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Fcf1_w5H7zAAXukokFy6S5xKnMFmOtdraRcbmSHvAuLFw7g3PDaFXO_WLr2rGQI2mw_NmOfIh_CjSeL2RsA9M7goRfqadyjsNYqKmkeEpuJkKyfuuNAPb1IV5YQ-0CPB1vn41LA_Otje/s1600/Colleen%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Horticultural+Center+wedding%252C+M2+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Fcf1_w5H7zAAXukokFy6S5xKnMFmOtdraRcbmSHvAuLFw7g3PDaFXO_WLr2rGQI2mw_NmOfIh_CjSeL2RsA9M7goRfqadyjsNYqKmkeEpuJkKyfuuNAPb1IV5YQ-0CPB1vn41LA_Otje/s400/Colleen%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Horticultural+Center+wedding%252C+M2+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
It was just easy to be together, she felt for the first time, that she didn’t have to try and be anything that she wasn’t...she could be herself...and that Dan accepted and appreciated her for who she was. It also, didn’t hurt that Colleen’s cat Ivory, took an immediate liking to Dan…Feeling generous in this new relationship, Colleen even started spending her Sunday’s watching “the game” with Dan. She enjoyed sharing an experience that he was passionate about.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrY7eS737VTwGHt0LW5M0PJSSAOI1XNYFEDavFa22nwBGdihZTKxdpR3YfWuTt9T_Oa2sDw_sPKhcKOwlCjYP2s2q-AhKan95PEX-kbp7YiumuOSMreo4n_Lspf3Xaz1gmyt4nej1rtX0d/s1600/kitty+and+puppy+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Horticultural+Center+wedding%252C+M2+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrY7eS737VTwGHt0LW5M0PJSSAOI1XNYFEDavFa22nwBGdihZTKxdpR3YfWuTt9T_Oa2sDw_sPKhcKOwlCjYP2s2q-AhKan95PEX-kbp7YiumuOSMreo4n_Lspf3Xaz1gmyt4nej1rtX0d/s400/kitty+and+puppy+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Horticultural+Center+wedding%252C+M2+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVXeF0U4axN9rRVM7xTVV2XuLmHFj4bbezuFWQU1WV4wNCU_Gjjihg5YIgtoc2KzFBYv7DYO1hCwqBj0PdzLoM2aDwwzrhj4eTKUKygnSbjqbSXH6VX95bxjWjA5ahlOPlSd7uLP2_RoAD/s1600/Colleen+with+bridesmaids%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Horticultural+Center+wedding%252C+M2+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVXeF0U4axN9rRVM7xTVV2XuLmHFj4bbezuFWQU1WV4wNCU_Gjjihg5YIgtoc2KzFBYv7DYO1hCwqBj0PdzLoM2aDwwzrhj4eTKUKygnSbjqbSXH6VX95bxjWjA5ahlOPlSd7uLP2_RoAD/s400/Colleen+with+bridesmaids%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Horticultural+Center+wedding%252C+M2+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNk283Qe67L3_tgbkyW3pTAFTEohfoZOojb9JIDs3ueGoIdQsn_CdBLjGwnpR9rh0SBuiJr5BYC64KSnmfMQhW1XrRKWdZpB_AOfi_nbWvsXuyHzViWRiN9EAxj-EtnEHgPJ7ftsI7wn6d/s1600/garland+exchange%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Horticultural+Center+wedding%252C+M2+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNk283Qe67L3_tgbkyW3pTAFTEohfoZOojb9JIDs3ueGoIdQsn_CdBLjGwnpR9rh0SBuiJr5BYC64KSnmfMQhW1XrRKWdZpB_AOfi_nbWvsXuyHzViWRiN9EAxj-EtnEHgPJ7ftsI7wn6d/s640/garland+exchange%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Horticultural+Center+wedding%252C+M2+Photography.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colleen and Dan
exchanged garlands created by Belovely as a reminder
of how precious and fragile the gift of life is and their sacred commitment to each other. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr4iZvIqRqYu8xy7xuRj936MKMFOHtX5oLF560lZwTwH3VICDNrDpZxFm-QAhMWjBGkrFZFHScwD506pJOIEBhJ5qWRI6hAcM2JE40mz1PoZwwW91_HMJNnBXlJ9RXHH_OQ9J58NymdFoD/s1600/nose+to+nose%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Horticultural+Center+wedding%252C+M2+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr4iZvIqRqYu8xy7xuRj936MKMFOHtX5oLF560lZwTwH3VICDNrDpZxFm-QAhMWjBGkrFZFHScwD506pJOIEBhJ5qWRI6hAcM2JE40mz1PoZwwW91_HMJNnBXlJ9RXHH_OQ9J58NymdFoD/s640/nose+to+nose%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Horticultural+Center+wedding%252C+M2+Photography.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
Over the past seven years, they’ve started their careers, grew their family (Finn and Ivory their adorable puppy and loyal cat), and traveled a lot, going on many adventures together. They’ve been to Spain (where they performed for the very first time, the crowd pleasing karaoke duet Summer Lovin’ in Madrid). They’ve scaled mountains in Peru…white water rafted through West Virginia…ridden bikes through the Palace of Versailles in France, drank their way through Frankfurt Germany, and explored Lake Tahoe and Monaco. In 2014, using Colleen’s mother’s wedding band, Dan proposed at the end of a four-day trek on the Inca Trail, with the ruins of Macchu Piccu in the distance. <br />
<br />
Both Colleen and Dan are so secure in their fundamental partnership and respect for the other, they know they can work through anything as long as they stick together.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiczJkH2DY1BH_0xZWhziphGoq8AcY-z1xnad5sGO-lEZ-Kj8l8NoaRLfiRLmxmRAYI1hyphenhyphenOILIQdqKdmr7ahisc5-MhKuxAhHE796asd8XSRROy-fuUIzxTF-CaWeMeduOhcXl10i6bmY95/s1600/Colleen+and+Dan%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Horticultural+Center+wedding%252C+M2+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiczJkH2DY1BH_0xZWhziphGoq8AcY-z1xnad5sGO-lEZ-Kj8l8NoaRLfiRLmxmRAYI1hyphenhyphenOILIQdqKdmr7ahisc5-MhKuxAhHE796asd8XSRROy-fuUIzxTF-CaWeMeduOhcXl10i6bmY95/s640/Colleen+and+Dan%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Horticultural+Center+wedding%252C+M2+Photography.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<b>Real Vows</b><br />
There are many ways people select the words and promises they say during their wedding. There are traditional vows, Pinterest is populated with a great many examples of romantic promises, there are vows based on relationship science and research, couples often write their own promises and appreciations to each other, and every once in a while, (and really this is just for the bravest, most secure in their partnership couples) couples will sit down together and have heart-to-heart conversations about what they want their marriage and partnership to be like. And then they write their vows together—a sort of mission statement for the newly forming family. Colleen and Dan are this kind of brave and intentional, eyes-wide open couple. Here are the vows they crafted together and then shared while standing in a Circle of Love.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<b>I take you as you are, loving who you are now and who you are yet to become. I promise to listen to you and learn from you, to support you and accept your support. I promise to work with you to foster a relationship of equality knowing that together we will build a life far better than either of us could imagine alone. I promise to always be your biggest fan and your partner in crime. As a family, I promise to create a home filled with learning, laughter, and compassion. I promise to respect you and to love you as an individual, a partner, and an equal knowing that we do not complete, but complement each other. May we have many adventures and not just grow old, but grow together. With these words, and all the words of my heart, I marry you and bind my life to yours.</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZWcLpyEJcxKhn-NynE3o-4pXZv-DmvbHpu-uetC1DhRPg8p5AaGroccdYV8vaHt6oJp2Ni55RrW-T4IJuC2OvMMnctnnpEH3WfSKiWdwUyI4XRpVxK9EYwxyq7Awvb2wj7bMu-OKRgWEG/s1600/cake+kiss%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Horticultural+Center+wedding%252C+M2+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZWcLpyEJcxKhn-NynE3o-4pXZv-DmvbHpu-uetC1DhRPg8p5AaGroccdYV8vaHt6oJp2Ni55RrW-T4IJuC2OvMMnctnnpEH3WfSKiWdwUyI4XRpVxK9EYwxyq7Awvb2wj7bMu-OKRgWEG/s400/cake+kiss%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Horticultural+Center+wedding%252C+M2+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkJALgNij4-NH7UHmJ-xwT7hJTokDwv9QtQKIcZLNnvvKa_oSSUm6lg5HP6j3j1NImoR32kX4JUnYMn3kqtO3woFrZVkPdBm4pwG2F-sI0zkbq12zly9dmwP_ijdPYxAE8xHjTtp8X7RuC/s1600/Hora%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Horticultural+Center+wedding%252C+M2+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkJALgNij4-NH7UHmJ-xwT7hJTokDwv9QtQKIcZLNnvvKa_oSSUm6lg5HP6j3j1NImoR32kX4JUnYMn3kqtO3woFrZVkPdBm4pwG2F-sI0zkbq12zly9dmwP_ijdPYxAE8xHjTtp8X7RuC/s400/Hora%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Horticultural+Center+wedding%252C+M2+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54A9bSwtpM_-MkVTAouzywV476RJ4fvbHF4pWtAeTiC4UmaHidkcxNbkUFLs2KPBJImf7mHkiNjIotKSXt4B_FDc1B2Jc8Ghbdd943QYVox_UkhilZEyl6vi1kySiSR6IomuMyiQt4_Wk/s1600/romantic+couch+portrait%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Horticultural+Center+wedding%252C+M2+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54A9bSwtpM_-MkVTAouzywV476RJ4fvbHF4pWtAeTiC4UmaHidkcxNbkUFLs2KPBJImf7mHkiNjIotKSXt4B_FDc1B2Jc8Ghbdd943QYVox_UkhilZEyl6vi1kySiSR6IomuMyiQt4_Wk/s640/romantic+couch+portrait%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Horticultural+Center+wedding%252C+M2+Photography.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
Venue || <a href="http://www.starrcateringgroup.com/">The Horticultural Center</a> <br />
Photographer || <a href="http://www.m2photo.net/">M2 Photography</a> <br />
Celebrant || <a href="http://www.alisatonggcelebrant.com/">Alisa Tongg </a><br />
Florist ||<a href="http://www.blvly.com/"> Belovely Floral and Event Design </a><br />
Ceremony Musicians ||<a href="http://www.meghancary.com/"> Meghan Cary with Peter Farrell </a><br />
Film || <a href="http://www.pairofheartsfilms.com/">Pair of Hearts</a><br />
Vintage Rental || <a href="http://www.maggpievintagerentals.com/">Maggpie Vintage Rental </a><br />
DJ || <a href="http://www.theremixologists.com/">The Remixologists </a><br />
Hair || Prive Salon<br />
Makeup || Nick Townsend<br />
Planner|| <a href="http://www.trulyyouevents.com/">Truly You Events </a>AlisaTonggCelebranthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10641909328520358283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7156070338236733346.post-72014956743040399782017-01-17T10:27:00.000-05:002017-01-17T10:32:16.938-05:00Stephen M. Rivkin, RIVKO, Itinerizer, Naming Genius, Beloved<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpq_IEgz-bZH7kYZ2zWN4Q8Zfw6LggNNK6qK4YFfcw4TrZ0Jtc44HvL9QvUebVP-b-wA17kwE4DSUXHGxdJAnyWRdYr4HLExadBp2Acmt5QxEoLoMGnntmQs8R-9MGEDFtqUeMu4otdJ4D/s1600/D1B44B15-B462-4343-9601-AB49BB351CE6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpq_IEgz-bZH7kYZ2zWN4Q8Zfw6LggNNK6qK4YFfcw4TrZ0Jtc44HvL9QvUebVP-b-wA17kwE4DSUXHGxdJAnyWRdYr4HLExadBp2Acmt5QxEoLoMGnntmQs8R-9MGEDFtqUeMu4otdJ4D/s400/D1B44B15-B462-4343-9601-AB49BB351CE6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Chandler42-Regular; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When people find out that I also write and perform funerals and memorial tributes, inevitably tones become hushed, there’s nodding and a slight (at least I perceive it) sense of unease at the serious and somber nature of all that entails. It is true, that the responsibility for delivering someone’s final rite is a tremendous one. As a celebrant I know that, with attention to the authentic details of someone’s life and relationships, that storytelling has a profoundly healing affect. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrSM5X0nxqb7sRaWbzQQgW9QUBylZ8EG6JQs7Hg0feE1cuSC-VbIc3EfKjMQWusvu5KKKMJJ97cG0cAVDxuBRVoWO5m45r_Zhsd2PFIoYq2hjgOpLd0kSiSMyiSZ1AJW7iLMDx2IAKNKaa/s1600/29A582E4-264E-4557-B503-56B86FEEB1B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrSM5X0nxqb7sRaWbzQQgW9QUBylZ8EG6JQs7Hg0feE1cuSC-VbIc3EfKjMQWusvu5KKKMJJ97cG0cAVDxuBRVoWO5m45r_Zhsd2PFIoYq2hjgOpLd0kSiSMyiSZ1AJW7iLMDx2IAKNKaa/s640/29A582E4-264E-4557-B503-56B86FEEB1B2.jpg" width="480" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDTzpxsWmt2xM8WUEaaKoXCmcObYBZ7kv6rGDrXylA_7MfBPDuoy3LavauIeb5qFoDez2nN6f3s9gJFX3SScC306cqCPUjwlni5WLSBws_gm4KCgDvbf4S-mEJRXanjzjiF1-FVYI_0xac/s1600/230DD48B-472A-4185-A21E-42BE0C507EB8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDTzpxsWmt2xM8WUEaaKoXCmcObYBZ7kv6rGDrXylA_7MfBPDuoy3LavauIeb5qFoDez2nN6f3s9gJFX3SScC306cqCPUjwlni5WLSBws_gm4KCgDvbf4S-mEJRXanjzjiF1-FVYI_0xac/s640/230DD48B-472A-4185-A21E-42BE0C507EB8.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Chandler42-Regular; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This past weekend, friends and family gathered to celebrate Steve M. Rivkin. Steve died in November and according to Jewish custom, was buried in those first few days. His wife, best friends and business partners, didn’t really have a chance to process the new reality so quickly. They made plans for a Memorial Tribute after the holidays, so everyone could gather, bring their stories and provide comfort and connection to each other. I had the privilege of writing and delivering the Eulogy, and I will share it here so that Stephen’s loved ones can find it when they are missing him and want to be reminded of all the ways he was, all the ways he influenced and touched their lives.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaN1NGFwhaIQyJLQhVwQ7zQTtgh_IcxJE8fePayjDA4N_BngiTNVrbRN1C4pDmk4_cl4qy3nLvSQSr-uXJSfmbDgx_PIwQfbTakDY1wOmvaBdjRH3LZChUKpPWnSVzZjqwoSIdfDlWjyzJ/s1600/AB10274A-A5BC-4094-9474-7C9AAD9A9D63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaN1NGFwhaIQyJLQhVwQ7zQTtgh_IcxJE8fePayjDA4N_BngiTNVrbRN1C4pDmk4_cl4qy3nLvSQSr-uXJSfmbDgx_PIwQfbTakDY1wOmvaBdjRH3LZChUKpPWnSVzZjqwoSIdfDlWjyzJ/s400/AB10274A-A5BC-4094-9474-7C9AAD9A9D63.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Chandler42-Regular; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">...He was born on January 13th, 1947 in Freeport Long Island to the late Julia and Alexander Bradley Rivkin. While still an infant, his family moved to Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania where he spent most of his youth. An only child to his parents, he was also the only child in his extended family. His cousins were a generation older than him, and their children, his second cousins, were 10 years younger than him. Without peers his own age in those formative years at home, Stephen was socialized by adults. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Chandler42-Regular; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />Stephen delighted his doting and adoring Jewish mother. She would send him to school with a big brown bag filled with all the makings of a corned beef sandwich—two slices of rye bread wrapped in tin foil, tender hand-cut corned beef, coleslaw, and Russian dressing all packed separately in little containers (so Stephen would not have to endure a soggy sandwich). At lunchtime, Stephen was known to trade the corned beef masterpiece sandwich sent by his mother for what all the commoners had been packed instead—a peanut butter and jelly one. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Chandler42-Regular; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />And as legend has it—Stephen first developed a love for language in the competitive games of Scrabble he would play with his mother. Julia never patronized her son, he had to earn his wins fair and square. Stephen savored learning, cultivated a sense of wonder and fell in love with language--habits and a passion he would continue throughout his life. <br /><br />As a young man, he attended and graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a Bachelor of Journalism. It was there he forged two friendships that would stand the test of time with his fellow Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity brothers, Fraser and Benny. <br /><br />In those college days, Benny, Fraser and Stephen rented a “palatial off-campus apartment” together and all the roommates would contribute to a house account that would cover shared expenses, like grocery shopping for example. Living with these young guys, Stephen took the opportunity to let his ultra-organizational skills (and lifestyle really) shine. Fraser remembers that Stephen’s bed was meticulously made every morning, he would arrange his push pins in rows by color, and perhaps the most memorable quirk of his self-discipline (and the self-discipline he expected of others), was how he would mark his allotted portion of eggs in the refrigerator. Everybody knew that was his row of eggs.<br /><br />In the early part of 1968, as Steve approached graduation, the United States government abolished its deferment for graduate school. Young men across the country scrambled for the few low-risk placements in the armed forces. Lucky for Stephen, his buddy Benny had already scouted out the best underwear for boot camp—boxers not briefs were thought to prevent chaffing on the grueling, hot and long marches. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Chandler42-Regular; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD0zKGuaM7WhZbOMQDDtP2_t8G-dpfuTjB37MdQ_yDIJlGO_fBcFHpaHA2ZjQ0hfN8F3JCLgV-YyaOsaQjnc-HcJds3EvojTkPPaz4QyH7HVHJLW_lfxixLDqMGQKEr4ZpJqe5B1S-WZBH/s1600/201D5FA0-56A2-440A-AD96-9F9BCE44C991.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD0zKGuaM7WhZbOMQDDtP2_t8G-dpfuTjB37MdQ_yDIJlGO_fBcFHpaHA2ZjQ0hfN8F3JCLgV-YyaOsaQjnc-HcJds3EvojTkPPaz4QyH7HVHJLW_lfxixLDqMGQKEr4ZpJqe5B1S-WZBH/s400/201D5FA0-56A2-440A-AD96-9F9BCE44C991.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Chandler42-Regular; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The boys stocked up on their supply of boxers and Stephen enlisted with the National Guard. He was stationed at Camp Ord in Northern California. In 1972 when Stephen completed his tenure with The National Guard he left with a nickname--“RIVKO” (which was inspired by the television show Sergeant Bilko) and a renewed disdain for being outside in the elements. Borrowing from one of his favorites, Woody Allen, he liked to say, that “he was at two with nature.” <br /><br />Stephen moved back east to start his career and finally put his journalism degree to use. He first worked at International Utilities Corp, a Philadelphia-based conglomerate in advertising, public relations and corporate identity. He began his career as an associate editor of Iron Age Magazine, a weekly trade publication.<br /><br />During this time, he started casually seeing a girl he knew from high school. She was a stewardess with Pan Am and lived in New York City, sharing an apartment with three other Pan Am stewardesses. <br /><br />When Stephen would call the WATS line to the girls’ apartment, one of the roommates, April, would often pick up the phone. April and Stephen had an instant connection and easy rapport. They would find the time to talk for hours on the phone. Occasionally Stephen would need to take a bathroom break or actually work, so when he had to talk to a client or nature called, he simply put April on hold, and then he’d come back and pick up where they had left off. <br /><br />Their friendship developed like this for about a year until finally they met in person. It was Christmas time and Stephen had arranged for a double date, he brought his roommate along for April and the foursome spent the evening wandering the city streets around Central Park. It didn’t matter that they each had a different date, Stephen and April only had eyes for each other, their connection was like a freight train barreling down the tracks…nothing could stop it. <br /><br />In the new year, they kept in contact and when Stephen’s business dinner plans changed one weekend, he invited April to come down to Philadelphia…it would be just the two of them this time. April remembers that in a bold moment, she said “Sure, why not.” That weekend “it was like they had always been together”, and when April returned home, she discovered that Stephen in his charming and strange way, had sent her a dozen bagels…from Philly.<br /><br />Their romance progressed exactly how you would imagine one would between a glamorous and kindhearted Pan Am stewardess and a tall, brilliant, rock star of an ad man. Stephen sent April a Metroliner ticket so she could travel First Class between New York and Philadelphia to see him. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjerHLxOSeSMetBIfTWHKHU3zBKhebQxrMEmtSw5bGbXWqtupVovjy5kxaD9E_rTK2DydpavM0CIJq0dU4KBb65R8YFmlPmlO2fVxpYVAtkt3tW1ElzRz08cYh2aIho-xN8Ne7GNX0n_2BC/s1600/IMG_7131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjerHLxOSeSMetBIfTWHKHU3zBKhebQxrMEmtSw5bGbXWqtupVovjy5kxaD9E_rTK2DydpavM0CIJq0dU4KBb65R8YFmlPmlO2fVxpYVAtkt3tW1ElzRz08cYh2aIho-xN8Ne7GNX0n_2BC/s640/IMG_7131.JPG" width="512" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Chandler42-Regular; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">By October they were living together in Philadelphia (but April kept her upper east side apartment in the city just in case.) One night after a grueling day of commuting, April wanted to take a bath, but there was something wrong with the plumbing in their apartment—there was only scalding water coming out of the tap. Stephen said, “I’ll be right back…” as he headed out the door. A few minutes later Steve returned carrying five bags of ice for the tub. Through the years, he always knew how to care for April when she didn’t feel well. <br /><br />By the following spring, May 10th, 1973 just eight months of cohabitating bliss later, Stephen and April were married in a small intimate ceremony. The process of April’s conversion to Judaism wasn’t complete on their wedding day, and this caused a rift with Stephen’s family. The newlyweds had limited contact with Stephen’s mother for their first year of marriage.<br /><br />For younger cousin Nancy, she remembers how this ‘scandal’ reverberated through her own family dynamics and dinner table conversation. But it didn’t take long for her mother Lucy, to set the tone for the future—“everyone loved April from the beginning.” Nancy cannot remember a time when April wasn’t a part of their lives. When Nancy grew up to have a family of her own, she made a point of inviting and including April and Stephen in family rites of passage and celebrations. She found that Stephen’s inquisitive nature and warm-heartedness “inspired her to want to be the best person she could be.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQRUV5z_5GVtX4iXAAblOe5v5tJQ_7n6xxWN8oBjhdPGYr961VU3Ianh-UYduM8WyTAlptmQF3ymk9p3oNuNpCFr2lmSPxyptQ5mXvV4IBHJF6i5re1DGkO3Qdo821NR44Rw3DIiqwtHTL/s1600/E901E221-E1CF-465F-8AAD-E2744EDF98C5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQRUV5z_5GVtX4iXAAblOe5v5tJQ_7n6xxWN8oBjhdPGYr961VU3Ianh-UYduM8WyTAlptmQF3ymk9p3oNuNpCFr2lmSPxyptQ5mXvV4IBHJF6i5re1DGkO3Qdo821NR44Rw3DIiqwtHTL/s400/E901E221-E1CF-465F-8AAD-E2744EDF98C5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Chandler42-Regular; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The following year, Steve was hired to work at Trout & Ries Inc, a prestigious marketing strategy firm based in New York City. Eventually he would become Executive Vice President. There he supervised advertising campaigns and marketing strategy projects for such clients as Harrah’s Hotels, Ingersoll-Rand, Stop & Shop and United Jersey Banks. Realizing that her newly married son was moving away, Julia hosted a lunch (where she pulled out all the stops) for Stephen and April to mend their relationship with her. April remembers, all the silverware was polished, the crystal sparkled, sugared grapes and a mini wedding cake were served…and most importantly, a check was on the table. After that, wedding gifts and cards from extended family members started rolling in. <br /><br />Even as a young man, Steve’s stature, seriousness and style made him a brother/father hybrid figure to many. He had “incredible gravitas and maturity”, was “unbelievably articulate”, “was a walking computer before there were computers”, “had a delightful sense of the absurd”, he was “trusted”, “thoughtful”, he exhibited his vast “knowledge without condescension” and especially considering his young age, carried “lots of responsibility”. <br /><br />He was ambitious for excellence. Steve was holistic in his approach to life and the things he gave his attention to—there was no work / life balance, Steve was an example of someone whose life was truly integrated and intentional. He surrounded himself with real people and pursued his curiosity. And it was this--living a truly integrated life-- this is how he gauged success.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Chandler42-Regular; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJIMcxo4GNAmRL5uhA87cZUvDu2ejqnnbv1uhKG4O6VI1evfN4QsQRDTGZbYL_sk16SgSCC4-thy1FK2mQn__WV4sNY4oLluyw77hNqyTdy2DDcArsSJ7NBnq1x7JwuuY1ELxiKg90Iko8/s1600/9CCF50C7-85A8-4D83-8C23-7DA8FF84EE82.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJIMcxo4GNAmRL5uhA87cZUvDu2ejqnnbv1uhKG4O6VI1evfN4QsQRDTGZbYL_sk16SgSCC4-thy1FK2mQn__WV4sNY4oLluyw77hNqyTdy2DDcArsSJ7NBnq1x7JwuuY1ELxiKg90Iko8/s400/9CCF50C7-85A8-4D83-8C23-7DA8FF84EE82.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Chandler42-Regular; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Steve did not like crowds, so he and April went to movies at 10am on Sundays, and sought out Farm League baseball games when he was on the road for work. Meticulous, perfectly groomed, fastidious…he was never far from a pump bottle of hand-sanitizer. It’s no surprise that Steve also loved diners. The comfort food and characters that abound were honest and interesting.<br /><br />An optimist, with an infectious positive outlook, Steve once took Evelyn Wood’s ‘Speed Reading’ course, he would read a book a day and retain all the nuance. Creative and genuine with his interactions, he would sit knee-to-knee and eye-to-eye during conversations and relished most making genuine connections, no matter the age. <br /><br />To say Steve was organized would be an understatement. And when it came to travel, he enjoyed planning and research. I mean he really, really, enjoyed planning and research. The pleasure he took from researching all the options, best routes, attractions, restaurants and minutia…and then sharing his cogent knowledge and recommendations with others, cannot be understated. On road trips and work travel, he “knew all the cool things to do” (like stay at the same hotel as The Rolling Stones in Japantown). He was “a walking trip adviser”. This is a man who earned and then relished the nickname ‘Itinerizer’.<br /><br />And as a colleague, his presence elevated the “energy” of a room or a project and generated genuine “excitement”. Always kind, “he was a great teacher”, “always gave a big smile and a warm hello” or “hello sunshine” he was a good teammate and coach, he acted as a buffer- personally absorbing interpersonal tensions to protect his team and never diminished or humiliated his colleagues, he was a man of integrity who did not shy away from difficult tasks.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Chandler42-Regular; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCVmb9zPS5K4YPyULZkqbIZ9UL73HoxTo7FYO2NVd7UATmINbhq9DU59WtbSkeDr3oNwRpm9I4afDgc3TtqfKMZOa73oGvQ_jmpkQNMqa8LDf24BgbUkevF5iehB1l-fiGr60UwFSJqOVz/s1600/5BB10660-F81D-47A2-9844-156EAA3C94F9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCVmb9zPS5K4YPyULZkqbIZ9UL73HoxTo7FYO2NVd7UATmINbhq9DU59WtbSkeDr3oNwRpm9I4afDgc3TtqfKMZOa73oGvQ_jmpkQNMqa8LDf24BgbUkevF5iehB1l-fiGr60UwFSJqOVz/s320/5BB10660-F81D-47A2-9844-156EAA3C94F9.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Chandler42-Regular; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
His friend Michael Kubin, who could not be here today, shares a story from the early 80s when he worked at a new upstart media buying company and Trout & Ries was one of their big important accounts, buying media for all of their clients. “One day”, he remembers, “it was a Friday, Steve called with bad news. His agency had hired a new media director and who brought in his own supplier of choice. Steve was the one who had to make the painful call to fire Michael.” <br /><br />If you’re going to get fired, Michael shares, Steve was the guy you wanted to do it. <br /><br />A few months went by and one day Michael’s phone rang again, and it was, very unexpectedly, Steve.<br /><br />Then Steve asked an even more unexpected question: “Would you take us back as your client?” Michael says, “it turned out their new media director didn’t work out as they had hoped so he left the agency. It would have been much easier for Steve to contact any one of the many media buying companies that would have loved to have started doing business with Trout & Ries, but Steve was loyal. He was loyal to the point where that call had to be difficult. It meant admitting a mistake, and making it right. It was a menschy thing to do, and Steve was the epitome of mensch.”<br /><br />“Head and shoulders above everyone else” and confident, somehow Steve managed to be a low ego person. Steve’s gratification came from seeing others whom he had helped do well, and he never took credit for it. He had many “devoted fans and admirers over the years”—people whose lives he made profound contributions to. Lynne says, “Steve was one in a billion. What I owe him cannot be measured” and this sentiment is true for countless others who Steve treated as his equal, even though everyone around him knew he was on a different level--a rock star. <br /><br />He was loved. <br /><br />He is loved.<br /><br />After 14 years with Trout & Ries Inc, it was time for Stephen to venture off on his own; he started Rivkin & Associates LLC, his own marketing and communications consultancy. In this capacity, he worked with clients such as Boeing, Cadbury-Adams, Kraft Foods, PG&E Corporation and PixelOptics. It was during these years that he earned his international reputation as a naming genius. Asian Brand News singled Steve out as “America’s leading nameologist.” And some pretty big companies turned to him for their naming projects, Premio Foods and Tiffany & Co. among them.<br /><br />Rivkin & Associates LLC also specialized in the healthcare sector. Steve’s consulting work here was far ranging from positioning and branding to counsel on issues management. In The American College of Physicians and dozens of U.S. regional hospitals, Steve was a trusted partner and counselor.<br /><br />More recently, Steve leveraged his reputation in healthcare circles, to contribute in a bigger way. In 2008 he joined the board of Volunteers in Medicine, a national network of 100 free clinics in 23 states. Its clinics feature retired and practicing medical professionals and community volunteers who care for the uninsured. Steve was an active and participating board member, who is responsible for Volunteers in Medicine trademarking their name and protecting their brand. When one of the clinics had a PR emergency--Steve wrote copy for their director Amy Hamlin to use if and when the media contacted her. They did. She read Steve’s words verbatim.<br /><br />For more than 25 years, Steve was involved in Estes Park Institute, whose mission is to provide professional development and continuing leadership education to hospital executives, trustees and medical staff leaders. He’s been a faculty member, moderator, program chair and three years ago was asked to join the board. And two years ago he became the CEO of Estes Park Institute. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Chandler42-Regular; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Linda Haddad shares, “As we follow up on our last EPI conference and prepare for the next, Steve’s fingerprints…and personality…are all over the game plan we are working from. We feel his absence everyday and are striving to honor his memory, and his long and good work at EPI, by making the program as good as he always envisioned it could be.”</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Chandler42-Regular; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDR6rdAiXCykxSmvMBQIDZOZ_vxp2HQWvAt5cJJnGsi16081qz44G7h-fR45UZgFHzL7IwXXrOx3aojebIebdU7sJCpgt1JyXgXgPpy1iR33z3rWhP8EvfV3Ao9OhumuL7O8zvz-dtQAOb/s1600/75BC5BD4-ECD0-4D8D-AE6F-7D05BA7BBB04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDR6rdAiXCykxSmvMBQIDZOZ_vxp2HQWvAt5cJJnGsi16081qz44G7h-fR45UZgFHzL7IwXXrOx3aojebIebdU7sJCpgt1JyXgXgPpy1iR33z3rWhP8EvfV3Ao9OhumuL7O8zvz-dtQAOb/s640/75BC5BD4-ECD0-4D8D-AE6F-7D05BA7BBB04.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Chandler42-Regular; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Throughout their marriage, Stephen enjoyed surprising April with birthday, Valentine’s Day and anniversary gifts. To celebrate their 10th Anniversary, Stephen hosted a fabulous party for all of their friends at Windows of the World. For 43 years, he told everyone about his “enormously happy marriage” and “talked like a newlywed about his bride”.<br /><br />On their 25th Anniversary, April and Stephen gave each other the gift of a personal trainer. Serious and disciplined, once Stephen set his mind to something, he did it. When a physician friend recommended a book, Wheat Belly, over dinner one night, Steve took it to heart and was determined to optimize his health. “That book changed his life”, April remembers. He started making smarter choices and lost (and kept off) 43 pounds. In that first year after his conversion to health, much to the annoyance of those in his path, he was a prolific born again Wheat Belly evangelist. And as a reward for his new enlightened lifestyle and trim physique, he relished his new wardrobe—especially the Robert Graham shirts and jeans. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Chandler42-Regular; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg10ZjXt3gDACjC9sWR4pOu-ql6N851iBpbKCEduH4AUBAGRBcUczZJs7eqVeYgvXF7YrTWUg4QETjgujjvmFo4Srgny4O8irJ0zHkuUcD-Q5xix8xRDSl3L5OcXJM4bHyX1fn5cKkM_GSg/s1600/71A5BAA4-C6DE-436C-BC44-A7AA7320E03E.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg10ZjXt3gDACjC9sWR4pOu-ql6N851iBpbKCEduH4AUBAGRBcUczZJs7eqVeYgvXF7YrTWUg4QETjgujjvmFo4Srgny4O8irJ0zHkuUcD-Q5xix8xRDSl3L5OcXJM4bHyX1fn5cKkM_GSg/s640/71A5BAA4-C6DE-436C-BC44-A7AA7320E03E.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Chandler42-Regular; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
Along with his new healthy body, hand-sanitizer, and a glass of tawny port, Steve was also known to love Patsy Cline, Freddy Mercury and Queen. 50’s music—he could ‘name that tune’…and the performer…and the year it was released, after hearing just three or four notes. He loved being on stage, movies, word-play and of course April.<br /><br />And just so our memory of Steve is not sanitized as we memorialize him, I think we should give equal consideration to the things he did not love. Steve could not stand poor grammar, incompetent drivers, disorganization and sloppiness, pretension and obesity. His life long disdain for the out-of-doors deserves a second mention here. He disliked extremism—whether it was in politics or religion, and could not stand hypocrites, or clients, for that matter, who did not have the wisdom to take his advice.<br /><br />Steve was the author of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Steve-Rivkin/e/B001IOBDSA">six books</a> and was a sought after and frequent speaker on marketing and communications topics and he appeared at hundreds of seminars and conferences in the United States, Europe and Southeast Asia. As a speaker, he was “charming, funny”, “clever, meticulously prepared…a flawless performer”, “larger than life”, “The Voice” and “a favorite.”<br /><br />This past summer, June 1st, Stephen was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer, a rare form. He had had a lingering cough for a couple weeks, thought it was a virus, and went to the doctor for help…he wanted to clear it up before traveling -- a three-week speaking trip to Vietnam with April. <br /><br />Once he received the diagnosis, Steve “dove into the details of the disease and drug treatments.” Never once did Steve think that he was going to die from lung cancer. For someone so organized and obsessed with planning for the future, he didn’t spend any of his last days preparing for them to be his last. He was stubborn in his optimism. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Chandler42-Regular; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvzcvtHJ_EXkENOiifd4DUoMXjzPSi75bzO5E9WtC2oXgtXR-YviGD0Dl9KSA5iw7IoLt_-u3937UgEzGxLEJwSRr1M_zoYXPXlIKn2oXH2sNR_TdEPxqtyn8ZTjerR3BPGSgsV6J__nQG/s1600/B2730921-4DA9-4CAB-8027-AE99032563C7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvzcvtHJ_EXkENOiifd4DUoMXjzPSi75bzO5E9WtC2oXgtXR-YviGD0Dl9KSA5iw7IoLt_-u3937UgEzGxLEJwSRr1M_zoYXPXlIKn2oXH2sNR_TdEPxqtyn8ZTjerR3BPGSgsV6J__nQG/s640/B2730921-4DA9-4CAB-8027-AE99032563C7.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Chandler42-Regular; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
Steve often said he had “no intention of retiring-- he planned to work until he died.” And he did. He was continuing conversations, working on projects and was even returning emails up until the morning of the day he died. He believed that he would live to 90. His sudden decline surprised everybody. He died November 16th, 2016, two months ago tomorrow. He lived almost 70 years. Generous and self-less, he and April signed organ donor cards many years ago. After he died, his corneas were found to be suitable for transplant, and two people received the gift of sight...<br /><br />Back in December, when I interviewed close friends about Stephen, his wife April, mentioned toward the end of the afternoon something that made me catch my breath. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Chandler42-Regular; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Stephen hated euphemisms", she said. So in honor of his love of direct language, I put together the following public service announcement as an introduction to the Open Remarks section of the Tribute.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Chandler42-Regular; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />...Steve’s been called, “the straightest of straight shooters” and as they say, believed in science and facts. So, it shouldn’t surprise anyone to know that while Stephen loved language he hated euphemisms. So to honor him, I would like to request that all euphemisms about death and dying be refrained from. Here is a list, although not complete, of phrases and euphemisms not allowed when talking about or even thinking about Stephen.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Chandler42-Regular; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />Passed away<br />At peace<br />At rest<br />Entered eternal rest<br />Bit the dust<br />Bought the farm<br />Cashed in his chips<br />Departed<br />In a better place<br />Kicked the bucket<br />Took a final bow, Final Curtain or Final Chapter<br />Crossed over<br />Ended his earthly career<br />Got his wings<br />Slipped away<br />Reached the finish line<br />Left this world<br />Went home/ Was called home<br />Lost his battle<br />and absolutely, under no circumstance, is anyone to use “Uploaded to the cloud” </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Chandler42-Regular; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Chandler42-Regular; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Several people shared stories and loving tributes, I am proud to say everyone was successful in refraining from said euphemisms. The Memorial Tribute was brought to a beautiful closing when Fraser, Steve's best friend and long time business partner, lead everyone in a toast in Steve's honor.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4zfXqqsAD4uHcx9s3HTjLGunT0cHHsnrSDS9L2FT0N3hkUGFQ3xAA8DP3G482k3XoTL8NUgGS1Tln1aIY96h38VOTWn4NYIeEW95ZOvWzqMeYae5fpbthegn0g0OKl5E3BXtSGnYhDrj6/s1600/92AAA512-9849-4923-A4DA-175E3A2EEA7C+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4zfXqqsAD4uHcx9s3HTjLGunT0cHHsnrSDS9L2FT0N3hkUGFQ3xAA8DP3G482k3XoTL8NUgGS1Tln1aIY96h38VOTWn4NYIeEW95ZOvWzqMeYae5fpbthegn0g0OKl5E3BXtSGnYhDrj6/s640/92AAA512-9849-4923-A4DA-175E3A2EEA7C+2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Chandler42-Regular; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As the old Jewish saying goes, “Let his memory be a blessing.”</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Chandler42-Regular; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0bKY0vruKR6Iq6RLl3povnGtKStYPKbWJklgzjxsb3yKsMPwPLiN7lXB0LHZMZSZip5nLihfMyNyWQJ-Ygxdw-MicgwR3aTWdrcAcAfumlLUsjoMfgHIiESmNBDregE2m58t9I4t6yXU_/s1600/37DBC111-3A32-4D87-A599-24C89244C8FC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0bKY0vruKR6Iq6RLl3povnGtKStYPKbWJklgzjxsb3yKsMPwPLiN7lXB0LHZMZSZip5nLihfMyNyWQJ-Ygxdw-MicgwR3aTWdrcAcAfumlLUsjoMfgHIiESmNBDregE2m58t9I4t6yXU_/s640/37DBC111-3A32-4D87-A599-24C89244C8FC.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Chandler42-Regular; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Chandler42-Regular; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Chandler42-Regular; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Chandler42-Regular; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Chandler42-Regular; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Chandler42-Regular; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Chandler42-Regular; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Chandler42-Regular; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
</div>
AlisaTonggCelebranthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10641909328520358283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7156070338236733346.post-5089843161579863482016-11-15T11:53:00.001-05:002016-11-16T08:03:12.132-05:00 Kate + Dmitriy…Everything MERT <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4FfmIjps3L3VvxSKNBeEYcvuX52VXPlaPwXsixqmFPMMJ-7VEJvwY2-F8keb2PUtSt5hA5-T7fmVykaatTW6U6vOKDZmYO-KpbR0qCIqNRRXJl_aW5LM6eO3K-dK-Q_UtvHPJOhtprTUl/s1600/forever%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer%252C+Werth+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4FfmIjps3L3VvxSKNBeEYcvuX52VXPlaPwXsixqmFPMMJ-7VEJvwY2-F8keb2PUtSt5hA5-T7fmVykaatTW6U6vOKDZmYO-KpbR0qCIqNRRXJl_aW5LM6eO3K-dK-Q_UtvHPJOhtprTUl/s400/forever%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer%252C+Werth+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Dmitriy first saw Katelyn from across the room, one snowy October night about five years ago, at a Halloween party. They hit it off and a few days later, found themselves on their first date at a restaurant in Dmitriy’s neighborhood--The Dandelion. After dinner, neither of them wanted to say goodbye quite yet, so they moved their conversation to a bar down the street. Kate remembers that the little candle on their cozy table was blown out so many times from their enthusiastic conversation and bits of laughter, their waiter made a point of keeping his lighter handy for its constant re-light. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNWEk7zrg6_6RmMnkC946YLk6HN1qY9AkbPL_ieQ-10xn09VrjTg4oMNJP9iE7ILs1l7TgfJpVC7J1bR6FphROEAMdP0qCGx_3ClvPtXoWNn8hLG7tUCj8Jq0R-PjvQeAVdxp2YzTh2rSi/s1600/Kate+window%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer%252C+Werth+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNWEk7zrg6_6RmMnkC946YLk6HN1qY9AkbPL_ieQ-10xn09VrjTg4oMNJP9iE7ILs1l7TgfJpVC7J1bR6FphROEAMdP0qCGx_3ClvPtXoWNn8hLG7tUCj8Jq0R-PjvQeAVdxp2YzTh2rSi/s400/Kate+window%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer%252C+Werth+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxclq5RUaEEOoNCgWacPsMCCi0v3KzpvW1cO3tIqsUzAqJsMBrFQx8hcrxn4wV5XCbknFMgK_cMEdu7r4XolHEr6q-NQ3C7cmAzIdjoOfbMvXmsiX5kvF_X3f9Da28Lcx-sofABHHavSJZ/s1600/Dima+hair%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer%252C+Werth+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxclq5RUaEEOoNCgWacPsMCCi0v3KzpvW1cO3tIqsUzAqJsMBrFQx8hcrxn4wV5XCbknFMgK_cMEdu7r4XolHEr6q-NQ3C7cmAzIdjoOfbMvXmsiX5kvF_X3f9Da28Lcx-sofABHHavSJZ/s400/Dima+hair%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer%252C+Werth+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuYzq-Oc8rDwPM49l5rsPVgy5LwKqprUCc17Gtk5UCuJxcGoZ-bne53057TATFTeLTjt1hyiZJ4x0U1-lsejoopjB-4uoVZgF6UTuB9H7S2U1sS_MTHCPfBX-SSFvv9W9nUhlxzuHC0cRM/s1600/spring+portrait%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer%252C+Werth+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuYzq-Oc8rDwPM49l5rsPVgy5LwKqprUCc17Gtk5UCuJxcGoZ-bne53057TATFTeLTjt1hyiZJ4x0U1-lsejoopjB-4uoVZgF6UTuB9H7S2U1sS_MTHCPfBX-SSFvv9W9nUhlxzuHC0cRM/s400/spring+portrait%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer%252C+Werth+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
In the following weeks and months, as they spent more and more time together, the bond and feelings between Kate and Dima blossomed and grew naturally. In those early days, when Dima traveled to Istanbul, he found himself wanting to include Kate in his daily adventures. Even though worlds apart, he wrote her every few days to maintain their connection and make plans for their future. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW_PraD1UPbbSz1oMmzrcS5iXe5-eI5ciOTzSQuPxzsksxe-biLTOCtEOjAxbGMuJqC2MPllzCx3mW3LaQyd01y5Kr_1odJau9Y8MypIQNo9SbcWAKSv4cDbRJPmJ75W94XzbFl_8gEug1/s1600/philadelphia+city+hall+romance%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer%252C+Werth+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW_PraD1UPbbSz1oMmzrcS5iXe5-eI5ciOTzSQuPxzsksxe-biLTOCtEOjAxbGMuJqC2MPllzCx3mW3LaQyd01y5Kr_1odJau9Y8MypIQNo9SbcWAKSv4cDbRJPmJ75W94XzbFl_8gEug1/s400/philadelphia+city+hall+romance%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer%252C+Werth+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>“I loved her more and more, we made plans for now, and months from
now, and years from now…as far as I’m concerned, we’re already
married—our lives are intertwined in ways that are inseparable…we are
going to be together forever.”</i> —Dima</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Last summer, on the final day of vacation at Acadia National Park, Dima, suggested that they watch the sunrise together. While on a bench snuggling and looking out over the water, Dima pulled out a leather-bound journal explaining that he’d like to use the shared journal to document important moments and share their feelings with each other. When Kate opened it, there was an entry already scribbled in its first pages. It read, “August 7th, 2015 On a breezy day, in Maine, we got engaged watching the sunrise. It was the start of a new day, and of our new family and of everything MERT.” (MERT is Kate and Dima’s special word that means, “something happy, and positive…something wonderful”) Kate, looked up to see Dima down on both knees presenting a ring and a promise of forever.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPxy1SHgV6Ym8a6w-P8_JLiGPqoql1MefE4LbT3N_tSzPO7dpiII9QjtG7WhlVYpV0iMTewsMZhGDD33bS0M7Sk3RHEDXCT7NiYOXzSPZxhVNyZCWrEgdRbZeikkv_YW5MwCmo0VBoQRwB/s1600/ceremony+space%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer%252C+Werth+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPxy1SHgV6Ym8a6w-P8_JLiGPqoql1MefE4LbT3N_tSzPO7dpiII9QjtG7WhlVYpV0iMTewsMZhGDD33bS0M7Sk3RHEDXCT7NiYOXzSPZxhVNyZCWrEgdRbZeikkv_YW5MwCmo0VBoQRwB/s400/ceremony+space%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer%252C+Werth+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Just like on their first date, Kate and Dima’s effervescent emotion and excitement was present again, for all to see, at their romantically lit Front & Palmer wedding ceremony this April.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha1YBpZNS672V3Y6FEBD30nCurImGPE30z58vwwBarRBSlzDWXCYBeKjdVFqMxB_SZ5UxH4Dzoqg2ZFUPvS2XF2K3UMkpxLly2ubmRt1naqcc7AB3jE_XSGQs_9RJ7JwhkyvLefcJs6IEJ/s1600/I+carry+your+heart%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer%252C+Werth+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha1YBpZNS672V3Y6FEBD30nCurImGPE30z58vwwBarRBSlzDWXCYBeKjdVFqMxB_SZ5UxH4Dzoqg2ZFUPvS2XF2K3UMkpxLly2ubmRt1naqcc7AB3jE_XSGQs_9RJ7JwhkyvLefcJs6IEJ/s400/I+carry+your+heart%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer%252C+Werth+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Affectionate by nature, there was no better reading to include in their
ceremony, than e.e. cummings’ “i carry your heart”, a promise and a
reminder they had also inscribed into the inner bands of their wedding
rings.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2RbkE5mOx9jRJya4A7cfNWlr7oWtUWqn7EC6rGA0u7kGbgDnFRDhKuraS7fRIDKaA4OqJVIuDfwZ8Kzr9xnpj_dGoNAqs4Sk9D3CJ3xk3x5GlqThlzjZCE3ikeF6qA595Iy5JCmCtMBOk/s1600/flowergirl+power%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer%252C+Werth+Photography+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2RbkE5mOx9jRJya4A7cfNWlr7oWtUWqn7EC6rGA0u7kGbgDnFRDhKuraS7fRIDKaA4OqJVIuDfwZ8Kzr9xnpj_dGoNAqs4Sk9D3CJ3xk3x5GlqThlzjZCE3ikeF6qA595Iy5JCmCtMBOk/s400/flowergirl+power%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer%252C+Werth+Photography+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_UnU1pYp8YvqEsW_mUPuDXhDvEJf4phZpXXfDGLU74Loy-VYqqBq-ocvINJJK7F86yaD_-VLeVWhipEB8LsRb-YBdkIk_t7koGcqOd-PRlc4KDuIiX1DftMVcwI0A2GW7lwwwBr6IlQ_F/s1600/Kate+arrives+with+her+father%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer%252C+Werth+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_UnU1pYp8YvqEsW_mUPuDXhDvEJf4phZpXXfDGLU74Loy-VYqqBq-ocvINJJK7F86yaD_-VLeVWhipEB8LsRb-YBdkIk_t7koGcqOd-PRlc4KDuIiX1DftMVcwI0A2GW7lwwwBr6IlQ_F/s400/Kate+arrives+with+her+father%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer%252C+Werth+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kate enters with her father, to Ingrid Michaelson's "I Can't Help Falling In Love"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDq5GLmPu_KFSmbANNNSlIf7JAzva3NB8Ooq5kj6Kew-Fjydu8hsjaLGILLaDXhRej70BKDtADLF2sJv_dRh_rRfLdtIdB8mv6vc_AYFhsoUCYo8xUunZ-qcJ5SlGTXD7I3dpe3NNTtpZt/s1600/Kate+and+her+father%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer%252C+Werth+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDq5GLmPu_KFSmbANNNSlIf7JAzva3NB8Ooq5kj6Kew-Fjydu8hsjaLGILLaDXhRej70BKDtADLF2sJv_dRh_rRfLdtIdB8mv6vc_AYFhsoUCYo8xUunZ-qcJ5SlGTXD7I3dpe3NNTtpZt/s400/Kate+and+her+father%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer%252C+Werth+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlcBzWHaoa54g8YD76LsEGfVivdzkIzrSKHkkAk6l6LSpMHfci1iwrKBYCVosmQT60q7-QlOFMdOgPQ6FNSl7xlwQs6Poq9-TFC0DIM8GxId6VPvqfE7Kz-Q8UjQFq-8EQhsPk3oYe67zA/s1600/parents%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer%252C+Werth+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlcBzWHaoa54g8YD76LsEGfVivdzkIzrSKHkkAk6l6LSpMHfci1iwrKBYCVosmQT60q7-QlOFMdOgPQ6FNSl7xlwQs6Poq9-TFC0DIM8GxId6VPvqfE7Kz-Q8UjQFq-8EQhsPk3oYe67zA/s400/parents%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer%252C+Werth+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dima thanked his parents who left Belarus to give him a better life here in the United States.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZ8Dg3wetqzwyqpOTPt9TEqHbVy5eWoPluKM4mSlwS1qX0MdyNAqbLS1O_cgvATlNYnF5MmNTcUmiBdzdkKkXFxbFfMe8v_qv3HxYveR3qhm541tsKcoNyfzwQvh7Jp7XG7O1RPPdEmR6/s1600/it%2527s+about+to+happen%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer%252C+Werth+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZ8Dg3wetqzwyqpOTPt9TEqHbVy5eWoPluKM4mSlwS1qX0MdyNAqbLS1O_cgvATlNYnF5MmNTcUmiBdzdkKkXFxbFfMe8v_qv3HxYveR3qhm541tsKcoNyfzwQvh7Jp7XG7O1RPPdEmR6/s400/it%2527s+about+to+happen%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer%252C+Werth+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV_Sb9J2ja62N_2OrBC8Si_l0_MeedGWFmuBU2D23Hntx0nIMmDJc2ANzI0zt63JZ4aMSwqjez4Qqb3asSTu4ExDW2shcazeKJNg6WMlPg5X_JcRx2MqWYCjUSnU8bg9Zb56-qZAsx6Oe9/s1600/vows+and+tears%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer%252C+Werth+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV_Sb9J2ja62N_2OrBC8Si_l0_MeedGWFmuBU2D23Hntx0nIMmDJc2ANzI0zt63JZ4aMSwqjez4Qqb3asSTu4ExDW2shcazeKJNg6WMlPg5X_JcRx2MqWYCjUSnU8bg9Zb56-qZAsx6Oe9/s400/vows+and+tears%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer%252C+Werth+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
When I asked the newlyweds, who are currently living in New Zealand what their favorite part of their wedding day was, they said: <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcYfz9PcgShcpUwrUnqcz1sghog9HCHrO6i_k9E4zsejWmf-DJz4cdU8VrYfa6L1xXKXTIVlL8T3DV4go4MPVrP13IYadedbkSgnXJ1BWKoSMA14DbUYD1TjuU8iNjxccFD8aU849rTaRh/s1600/vows%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer%252C+Werth+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcYfz9PcgShcpUwrUnqcz1sghog9HCHrO6i_k9E4zsejWmf-DJz4cdU8VrYfa6L1xXKXTIVlL8T3DV4go4MPVrP13IYadedbkSgnXJ1BWKoSMA14DbUYD1TjuU8iNjxccFD8aU849rTaRh/s400/vows%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer%252C+Werth+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
For Dmitriy, the ceremony was his favorite part--particularly when Kate read her vows to him. And she agrees, “The ceremony was, without a doubt, the best part of the day and exchanging our vows in front of all of our loved ones was very special. But my favorite part was actually after we both read our vows: when we exchanged our rings and the moments that followed, leading up to our first kiss (and OH, that kiss!! 😍). We were both so, so joyful..with huge grins, just bursting with excitement. In fact, thanks to Lovesick..I can see that we were in fact bouncing with joy! Our day was filled with blissful moments, but I don't know that anything can top that.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTDjK0tzArV7bjZiX4FpfYLfY1NF0ftiBvFYAB2ooUZ2SR1AoUWVEzbm-lI2-EAvisJV_dA1e3j2uK5NsKl3rcBQF5JaqXEQea5ba_ToCyOf79cxzOXfKft2LYEo9VmyglfVWtxcfzGh4B/s1600/First+kiss%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer%252C+Werth+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTDjK0tzArV7bjZiX4FpfYLfY1NF0ftiBvFYAB2ooUZ2SR1AoUWVEzbm-lI2-EAvisJV_dA1e3j2uK5NsKl3rcBQF5JaqXEQea5ba_ToCyOf79cxzOXfKft2LYEo9VmyglfVWtxcfzGh4B/s400/First+kiss%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer%252C+Werth+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
So, what exactly did Kate and Dima promise each other while standing under the gorgeous living suspended chuppah designed by Papertini? Here they are in their entirety:<br />
<br />
Katelyn’s Vows:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Ever indecisive, I often struggle with the simplest decisions. But this decision, arguably the biggest of my life, marrying you, has been the easiest one I've ever made. You are an exceptional man and I frequently find myself in awe of you. You're strong and smart, humble and sweet. You're disciplined and ambitious, spontaneous and fun. Meeting you has been my greatest joy. You are my balance, my source of strength and my inspiration. I am a better person because of you. Dmitriy, you are the love of my life.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
So, today and always:<br />
<br />
I promise to give you my deepest love, to choose you everyday, understanding that over the years we may encounter obstacles, but what we have is worth the work.<br />
<br />
I promise to share in your dreams, to believe in you, to challenge you and to support you as you pursue greatness.<br />
<br />
I promise to remain ambitious, always striving to offer my best self to you, to our marriage, and to our family.<br />
<br />
On your worst days, I promise to embrace you, to lend you strength, and to help you move forward.<br />
<br />
On your best days, I promise to laugh with you, to celebrate with you, and to do happy dances by your side.<br />
<br />
I cannot wait to be your wife. I cannot wait to have beautiful, big headed, half-Russian babies with you. And I cannot wait to live the rest of my life by your side.<br />
<br />
Я люблю тебя навсегда.</blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_JwRG506vl0KM3zm1Q5-YTrCb6UQPaVlC4J5h-iWnvRyQsvz1GC9opYHSqeweEIVzXheFtfqkUTo1AA6qBLlcQM1awr_ebPW4t0h_Rj12AW5wDsjJ9Y43H4oOn-_IiQ6lMqFBHxA9a8BP/s1600/Kate+%252B+Dima+true+love%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer%252C+Werth+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_JwRG506vl0KM3zm1Q5-YTrCb6UQPaVlC4J5h-iWnvRyQsvz1GC9opYHSqeweEIVzXheFtfqkUTo1AA6qBLlcQM1awr_ebPW4t0h_Rj12AW5wDsjJ9Y43H4oOn-_IiQ6lMqFBHxA9a8BP/s400/Kate+%252B+Dima+true+love%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer%252C+Werth+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Dmitriy’s Vows:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Kate, every day I wake up with the knowledge of how truly lucky I am. I look over at you lying next to me and I understand that of all the luck that I have experienced over my life, and I have been incredibly fortunate, meeting you has been the serendipity that will define me, my happiness, my meaning. <br />
<br />
Nobody’s married life is perfect, or so I’m told. So I won’t promise you unrealistic perfection. And promising you my love and devotion will seem redundant; you’ve had it for several years now, and I will continue to only love you more as the years go on. <br />
<br />
But I will promise to do my best to make our marriage perfect in our own special way, to keep making you smile and never take myself too seriously, to build a life with you, surrounded with those we love, that will be fulfilled and enchanted; that you and I, we will take on the world. <br />
<br />
I promise you a blissful happiness in old age, when you will look back on our life together, the family we built, the adventures we had, the mountains we made seem like molehills, you will look back and know that I have loved you and treasured you more than words can describe. <br />
<br />
I adore you, you are my joy, I carry your heart, I carry it in my heart. </blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi86_FnFbAQa_52jTxfN_WmRPrmb0DfTPBsAkUKlGP8VQ8ujj1q3Fk49HoffoB8tiUNy0d8LeWGaZELgy8sU8HbuAxMYMa_PeFXnOOkmThGvtOT481W6jAf8WD6t4gz1aCBgg7kgsfcT7LD/s1600/Front++Palmer+Wedding+Photos-581.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi86_FnFbAQa_52jTxfN_WmRPrmb0DfTPBsAkUKlGP8VQ8ujj1q3Fk49HoffoB8tiUNy0d8LeWGaZELgy8sU8HbuAxMYMa_PeFXnOOkmThGvtOT481W6jAf8WD6t4gz1aCBgg7kgsfcT7LD/s400/Front++Palmer+Wedding+Photos-581.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj52TAVSsDHZH0a28WHMpjeV7lF2_rHL3UEMaLd4d3y2eH7DvDD3ROEy5VRDR9XKoQc668PMDksZ2P24LJpFGVqjUg9CWq8ISiUoHfZ3jVa1lgLPJKjv8X40lp8R24SKjuQWgCaN1OoLPwt/s1600/Hora%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer%252C+Werth+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj52TAVSsDHZH0a28WHMpjeV7lF2_rHL3UEMaLd4d3y2eH7DvDD3ROEy5VRDR9XKoQc668PMDksZ2P24LJpFGVqjUg9CWq8ISiUoHfZ3jVa1lgLPJKjv8X40lp8R24SKjuQWgCaN1OoLPwt/s400/Hora%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer%252C+Werth+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiORz6Zqgd8EVcx9nseqHthgv1kHRnzekY_OMiXvy1Y57Zj9vknnReLGoOBEyYpBft4qSbEKR8GLbBditlQsWdGjyFL3bCEkpEegSaRycuzlQXCEXMZvRn_0z_I626Mrlbqh-TIt91NfxwC/s1600/party+time%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer%252C+Werth+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiORz6Zqgd8EVcx9nseqHthgv1kHRnzekY_OMiXvy1Y57Zj9vknnReLGoOBEyYpBft4qSbEKR8GLbBditlQsWdGjyFL3bCEkpEegSaRycuzlQXCEXMZvRn_0z_I626Mrlbqh-TIt91NfxwC/s400/party+time%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer%252C+Werth+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-kQni2tFwb4lt0zWILO9v_ECGyZ3J3cS3oO-4R545xDeTgCEufWbFmAfJwKeRu_l_GSM4pcWTlLO1KWYEMa4lvtAD2PTyMSpCgqaCLisio5lRZvvbTLtkVLdCK46Sl0g-Vbv6eLpEHErt/s1600/kate+%252B+dima+did+it%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer%252C+Werth+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-kQni2tFwb4lt0zWILO9v_ECGyZ3J3cS3oO-4R545xDeTgCEufWbFmAfJwKeRu_l_GSM4pcWTlLO1KWYEMa4lvtAD2PTyMSpCgqaCLisio5lRZvvbTLtkVLdCK46Sl0g-Vbv6eLpEHErt/s400/kate+%252B+dima+did+it%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer%252C+Werth+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Oh, and the Lovesick video? I could not agree more. It is beyond dreamy.
<a href="https://vimeo.com/lovesickinc/review/173086637/01999d7d47">Kate and Dmitriy, Final Cut on Vimeo</a>
<a href="https://vimeo.com/lovesickinc/review/173086637/01999d7d47">https://vimeo.com/lovesickinc/review/173086637/01999d7d47</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAMluyrDImC0MRrzH1Ldaz_JQdIWALHkbpbFk_ItusRs2NRXUGOSdDpc6W_IBk2DEp-Tv14DZ36AQLwxN2TGO8R-eS2M-iRHWbtTI8ojxJUInreCo-dEcPAokFFMmIehXy2A5bNpyqGjqs/s1600/so+many+kisses%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer%252C+Werth+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAMluyrDImC0MRrzH1Ldaz_JQdIWALHkbpbFk_ItusRs2NRXUGOSdDpc6W_IBk2DEp-Tv14DZ36AQLwxN2TGO8R-eS2M-iRHWbtTI8ojxJUInreCo-dEcPAokFFMmIehXy2A5bNpyqGjqs/s400/so+many+kisses%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer%252C+Werth+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"She’s kind and sensitive, loyal and hard-working, innocent and easily
delighted, she has a contagious thirst for life and experience and is
beautiful inside and out. This is a woman who loves deeply, who
understands you fundamentally, supports you when you reach and, when
needed, gives you a nudge in the right direction."--Alisa Tongg, Celebrant</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi96vSDI7bgcrNqCNAb58L2Swjb4qkjnDh0z7FdaQjE4d7zzvJ-x7wzJwj8vhrpd12gzPPXHBypv7J9N5CPIDZLNFseLcivsTYBflHT1dT5MqmV0_J0plFeCRCAf1DnF46N23C5dvo-G3GU/s1600/truth%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer%252C+Werth+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi96vSDI7bgcrNqCNAb58L2Swjb4qkjnDh0z7FdaQjE4d7zzvJ-x7wzJwj8vhrpd12gzPPXHBypv7J9N5CPIDZLNFseLcivsTYBflHT1dT5MqmV0_J0plFeCRCAf1DnF46N23C5dvo-G3GU/s400/truth%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer%252C+Werth+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"He’s kind and strong, unbelievably intelligent, hard-working,
determined, and generous with his affection. This is a man who thrives
when challenged and makes you feel loved every single day. He’s inspired
you to strive for more than you ever thought possible. He’s simply, 'the best person' you know. He’s your favorite part of every day." -- Alisa Tongg, Celebrant </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Congratulations Kate and Dima on such a beautiful start to your marriage. May your life and all of your adventures together leave you fulfilled and enchanted. Love to you!!! xo<br />
<br />
<br />
Venue: <a href="http://www.frontandpalmer.com/">Front & Palmer</a> <br />
Photographer: <a href="http://www.werthphotography.com/">Werth Photography </a><br />
Cinematography: <a href="http://www.lovesickinc.com/">Lovesick, Inc</a> <br />
Officiant: <a href="http://alisatonggcelebrant.com/">Alisa Tongg, Celebrant </a><br />
Florist: <a href="http://www.papertini.com/">Papertini Floral Event Design </a><br />
DJ: <a href="http://www.scratchweddings.com/">DJ-Scratch Weddings </a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />AlisaTonggCelebranthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10641909328520358283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7156070338236733346.post-31856514140694395582016-08-05T09:34:00.000-04:002016-08-05T09:44:41.411-04:00Melissa + Chris, Blue Hour Elopement at The Living Wall at Promise Ridge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBC8DEAjK74u4RcWrKeWdkpvXSfNwHaYVAc4gVWH65V3pn2cIaH_UAtDgp59gIwMq9IUIKg4EjQjtjlZwQtsfkPWsweJ5EPuh2YG0LnHP9KP6Yoj0T4iI_gF-aNglx8_XiASFEPlx63F3m/s1600/kiss%252C+Blue+Hour+Elopement+at+The+Living+wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Rob+Yaskovic+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBC8DEAjK74u4RcWrKeWdkpvXSfNwHaYVAc4gVWH65V3pn2cIaH_UAtDgp59gIwMq9IUIKg4EjQjtjlZwQtsfkPWsweJ5EPuh2YG0LnHP9KP6Yoj0T4iI_gF-aNglx8_XiASFEPlx63F3m/s400/kiss%252C+Blue+Hour+Elopement+at+The+Living+wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Rob+Yaskovic+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Under the cover of a forest canopy, a fern garden and the emerging night sky, Chris and Melissa became husband and wife in a private ceremony which they say, is a perfect reflection of their relationship over the past five years--"private and just ours.”<br />
<br />
Melissa and Chris's blue hour elopement at The Living Wall at Promise Ridge, allowed for the full charming effect of the delicately strung overhead twinkle lights and candles to light their path ahead. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCPk_-oN6yhL4gWIc0_6N4I-0YYQuulIzo6eL_MOVVkZ3PfpGD8rcQMuVmxMQgMrwy396s6lSr7MJVAKY2HPrip1phiU0OtF1MUr8r6gHzfXZF-LGZqEltQBiICGhKw01-RE51cq9fbUCy/s1600/first+steps+in+the+married+life%252C+Blue+Hour+Elopement+at+The+Living+wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Rob+Yaskovic+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCPk_-oN6yhL4gWIc0_6N4I-0YYQuulIzo6eL_MOVVkZ3PfpGD8rcQMuVmxMQgMrwy396s6lSr7MJVAKY2HPrip1phiU0OtF1MUr8r6gHzfXZF-LGZqEltQBiICGhKw01-RE51cq9fbUCy/s640/first+steps+in+the+married+life%252C+Blue+Hour+Elopement+at+The+Living+wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Rob+Yaskovic+Photography.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg65BLzM9vGJvGuT9qDietv_Z9HH-LFekN1J5P7-YfcyWm2pzXSpZYsDkC7wKstMhmgbChZ8fr_bjAB-qOsKLFZc2uso6u8nbxVR4ACz-jYHR2qhjJ_gk3ogPf-xM3zsnn6mYrCwEXegOP9/s1600/candles+and+ferns+detail%252C+Blue+Hour+Elopement+at+The+Living+wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Rob+Yaskovic+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg65BLzM9vGJvGuT9qDietv_Z9HH-LFekN1J5P7-YfcyWm2pzXSpZYsDkC7wKstMhmgbChZ8fr_bjAB-qOsKLFZc2uso6u8nbxVR4ACz-jYHR2qhjJ_gk3ogPf-xM3zsnn6mYrCwEXegOP9/s640/candles+and+ferns+detail%252C+Blue+Hour+Elopement+at+The+Living+wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Rob+Yaskovic+Photography.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">twinkle lights and lush ferns</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNm7Yin9rwXw2HaW3hNFqMWTAHoi2WX6n0uSDsR8t-j_hRtpPVztLxPCd7p2mvroNLdNZFEDtIdo2TnaSjZC_WIQyHfgohLjKUT9GUwFIM7cn3-Ebmqk93AngSAVf7kGOomwBeVvJCbNnN/s1600/Melissa+%252B+Chris+Blue+Hour+Elopement+at+The+Living+wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Rob+Yaskovic+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNm7Yin9rwXw2HaW3hNFqMWTAHoi2WX6n0uSDsR8t-j_hRtpPVztLxPCd7p2mvroNLdNZFEDtIdo2TnaSjZC_WIQyHfgohLjKUT9GUwFIM7cn3-Ebmqk93AngSAVf7kGOomwBeVvJCbNnN/s400/Melissa+%252B+Chris+Blue+Hour+Elopement+at+The+Living+wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Rob+Yaskovic+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris knew
early on that Melissa was his perfect fit, because he had an
unquenchable desire to openly share his experiences with her.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihAZjR2jqgjRUlLqv2cEp35zkhyphenhyphenQn3AP4iH7IKwC2Rr24M6_yUgd9jDHRGAN1QvuRjawovA1j2G8q__rjyjglqeQInEwqnkwwDan6Gff-ttm1kYK8uxG7NTexB8ElOMFQENsEiDeBcIkjO/s1600/Rings%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Blue+Hour+Elopement+at+The+Living+wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Rob+Yaskovic+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihAZjR2jqgjRUlLqv2cEp35zkhyphenhyphenQn3AP4iH7IKwC2Rr24M6_yUgd9jDHRGAN1QvuRjawovA1j2G8q__rjyjglqeQInEwqnkwwDan6Gff-ttm1kYK8uxG7NTexB8ElOMFQENsEiDeBcIkjO/s400/Rings%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Blue+Hour+Elopement+at+The+Living+wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Rob+Yaskovic+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Why we wear rings on the fourth finger...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaq4YKWAh8CK5z69Db5RzuUY27XlMFm22DgYytXLuv1vdni_Cus29DBo5CDxmWAfGyDmpRy5ejCihmzTvxGeN4ZEBR4mpyFW_p2A8UMn3G9ihBxTGpBeGIC-_XBJluwHe-zLv-EULKL19I/s1600/ring+exchange%252C+Blue+Hour+Elopement+at+The+Living+wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Rob+Yaskovic+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaq4YKWAh8CK5z69Db5RzuUY27XlMFm22DgYytXLuv1vdni_Cus29DBo5CDxmWAfGyDmpRy5ejCihmzTvxGeN4ZEBR4mpyFW_p2A8UMn3G9ihBxTGpBeGIC-_XBJluwHe-zLv-EULKL19I/s640/ring+exchange%252C+Blue+Hour+Elopement+at+The+Living+wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Rob+Yaskovic+Photography.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGOOTAi0yZVgSDB0xKre7j-4hSL7FpTtoLUyM9ZHoY0V951IEwLxZJffyJ36-_g5arQ4cPQuQtCj_rRx60bT8lvMFjiNabSqdYaT3mlYTBirQXNkShHURhdCJQBLmcz7td7fTMB3vf3q73/s1600/signing+marriage+certificate%252C+Blue+Hour+Elopement+at+The+Living+wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Rob+Yaskovic+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGOOTAi0yZVgSDB0xKre7j-4hSL7FpTtoLUyM9ZHoY0V951IEwLxZJffyJ36-_g5arQ4cPQuQtCj_rRx60bT8lvMFjiNabSqdYaT3mlYTBirQXNkShHURhdCJQBLmcz7td7fTMB3vf3q73/s640/signing+marriage+certificate%252C+Blue+Hour+Elopement+at+The+Living+wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Rob+Yaskovic+Photography.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Signing of the Marriage Certificate: Although they exchanged their vows in private, their desire is for their partnership to be one that is
recognized and honored by family and community.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-x62XwYNqS2d0qQeGbhbmw5h0q6B6L9vCynO2ilr7CewKB6VIMFuvxhmD_g7QoNFUzvjZ-WWNGhQkWMyt0KFwawQGidVGAUhgpqLbINFVUTeLwNSFLagnri4ohdrwGgmUH_e_znJx9k0/s1600/candle+lit+first+dance%252C+intimate%252C+Blue+Hour+Elopement+at+The+Living+wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Rob+Yaskovic+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-x62XwYNqS2d0qQeGbhbmw5h0q6B6L9vCynO2ilr7CewKB6VIMFuvxhmD_g7QoNFUzvjZ-WWNGhQkWMyt0KFwawQGidVGAUhgpqLbINFVUTeLwNSFLagnri4ohdrwGgmUH_e_znJx9k0/s400/candle+lit+first+dance%252C+intimate%252C+Blue+Hour+Elopement+at+The+Living+wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Rob+Yaskovic+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As a surprise to his bride, Chris arranged for a first dance immediately following the ceremony. He chose a special song, from fellow Australian, Ben Lee "Birthday Song"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirfy5v7i1lUR7nGBwD-pFVMwZrN6b3OjaSuc46_MKgRR9W06GXAvSAznwaXUXzM7yaHqqRQ8M9YZKHcVEoky_qSMH3blRkzKanh8pXsKRZ2oAAGE5YsYBfyIZwQV9-UYD_errsZM7k3hvL/s1600/kissing+on+the+stairs%252C+candlelit%252C+Blue+Hour+Elopement+at+The+Living+wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Rob+Yaskovic+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirfy5v7i1lUR7nGBwD-pFVMwZrN6b3OjaSuc46_MKgRR9W06GXAvSAznwaXUXzM7yaHqqRQ8M9YZKHcVEoky_qSMH3blRkzKanh8pXsKRZ2oAAGE5YsYBfyIZwQV9-UYD_errsZM7k3hvL/s640/kissing+on+the+stairs%252C+candlelit%252C+Blue+Hour+Elopement+at+The+Living+wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Rob+Yaskovic+Photography.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6IcxRTeG1U0H9dDBVyAX4_-L7bAQ3FIs1uekpfbRr_AgzclUfnVPpi_QofALRlb_dRFzRoFabhqW4Aevp_DG20Ixpe7QoUHa1wDzMfPNTwFrU2nK-dGRsVNtVmI4ylIDsAKlZ9xTvUPX4/s1600/sillouette%252C+Blue+Hour+Elopement+at+The+Living+wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Rob+Yaskovic+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6IcxRTeG1U0H9dDBVyAX4_-L7bAQ3FIs1uekpfbRr_AgzclUfnVPpi_QofALRlb_dRFzRoFabhqW4Aevp_DG20Ixpe7QoUHa1wDzMfPNTwFrU2nK-dGRsVNtVmI4ylIDsAKlZ9xTvUPX4/s400/sillouette%252C+Blue+Hour+Elopement+at+The+Living+wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Rob+Yaskovic+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Best wishes to Melissa, Chris and their growing family!<br />
<br />
<br />
Photographer: <a href="http://www.yaskovic.com/">Rob Yaskovic Photography</a><br />
Venue: The Living Wall at Promise Ridge<br />
Celebrant: Alisa Tongg AlisaTonggCelebranthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10641909328520358283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7156070338236733346.post-37691133487390311862016-06-16T16:40:00.001-04:002016-06-17T08:25:02.834-04:00Heather + Nathan, Family Vow Rewal with Kissing on the Lips<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtyajY-5jI9ciLPJvJ-kjuNay63j132XAZEcpeiK_tYiRXmz4f0qwkMw6zx1E1ZfOkAZ7jamQb_iHH5VbNC5uQprWa3HOX8fwvFpLl8EBzG4WOwbm86JJFhYXsoo5SG3FZRcE9CLhScAFM/s1600/Heather+and+Nathan+forest+portrait%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Family+Vow+Renewal+at+The+Living+Wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Jeremie+Barlow+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtyajY-5jI9ciLPJvJ-kjuNay63j132XAZEcpeiK_tYiRXmz4f0qwkMw6zx1E1ZfOkAZ7jamQb_iHH5VbNC5uQprWa3HOX8fwvFpLl8EBzG4WOwbm86JJFhYXsoo5SG3FZRcE9CLhScAFM/s640/Heather+and+Nathan+forest+portrait%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Family+Vow+Renewal+at+The+Living+Wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Jeremie+Barlow+Photography.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
To mark their 20th wedding anniversary, Heather and Nathan wanted to “take a moment to celebrate what they’ve created together”. What resulted was a family-centered vow renewal, which celebrated some of the ways their steadfast commitment to each other has created many good things—within each other, in their family and also out in the world—a re-dedication to the promises once made. It was the first ceremony ever to be performed at the Living Wall at Promise Ridge.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqAFXLdnxRCam9csAkNpx534Qg7nOVhHfWlUTWWZdRWun9F64e_bgmVtD9BIOBRVkiKz6QP2ZWZ3BtKXqcWpGPgyMvGQkO433FGx8mEJ-th_Hdo28J0ezhbmJNWsKJ-yHYPXdriNhL0G2Q/s1600/The+Living+Wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+original+painting+by+Heather+Arak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="117" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqAFXLdnxRCam9csAkNpx534Qg7nOVhHfWlUTWWZdRWun9F64e_bgmVtD9BIOBRVkiKz6QP2ZWZ3BtKXqcWpGPgyMvGQkO433FGx8mEJ-th_Hdo28J0ezhbmJNWsKJ-yHYPXdriNhL0G2Q/s400/The+Living+Wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+original+painting+by+Heather+Arak.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Living Wall at Promise Ridge, original painting by Heather Arak</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Luckily Heather and Nathan are artists who documented beautifully their Central Park wedding 20 years before, so as we created their Anniversary and renewal ceremony, they shared with me the things they had written in their journals at the time, I used these memories and their original vows to create their ceremony.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijlgbnoxXw08eNFuuzyHuG8lDFB6uDp7OgEUlLUaStc6jriL4tZ1J4u3lSjBDq7gE0gd0GFDBN6t869BNulB8GfCPXMfgdoLsjTLY6oAjfF_TC9KgwXQG_OngaqVT6rtGORIQ3ZK2iFBFW/s1600/IMG_5830.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijlgbnoxXw08eNFuuzyHuG8lDFB6uDp7OgEUlLUaStc6jriL4tZ1J4u3lSjBDq7gE0gd0GFDBN6t869BNulB8GfCPXMfgdoLsjTLY6oAjfF_TC9KgwXQG_OngaqVT6rtGORIQ3ZK2iFBFW/s400/IMG_5830.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPsRBRmij5gmvQr4nczV4lOyeeZVFNHp7BZ3MchPoJEhhCGyz4gp_7Ow89MGuvTauDUlJguvQbnBtZiylwRIg2ATLAZUVukk9bUxSIA67FXAU-vLA_e5Ne2wmgnwZtrjCTuEDsxK_HK2Fp/s1600/IMG_5839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPsRBRmij5gmvQr4nczV4lOyeeZVFNHp7BZ3MchPoJEhhCGyz4gp_7Ow89MGuvTauDUlJguvQbnBtZiylwRIg2ATLAZUVukk9bUxSIA67FXAU-vLA_e5Ne2wmgnwZtrjCTuEDsxK_HK2Fp/s400/IMG_5839.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUkcqDWGQ8BW-GWGFG-SdpZSKX6ubHdixOqCJfopiQQJFu2UQ36xeL4oy9EnYHOdZkziXKSYjbhA3o_sROOvqrIAOXu1V9zXsOTcmf01XVfXZus0iBpHzE1dRBIBxuezN6-MLYF5pQFb60/s1600/Bouquet+and+Books%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Family+Vow+Renewal+at+The+Living+Wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Jeremie+Barlow+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUkcqDWGQ8BW-GWGFG-SdpZSKX6ubHdixOqCJfopiQQJFu2UQ36xeL4oy9EnYHOdZkziXKSYjbhA3o_sROOvqrIAOXu1V9zXsOTcmf01XVfXZus0iBpHzE1dRBIBxuezN6-MLYF5pQFb60/s640/Bouquet+and+Books%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Family+Vow+Renewal+at+The+Living+Wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Jeremie+Barlow+Photography.jpg" width="426" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMjLb1T5D5xlUi6MU3KFiEEl5QP0JzN2YtfjeS_ih0hir0VRT_Dg8FMzGvFHNBjXKZMCKVO8GPjVsRJ3Z0YNtlD29XJTd0Wz4yFfripbYn1s9lPtYC7mb1pCaHsO-M7Kvtt2KwclH3-EIw/s1600/Family+Glass+Stomp%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Family+Vow+Renewal+at+The+Living+Wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Jeremie+Barlow+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMjLb1T5D5xlUi6MU3KFiEEl5QP0JzN2YtfjeS_ih0hir0VRT_Dg8FMzGvFHNBjXKZMCKVO8GPjVsRJ3Z0YNtlD29XJTd0Wz4yFfripbYn1s9lPtYC7mb1pCaHsO-M7Kvtt2KwclH3-EIw/s640/Family+Glass+Stomp%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Family+Vow+Renewal+at+The+Living+Wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Jeremie+Barlow+Photography.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW9c71lFahaAlXbd9M3BGNWBe802YANExLMjHcMpsNAwrl_Hdl929RxZjsIOUwxnWm6qYsZcVrRnUUOfc0mGNGE41ToyW9H9zMXWsFWv_41rm5r_vAol597PKKys_rzs4PFya8vi9-Ob2B/s1600/eat+cake+serving%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Family+Vow+Renewal+at+The+Living+Wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Jeremie+Barlow+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW9c71lFahaAlXbd9M3BGNWBe802YANExLMjHcMpsNAwrl_Hdl929RxZjsIOUwxnWm6qYsZcVrRnUUOfc0mGNGE41ToyW9H9zMXWsFWv_41rm5r_vAol597PKKys_rzs4PFya8vi9-Ob2B/s640/eat+cake+serving%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Family+Vow+Renewal+at+The+Living+Wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Jeremie+Barlow+Photography.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYZdHLxthPd4DgBHhJLMFwv3UpyaWOsDnv3R5dc1u68OA_d6GFkGH-Svm5Y0eHzozzxfZHSs5xjwC-u4VeED-cZpdQDsrINE0nh2q3683zg7NzHxrVuwvblHFpYeECE5bMo0R_WzkAqsej/s1600/ceremony%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Family+Vow+Renewal+at+The+Living+Wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Jeremie+Barlow+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYZdHLxthPd4DgBHhJLMFwv3UpyaWOsDnv3R5dc1u68OA_d6GFkGH-Svm5Y0eHzozzxfZHSs5xjwC-u4VeED-cZpdQDsrINE0nh2q3683zg7NzHxrVuwvblHFpYeECE5bMo0R_WzkAqsej/s640/ceremony%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Family+Vow+Renewal+at+The+Living+Wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Jeremie+Barlow+Photography.jpg" width="513" /></a></div>
<b>Love Story and Family Shared Cup</b><br />
With a love story and history spanning over two decades, a twist on the Shared Cup of Life ritual was the perfect fit. The Shared Cup ritual was woven into many parts of the ceremony, with wine being added as their love story was recounted and later by each of their boys. And they used the same champagne, Veuve Clicquot, that they had toasted to their future with Heather’s grandparents in her
childhood home, when they announced their plans to marry.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEuzXTvyeutN7_b5Nx5IJroaydDpdgD09uhznhGVA7OKX6HvIzq9PITvTGwnSHhIHleF1P-QhAiOFnoVnhQd-gLDaSP7F6IhTdBBaA2q-jbfvoOEnc0SPCPJCh7LMELfv5AC1_XYMwgYe7/s1600/Heather+portrait%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Family+Vow+Renewal+at+The+Living+Wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Jeremie+Barlow+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEuzXTvyeutN7_b5Nx5IJroaydDpdgD09uhznhGVA7OKX6HvIzq9PITvTGwnSHhIHleF1P-QhAiOFnoVnhQd-gLDaSP7F6IhTdBBaA2q-jbfvoOEnc0SPCPJCh7LMELfv5AC1_XYMwgYe7/s640/Heather+portrait%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Family+Vow+Renewal+at+The+Living+Wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Jeremie+Barlow+Photography.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpFM2vpa_XTKJnEEXeUKdWpd6RCLVFXkmlfGYlaQDOsvFB4sPEXpwzzheb5oYLZfEPGNCXB5xEjpqVGjeF1EwozYclSth-l_y_a7DGo-EpLzt4cIt6YhYwGa5tyUK-waGF0495zsQ8jI0z/s1600/Nathan+portrait%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Family+Vow+Renewal+at+The+Living+Wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Jeremie+Barlow+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpFM2vpa_XTKJnEEXeUKdWpd6RCLVFXkmlfGYlaQDOsvFB4sPEXpwzzheb5oYLZfEPGNCXB5xEjpqVGjeF1EwozYclSth-l_y_a7DGo-EpLzt4cIt6YhYwGa5tyUK-waGF0495zsQ8jI0z/s640/Nathan+portrait%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Family+Vow+Renewal+at+The+Living+Wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Jeremie+Barlow+Photography.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyavfJmYVr01eAuLtUpsQ2M4xXRhMhH1fBDycEFbVTslly98ViAYAuP_yb-CsjO66e3t0Eo2INJuDSgY1LMYg4U13rvNYpDai0uuJ6CtKuw-9R6Qj0Ao_6ZQGdML9Hq_RN6qXRhy14cy0E/s1600/Heather+and+Nathan%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Family+Vow+Renewal+at+The+Living+Wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Jeremie+Barlow+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyavfJmYVr01eAuLtUpsQ2M4xXRhMhH1fBDycEFbVTslly98ViAYAuP_yb-CsjO66e3t0Eo2INJuDSgY1LMYg4U13rvNYpDai0uuJ6CtKuw-9R6Qj0Ao_6ZQGdML9Hq_RN6qXRhy14cy0E/s640/Heather+and+Nathan%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Family+Vow+Renewal+at+The+Living+Wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Jeremie+Barlow+Photography.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_mWJ5_pRHyypEirodPCR1NR6mR1soSnLVadoGJ9YfAVHmtU6-zHQ_mRL7MAGgQIWURv4BLREIk6McviiZZfEYIXBiIhSI1zKoq7urL9fE3v7vMaj6_tu8ZIeEhltAaHgL71WQPiB1QA90/s1600/Heather+and+Nathan+portrait%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Family+Vow+Renewal+at+The+Living+Wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Jeremie+Barlow+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_mWJ5_pRHyypEirodPCR1NR6mR1soSnLVadoGJ9YfAVHmtU6-zHQ_mRL7MAGgQIWURv4BLREIk6McviiZZfEYIXBiIhSI1zKoq7urL9fE3v7vMaj6_tu8ZIeEhltAaHgL71WQPiB1QA90/s640/Heather+and+Nathan+portrait%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Family+Vow+Renewal+at+The+Living+Wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Jeremie+Barlow+Photography.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
So on their 20th wedding Anniversary, as I recounted Nathan and Heather's love story and reminded them of their highlights and biggest moments--which included moves, starting their own business, adopting a son from
Russia, getting pregnant finally after years of struggling with
infertility, saying goodbye to loved ones…their joys and heartaches, and all their dreams fulfilled--wine was poured sip by sip into an heirloom goblet.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWHvmF3lSc0xZ7za3GmPJEXvqSD071UyY1mV0fENyp_EzcmX01O_2XHRjbFysvoJWdtWdq25wGpaxxA_sM4jyaca4CTjvQCEfN-ST4NpiOoRg6NCKrNeR7gSYT0vdcIPHOLNiAzks0UHp4/s1600/Processional+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Family+Vow+Renewal+at+The+Living+Wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Jeremie+Barlow+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWHvmF3lSc0xZ7za3GmPJEXvqSD071UyY1mV0fENyp_EzcmX01O_2XHRjbFysvoJWdtWdq25wGpaxxA_sM4jyaca4CTjvQCEfN-ST4NpiOoRg6NCKrNeR7gSYT0vdcIPHOLNiAzks0UHp4/s640/Processional+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Family+Vow+Renewal+at+The+Living+Wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Jeremie+Barlow+Photography.jpg" width="462" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Benny wanted to escort his mother down the aisle, both boys had mini bouquets.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyfEMZeSprzxaqpkDfOZSMS8H_Mb1MNvJaK-ERA40f1pHU4I_j-zZqCS9sVNpz5aqaXkqJ-DSKOVOHbjN_WxbSPQAQAgwC1N2i_MAfzMk3V0tSJ96l3VcLgn-gZOeKLJ3Da3wGZuiYrXS/s1600/Processional+II%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Family+Vow+Renewal+at+The+Living+Wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Jeremie+Barlow+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyfEMZeSprzxaqpkDfOZSMS8H_Mb1MNvJaK-ERA40f1pHU4I_j-zZqCS9sVNpz5aqaXkqJ-DSKOVOHbjN_WxbSPQAQAgwC1N2i_MAfzMk3V0tSJ96l3VcLgn-gZOeKLJ3Da3wGZuiYrXS/s640/Processional+II%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Family+Vow+Renewal+at+The+Living+Wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Jeremie+Barlow+Photography.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-DpqkoKRao9tX_9lnMSgmjO3z-zHALEkY0HagDih8dK12a9aGvTNlejDk0RTvFn_uEHV83yyLzLJIzLAIHeRpIYLFt89rLWtDNYoDlrcH7K0DguzwhGtyOlHD7SJZ-xRmIUPzuppgjQ2e/s1600/Tying+the+mini+bouqets+together%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Family+Vow+Renewal+at+The+Living+Wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Jeremie+Barlow+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-DpqkoKRao9tX_9lnMSgmjO3z-zHALEkY0HagDih8dK12a9aGvTNlejDk0RTvFn_uEHV83yyLzLJIzLAIHeRpIYLFt89rLWtDNYoDlrcH7K0DguzwhGtyOlHD7SJZ-xRmIUPzuppgjQ2e/s640/Tying+the+mini+bouqets+together%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Family+Vow+Renewal+at+The+Living+Wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Jeremie+Barlow+Photography.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When Heather had arrived, and the whole family assembled, Nathan tied all of the bouquets together.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIqhDiLMvYAXBLU2mz8I9uQLr1p3HDFRTjDvWDnHLSgUNxIEb7Uli65PASQjZL4VAkbXFRj1jokRq9nwhyWE05yRHR4yWywO7XYjdtShaofRt7LgQtju40gB2sD4fsLCCV2nyAo4JuVhXX/s1600/Not+so+still+family%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Family+Vow+Renewal+at+The+Living+Wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Jeremie+Barlow+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIqhDiLMvYAXBLU2mz8I9uQLr1p3HDFRTjDvWDnHLSgUNxIEb7Uli65PASQjZL4VAkbXFRj1jokRq9nwhyWE05yRHR4yWywO7XYjdtShaofRt7LgQtju40gB2sD4fsLCCV2nyAo4JuVhXX/s640/Not+so+still+family%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Family+Vow+Renewal+at+The+Living+Wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Jeremie+Barlow+Photography.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia8V5krdwyllOPV_A2DB9jyTRgkqlMUAlKc1fI0Brn7IhS4aA9jvDu5DaQcdzFxjOfEhlH-A30DVsCVbk7mJaJpaWU58O2OPjgY4GgnUze0P6tAiE7DgmYPBU0NjdvNXgDPQptO1znsKM3/s1600/Mika+with+bouquet%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Family+Vow+Renewal+at+The+Living+Wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Jeremie+Barlow+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia8V5krdwyllOPV_A2DB9jyTRgkqlMUAlKc1fI0Brn7IhS4aA9jvDu5DaQcdzFxjOfEhlH-A30DVsCVbk7mJaJpaWU58O2OPjgY4GgnUze0P6tAiE7DgmYPBU0NjdvNXgDPQptO1znsKM3/s640/Mika+with+bouquet%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Family+Vow+Renewal+at+The+Living+Wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Jeremie+Barlow+Photography.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mika with the family bouquet.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu5OT-pQp52EBAJYi2D47n01Th_uO9SsK7IJgsO_2cgCtBZn-p7MYpnV0Zda3xk2XN6sa_BN5rlru8HyG_B8bls4qgIooNexVfMiOdeBgBWrWr1BhcvvR-NYuqQFwgm5I3h4wGjgkkBqad/s1600/Benny+veuve%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Family+Vow+Renewal+at+The+Living+Wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Jeremie+Barlow+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu5OT-pQp52EBAJYi2D47n01Th_uO9SsK7IJgsO_2cgCtBZn-p7MYpnV0Zda3xk2XN6sa_BN5rlru8HyG_B8bls4qgIooNexVfMiOdeBgBWrWr1BhcvvR-NYuqQFwgm5I3h4wGjgkkBqad/s400/Benny+veuve%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Family+Vow+Renewal+at+The+Living+Wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Jeremie+Barlow+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Benny prepares the family Shared Cup.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAQ1kNQaDpnN-FCnCPD6JPnFHLYIMWP8WFwvee1KVasczeQ53eKu2yCfAWnZCTLA05S1hbob7rYXaoLmOWoIT5UBwvfvSoLZDbv-FguUglkEzsHxppuODLh3PwIFbdhaR5ItkFuiJrkVqA/s1600/Heather+and+Nathan+hold+hands%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Family+Vow+Renewal+at+The+Living+Wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Jeremie+Barlow+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAQ1kNQaDpnN-FCnCPD6JPnFHLYIMWP8WFwvee1KVasczeQ53eKu2yCfAWnZCTLA05S1hbob7rYXaoLmOWoIT5UBwvfvSoLZDbv-FguUglkEzsHxppuODLh3PwIFbdhaR5ItkFuiJrkVqA/s640/Heather+and+Nathan+hold+hands%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Family+Vow+Renewal+at+The+Living+Wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Jeremie+Barlow+Photography.jpg" width="420" /></a></div>
Their children each prepared a reading for their parents, and their youngest son, Benny who is currently obsessed with Civil War documents, even wrote an original piece titled “Benny’s Promise Ridge Address." After the children finished their readings, they delighted in taking turns pouring the rest of the wine into the glass until it was full.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTi6XZKwTyx0He9p54lnY8MJ2gZpZKLNGi2-HZWCV7Psql13OJhf5ct00JN5UzXWyUyPRR6x0hkxCD4qTeYxTJfnmgqb3MldWtC4zsTjSrhhiEurN5bTcOWbhz5qY6Qt51j5n3WVxEz46m/s1600/Mika+reading%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Family+Vow+Renewal+at+The+Living+Wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Jeremie+Barlow+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTi6XZKwTyx0He9p54lnY8MJ2gZpZKLNGi2-HZWCV7Psql13OJhf5ct00JN5UzXWyUyPRR6x0hkxCD4qTeYxTJfnmgqb3MldWtC4zsTjSrhhiEurN5bTcOWbhz5qY6Qt51j5n3WVxEz46m/s640/Mika+reading%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Family+Vow+Renewal+at+The+Living+Wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Jeremie+Barlow+Photography.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdMAOX7XrWPam3gIpHjKIkrs4qYtkHIKguXv3MvHQ9Rrnc_YA1iSHZbEnea3IXulUkfiWoP-cVC_SosqChC8O2IxBinOOM-0h3dY7EjI7-hoamCeXaxnuMxW0JrWFUr-CyVEB3_94EPv_y/s1600/Benny+delivers+his+Promise+Ridge+Address%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Family+Vow+Renewal+at+The+Living+Wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Jeremie+Barlow+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdMAOX7XrWPam3gIpHjKIkrs4qYtkHIKguXv3MvHQ9Rrnc_YA1iSHZbEnea3IXulUkfiWoP-cVC_SosqChC8O2IxBinOOM-0h3dY7EjI7-hoamCeXaxnuMxW0JrWFUr-CyVEB3_94EPv_y/s640/Benny+delivers+his+Promise+Ridge+Address%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Family+Vow+Renewal+at+The+Living+Wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Jeremie+Barlow+Photography.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Benny’s Promise Ridge Address</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br />One score and three days ago </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>My parents made the world a better place </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>By promising to eat cake </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>To never lie to each other </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>To fall asleep with each other </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>And never be separated. </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>They made children, they feed us, </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>We hug each other </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>And they kiss each other on the lips. </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Now we are engaged in a great marriage, </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Testing whether these two will have a good life... </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>I think they love us and we will always be together.</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicpEjJSs1t_E07QNnPwRv-b4qBdDix9ALq9tzYfVJbG9lCdZEfkiPxgOx0_oKtDenPywJuJenUtG3YW-zgkJobX32qeJAN4MvzvI5VXmgoZP6BYRTpERTQdq34BGfmLXErc8lDulQFbugt/s1600/A+full+cup%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Family+Vow+Renewal+at+The+Living+Wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Jeremie+Barlow+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicpEjJSs1t_E07QNnPwRv-b4qBdDix9ALq9tzYfVJbG9lCdZEfkiPxgOx0_oKtDenPywJuJenUtG3YW-zgkJobX32qeJAN4MvzvI5VXmgoZP6BYRTpERTQdq34BGfmLXErc8lDulQFbugt/s400/A+full+cup%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Family+Vow+Renewal+at+The+Living+Wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Jeremie+Barlow+Photography.jpg" width="312" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS5h4Go8Q6muR9mP3Em3IJNFWJcvnVsh7NPZmr5__oTRLJa86R967a6pVbkwFTLdrrRUsua9Ri-nDM0gwu-qZQjpvQpkHgD5vqWt0VcZsUNEnntkmkq5_kOsNMmJQYdPMRjL1Sx7tbGT3t/s1600/Family+Shared+cup+ritual%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Family+Vow+Renewal+at+The+Living+Wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Jeremie+Barlow+Photography+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS5h4Go8Q6muR9mP3Em3IJNFWJcvnVsh7NPZmr5__oTRLJa86R967a6pVbkwFTLdrrRUsua9Ri-nDM0gwu-qZQjpvQpkHgD5vqWt0VcZsUNEnntkmkq5_kOsNMmJQYdPMRjL1Sx7tbGT3t/s400/Family+Shared+cup+ritual%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Family+Vow+Renewal+at+The+Living+Wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Jeremie+Barlow+Photography+.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
This was an adapted and interactive twist on the Shared Cup ritual, which is a common (and beautiful) wedding unity ritual. To share from the same cup is to open yourself to shared experience, to share life’s joys and dreams together. Those who drink deeply of life invite the full range of experiences, for better or for worse. When Heather and Nathan drank from their cup of life this time, they already knew what this meant, and in doing so, they reaffirmed their commitment to each other and their family.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYQk8ZP_QQpjqzKvn7k6gqjrTJ9Y3Fo3ETWceW0RCA1XAHyxQvj9jY5_wctblAh9OEoGiWOOhxH0m5HHpeyuiyJ5HyfCrUgwcomrCQhX-N9W2_leCdymc7HiC7LGEoSs_EkbtmCbMu67E4/s1600/Cheers%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Family+Vow+Renewal+at+The+Living+Wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Jeremie+Barlow+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYQk8ZP_QQpjqzKvn7k6gqjrTJ9Y3Fo3ETWceW0RCA1XAHyxQvj9jY5_wctblAh9OEoGiWOOhxH0m5HHpeyuiyJ5HyfCrUgwcomrCQhX-N9W2_leCdymc7HiC7LGEoSs_EkbtmCbMu67E4/s400/Cheers%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Family+Vow+Renewal+at+The+Living+Wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Jeremie+Barlow+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpagjMF5JuKDE4uprYllGPhLnpiLsJZJ06g-GsmMdMzHhsaEQFFt3Fma8Rs2F7tZT5qElW3YFo075r6CkUgqHccf7jJ5WV_JKmPT0Ze9dLVXA7GoVXMWWKyvZaXkJHhmSS4zCQQRkgtLDq/s1600/Nate+vows%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Family+Vow+Renewal+at+The+Living+Wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Jeremie+Barlow+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpagjMF5JuKDE4uprYllGPhLnpiLsJZJ06g-GsmMdMzHhsaEQFFt3Fma8Rs2F7tZT5qElW3YFo075r6CkUgqHccf7jJ5WV_JKmPT0Ze9dLVXA7GoVXMWWKyvZaXkJHhmSS4zCQQRkgtLDq/s400/Nate+vows%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Family+Vow+Renewal+at+The+Living+Wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Jeremie+Barlow+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFsQlw8VxERJYT7bHBbSwHIpNJQrpXve9SrvFLbeDstItvSBpIkWTf41AD-2rxhFIpsMKBWzWU4PeV77itWDmmGxnxlE_V7Mzr3nR_iHrj1kZUqLA_fqYusF7Nt7QuaY-ET_W2jJ3DE411/s1600/Family+vow+renewal+ceremony%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Family+Vow+Renewal+at+The+Living+Wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Jeremie+Barlow+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFsQlw8VxERJYT7bHBbSwHIpNJQrpXve9SrvFLbeDstItvSBpIkWTf41AD-2rxhFIpsMKBWzWU4PeV77itWDmmGxnxlE_V7Mzr3nR_iHrj1kZUqLA_fqYusF7Nt7QuaY-ET_W2jJ3DE411/s400/Family+vow+renewal+ceremony%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Family+Vow+Renewal+at+The+Living+Wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Jeremie+Barlow+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg49bkjeM0eUAwaeDZjY2dFeaaaif9vsL1UNOrbsPho2GEjhtJKILQtNgutV3leTbtNnrs_Dfum-BRQAWXZktoDF2VNhp7nAd-0GqZ0em5AhfRKvQzW7CkTazuX8JvbyH4ViAU0i6kOOz8Z/s1600/20th+anniversary+kiss%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Family+Vow+Renewal+at+The+Living+Wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Jeremie+Barlow+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg49bkjeM0eUAwaeDZjY2dFeaaaif9vsL1UNOrbsPho2GEjhtJKILQtNgutV3leTbtNnrs_Dfum-BRQAWXZktoDF2VNhp7nAd-0GqZ0em5AhfRKvQzW7CkTazuX8JvbyH4ViAU0i6kOOz8Z/s640/20th+anniversary+kiss%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Family+Vow+Renewal+at+The+Living+Wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Jeremie+Barlow+Photography.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzZwA4l3QfgafEvo8gGzvDexCjTXcg4TuqcH4e_eSssCvKzRUxKOdmCXy0ALYjCZb34XqFExsaBLwwn1q4loEq-TpcMPNl8KMIgbirNnEPTnU1hW8loYK3xybPzzZ5ovwn97WxqGxcqQy0/s1600/glass+stomp%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Family+Vow+Renewal+at+The+Living+Wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Jeremie+Barlow+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzZwA4l3QfgafEvo8gGzvDexCjTXcg4TuqcH4e_eSssCvKzRUxKOdmCXy0ALYjCZb34XqFExsaBLwwn1q4loEq-TpcMPNl8KMIgbirNnEPTnU1hW8loYK3xybPzzZ5ovwn97WxqGxcqQy0/s400/glass+stomp%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Family+Vow+Renewal+at+The+Living+Wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Jeremie+Barlow+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">“Benny, Mika and Nate, as you stomp on your glass, it is done with the
intention that the bond of love that you have in your family, will be as
difficult to break, as it would be to put back together all of the
shattered pieces.”—Alisa Tongg, Celebrant</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Family Glass Stomp, Mazel Tov!!!</b><br />
Twenty years ago Nathan stomped on and broke a glass after he and Heather sealed their vows with a kiss. This time, after their kiss, they invited their sons, Mika and Benny to also break a glass. And just like Benny predicted in his address, there was kissing on the lips...and cake. Mazel Tov HNmb!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_QUuQLjROYwvMJOwfCXNU_XummrWwbmbgrTpFQR5pzsVr0J0ox01nhzYOmFh2wvQ4gAFCXUV2GU_XlOYiR9wGKg26jUfA2DrLFvnBNUZFqW3hM5IoAm_pxm7krO6DlYP2pfW1-CCzqcmC/s1600/And+there+was+cake+too%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Family+Vow+Renewal+at+The+Living+Wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Jeremie+Barlow+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_QUuQLjROYwvMJOwfCXNU_XummrWwbmbgrTpFQR5pzsVr0J0ox01nhzYOmFh2wvQ4gAFCXUV2GU_XlOYiR9wGKg26jUfA2DrLFvnBNUZFqW3hM5IoAm_pxm7krO6DlYP2pfW1-CCzqcmC/s400/And+there+was+cake+too%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Family+Vow+Renewal+at+The+Living+Wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Jeremie+Barlow+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Photographer || <a href="http://www.jeremiebarlow.com/">Jeremie Barlow Photography</a><br />
Celebrant || <a href="http://www.alisatonggcelebrant.com/">Alisa Tongg Celebrant</a><br />
Flowers and Garland || <a href="http://www.alliumfloraldesign.com/">Allium Floral Design</a><br />
<br />AlisaTonggCelebranthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10641909328520358283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7156070338236733346.post-6289109551292480742016-03-31T13:51:00.000-04:002016-04-08T09:25:48.897-04:00Susan + Tom, Honey Kisses and Lion Dancers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF49BKMIsPksiOnOTA68vcsdY5gKfPk2jp9pF6FiwyJSY9bUsydUyRli4jCy6ddXT61WYlTyZWxWtHnhjHY_pOMpcgsuru_cdoayuGkCQwiuPQZRYStU3AZpqWlOP-8oD4AxqdsGmQZ92l/s1600/ceremony+shot%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF49BKMIsPksiOnOTA68vcsdY5gKfPk2jp9pF6FiwyJSY9bUsydUyRli4jCy6ddXT61WYlTyZWxWtHnhjHY_pOMpcgsuru_cdoayuGkCQwiuPQZRYStU3AZpqWlOP-8oD4AxqdsGmQZ92l/s400/ceremony+shot%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
I had the pleasure of working together with Susan and Tom to create two ceremonies (a Western-style love story-centered one, as well as a traditional Chinese Tea ceremony) for their wedding celebration at <a href="http://pomme-peachtree.com/">Pomme at Radnor</a> this summer. With two ceremonies comes a costume change--for the couple and the ceremony space. Susan and Tom's talented team of wedding vendors focused on design elements and details that would tell a bigger story and help to bring all the parts together enabling Tom and Susan's love to shine through...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRZi-CCqHdZxSxcspbxG-jkWjgBgGMVnA9Mxl5UCktw7LSS0IPRzMzOIVNNhBD31L5IppRnKA6tv15uSr2lmgAd7ClVfchNHgedjgZrOdvJs489HJtKguieefFkgJ7qlV6OOBjGmjptWe_/s1600/susan+portrait%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRZi-CCqHdZxSxcspbxG-jkWjgBgGMVnA9Mxl5UCktw7LSS0IPRzMzOIVNNhBD31L5IppRnKA6tv15uSr2lmgAd7ClVfchNHgedjgZrOdvJs489HJtKguieefFkgJ7qlV6OOBjGmjptWe_/s640/susan+portrait%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-UjMbabYA3GUl9OgFCzIg0yp5POS0B7vyt9WCxvN8s7Upuv4Ezc1fVsaAcAc0k_LZ6g7YbizlpfpNtBLsaH2VYRuyRLFMdR7bkM7AzvrmDWYVWoUrabgoHyeEmWL2GaZW1a-SELAwk4Lo/s1600/Tom+portrait+bow+tie%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-UjMbabYA3GUl9OgFCzIg0yp5POS0B7vyt9WCxvN8s7Upuv4Ezc1fVsaAcAc0k_LZ6g7YbizlpfpNtBLsaH2VYRuyRLFMdR7bkM7AzvrmDWYVWoUrabgoHyeEmWL2GaZW1a-SELAwk4Lo/s640/Tom+portrait+bow+tie%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
An excerpt from their ceremony Love Story <i>(Here's where I give my first ceremony shout out to Helen Fisher)</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSRisBF1vv4zjJMnHwj8T-k6ycitp9PnY2aJurxW5QfUB7jlnu_FIMsq1dBY064R6sCmJXhk2L2-x2GnXnlQovsbLDexsHAj7fxyaFxtKvGWIdvJnWT2rCN8EjojGWVBSPeu18_kp9-7Ur/s1600/scrunchie+smile+at+pomme%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSRisBF1vv4zjJMnHwj8T-k6ycitp9PnY2aJurxW5QfUB7jlnu_FIMsq1dBY064R6sCmJXhk2L2-x2GnXnlQovsbLDexsHAj7fxyaFxtKvGWIdvJnWT2rCN8EjojGWVBSPeu18_kp9-7Ur/s400/scrunchie+smile+at+pomme%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
According to Rutgers University anthropologist, Helen Fisher: it only takes one second to intuitively decide if we are attracted to someone. A second or two later, as we gather more information, we might (and often) change our minds. But to help ensure that the right One doesn’t get away, our bodies produce a host of physiological signals to grab our attention—our hearts race, palms might sweat, pupils dilate, we might get clumsy or tongue-tied, hormones like dopamine flood the reward center of our brains—all of these physical responses serve one purpose: to tell us in no uncertain terms, that something vitally important is happening…to pay attention to what’s in front of you.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxwPsJWE1NE6BQc26gCNGVOZsAaSi_wVyQ2uS1_E_yzxH9ziK7kOGDBPLQnLMbVG-LEdC3goAsuBjPIpKxTqLNGfUYzQVk69o4fubeOjlOE8u-zDy0DFREzj15zyei_J6oWu63cpxwFpdU/s1600/tom+and+susan+gaze%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxwPsJWE1NE6BQc26gCNGVOZsAaSi_wVyQ2uS1_E_yzxH9ziK7kOGDBPLQnLMbVG-LEdC3goAsuBjPIpKxTqLNGfUYzQVk69o4fubeOjlOE8u-zDy0DFREzj15zyei_J6oWu63cpxwFpdU/s400/tom+and+susan+gaze%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6MCuiyblXALu2nvFV85b9e54V3Be6D_aD6lByWWQqTF2VLOwl2lLiyqo4UbmXY9uxNMkfNK7LZ-mSQTP6VJH4vtxFtodfr-8z3BNSyVGv9GSAHcLOvlDHnaoetMCpjtps7i-tUqVZlXbp/s1600/sparkler+train+of+smiles%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6MCuiyblXALu2nvFV85b9e54V3Be6D_aD6lByWWQqTF2VLOwl2lLiyqo4UbmXY9uxNMkfNK7LZ-mSQTP6VJH4vtxFtodfr-8z3BNSyVGv9GSAHcLOvlDHnaoetMCpjtps7i-tUqVZlXbp/s640/sparkler+train+of+smiles%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
The night that Susan and Tom first met, they had the benefit of another blazing signal that they couldn’t ignore—a fire alarm had gone off in their in their dormitory at Widener University. Standing outside in all of the excitement, huddled together their mutual friend Kendall made the introduction. Susan remembers that she was “attracted to Tom at first sight”…and at second and third sight too. And Tom says he “immediately liked Susan” but used all of his reserves to try to play it cool.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTKuC0Gn9P6hJHhIZUoN9iZzK5L97cjsa0-u-C-XvGw6O992QbeKpyQdX8Rt86bFfJvWPufYOgcZJAuYbHWaJVKi1_3Gxh1MOrP9OrJCDtYP37SowSLAnLMzrVcojW_7MDKt37Q15IOYV7/s1600/fire+alarm+look%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTKuC0Gn9P6hJHhIZUoN9iZzK5L97cjsa0-u-C-XvGw6O992QbeKpyQdX8Rt86bFfJvWPufYOgcZJAuYbHWaJVKi1_3Gxh1MOrP9OrJCDtYP37SowSLAnLMzrVcojW_7MDKt37Q15IOYV7/s640/fire+alarm+look%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
Susan and Tom became fast friends and falling in love with each other was inevitable. They’d watch movies together into the early morning and find excuses to run into each other on campus. Susan noticed how strong Tom’s friendships were and how he was always there for the people in his life. <br />
<br />
Susan says during those early days of being “head over heels”, when neither of them were brave enough to admit to the other what was developing between them, during that heady time, she devoted every single wish—eyelash wishes, 11:11 wishes and her birthday wish—to capturing Tom’s heart.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQtjRRHQ43rQR8FFI2Yr9FqRGn5IUtw_0GIdIPCo1fschV4LV1nNTxT0OnMwdzfMuGTbTA3wbSR0IcL4hJddg-bIy4n9QBNrdAMwLfdSiwx6viPN1KVLkrb0dYwaKgM8gqT1t_NwoDK12W/s1600/Susan+and+Tom+cute+cuddle%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQtjRRHQ43rQR8FFI2Yr9FqRGn5IUtw_0GIdIPCo1fschV4LV1nNTxT0OnMwdzfMuGTbTA3wbSR0IcL4hJddg-bIy4n9QBNrdAMwLfdSiwx6viPN1KVLkrb0dYwaKgM8gqT1t_NwoDK12W/s640/Susan+and+Tom+cute+cuddle%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
And unbeknownst to Susan…her wishes had already been granted, Tom says he fell in love with Susan quickly in their first few months of friendship, but he was young, and as a teenager, freshman year in college, he didn’t have the courage to vocalize how he felt until well over a year later, when it was almost too late. <br />
<br />
Freshman year came to an end, and Tom still hadn’t told Susan how he felt about her. This actually made Susan’s decision to transfer to Temple University a little easier, she would start again fresh and try to get thoughts of Tom out of her head.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxwPsJWE1NE6BQc26gCNGVOZsAaSi_wVyQ2uS1_E_yzxH9ziK7kOGDBPLQnLMbVG-LEdC3goAsuBjPIpKxTqLNGfUYzQVk69o4fubeOjlOE8u-zDy0DFREzj15zyei_J6oWu63cpxwFpdU/s1600/tom+and+susan+gaze%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxwPsJWE1NE6BQc26gCNGVOZsAaSi_wVyQ2uS1_E_yzxH9ziK7kOGDBPLQnLMbVG-LEdC3goAsuBjPIpKxTqLNGfUYzQVk69o4fubeOjlOE8u-zDy0DFREzj15zyei_J6oWu63cpxwFpdU/s400/tom+and+susan+gaze%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeZDLPWQ2EqYSUwL48JTwhfpwGyHzgNk2B8s8V5sKQDrfmh0lsWYIEwN5R3YjIN88mN8z45DjHG8WM3v8JYPh_J-3MP44SOoxeupWQy4TRNOhwYaJIYYmqVObPUx0l6KhbjNVg78s_9Eyc/s1600/tom+and+susan+romantic+portrait%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeZDLPWQ2EqYSUwL48JTwhfpwGyHzgNk2B8s8V5sKQDrfmh0lsWYIEwN5R3YjIN88mN8z45DjHG8WM3v8JYPh_J-3MP44SOoxeupWQy4TRNOhwYaJIYYmqVObPUx0l6KhbjNVg78s_9Eyc/s400/tom+and+susan+romantic+portrait%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div>
And it was during this time, while they were apart, that it became apparent to Tom, in no uncertain terms that something vitally important was happening and he needed to pay attention. He realized that “Susan was the only girl he wanted to spend his life with.” He remembers, “The gravity of my love for her weighed heavily on my heart, I could feel the ache of being apart deep in my bones; a feeling that was very foreign to me, it was both frightening and exciting!” <br />
<br />
Tom eventually mustered up enough courage to tell Susan just how he felt. It was her 20th birthday, (two years after that fateful fire drill), and at the end of the night, after making one more birthday wish, and celebrating with all their friends, Tom asked if he could walk Susan out to her car. When they were alone he told her how felt, how he’d always felt, and asked Susan if she would go out on a date with him. And after considering the offer…for a few weeks…Susan agreed. From that point on, these two have been inseparable.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxiU4NcJQHsbkqc8_P5nJnva4dn7KW-YY0Ud4bC6kOeptY0I-2SNNgyJm_opOrvlJk3zfLkvJ2Pm6JMtP2cbLmv_TCt-IxzYneWzZ5FZZv_wk16IIGd_G-p0iwWbSX1wUkxcyVVuDlWofw/s1600/ring+box%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxiU4NcJQHsbkqc8_P5nJnva4dn7KW-YY0Ud4bC6kOeptY0I-2SNNgyJm_opOrvlJk3zfLkvJ2Pm6JMtP2cbLmv_TCt-IxzYneWzZ5FZZv_wk16IIGd_G-p0iwWbSX1wUkxcyVVuDlWofw/s400/ring+box%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzJSAdHJd8eu_649m5F-tStkJUzAv4ud2OEogx0uo40et0GAfTogVn7Dj5Z77d7kW-uuy-clRXlgso0zbM4AqhxUc4vPNFR-xB80l776R90eE5VNUZsGwq6rJxzE9pJK_DAnzDr93SBIq7/s1600/groom+sees+bride+approach+aisle%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzJSAdHJd8eu_649m5F-tStkJUzAv4ud2OEogx0uo40et0GAfTogVn7Dj5Z77d7kW-uuy-clRXlgso0zbM4AqhxUc4vPNFR-xB80l776R90eE5VNUZsGwq6rJxzE9pJK_DAnzDr93SBIq7/s400/groom+sees+bride+approach+aisle%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL6Tg9piS3B0fQJY7liQMJ6wPSqPaTIKGe9QOTkGm4h-Flv8NvMrTSIhGZH0biQEjOV7UMOh6Qm3aV2qsCUf0aPWr6XorDpUS2VSql78eXcz7aANQjFyAoP1jA1I6zpvaFXGGwjFKMCZR7/s1600/bride%2527s+tearfilled+emotional+walk+up+the+aisle%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL6Tg9piS3B0fQJY7liQMJ6wPSqPaTIKGe9QOTkGm4h-Flv8NvMrTSIhGZH0biQEjOV7UMOh6Qm3aV2qsCUf0aPWr6XorDpUS2VSql78eXcz7aANQjFyAoP1jA1I6zpvaFXGGwjFKMCZR7/s400/bride%2527s+tearfilled+emotional+walk+up+the+aisle%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbGc-1iDFDDKkoyTzYXGDNTmw3Ya4N1qYE5lTcWPfbPdBcmbFk2p9XzQRtMdOOCx0J4zBdDa0g13qOLLA_tyq7EqMCqLj-slwltauabOxo43ozA0mQf8qI36490PM7unmL1p-B7_9rNfJV/s1600/mother+embraces+bride+right+before+I+dos%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbGc-1iDFDDKkoyTzYXGDNTmw3Ya4N1qYE5lTcWPfbPdBcmbFk2p9XzQRtMdOOCx0J4zBdDa0g13qOLLA_tyq7EqMCqLj-slwltauabOxo43ozA0mQf8qI36490PM7unmL1p-B7_9rNfJV/s400/mother+embraces+bride+right+before+I+dos%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT6FjoYKT4dY8zOcetwwtuJObXFM4kBuGAKC9ZRqD5JV0vuDBl6CuovXuabAzMlvc8c6ba7EE-myivGgWHFjrFUfCga7xjqeTcA9Oez4oRxJvsFdJ7Gg2zF7i0wdWoy-MtCXVQtwPNMV_V/s1600/father+reaches+for+bride+at+hand+off%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT6FjoYKT4dY8zOcetwwtuJObXFM4kBuGAKC9ZRqD5JV0vuDBl6CuovXuabAzMlvc8c6ba7EE-myivGgWHFjrFUfCga7xjqeTcA9Oez4oRxJvsFdJ7Gg2zF7i0wdWoy-MtCXVQtwPNMV_V/s400/father+reaches+for+bride+at+hand+off%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjPnu1Spg71YItLpmjrmnptobJpPHFXAUgv9FaDQugwF1hxiUeKrtcwA0eRinWrvSJPf0Dcl-unx_6umhG9U4KB00uqdToIP45Ogcf1WTNcdZ7FALng0GJltdjEQNkpVMIVeo0MPAp5-DR/s1600/handfasting%252CAlisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjPnu1Spg71YItLpmjrmnptobJpPHFXAUgv9FaDQugwF1hxiUeKrtcwA0eRinWrvSJPf0Dcl-unx_6umhG9U4KB00uqdToIP45Ogcf1WTNcdZ7FALng0GJltdjEQNkpVMIVeo0MPAp5-DR/s400/handfasting%252CAlisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Susan asked her best friend Mike Roth to do the honors of fasting their hands together.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu45MwiGB0N1keFlkPPTnvKy6iFIuKBZxspyEEypOkRia8ENXfnYw08yQZ6jblabdagKP-C9av2j04Z_nByXP-HXPQ_8Kpx9_ESJnKvNjP1z1mr39qj7mexZxifciCtwetYRryt0bRLEeB/s1600/tom+looks+at+susan+during+handfasting%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu45MwiGB0N1keFlkPPTnvKy6iFIuKBZxspyEEypOkRia8ENXfnYw08yQZ6jblabdagKP-C9av2j04Z_nByXP-HXPQ_8Kpx9_ESJnKvNjP1z1mr39qj7mexZxifciCtwetYRryt0bRLEeB/s400/tom+looks+at+susan+during+handfasting%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwSR7FlUdLtKmuevBjx0GVH8XeEEWKTXt7FWlerLwtGb8OTYS9opIc3OP9OrmbJ2y1EJi0sVzzFu5Q8c40-FwdMYDTCOO3RqNVqVEj3NVIshiP_tZgKfbUZeDZmUda7FahlH9UPaOUL_u_/s1600/honey+kiss%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwSR7FlUdLtKmuevBjx0GVH8XeEEWKTXt7FWlerLwtGb8OTYS9opIc3OP9OrmbJ2y1EJi0sVzzFu5Q8c40-FwdMYDTCOO3RqNVqVEj3NVIshiP_tZgKfbUZeDZmUda7FahlH9UPaOUL_u_/s400/honey+kiss%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
Honey Kiss—Tom says that one of the big things that gives him an
unyielding confidence in their marriage, is Susan and his mindset—they
are not content to “just make it work” they are committed to “making it a
great one”… they share a common purpose, and that is to bring joy to
and enhance each others life.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUgpjGZUW-9lv8ivkA-bCc6Y-qZX0mLw6PcLr53NEy28zM2h94rBSmf_hyeGzPrlwtFzRK30Tby56dESUAmoXgC9gPOblFjvEyqqmA-Oqxblcrx0sBsoqqOePfOCbgvH2uIqc2Mw84sHcE/s1600/first+kiss%252C+sullivan+Owen%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUgpjGZUW-9lv8ivkA-bCc6Y-qZX0mLw6PcLr53NEy28zM2h94rBSmf_hyeGzPrlwtFzRK30Tby56dESUAmoXgC9gPOblFjvEyqqmA-Oqxblcrx0sBsoqqOePfOCbgvH2uIqc2Mw84sHcE/s640/first+kiss%252C+sullivan+Owen%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First kiss under the beautiful floral arch by Sullivan Owen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixk-ivnsN_kcmChq69qr7slW101OX7C3vt75raz2GpSXMpfJKkqva5CSFkyduxDN8Ea9mFLqW2c-oOmbJenCs5MUb_EbeM7T4HUoc6wpKj4Wsk8Hek9Yms7rovDvsQmvaPXAuKn45qkCFs/s1600/recessional+susan+and+tom+at+pomme+at+radnor%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixk-ivnsN_kcmChq69qr7slW101OX7C3vt75raz2GpSXMpfJKkqva5CSFkyduxDN8Ea9mFLqW2c-oOmbJenCs5MUb_EbeM7T4HUoc6wpKj4Wsk8Hek9Yms7rovDvsQmvaPXAuKn45qkCFs/s400/recessional+susan+and+tom+at+pomme+at+radnor%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
After their sweet honey kiss, it was time for a costume change. Tom put on a red bow tie and Susan changed into a traditional Chinese bridal dress. They re-entered the ceremony space, which Sara Murray of <a href="http://confettiandcompany.com/">Confetti & Co</a>. had expertly transformed, hand in hand for their Chinese Tea Ceremony. I wore a gold sequin gown, because it is a color Chinese say, “generates Yin and Yang”—it’s the center of everything in Chinese culture.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk2gIgUHoylu12gmRgvFvBN3pquh5JXNWNnFrpIbs6QJ-4B9TmqNn6ZEN6abe73KptaC_Qjthjbe5UiPas811MEC2vbdrIRM-jEyRwO80n-3yTeQ0OCW31Q1BE3ErLXC3YfLgoJdJLt4GB/s1600/traditional+red+bridal+dress%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk2gIgUHoylu12gmRgvFvBN3pquh5JXNWNnFrpIbs6QJ-4B9TmqNn6ZEN6abe73KptaC_Qjthjbe5UiPas811MEC2vbdrIRM-jEyRwO80n-3yTeQ0OCW31Q1BE3ErLXC3YfLgoJdJLt4GB/s640/traditional+red+bridal+dress%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhckjqEUD-qQS5t_lEg-Sb4hyphenhypheniSjGe496Lx39ekrg7pBV7IQd9GAfuz4jblJQB8h7P2pDa7-3Pa7gAVQiEjBxpjG5al57JAjR4C_bE1ojuBWKX6g8IpP8yUWHkplef3V9GDAL9v8OOdzxbj/s1600/Susan+in+traditional+Chinese+red%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhckjqEUD-qQS5t_lEg-Sb4hyphenhypheniSjGe496Lx39ekrg7pBV7IQd9GAfuz4jblJQB8h7P2pDa7-3Pa7gAVQiEjBxpjG5al57JAjR4C_bE1ojuBWKX6g8IpP8yUWHkplef3V9GDAL9v8OOdzxbj/s400/Susan+in+traditional+Chinese+red%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp1liL4Mmprl6OGq43W4WpJaC7FhSSfxkgzGeIXh1qJQ-spP61WuN5GJ-pTzun4xQfiM_Ib26G5RPKJjfT-1P6ytNAJcP4v_RGTyVm8GtFuA7jpynZaFlyxlUkFbnQDs7uCPsXkj-N4AeP/s1600/Chinese+Tea+Ceremony+set+up%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp1liL4Mmprl6OGq43W4WpJaC7FhSSfxkgzGeIXh1qJQ-spP61WuN5GJ-pTzun4xQfiM_Ib26G5RPKJjfT-1P6ytNAJcP4v_RGTyVm8GtFuA7jpynZaFlyxlUkFbnQDs7uCPsXkj-N4AeP/s640/Chinese+Tea+Ceremony+set+up%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeUBuG9Ct0muR-0NOxNfeKyIAPJhwLmplBUeBNDDzLBSib0j6cN4IuPswoPL3sQCgKQdSyQ6Jg4iZTsq3g3_cGb2CY67XLfaWACg2Z1x5TLTVpDb517SDU6Cbc3LeV-KFnCkkEPnvOBfyG/s1600/hand+lettered+banner+program%252C+ashley+wrenn+peterson%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeUBuG9Ct0muR-0NOxNfeKyIAPJhwLmplBUeBNDDzLBSib0j6cN4IuPswoPL3sQCgKQdSyQ6Jg4iZTsq3g3_cGb2CY67XLfaWACg2Z1x5TLTVpDb517SDU6Cbc3LeV-KFnCkkEPnvOBfyG/s640/hand+lettered+banner+program%252C+ashley+wrenn+peterson%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Banner wedding program, hand lettering by Ashley Wrenn of <a href="http://www.hello-bird.com/">Hello Bird</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In a Chinese wedding tea ceremony, the act of offering tea is meant to communicate deep respect and honor toward the newly wedded couple’s eldest family members, and in old times, served as a formal introduction of the bride and the groom to their extended families. It is traditional for these honored members of the family to then present the bride and groom with a red envelope, the color red being a symbol of good luck, joy and happiness.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSl0WsDPhWHLG53m3GrUjLb3e3EZH9qOYTUeFsxTbAxBVqlHRDAvcumHhuK7uBtb9YYVrd6lsmzAleZEZrNDzQhX7S-YiskBMgqogdGmt6pitf9zQ_G0dIfhheJPth7eTVZERcqS1nG8CT/s1600/susan+and+tom+enter+together+Chinese+Tea+Ceremony%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSl0WsDPhWHLG53m3GrUjLb3e3EZH9qOYTUeFsxTbAxBVqlHRDAvcumHhuK7uBtb9YYVrd6lsmzAleZEZrNDzQhX7S-YiskBMgqogdGmt6pitf9zQ_G0dIfhheJPth7eTVZERcqS1nG8CT/s400/susan+and+tom+enter+together+Chinese+Tea+Ceremony%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrkAZeFpUDAI7IC4w1OYLFerP-gbBMdFuT5soE_-dr3Rejs_rPPZY3IGdKUQlp5DmK_t2ByN62w8_4oOWeM-D6Jt7Z7jnDOSisOEbRwOZV2MNEQJIvWQRTk2vR97U-tTRHXJ50qM4WoaMl/s1600/grooms+parents+adorned+with+red+garlands+for+Chinese+Tea+Ceremony%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrkAZeFpUDAI7IC4w1OYLFerP-gbBMdFuT5soE_-dr3Rejs_rPPZY3IGdKUQlp5DmK_t2ByN62w8_4oOWeM-D6Jt7Z7jnDOSisOEbRwOZV2MNEQJIvWQRTk2vR97U-tTRHXJ50qM4WoaMl/s400/grooms+parents+adorned+with+red+garlands+for+Chinese+Tea+Ceremony%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
The heirloom tea set was provided by the "oldest and best friends in the United States" of Susan's parents, Jim and Christine Wei.<br />
Susan’s brother Danny and Maid of Honor Jenn served as the assistants, holding the tray of tea and collecting the red envelopes.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFE9Z94uTXUmskFkfNzZoeyAXbPf1o_pEwhFgm1UsaUrvQ9Ip6ECS3qyHQxfcqTMVQu4jcjJd2289UgBlOBRFssLanlnzRpdCkTXhJni12q1HnPBlDFz1aNGObu5PLNGH5znRDR8VPGGDr/s1600/heirloom+tea+set%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFE9Z94uTXUmskFkfNzZoeyAXbPf1o_pEwhFgm1UsaUrvQ9Ip6ECS3qyHQxfcqTMVQu4jcjJd2289UgBlOBRFssLanlnzRpdCkTXhJni12q1HnPBlDFz1aNGObu5PLNGH5znRDR8VPGGDr/s640/heirloom+tea+set%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdCUfRL2XAZ0AdX4GKH1OcGWFduaU7vfImQ2ii7pCBy3Qei3XnOqAmY9R-13SZT1ohy3eTis3eq-l-96Fo1jc5UpA1eKP2jkMiS8xLnRFchSnrRL_S6YobfeixxnAICYcnkAt5VbcR-mBK/s1600/Chinese+Tea+Ceremony+co-masters+of+ceremony%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdCUfRL2XAZ0AdX4GKH1OcGWFduaU7vfImQ2ii7pCBy3Qei3XnOqAmY9R-13SZT1ohy3eTis3eq-l-96Fo1jc5UpA1eKP2jkMiS8xLnRFchSnrRL_S6YobfeixxnAICYcnkAt5VbcR-mBK/s400/Chinese+Tea+Ceremony+co-masters+of+ceremony%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uncle Jim Wei provides translation for the Mandarin-speaking family.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5J41B4LSIcjS4E7XsQmoJMBi1J7TE4C9Vwi0hFuuCQboKNYJlSQaS5hNyXqK8bE6WcQmNJnqctc76bXFqskkB8uVqnp2trBQ07RLbkrhwsnPSrI8EcfO38AHU6VCK5LDAI6E_lGAEeAhX/s1600/silver+platter+of+lai+si+and+hong+bao+red+evnelopes+after+chinese+wedding+tea+ceremony%252C+Pomme+at+Radnor%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5J41B4LSIcjS4E7XsQmoJMBi1J7TE4C9Vwi0hFuuCQboKNYJlSQaS5hNyXqK8bE6WcQmNJnqctc76bXFqskkB8uVqnp2trBQ07RLbkrhwsnPSrI8EcfO38AHU6VCK5LDAI6E_lGAEeAhX/s400/silver+platter+of+lai+si+and+hong+bao+red+evnelopes+after+chinese+wedding+tea+ceremony%252C+Pomme+at+Radnor%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Every honoree gave the couple a red envelope.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The bride and groom then took turns serving their parents and family elders cups of tea as they exchange blessings back and forth. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0oH8BV8ANFXXDbJm4BJSIhsqCavFMEy-DbQrN5Y3a5zD5KZ5w_Qj603ncnT-oyfQ8dp6pG2aUJYTSEEF2guJq3uYuf0KVw7OS3r14sCLY_v2V-wZwTV6bQjPGBZfezuRUUispp9V7RDYs/s1600/brides+parents+give+couple+jewelry+at+Chinese+Tea+Ceremony%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0oH8BV8ANFXXDbJm4BJSIhsqCavFMEy-DbQrN5Y3a5zD5KZ5w_Qj603ncnT-oyfQ8dp6pG2aUJYTSEEF2guJq3uYuf0KVw7OS3r14sCLY_v2V-wZwTV6bQjPGBZfezuRUUispp9V7RDYs/s640/brides+parents+give+couple+jewelry+at+Chinese+Tea+Ceremony%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Susan’s mother and father gifted the couple with jewelry, digging into
their pockets many times over to adorn the newlyweds with necklaces and
bracelets of gold and pearl.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1kQE1mFl6OGoEx7-tiGpfI5Y3MeqZmWeMXAvRRonKFGDsMuxfNoH1AF9lKbS0Kf2dWpCAiMDOWuYHtSLHvIyZmPZvTXCJpZSLPJipBxD6IY3K-mQKWskGwIuLbvVL9PPGsueyAJ_sFjDu/s1600/grooms+parents+served+at+Chinese+Tea+Ceremony%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1kQE1mFl6OGoEx7-tiGpfI5Y3MeqZmWeMXAvRRonKFGDsMuxfNoH1AF9lKbS0Kf2dWpCAiMDOWuYHtSLHvIyZmPZvTXCJpZSLPJipBxD6IY3K-mQKWskGwIuLbvVL9PPGsueyAJ_sFjDu/s400/grooms+parents+served+at+Chinese+Tea+Ceremony%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9SMLn-RX06-OVlIabxzMHOrDgrK9ZUTw9DtD6Plkx0cDg_qhDHFpAgLVOqgjQ-ebO0K4YZIG6xgPGPt53l_I3WVD7b6QLdSOLfi9lrbyG1UfQom6_WNO0U-1tHp5BXOBcLF8vzGhOWRix/s1600/susan+and+tom+kiss+chinese+tea+ceremony%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9SMLn-RX06-OVlIabxzMHOrDgrK9ZUTw9DtD6Plkx0cDg_qhDHFpAgLVOqgjQ-ebO0K4YZIG6xgPGPt53l_I3WVD7b6QLdSOLfi9lrbyG1UfQom6_WNO0U-1tHp5BXOBcLF8vzGhOWRix/s400/susan+and+tom+kiss+chinese+tea+ceremony%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBQbtymkbYiXqMJ2mjMgtpAkXUS8FVIRIVL6iVuilhiEBxgDKvaJfJ1X6wkc30LXaJB6yXYT_QP6uaQgSzvZYV1SW0V1lhAtSg4t5lKjfGNFE1fjIFc5dIf8-oBgYQhxT2omeq4qaiqoXq/s1600/susan+rejoices+after+Chinese+Tea+Ceremony%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBQbtymkbYiXqMJ2mjMgtpAkXUS8FVIRIVL6iVuilhiEBxgDKvaJfJ1X6wkc30LXaJB6yXYT_QP6uaQgSzvZYV1SW0V1lhAtSg4t5lKjfGNFE1fjIFc5dIf8-oBgYQhxT2omeq4qaiqoXq/s400/susan+rejoices+after+Chinese+Tea+Ceremony%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
The Chinese Tea Ceremony was fun to witness, design and emcee, it served as the perfect starting point for what would turn out to be an amazing celebration. A celebration that included a team of Lion Dancers and drummers that lead the couple and their guests from cocktails into the reception.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXynbuye-vpLpfVMrjIaEMgbcQcD_s4jGPjgaG5CCfvCfwBqjSc16U117S_UEhQ1an53DRVj5Px6oFZiiJO-2uJWprnJFqJbDpj0PEwjLaBEuzEqO-5fYot6xVGbQAbPLZblDky-JH8bg-/s1600/chinese+lion+dance+with+congratulatory+banners%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXynbuye-vpLpfVMrjIaEMgbcQcD_s4jGPjgaG5CCfvCfwBqjSc16U117S_UEhQ1an53DRVj5Px6oFZiiJO-2uJWprnJFqJbDpj0PEwjLaBEuzEqO-5fYot6xVGbQAbPLZblDky-JH8bg-/s400/chinese+lion+dance+with+congratulatory+banners%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-trcueEcPtm0XN1KCXrVIk_OR2t66Vh0FE1sJ2L5F8GoTUV4XoyCdV5r9be_fnqmFfmF8Fr3vYmB90edwhvmta9qY7snBXzVZqoW0UT6k2LuoLzjA4f4Pg29z5IAnc6DOKdLg090zgX4M/s1600/Lion+dance+into+reception%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-trcueEcPtm0XN1KCXrVIk_OR2t66Vh0FE1sJ2L5F8GoTUV4XoyCdV5r9be_fnqmFfmF8Fr3vYmB90edwhvmta9qY7snBXzVZqoW0UT6k2LuoLzjA4f4Pg29z5IAnc6DOKdLg090zgX4M/s400/Lion+dance+into+reception%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4FCT_ui-4mY8m1Pa6Ewy1Ne3_nRyM4nekxUCHA2T0mTsX3ub64xMtB57S5WWjBNsCc8wNEtSfsI9f-KFXRAWToLSCEVg-zYi850DZ3MZ8NPHqazbjmoupJ51TUOTJn6PhzfESrYmCei0U/s1600/red+chinese+cake+dragon+phoenix+portrait%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4FCT_ui-4mY8m1Pa6Ewy1Ne3_nRyM4nekxUCHA2T0mTsX3ub64xMtB57S5WWjBNsCc8wNEtSfsI9f-KFXRAWToLSCEVg-zYi850DZ3MZ8NPHqazbjmoupJ51TUOTJn6PhzfESrYmCei0U/s640/red+chinese+cake+dragon+phoenix+portrait%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dragon and Phoenix red wedding cake by OC Cake Studio</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigExXQxoA1mKydfkHekY36XWjBKJ4NzcZRed3wdN_KIcTVyWrmRFD4UmgfrAaC-KtQMX0l-YHITYEkrtRz5y2df-PR_Z5EShesuU6lj_KeBcpuFuBFCBxWQUDg3j7A3EeEiOsLCj60e0Zk/s1600/red+star+cheers%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigExXQxoA1mKydfkHekY36XWjBKJ4NzcZRed3wdN_KIcTVyWrmRFD4UmgfrAaC-KtQMX0l-YHITYEkrtRz5y2df-PR_Z5EShesuU6lj_KeBcpuFuBFCBxWQUDg3j7A3EeEiOsLCj60e0Zk/s400/red+star+cheers%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Emily+Wren+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
We wish Susan and Tom all the sweetness and joy in life, and congratulate them on finding and celebrating their double happiness!<br />
<br />
When I'm fortunate enough to work with <a href="http://emilywrenweddings.com/">Emily Wren Photography</a>, it is always difficult to narrow down the photographs I want to use. Because, truth be told, I want to use them all!!! Emily and her team have a way of capturing authentic and beautiful moments, and Martha Stewart Weddings agrees, check out the <a href="http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/411340/pomme-pennsylvania-chinese-wedding-emily-wren">gallery</a> they put together.<br />
<br />
<br />
The other vendors, who made this celebration what it was: <br />
<a href="http://www.sullivanowen.com/">Sullivan Owen Florals </a><br />
<a href="http://pomme-peachtree.com/">Pomme at Radnor (Peachtree & Ward) </a><br />
<a href="http://emilywrenweddings.com/">Emily Wren Photography </a><br />
<a href="http://confettiandcompany.com/">Confetti & Co</a> <br />
<a href="http://maggpievintage.com/">Maggpie Vintage Rentals </a><br />
<a href="http://www.liondanceny.com/history.htm">Wan Chi Ming Hung Gar Institute out of NYC </a><br />
<a href="http://www.occakestudio.com/">OC Cake Studio</a> <br />
<a href="http://alisatonggcelebrant.com/">Chinese Tea Ceremony emcee Alisa Tongg, Celebrant </a>AlisaTonggCelebranthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10641909328520358283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7156070338236733346.post-23748659634418392342016-03-04T09:53:00.001-05:002016-03-04T16:51:51.489-05:00Advice To The Young Wonder Woman, On Her First Milk Bath <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7wa5rpg8WS10UQ2UBDo0Y1zUVTij6y569p0OomvXxSd2ueWyw0TKZEwVE5z9XWKSV178b6J_5CtwfBIc94fN8uU2h3dXc6bZN3_Ep9i_gp9oVT3S1mp3Fe3xfv5IiKBbN2n-FMnpFOc6s/s1600/WonderWoman+Oreo+Milk+Bath%252C+Rob+Yaskovic+Photography+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7wa5rpg8WS10UQ2UBDo0Y1zUVTij6y569p0OomvXxSd2ueWyw0TKZEwVE5z9XWKSV178b6J_5CtwfBIc94fN8uU2h3dXc6bZN3_Ep9i_gp9oVT3S1mp3Fe3xfv5IiKBbN2n-FMnpFOc6s/s400/WonderWoman+Oreo+Milk+Bath%252C+Rob+Yaskovic+Photography+.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Last month milk bath portraits started populating my social media feeds. Of course, I became mesmerized and wondered ‘what it would be like to be like Cleopatra and indulge in one of these luxuries...and be photographed doing it?’ I sent a text about my idea to my friend <a href="http://www.yaskovic.com/">Rob Yaskovic</a>, who happens to be a wonderful portrait photographer (among other things) and he replied immediately, “I’m totally in.”<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>The 7 things I learned getting this awesome portrait:</b><br />
<br />
<b>1) You don’t need milk from the farmers’ market for your milk bath.</b> I went to Walmart because I knew they would have Dry Milk at affordable prices. I ended up getting 6 large boxes of generic brand dry milk (everything they had on the shelf) and 5 gallons of whole milk. I chose whole milk because I wanted to get my milk bath as white as possible. When it was time to get the bath ready, I poured the dry milk in one box at a time as super hot water was filling the tub. I wanted the warm water to dissolve the dry milk so there wouldn’t be clumps, and it worked.<br />
<br />
*I feel like I should make a disclaimer, I also bought one bag of Oreos at Walmart while picking up the milk (I don’t even want to know what the cashier thought). Turns out, so many of the cookies were damaged when we opened them and were getting ready to start. As an Oreo aficionado, I have seen the occasional broken cookie, but never to this degree. So where I can comfortably recommend Walmart for the milk, I would suggest your fanciest grocer for the pièce de résistance–America’s and my favorite cookie, Oreos.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>2) There is such a thing as a modest milk bath.</b> For modesty’s sake, I made the photographer Rob close his eyes as I slipped into the tub. I was fully clothed mind you, in my Wonder Woman costume, but I still felt shy. It’s good to work with someone you trust when you’re trying out something kind of outrageous.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL9J4i2OKFDX2huIM40jjZWi64f90TI2YV8fbykfJmTtUCnIxah19XTtkpUHyGhyeJmZrIeu-YDAGI-zCVWQaTQ6AoiLATQ48KcOdzxNddEb340P3uK0AjvRcFEU5Y8vEwAFo1PTtkqxqx/s1600/001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL9J4i2OKFDX2huIM40jjZWi64f90TI2YV8fbykfJmTtUCnIxah19XTtkpUHyGhyeJmZrIeu-YDAGI-zCVWQaTQ6AoiLATQ48KcOdzxNddEb340P3uK0AjvRcFEU5Y8vEwAFo1PTtkqxqx/s400/001.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Upon reflection, I probably did not need to do my hair for this project.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>3) You don’t have to be a method actor for a portrait shoot. </b>Being in a milk tub surrounded by Oreos, I have to admit was disorienting. There was a very limited time we had to get the shot once the Oreos hit the milk because they dissolve quickly. I wish future me was there to tell me that I shouldn’t actually eat the Oreos. So many of the pictures that Rob took have me with my mouth closed chewing—or worse yet, with some of the black residue on my front teeth. Confession, there was even one point I grabbed an Oreo that was floating by my shoulder and popped it in my mouth. As it dissolved into oblivion in my mouth I thought, “wow, that milk got this Oreo just the perfect consistency.” It was against my nature to waste these cookies, but if I were to give myself advice, it would be to just use the Oreos as a prop during the shoot. You can eat what’s left over when the work is done.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiDsTAw8dg2e9NOFfe2Cciv_H9K0ib6_UmP8sn-Ik8cG9gjOKeuLDb2gtmq5O_BA2cm8AY0Hi_kQB1cAO4Nr0vp2Ej9cxFvzsGwfwIWC9kPf956dxV_kfyCtf4EOAk4IVKgio6Iet_Kk8X/s1600/002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiDsTAw8dg2e9NOFfe2Cciv_H9K0ib6_UmP8sn-Ik8cG9gjOKeuLDb2gtmq5O_BA2cm8AY0Hi_kQB1cAO4Nr0vp2Ej9cxFvzsGwfwIWC9kPf956dxV_kfyCtf4EOAk4IVKgio6Iet_Kk8X/s400/002.jpg" width="345" /></a></div>
<b>4) Get some help.</b> Rob wishes we had an assistant on hand for cookie placement and to fish out the soggy ones I didn’t eat first between takes. As it was, Rob was perched on top of the tub, straddling the edges to get his shot. Between his precarious position and the grip on the camera, he wasn’t able to toss the cookies at me like I had imagined.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAm-WNAyhvT6QVsp5BIhz3SQ2UKcpD-sjPBB7McZUh6TzMP31qORLwI96AqBowfu7W4NDmFYhaMK0KmpjpA9wsbVe71Io3_FrrWPZUDLb16Fio3zLqwy_GdhlLMQHvo1VdpPH3YHQtgVFU/s1600/010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAm-WNAyhvT6QVsp5BIhz3SQ2UKcpD-sjPBB7McZUh6TzMP31qORLwI96AqBowfu7W4NDmFYhaMK0KmpjpA9wsbVe71Io3_FrrWPZUDLb16Fio3zLqwy_GdhlLMQHvo1VdpPH3YHQtgVFU/s400/010.jpg" width="341" /></a></div>
<b>5) Outtakes and behind the scenes are where it’s at.</b> We both wish we had someone there to film the entire process. This whole shoot was hilarious. Rob and I wish someone was there to document us as we figured it out.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOX_L3eXjp50vlaZAymU2j4s_UHmm_z9d1SrzlmymejasIR5N_2jEE9cLufH2jd24ciIJNHXeR2HDmBKbv1nlPLlw-xi2JRohLvepjL0T562lf0vjpLB5Pt_VBPbmtif2SSgb5QSmQVas3/s1600/Milk+and+Cookies+Wonder+Woman%252C+Rob+Yaskovic+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOX_L3eXjp50vlaZAymU2j4s_UHmm_z9d1SrzlmymejasIR5N_2jEE9cLufH2jd24ciIJNHXeR2HDmBKbv1nlPLlw-xi2JRohLvepjL0T562lf0vjpLB5Pt_VBPbmtif2SSgb5QSmQVas3/s400/Milk+and+Cookies+Wonder+Woman%252C+Rob+Yaskovic+Photography.jpg" width="326" /></a></div>
<b>6) Culture Club for the Jet Set</b>—Just three days after the milk bath shoot, I went to thoroughly clean up the tub. I noticed a slight sour smell and then saw a viscous creamy drip coming out of one of the Jacuzzi jets. Yuck! We had started a yogurt-like culture in the jet system. If I were to do this over again, I would immediately clean the tub right after the shoot. That means refilling it with clean hot water, adding bleach and then letting the jets run a full cycle. If you’re working with one of those old fashioned tubs, then you don’t have to worry about this part.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsurB98TsTRay0tHL1EcALnbRC6vpq4SF9u8iDNdHDO30zOCs4wtuB7XoWerq3tv8_9hpzBi3Al1VOM2j5YQt9_Xw7ZySuhyJvcgfPGN0vaw8Z97JREOvkbdO0jTkunfchePeDg30E5xib/s1600/IMG_7823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsurB98TsTRay0tHL1EcALnbRC6vpq4SF9u8iDNdHDO30zOCs4wtuB7XoWerq3tv8_9hpzBi3Al1VOM2j5YQt9_Xw7ZySuhyJvcgfPGN0vaw8Z97JREOvkbdO0jTkunfchePeDg30E5xib/s400/IMG_7823.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<b>7) Collaborate and Listen</b>. Like most people who make an effort to cultivate creativity in their daily lives, there are a handful of times every week where I’ll have an idea or vision for something new, silly or outrageous. Following the leads on these magical moments of creativity takes effort, time and courage. Not all of these ideas are birthed, but every time I pursue one, I learn something new and am happy I did. Most of the time, working together with a friend or trusted colleague will make the original idea only better.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi__hvh4vbPXu1t0D0ehU5nBgmHcNLORh2ZFWUsVc_Yk-zLFbtrw1gmH1MktPPi0PynUxl_sOvmYQLxg8IZ5kML-NtX428xAHvIIQLYitLwQ-viPrxdxXtfOHUNYqZmRfmS8NNEZT8QgWu6/s1600/Alisa+Tongg+as+Wonder+Woman+and+Photographer+Rob+Yaskovic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi__hvh4vbPXu1t0D0ehU5nBgmHcNLORh2ZFWUsVc_Yk-zLFbtrw1gmH1MktPPi0PynUxl_sOvmYQLxg8IZ5kML-NtX428xAHvIIQLYitLwQ-viPrxdxXtfOHUNYqZmRfmS8NNEZT8QgWu6/s400/Alisa+Tongg+as+Wonder+Woman+and+Photographer+Rob+Yaskovic.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And it's a wrap! Such a pleasure working with photographer Rob Yaskovic on this silly project.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />AlisaTonggCelebranthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10641909328520358283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7156070338236733346.post-25345091322716778472016-01-25T08:22:00.001-05:002016-01-25T08:24:11.478-05:00Ashley + Jon, 'I Want The World To Celebrate'<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBLf8uJ_6zpu7SiPTlaGgAs2Q2DXh4LUTNoMXL8_E5CmvHWL4YSuKY3DMrhnU8RSKHCA4oMrOty4KtIdlH4iQIej5Lu9G0XHxMIcTRtrcJEREqoaBFuzVxtEIGxSSLzspHlVL45dbeDNBU/s1600/couple+portrait+double+exposure%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer+wedding%252C+Pat+Robinson+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBLf8uJ_6zpu7SiPTlaGgAs2Q2DXh4LUTNoMXL8_E5CmvHWL4YSuKY3DMrhnU8RSKHCA4oMrOty4KtIdlH4iQIej5Lu9G0XHxMIcTRtrcJEREqoaBFuzVxtEIGxSSLzspHlVL45dbeDNBU/s400/couple+portrait+double+exposure%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer+wedding%252C+Pat+Robinson+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Ashley and Jonathan were married surrounded by warm glowing lights at Philadelphia’s Front & Palmer. The sparkling backdrop from their ceremony space was a perfect fit to describe their special connection, love for friends and family, and hopes for the future.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigcyD9f5LuJ6tMJuIPr-jfjewlp_qWNMMG7muCVm7lF1CYaiKKa9cVrxxeJywSj6LeBKFWdHp1B7d4VUGADR1Z0ENKpg_g-nRAs3IbCMrrwkGC3bQbcanTfkISYbUOwp6Q8Zp3fZ3BgZWy/s1600/ceremony+space%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer+wedding%252C+Pat+Robinson+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigcyD9f5LuJ6tMJuIPr-jfjewlp_qWNMMG7muCVm7lF1CYaiKKa9cVrxxeJywSj6LeBKFWdHp1B7d4VUGADR1Z0ENKpg_g-nRAs3IbCMrrwkGC3bQbcanTfkISYbUOwp6Q8Zp3fZ3BgZWy/s400/ceremony+space%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer+wedding%252C+Pat+Robinson+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiq_7eZUNnBGrmwxaFQ_dSPblZYLMBM9KZJsixAVKz4rfxHADk7eyu0jKZEPcYN-6pTbQbs51Z51xNA0p95zTqyeNdb3vGpUstQY-wLNTZvHwhpGRaSHnSCYjRVbif3eT8HLlc5Ivh3Ex5/s1600/Ashley%2527s+dress%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer+wedding%252C+Pat+Robinson+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiq_7eZUNnBGrmwxaFQ_dSPblZYLMBM9KZJsixAVKz4rfxHADk7eyu0jKZEPcYN-6pTbQbs51Z51xNA0p95zTqyeNdb3vGpUstQY-wLNTZvHwhpGRaSHnSCYjRVbif3eT8HLlc5Ivh3Ex5/s640/Ashley%2527s+dress%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer+wedding%252C+Pat+Robinson+Photography.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9F5bAa7ki8wZjHmrjaLVpPxm5YbjrVnPMfABifsK1-hb63Gh_Nhel5Scws12Jrbn_r-p3fTRaJbI9UBDA0mQVwFgc-U8gTJ1yYYBQMBYpLS_u0nGVvEXKKh0gnGqEsy_PUQ6KTFazjZ51/s1600/greek+goddess+ahsley+briday+portrait%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer+wedding%252C+Pat+Robinson+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9F5bAa7ki8wZjHmrjaLVpPxm5YbjrVnPMfABifsK1-hb63Gh_Nhel5Scws12Jrbn_r-p3fTRaJbI9UBDA0mQVwFgc-U8gTJ1yYYBQMBYpLS_u0nGVvEXKKh0gnGqEsy_PUQ6KTFazjZ51/s400/greek+goddess+ahsley+briday+portrait%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer+wedding%252C+Pat+Robinson+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"She’s gorgeous, intelligent, hardworking, funny and confident. You
can’t imagine a “better partner with whom to share the rest of your
days.” This is the woman with whom you share a magical connection, the
face that lights up when you return, hands that will touch yours as you
share life’s many adventures together." --Alisa Tongg, Celebrant</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZiT1fmJZKuBwS9DzEWjOAqZEFk03Pf4cT3Rqw3kZ2g2NIXAQdMNX2Dvdy_-MUA3jls_3zhZ6IT7VJhr-DVf0QQCWhWhjty5V3MRZ3dQJt4MXcLjAHSNXvNZ0SDm2iExqyky-VMZfubHR4/s1600/Jon+getting+ready%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer+wedding%252C+Pat+Robinson+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZiT1fmJZKuBwS9DzEWjOAqZEFk03Pf4cT3Rqw3kZ2g2NIXAQdMNX2Dvdy_-MUA3jls_3zhZ6IT7VJhr-DVf0QQCWhWhjty5V3MRZ3dQJt4MXcLjAHSNXvNZ0SDm2iExqyky-VMZfubHR4/s400/Jon+getting+ready%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer+wedding%252C+Pat+Robinson+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"He’s smart and handsome, funny, kind, romantic and outgoing. This is a
man who demonstrates his capacity for fierce loyalty and optimism, even
when his beloved Philadelphia sports teams are down on their luck. The
man who makes you laugh everyday, who warms your soul and fills your
heart, he’s the sane to your crazy, the calm to your storm, the clean to
your messy, he’s your perfect complement and your best friend."--Alisa
Tongg, Celebrant</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXGqvS8oCemxufBeA5bYoMmccm1kOGpM8HKcxDECMGbwVkeFcBIcduN379pSXQ-1qDwBiE5nayBAl2XgGwpYKPUUJJDrjJnQxXvKmvR4AxaICEHr4Tnyr7bTgM1JENMAl0edwiGckBRLb8/s1600/lets+run+away+together...Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer+wedding%252C+Pat+Robinson+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXGqvS8oCemxufBeA5bYoMmccm1kOGpM8HKcxDECMGbwVkeFcBIcduN379pSXQ-1qDwBiE5nayBAl2XgGwpYKPUUJJDrjJnQxXvKmvR4AxaICEHr4Tnyr7bTgM1JENMAl0edwiGckBRLb8/s400/lets+run+away+together...Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer+wedding%252C+Pat+Robinson+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Through all the changes in their past eight years together, Ashley and
Jon have built their dreams around each other one day at a time. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Love Story</b> <i>(an excerpt from their ceremony)</i><br />
<br />
It was Senior Week, and Ashley was in Ocean City with friends celebrating graduation. “On a whim”, Ashley texted her friend Brandon from work, (who lives in Pennsylvania, but just happened to also be in Ocean City on this particular Wednesday night), and invited him to join in the celebrations. <br />
Brandon was in Ocean City with his friend Jon and within the hour they all met up to head over to a party together.<br />
<br />
Now, during the summer of 2007, Jon was going through a stage where he wore sleeves on his head, and this particular night, like many other days that year, he was fully committed to helping this fashion trend take off.<br />
<br />
At the party, in a room full of people, Ashley remembers being drawn to Jon, and out of everyone, it was him she wanted to know. And Ashley had made an impression on Jon too. He says he remembers being in disbelief that his friend Brandon was “chatting with a girl that attractive!”<br />
<br />
And maybe there was a little magic in Jon’s sleeve, because at the end of the night, Ashley texted Brandon, “your friend in the sleeve is really cute!” Ashley and Jon made plans to meet up again, and Jon says, “I knew something was going to come from it…and it did!”<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguJpLIrfEBaaUJ92zrb5oEuYGPcRbUNu2VBKT_CylvHakBVzOnpeqUxiz7I1jjgZvyNLD3hmyeb4sBnOWYiS6-sweoRLb5dx71u2eTt5nUOaIhg3SlIeWX9lTGKF3-_OjsiXgRsMKW_ZKu/s1600/Couple+portrait%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer+wedding%252C+Pat+Robinson+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguJpLIrfEBaaUJ92zrb5oEuYGPcRbUNu2VBKT_CylvHakBVzOnpeqUxiz7I1jjgZvyNLD3hmyeb4sBnOWYiS6-sweoRLb5dx71u2eTt5nUOaIhg3SlIeWX9lTGKF3-_OjsiXgRsMKW_ZKu/s640/Couple+portrait%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer+wedding%252C+Pat+Robinson+Photography.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-mIC_tJwkSHI7p0_EVhSEiVxBU4NQMvr3OziVxbeVv0hMJMlYMNLYoVWFyqtE6sm07fCeJ1mZU12bzhFFcnj0Bm-LBIs2jGJRqH-0KzFcTXCaX-UP14GRRDiYJSCipFWsVBBZdrho096b/s1600/jon+wore+a+sock+on+his+head%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer+wedding%252C+Pat+Robinson+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-mIC_tJwkSHI7p0_EVhSEiVxBU4NQMvr3OziVxbeVv0hMJMlYMNLYoVWFyqtE6sm07fCeJ1mZU12bzhFFcnj0Bm-LBIs2jGJRqH-0KzFcTXCaX-UP14GRRDiYJSCipFWsVBBZdrho096b/s400/jon+wore+a+sock+on+his+head%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer+wedding%252C+Pat+Robinson+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div>
Five months after they first met, while both home for Thanksgiving break, sitting next to each other on a sofa watching a movie together, all Jonathan could think about was how great it felt to be with Ashley. He recalls, “everything just felt right” he asked Ashley if she would be his girlfriend. And a few months later, on Valentine’s Day, he finally told her what had been brewing in his heart since that night on the sofa…it was love.<br />
<br />
For Ashley, when it came to love, it seems as if she and Jon were existing in their own dimension of time, “it happened all at once and slowly at the same time,” she says, “which when you think about it doesn’t make much sense, but that’s how it felt—and how it still feels…”<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdEYt89qJOikBNFzACDV0OIkLRmRzvNafDfy-RaHH1FpHhSPNSdYeg91AH8gZ9fahiqfqUyEgGC3gX0xzXLPgmSNvVorsqZ5J33VuHa1tNZyF263OeIolFlR1MPA5_aBm84jsC_ZbuTnl0/s1600/we+have+gathered+here+today%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer+wedding%252C+Pat+Robinson+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdEYt89qJOikBNFzACDV0OIkLRmRzvNafDfy-RaHH1FpHhSPNSdYeg91AH8gZ9fahiqfqUyEgGC3gX0xzXLPgmSNvVorsqZ5J33VuHa1tNZyF263OeIolFlR1MPA5_aBm84jsC_ZbuTnl0/s400/we+have+gathered+here+today%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer+wedding%252C+Pat+Robinson+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL8LnOrfJspGZOlEQB6Q0RWb2NGUAs7TG-o92bI78U2Iu3lr5W8ta7zASNY2qDJsY2DV9_wVS53n9PV02Fl_9M27QDj7mQKZTBpUJleg5qUG54VjgcNRx49l2O7D8zBBN7N7z-7LlA-0Rp/s1600/jon+looks+at+ashley%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer+wedding%252C+Pat+Robinson+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL8LnOrfJspGZOlEQB6Q0RWb2NGUAs7TG-o92bI78U2Iu3lr5W8ta7zASNY2qDJsY2DV9_wVS53n9PV02Fl_9M27QDj7mQKZTBpUJleg5qUG54VjgcNRx49l2O7D8zBBN7N7z-7LlA-0Rp/s640/jon+looks+at+ashley%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer+wedding%252C+Pat+Robinson+Photography.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgybZuQ-vbBqjHttfXF8_K4KioAA8-m3bwkfpKtO84X9Sgaqh3zuomjCfEdF2B0r2PUJQ3XALZFwqre0I_iEAdQ2G4GVPl1IASgJr8D6cIi4dIkbN-n1ANPohwRqYhhsSZbfnzJvxKUS2P5/s1600/ring+exchange%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer+wedding%252C+Pat+Robinson+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgybZuQ-vbBqjHttfXF8_K4KioAA8-m3bwkfpKtO84X9Sgaqh3zuomjCfEdF2B0r2PUJQ3XALZFwqre0I_iEAdQ2G4GVPl1IASgJr8D6cIi4dIkbN-n1ANPohwRqYhhsSZbfnzJvxKUS2P5/s400/ring+exchange%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer+wedding%252C+Pat+Robinson+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Over the years, Ashley and Jon have evolved and developed into new versions of themselves, and this has been exciting. In the summer of 2009, when they both moved to State College together, Jon remembers knowing that he wanted to be with Ashley in a forever sort of way—“It was moving day, her dad and brother left and it was just us in our new apartment full of boxes,” Jon remembers looking around and at Ashley and just knowing that “this was going to be great.” Ashley adds, “as we grow and change and mature, it feels like we are doing it together…I am always discovering new parts of him to love.”<br />
<br />
Last year, over Memorial Day Weekend, Jonathan flew into Chicago to surprise Ashley who was there on a work assignment. On their way to dinner, Jon asked a young woman walking by if she’d snap a picture of the two of them together...and then a second one just to be sure. When Ashley went to put her arm around Jon for the second picture, she reached and missed…then she discovered Jonathan down on one knee, with a ring in his hand, asking, “Will you marry me?”<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYwZL_EbmFMHsT6eTvV1SeZiTwie5gcbOFwSwVaGr8Tx5_Zfhp3FmHLnhTR0fyu578SnTNGTPumaIlKqj62uVqduemgKv2oZNX48rZLMEKox6US7OPn6lv9kAoXN9YprtRGomfiX50lZNx/s1600/parents+witness%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer+wedding%252C+Pat+Robinson+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYwZL_EbmFMHsT6eTvV1SeZiTwie5gcbOFwSwVaGr8Tx5_Zfhp3FmHLnhTR0fyu578SnTNGTPumaIlKqj62uVqduemgKv2oZNX48rZLMEKox6US7OPn6lv9kAoXN9YprtRGomfiX50lZNx/s400/parents+witness%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer+wedding%252C+Pat+Robinson+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<b>Ring Blessing</b> Jon and Ashley wanted their guests to feel
invited to participate in the start of their marriage, so we included a
Ring Blessing in their ceremony. In a Ring Blessing, or Ring Warming,
the couple’s wedding bands are passed through all the guests, so that
each friend or family member can infuse the rings with their own private
wish or prayer for the couple and their marriage. By the time the
couple exchanges their rings later on the in the ceremony, the rings
have collected a tremendous amount of good will
from all the witnesses.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDb6N4ipJAsfb7jyChjgtTX7JWe6CUhfdMSbE3HBn32TfNWZc_nsGsysAhr1Z_TOUqi6uKkAnFSiyvkDl3HStWAyLrCcmyUKYBySgJey5xh2TPWY0U_T6bMVoJ337hr7JSelhs0jacQ1L9/s1600/Bill+Murray+wallet%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer+wedding%252C+Pat+Robinson+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDb6N4ipJAsfb7jyChjgtTX7JWe6CUhfdMSbE3HBn32TfNWZc_nsGsysAhr1Z_TOUqi6uKkAnFSiyvkDl3HStWAyLrCcmyUKYBySgJey5xh2TPWY0U_T6bMVoJ337hr7JSelhs0jacQ1L9/s400/Bill+Murray+wallet%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer+wedding%252C+Pat+Robinson+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bill Murray was also there in spirit.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Remembrance</b> Not every loved one was
able to be present to witness the start of Jon and Ashley’s married life
together. So we included a special Remembrance for Jon’s father Robert.
In honor of his father’s influence and lasting and loving example in
his life, Jon chose to wear his late-father’s wedding band as his own.<br />
<br />
<b>Unity Ritual, Wine Box:</b> Ashley and Jon chose the Anniversary Wine Box + Love Letters for their unity ritual. They brought a wooden box symbolizing the strength and endurance of their marriage; a bottle of wine symbolizing that their marriage will only get better over time; a hammer and two nails to demonstrate the active and intentional part of love in a marriage, and love letters. They plan to open their Anniversary Box once a year, drink the wine while reminiscing and then replace the bottle and add new love letters for the next anniversary.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVMSmhFZq4HJTPNWaMfk-0EItrDtg-n0XilFGfDPrvyX5OQ3PKi9XNuD88czCrbtDKI2Duyyd15alR2rQ_zvuFE1f6kYY99aRxrdUol49uznkmESCSIoqkR73LSzyGC-o2bgGjH7J5zGqq/s1600/bring+out+the+box%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer+wedding%252C+Pat+Robinson+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVMSmhFZq4HJTPNWaMfk-0EItrDtg-n0XilFGfDPrvyX5OQ3PKi9XNuD88czCrbtDKI2Duyyd15alR2rQ_zvuFE1f6kYY99aRxrdUol49uznkmESCSIoqkR73LSzyGC-o2bgGjH7J5zGqq/s400/bring+out+the+box%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer+wedding%252C+Pat+Robinson+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0dTBQrWJ3GDDvCaaytQNplaYBNJtiXcQyMXdBzHCt92wzO6JMD1TbCxKm2zASCRj81OaJlUe5uGWT2X9nDSsqcrtpn4mtnJI5jTclZ5f_DTnum4JY_9SHk4MkGoZWGPnxPelWSEA8Rk5G/s1600/wine+box%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer+wedding%252C+Pat+Robinson+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0dTBQrWJ3GDDvCaaytQNplaYBNJtiXcQyMXdBzHCt92wzO6JMD1TbCxKm2zASCRj81OaJlUe5uGWT2X9nDSsqcrtpn4mtnJI5jTclZ5f_DTnum4JY_9SHk4MkGoZWGPnxPelWSEA8Rk5G/s400/wine+box%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer+wedding%252C+Pat+Robinson+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvzxKY2vasy8v4b1tj-bh6YoABclP8dbF4zGSxGez7m0AQuelGeYACzR4VEoiIbfRCf5wvI5LW9MW3rvVmlw7heScIp5D03d1vYCcPPPXrG-xdq4aXnQJ-pa_Of077lQ8i7mrCUqfriqMe/s1600/Jon+nails%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer+wedding%252C+Pat+Robinson+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvzxKY2vasy8v4b1tj-bh6YoABclP8dbF4zGSxGez7m0AQuelGeYACzR4VEoiIbfRCf5wvI5LW9MW3rvVmlw7heScIp5D03d1vYCcPPPXrG-xdq4aXnQJ-pa_Of077lQ8i7mrCUqfriqMe/s640/Jon+nails%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer+wedding%252C+Pat+Robinson+Photography.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD6rLVpggXONgptOBBGgLWqGzlNBH6rgxtalIkiiTGjcQZbbIyknPWb8i36neSdOjWNtEh84ioAY12aGnqe7FlczkwtMrgQ9tiDLSlJJAO0KjE-07jd-28IpzCPIjk0YhcRk5C7wTk9uHF/s1600/Ashley+nails%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer+wedding%252C+Pat+Robinson+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD6rLVpggXONgptOBBGgLWqGzlNBH6rgxtalIkiiTGjcQZbbIyknPWb8i36neSdOjWNtEh84ioAY12aGnqe7FlczkwtMrgQ9tiDLSlJJAO0KjE-07jd-28IpzCPIjk0YhcRk5C7wTk9uHF/s640/Ashley+nails%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer+wedding%252C+Pat+Robinson+Photography.jpg" width="426" /> </a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMrzMncOzjpGFYF2DwHXhbENFM0lctsnLDyAHmzPF9WpfK7h-QcdKkSlFYlcDy-G_72UF6SYxZTRL0q48VRirvSP6kaf0uZYU7qDZ3IdICbiFl5VN9t13oz-8VKzRRTNusxXaNpA9S8WyB/s1600/Wine+Box+Time+Capsule+as+Guest+Book%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer+wedding%252C+Pat+Robinson+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMrzMncOzjpGFYF2DwHXhbENFM0lctsnLDyAHmzPF9WpfK7h-QcdKkSlFYlcDy-G_72UF6SYxZTRL0q48VRirvSP6kaf0uZYU7qDZ3IdICbiFl5VN9t13oz-8VKzRRTNusxXaNpA9S8WyB/s400/Wine+Box+Time+Capsule+as+Guest+Book%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer+wedding%252C+Pat+Robinson+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guests signed their best wishes on to the Newlyweds' custom Anniversary Wine Box</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As Ashley and Jon sealed their vows with a kiss and took the first steps into their married life, MIKA 'Celebrate' played and set the tone for the rest of the celebration.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7qwdE_66Yy2jU6n_itfW-4vb5jS4_T6O_4CCqFDO4X60OTn2MbD0XkT9jKch-QHABHxgAOgqA6oHKzKqP0xlhvz7zF5kQwZn2xwh3c-Mi4lLotu8qtx9CpGXjY83TTbxeYsnDCKrTdymo/s1600/first+kiss%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer+wedding%252C+Pat+Robinson+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7qwdE_66Yy2jU6n_itfW-4vb5jS4_T6O_4CCqFDO4X60OTn2MbD0XkT9jKch-QHABHxgAOgqA6oHKzKqP0xlhvz7zF5kQwZn2xwh3c-Mi4lLotu8qtx9CpGXjY83TTbxeYsnDCKrTdymo/s400/first+kiss%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer+wedding%252C+Pat+Robinson+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"...Everyone says now or never </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>I say only if it's better</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i> Be a night like this forever </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>We know better </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>I want the world to celebrate </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>I want the world to celebrate </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>I want the world to celebrate </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>I want the world to celebrate..."</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6-N_48Z3ijMVsxmp8K53SvYosFmBUum3C-hhjd7SV1oL5yhfDcy8xywxgU-_rmMu5L-0xn1KaUHzUkJlcDmdEoI5svUqlVujQqE9LtJKG4RbJf81U9Kzo4G79JEy63JS86TJu8VPKlkn5/s1600/Ashley+and+Jon+on+the+dance+floor%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer+wedding%252C+Pat+Robinson+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6-N_48Z3ijMVsxmp8K53SvYosFmBUum3C-hhjd7SV1oL5yhfDcy8xywxgU-_rmMu5L-0xn1KaUHzUkJlcDmdEoI5svUqlVujQqE9LtJKG4RbJf81U9Kzo4G79JEy63JS86TJu8VPKlkn5/s400/Ashley+and+Jon+on+the+dance+floor%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer+wedding%252C+Pat+Robinson+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8gs-PwjU_hxrzgJZJDlmqZF3BrEq-XVZT00l2f7sToUiJ5mPbg3hQ-5rcoM2WR9tuEX2JvMoXfO04u73bfJqNmO659YwvOCZXaaRmpgzH25wsCewYAPC2rRagiFmia2jCeV62Ykvk-_1U/s1600/Jon+and+Ashley+reception+table%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer+wedding%252C+Pat+Robinson+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8gs-PwjU_hxrzgJZJDlmqZF3BrEq-XVZT00l2f7sToUiJ5mPbg3hQ-5rcoM2WR9tuEX2JvMoXfO04u73bfJqNmO659YwvOCZXaaRmpgzH25wsCewYAPC2rRagiFmia2jCeV62Ykvk-_1U/s400/Jon+and+Ashley+reception+table%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer+wedding%252C+Pat+Robinson+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp7J2om2IJ5pu13p5IrG3pWN3HT0-raQ6NlVK-oiQdyCCOzYaF-Ue0F-DuGPGO3rQTjlYI9Bb560KGaIRb1sd9mz29gFlzEG-_A4Kk-RwwaGp-RE2lbxwM_8CIB-Ic0_P3u2vvsLyg-2fz/s1600/Feast+your+eyes+sparkle+kiss%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer+wedding%252C+Pat+Robinson+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp7J2om2IJ5pu13p5IrG3pWN3HT0-raQ6NlVK-oiQdyCCOzYaF-Ue0F-DuGPGO3rQTjlYI9Bb560KGaIRb1sd9mz29gFlzEG-_A4Kk-RwwaGp-RE2lbxwM_8CIB-Ic0_P3u2vvsLyg-2fz/s400/Feast+your+eyes+sparkle+kiss%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer+wedding%252C+Pat+Robinson+Photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3VnXxdSfw-rrh_i-m2IWbzkUWm4aoXTl0sqV4WSJrligQpl2DldPLHArNqx8JObiGgC9A-ToDtrTB7nUIPDKWP4wFHswQ9oMaE2ezVby-rRa4AnsTFLkmnTwm2ureGEC8I2NiNjUijWmz/s1600/cinematagrophy%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer+wedding%252C+Pat+Robinson+Photography.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3VnXxdSfw-rrh_i-m2IWbzkUWm4aoXTl0sqV4WSJrligQpl2DldPLHArNqx8JObiGgC9A-ToDtrTB7nUIPDKWP4wFHswQ9oMaE2ezVby-rRa4AnsTFLkmnTwm2ureGEC8I2NiNjUijWmz/s320/cinematagrophy%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Front+%2526+Palmer+wedding%252C+Pat+Robinson+Photography.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Solidity Films was there to film the entire celebration, watch their highlight film here...<a href="https://vimeo.com/139632935">https://vimeo.com/139632935</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<br />
Photographer || <a href="http://patrobinsonphotography.com/">Pat Robinson Photography </a><a href="http://patrobinsonphotography.com/"></a><br />
Cinematography || <a href="http://www.solidityfilms.com/">Solidity Films </a><a href="http://www.solidityfilms.com/"></a><br />
Venue || <a href="http://www.frontandpalmer.com/">Front & Palmer </a><a href="http://www.frontandpalmer.com/"></a><br />
Officiant: <a href="http://www.alisatonggcelebrant.com/">Alisa Tongg, Celebrant </a>AlisaTonggCelebranthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10641909328520358283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7156070338236733346.post-15364320197737554602016-01-18T10:43:00.001-05:002016-01-18T10:44:05.922-05:00Lisa + Ben, Stylish Micro-Wedding at The Living Wall at Promise Ridge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4HJtEKIFIpzkyGPW2E8gvh1HhHURb_S_82lnw7DogPCu8zXg8jfqXJwY7CHOEp0WSdYE49ttUhCPdBNsJJg3sIPgX9tygPef_hX6L0-d3a4d-imZX2xxmrQO6JxLmkFGORPigkeFdWAVg/s1600/ben+%252B+lisa+elope+at+promise+ridge%252C+susie+forrester+photography%252C+elope+stylish%252C+living+wall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4HJtEKIFIpzkyGPW2E8gvh1HhHURb_S_82lnw7DogPCu8zXg8jfqXJwY7CHOEp0WSdYE49ttUhCPdBNsJJg3sIPgX9tygPef_hX6L0-d3a4d-imZX2xxmrQO6JxLmkFGORPigkeFdWAVg/s400/ben+%252B+lisa+elope+at+promise+ridge%252C+susie+forrester+photography%252C+elope+stylish%252C+living+wall.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This August, Ben and Lisa traveled down from Toronto where they live, to northeastern Pennsylvania to exchange vows at the Living Wall at Promise Ridge. Just their immediate family was invited. Although their family knew of their plans for an intimate elopement-style wedding, the details of the celebration weekend were kept as a surprise for Lisa and Ben's family. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-EdfnJY9RIwxCnWLMjLgPGhh6OwNdwCVL_Q-yx9fFNPy6x3uBsOr-BCTtZApft2l3PsfcCYaAF_jW84AJCAlZbk7gBHweYUuowb4o8HVXcU3HoB-2qhyAJ0aJj9zD60Cg4OsVxG1y4FEO/s1600/promise+ridge+ceremony+space%252C+susie+forrester+photography.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-EdfnJY9RIwxCnWLMjLgPGhh6OwNdwCVL_Q-yx9fFNPy6x3uBsOr-BCTtZApft2l3PsfcCYaAF_jW84AJCAlZbk7gBHweYUuowb4o8HVXcU3HoB-2qhyAJ0aJj9zD60Cg4OsVxG1y4FEO/s640/promise+ridge+ceremony+space%252C+susie+forrester+photography.jpg" width="380" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Micro-wedding set-up at The Living Wall at Promise Ridge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHCV7G3Y_6Tf_arxKsnstdxeqc6-HpHGuM27BM064J8lcvP3YJp76YcLLrITz_oRTMpoOyQss6EQ3qc7qWkE0f5PyW0iYsCxoCfSUYzTMm2Md6svzsrtJQpssepGj-JACZVLkd8p3wqZ9/s1600/lb0005.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHCV7G3Y_6Tf_arxKsnstdxeqc6-HpHGuM27BM064J8lcvP3YJp76YcLLrITz_oRTMpoOyQss6EQ3qc7qWkE0f5PyW0iYsCxoCfSUYzTMm2Md6svzsrtJQpssepGj-JACZVLkd8p3wqZ9/s400/lb0005.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE8kngh2-I7pd9PtoO4Hc2mfDSyn1od8AR1tmLxlz-T5NtYYzeW4GU6JhpR2HgXCAiJoY4f0VKJlCXgj84PNiy5TreeAA0L7QuVlveizXwFcvGMVZFjW5vrs0GaHtovbLUexsWrZRofJQZ/s1600/lb0012.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE8kngh2-I7pd9PtoO4Hc2mfDSyn1od8AR1tmLxlz-T5NtYYzeW4GU6JhpR2HgXCAiJoY4f0VKJlCXgj84PNiy5TreeAA0L7QuVlveizXwFcvGMVZFjW5vrs0GaHtovbLUexsWrZRofJQZ/s640/lb0012.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Limelight hydrangea from the garden.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_eZCqsDvB2agl0HLXI38d_ShR4uYUoMgykN5HmO8I-MC9fuUYaY386lrB7OsQAwYe_GsO-69NGjiTLx-duTaVBpvf0kJd22PZsquV9RI0aXT-zgPRsG9tzQ9HGmwoHtijKx7bHEo9PRxR/s1600/wedding+shoes+at+the+living+wall+at+promise+ridge%252C+Susie+Forrester%252C+elope.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_eZCqsDvB2agl0HLXI38d_ShR4uYUoMgykN5HmO8I-MC9fuUYaY386lrB7OsQAwYe_GsO-69NGjiTLx-duTaVBpvf0kJd22PZsquV9RI0aXT-zgPRsG9tzQ9HGmwoHtijKx7bHEo9PRxR/s400/wedding+shoes+at+the+living+wall+at+promise+ridge%252C+Susie+Forrester%252C+elope.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVlJxz62wuizQxLN0t5TTsc9gekSXVNYq3v-WfONaPK5_YwbjGUtQu2YHQFVlwQQuijXtPrOC-civtMIw7NFSH45ANM_RgXrnFLwU7U_8sOWYqLbFA3bSiefRZAMokqlO2KJ37USF6Rg5Q/s1600/lb0029.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVlJxz62wuizQxLN0t5TTsc9gekSXVNYq3v-WfONaPK5_YwbjGUtQu2YHQFVlwQQuijXtPrOC-civtMIw7NFSH45ANM_RgXrnFLwU7U_8sOWYqLbFA3bSiefRZAMokqlO2KJ37USF6Rg5Q/s400/lb0029.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Lisa looked elegant in her two-piece lace pencil skirted wedding suit
and held a simple bouquet of summer flowers from the garden. Ben was
handsome in his new dark blue linen suit excited for the surprise finale
to their wedding ceremony. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBzK2iU2xDJto4lmdP0X8O139blkR67LnNfXKGCh1nqInZXSSLFNFIkP2eB4ZR8JnYHAiLF-ctpgO9La7IejGkNDniprizgtyvC6EB3vsEIyBOlCEtwTKS_0GiJXl_jK842f3HMdbO1bYg/s1600/lb0078.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBzK2iU2xDJto4lmdP0X8O139blkR67LnNfXKGCh1nqInZXSSLFNFIkP2eB4ZR8JnYHAiLF-ctpgO9La7IejGkNDniprizgtyvC6EB3vsEIyBOlCEtwTKS_0GiJXl_jK842f3HMdbO1bYg/s400/lb0078.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We included a Ring Blessing in their ceremony, so that everyone would
have a chance to infuse their best wishes for the couple and their
marriage into their rings before Lisa and Ben exchanged them.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI2i7Cna9ZgUE_sdn9U0CT5FHAaKHNjbSBiHBx4ipoIcAThyN3xw6ee_lxhHIPR_44wY8Brc0GC-otUttxFj6DPRA7105ixAeYQvHU1PibdaHruKRuV3PODn4TeGKWECB4CpnrQY-5fxqw/s1600/lb0021.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI2i7Cna9ZgUE_sdn9U0CT5FHAaKHNjbSBiHBx4ipoIcAThyN3xw6ee_lxhHIPR_44wY8Brc0GC-otUttxFj6DPRA7105ixAeYQvHU1PibdaHruKRuV3PODn4TeGKWECB4CpnrQY-5fxqw/s400/lb0021.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVU1M9prmwQQsjxzOrucGOdvRypdadcqm17NCOjwCdGsiWYlGCcU8FSQwZF1s5ODLpCikaMFEqNY5eM2Z8fm65IajmDP_X_UPTk3bsa8H7XonwIo1im28ohNPriXz85DO6h8XVQgsbJtKz/s1600/lb0015.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVU1M9prmwQQsjxzOrucGOdvRypdadcqm17NCOjwCdGsiWYlGCcU8FSQwZF1s5ODLpCikaMFEqNY5eM2Z8fm65IajmDP_X_UPTk3bsa8H7XonwIo1im28ohNPriXz85DO6h8XVQgsbJtKz/s400/lb0015.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtTW68Pf-lLJcgnri7s-pjr47lQwuj476h1U_CsLSyDpNaCNv8E-TWUfK86lWRSrOqBJ2pb-LdZmhW08yVUS5BQ-2fiGupN80wUPFqgF8rJE5gzZYhNhUT4F9MdJDg1JcYOwNe6IG2DiT_/s1600/lb0071.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtTW68Pf-lLJcgnri7s-pjr47lQwuj476h1U_CsLSyDpNaCNv8E-TWUfK86lWRSrOqBJ2pb-LdZmhW08yVUS5BQ-2fiGupN80wUPFqgF8rJE5gzZYhNhUT4F9MdJDg1JcYOwNe6IG2DiT_/s400/lb0071.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI-xDLrI8cXmxM4x1iIh6lSLJQ8qO2XZo_VOEMa9P4YMFwZPXx1tzg__77yOfO6sj3xrXXTJctlVsN7JjFgazCy6GKCPxxD4MQvpn2h6fQUBevGfSPigZQ6YQvd9Ke5DgDMy_1iThXMJLf/s1600/lb0084.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI-xDLrI8cXmxM4x1iIh6lSLJQ8qO2XZo_VOEMa9P4YMFwZPXx1tzg__77yOfO6sj3xrXXTJctlVsN7JjFgazCy6GKCPxxD4MQvpn2h6fQUBevGfSPigZQ6YQvd9Ke5DgDMy_1iThXMJLf/s640/lb0084.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjMVtWlmoVDJQzmMxRKLs6f6xb8Cihf8fPWGTtpDJBvKeX0oCGoOGqamObMUHp-uasb09YlyOhi4yxTQz0G4D1ksO5ghHHga8nRyLthET53_wL6aLTvuF-o7nFOxxJIzWqYLNZGFGY72Bj/s1600/lb0126.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjMVtWlmoVDJQzmMxRKLs6f6xb8Cihf8fPWGTtpDJBvKeX0oCGoOGqamObMUHp-uasb09YlyOhi4yxTQz0G4D1ksO5ghHHga8nRyLthET53_wL6aLTvuF-o7nFOxxJIzWqYLNZGFGY72Bj/s640/lb0126.jpg" width="426" /></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After their exchange of vows, Lisa and Ben signed their marriage certificate, and then sealed their promises with a kiss. Their first act as a married couple was partaking in an adaptation of the German wedding tradition of sawing a log in half. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ENNQH-vGZSl8hRRTBuOfoKLVTIqhaJxb4ALsjLP5REnhmZMEreSxaukhNgk3LDCExMvDbwr_Ql0HK3qr6E51nzhaWBeFKBTGdAdtj-s7OQeyMaJR2efRTauGHbKkTRPbH9VYUFrYWtLv/s1600/lb0069.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ENNQH-vGZSl8hRRTBuOfoKLVTIqhaJxb4ALsjLP5REnhmZMEreSxaukhNgk3LDCExMvDbwr_Ql0HK3qr6E51nzhaWBeFKBTGdAdtj-s7OQeyMaJR2efRTauGHbKkTRPbH9VYUFrYWtLv/s400/lb0069.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Leading up to their wedding, Ben had found a man in New Jersey, close to the airport they flew into, who had beautiful estate tools for sale. On their drive into Pennsylvania for their wedding weekend, Lisa and Ben, delighted in their procurement of one of these vintage double-handled saws for their unity ritual. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx7-LdG539jCiKnhvUfpVJ1X2-mueGWivG_IAoDrhaakdOGhXnZxxpI_4liMrExujaX1obhLtzKLAyqBOoSN9Zz-9gn5FxlMVxeLX4cJ9ofSs_kWNAn-WAoasCRZBa1h1ErO74HGWKsodk/s1600/lb0116.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx7-LdG539jCiKnhvUfpVJ1X2-mueGWivG_IAoDrhaakdOGhXnZxxpI_4liMrExujaX1obhLtzKLAyqBOoSN9Zz-9gn5FxlMVxeLX4cJ9ofSs_kWNAn-WAoasCRZBa1h1ErO74HGWKsodk/s400/lb0116.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjohlg5DqBg5ds-PayoMdTFSG8UVrTT-oU865bb5jkvAi2XKAPGhr8HFdZ524ljXCLScScdl8krPRawHLghJOuVQffRsC-6H-WC-r7OjPucSkCkWGE7mWCcRcMzqyDdquscDku1aw6Jh_B9/s1600/lb0123.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjohlg5DqBg5ds-PayoMdTFSG8UVrTT-oU865bb5jkvAi2XKAPGhr8HFdZ524ljXCLScScdl8krPRawHLghJOuVQffRsC-6H-WC-r7OjPucSkCkWGE7mWCcRcMzqyDdquscDku1aw6Jh_B9/s400/lb0123.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy8GOOrFJ7XLvZN_pH7qnjRxkCB7REf0cmBLWk5M04M_TPlyFTFZSLMtJHxy-Z3zvvl-h7iDT1f5gKS74wrO3xTr121c2ukPq-dlJUaPwbUI4qSh1e6r1V3yQPIrT5TLvSlpBXL3PEaIOk/s1600/lb0125.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy8GOOrFJ7XLvZN_pH7qnjRxkCB7REf0cmBLWk5M04M_TPlyFTFZSLMtJHxy-Z3zvvl-h7iDT1f5gKS74wrO3xTr121c2ukPq-dlJUaPwbUI4qSh1e6r1V3yQPIrT5TLvSlpBXL3PEaIOk/s400/lb0125.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Lisa and Ben started the task of sawing their log in half, symbolizing that they will continue to work together as a team to overcome life's obstacles. Then, their gathered family was surprised to be asked to participate as well. Lisa and Ben wanted their family to know how much they depended on their love and support in their lives too, and asked everyone to take a turn at helping them saw their log in half. The dads were up first, followed by the bride and groom's mothers, then their siblings all took turns helping. When everyone had pitched in, the newlyweds finished the task to the sounds of enthusiastic cheers.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyuwbEMFOcy5YMRidSJV5HHLMKU63GgsWrpqG1FtW9L9jEtubSo52P5ndk6R3Oxwp7y_j6LFcADDbWJ0Uxf5O1X1wJImchnnncVpkvO0Kdr0pXNzkkj0SkxsmMOnUqLgvmaNydDd1M5OU1/s1600/lb0147.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyuwbEMFOcy5YMRidSJV5HHLMKU63GgsWrpqG1FtW9L9jEtubSo52P5ndk6R3Oxwp7y_j6LFcADDbWJ0Uxf5O1X1wJImchnnncVpkvO0Kdr0pXNzkkj0SkxsmMOnUqLgvmaNydDd1M5OU1/s400/lb0147.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg651PoX01jhFfsOywhTh1aY-FvR8I522lip1VHhiO6ctiemcOVi111SQ-614P78gmdK5jw6BBibKYqdOB4nsxXCGA8LVs4F4CwK5lUwqrKZ_bbq51cbZNkoZvJRduWudYReUwm5hwKDaNB/s1600/lb0040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg651PoX01jhFfsOywhTh1aY-FvR8I522lip1VHhiO6ctiemcOVi111SQ-614P78gmdK5jw6BBibKYqdOB4nsxXCGA8LVs4F4CwK5lUwqrKZ_bbq51cbZNkoZvJRduWudYReUwm5hwKDaNB/s640/lb0040.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiUOU7Y8Bvxyo6-NMA21Hwrw9CMdVLk2TGmGtB_xeFxTH8FXe6t8sLVWReQyYNERCjcF1LGTaDKNVkQCUT4D68zm9iUudFIg2vt-9vMc6KUdVwhw9nZ1XoSFqSx4MloU7tnBfK4DEzlOhe/s1600/lb0061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiUOU7Y8Bvxyo6-NMA21Hwrw9CMdVLk2TGmGtB_xeFxTH8FXe6t8sLVWReQyYNERCjcF1LGTaDKNVkQCUT4D68zm9iUudFIg2vt-9vMc6KUdVwhw9nZ1XoSFqSx4MloU7tnBfK4DEzlOhe/s400/lb0061.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWkixNZQAiDHaeMbFB_3tYg9Ca79XkBctUHGpf5tILZxGy9F96kC-4PCW8_r8p5VRGnJVAsrc9-L-vxFF8SJjUK6Jjzr7ALnz-y2diEAgLUkjIW3dRmh5erufFizEr7mBrUXMncDYKgUBW/s1600/lb0135.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWkixNZQAiDHaeMbFB_3tYg9Ca79XkBctUHGpf5tILZxGy9F96kC-4PCW8_r8p5VRGnJVAsrc9-L-vxFF8SJjUK6Jjzr7ALnz-y2diEAgLUkjIW3dRmh5erufFizEr7mBrUXMncDYKgUBW/s400/lb0135.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lisa and Ben gather their families for a new family portrait.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQdISMhR5vIun5XZPGF0ytX8HHU1jm47KxTeVD3v145GwnuOO76sEUQjmtFh9JmzCmH_pUny9oZnQ3MKd0oQQEJ5X2OQIkc1clvGmsKWE1vdXv8f71HcnE6GRANkU-AIG9v45Y0sdFPDE/s1600/lb0150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQdISMhR5vIun5XZPGF0ytX8HHU1jm47KxTeVD3v145GwnuOO76sEUQjmtFh9JmzCmH_pUny9oZnQ3MKd0oQQEJ5X2OQIkc1clvGmsKWE1vdXv8f71HcnE6GRANkU-AIG9v45Y0sdFPDE/s400/lb0150.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As the newlyweds made their way to their getaway car, they discovered that their family had a surprise for them too!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Photographer | <a href="http://forresterphoto.com/">Susie Forrester Photography</a><br />
Officiant | <a href="http://www.alisatonggcelebrant.com/">Alisa Tongg, Celebrant</a><br />
Venue | The Living Wall at Promise Ridge AlisaTonggCelebranthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10641909328520358283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7156070338236733346.post-39752080855420482502015-12-20T09:41:00.000-05:002015-12-20T09:45:39.279-05:00Vows, a primer<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFvOK2yJK1remCwLXiU6pFYCaiJZt_vIrLh_mbVs-AkOYmv6KXfPCpz4qIjdV5ESqMLHnPlManc2aWwzHFol8VV7GQ-m7m6YPN900oXNSsEODpkuERBieTYDXds5aY2DtPAJRc8YIxPkt7/s1600/Jeremy+vows%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+With+Love+and+Embers+Photography+copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFvOK2yJK1remCwLXiU6pFYCaiJZt_vIrLh_mbVs-AkOYmv6KXfPCpz4qIjdV5ESqMLHnPlManc2aWwzHFol8VV7GQ-m7m6YPN900oXNSsEODpkuERBieTYDXds5aY2DtPAJRc8YIxPkt7/s400/Jeremy+vows%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+With+Love+and+Embers+Photography+copy.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeremy promises Linda...With Love & Embers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>I recently had the honor of contributing to Philadelphia Weddings Magazine's "Ask an Expert" series. In their upcoming Spring/Summer 2016 issue (see page 78!), the question posed was about what options do couples have when wanting to expand on traditional vows ...and what to do if both members of the couple are not on the same page as far as crafting something from scratch. </i><br />
<br />
<i>Of course this got me thinking about why so many people feel the need to write their own vows when there are so many beautiful traditional ones out there. And then...why wouldn't someone want to write their own, every marriage is a unique partnership so shouldn't the vows be personal too? Here's what I put together and I hope it will serve to open possibilities for genuine connection for those about to make that journey down the aisle soon.</i><br />
<br />
The good news is that you can each say different vows, there’s no rule that says you need to say the same thing as your intended during this part of the ceremony. Where your partner may feel overwhelmed with the thought of creating something new or might just be shy and would feel more comfortable keeping the vows traditional and somewhat impersonal in front of a crowd, many people feel those traditional vows don’t capture fully what modern marriages are hoping to fulfill.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglgkaANPcNeKtuzecoVuWLfuELo1mwv7VNSprB07uusiDmfnFHD9uoec9TH8VYI9UcKmWBlUoAmQyzXy1hVhCjA5E0eXHikR3zX6uzRXmDcG7Izez87xJ5K5L0sh8H5QUQDRmkX7RUH-gH/s1600/Susan+goes+over+her+vows+minutes+before+the+aisle%252C+photograph+by+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglgkaANPcNeKtuzecoVuWLfuELo1mwv7VNSprB07uusiDmfnFHD9uoec9TH8VYI9UcKmWBlUoAmQyzXy1hVhCjA5E0eXHikR3zX6uzRXmDcG7Izez87xJ5K5L0sh8H5QUQDRmkX7RUH-gH/s400/Susan+goes+over+her+vows+minutes+before+the+aisle%252C+photograph+by+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Susan going over her Vows one more time moments before the ceremony.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In my opinion, the big reason more and more couples have the desire to adapt or add to traditional vows, is that in today’s culture, we expect more from our spouse than people did 100 years ago. Today when people decide to get married, they are often marrying their best friend, lover, co-parent, career counselor, fitness and life coach, therapist and adventure partner. Because of this increased dependence on one person and relationship for fulfillment, naturally people look to add language to convey a heightened sense of commitment and responsibility to the other, not just to care for our bodies as we get older or sick, but to be a partner who will encourage us to become the best version of ourselves—a partner equally committed to enriching our lives as they are to their own.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjegP460N5QbLcNEf_c6UPXIyyumOIouUt6ZaL2ChrayGzG6TeLiQ4vKqdl8UWGe5yzbY-2IU-HfiRNycK-eMM4A2_P8uTjjXkPH7D7rJOyQRVo4EdOQMKlVcQ2sOcm7Gbh-VTbtnduaSMB/s1600/erman+wipes+a+tear+from+lori%2527s+face+vows%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Douglas+Benedict+Photography+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjegP460N5QbLcNEf_c6UPXIyyumOIouUt6ZaL2ChrayGzG6TeLiQ4vKqdl8UWGe5yzbY-2IU-HfiRNycK-eMM4A2_P8uTjjXkPH7D7rJOyQRVo4EdOQMKlVcQ2sOcm7Gbh-VTbtnduaSMB/s400/erman+wipes+a+tear+from+lori%2527s+face+vows%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Douglas+Benedict+Photography+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Erman wipes a tear from Lori's cheek. Douglas Benedict Photography</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In the ceremony creating process, I share a collection of my favorite vows with couples (I also send them over to a <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/alisatongg/vows/">Vows board I have on Pinterest</a> to help with brainstorming and inspiration.) Then I give them permission to select different sets, create a hybrid of the promises that most apply to their relationship and hopes for the future, switch out language so that it sounds more natural coming from them (I had a bride last year who promised to be her husband’s “Player 2 for life”). And if they want, to write something of their own.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTN32bL1SipHHWOg9sZLBjeB_aqfMBwT3M6aAXzGXTqddNEyJ_oXg-FjzKET1FIOtlC4AkmMfHaBLP7oodp_A0a6fx0Bt_pHVLqGzVG868jqfaira9c7CKB5faiGqzajgaFN-GBBQUTHum/s1600/Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant+XBOX+sends+their+best+wishes+to+christian+and+michael+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTN32bL1SipHHWOg9sZLBjeB_aqfMBwT3M6aAXzGXTqddNEyJ_oXg-FjzKET1FIOtlC4AkmMfHaBLP7oodp_A0a6fx0Bt_pHVLqGzVG868jqfaira9c7CKB5faiGqzajgaFN-GBBQUTHum/s640/Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant+XBOX+sends+their+best+wishes+to+christian+and+michael+copy.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
All of these sets of traditional vows are just one paragraph in length, so when couples realize that they don’t need to write a whole letter, but 4-5 thoughtful sentences instead, writing your own vows becomes less daunting.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqpphxF-CyH1E1jq2emFcSlUpoTYDHgO5Gp4S325BCf5E49zj4hw6MJ1uq_WIXGxLA5aTWVBiOtpv5JMD7Ox6ZOzMSX-B-KEFE_PZ6W6aI4QTm7-qZYmLCMllHWmnF2m-z1EgyMIMA7gxG/s1600/Stewart+mentions+the+ketchup+on+pizza%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Terrain+wedding%252C+We+Laugh+We+Love+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqpphxF-CyH1E1jq2emFcSlUpoTYDHgO5Gp4S325BCf5E49zj4hw6MJ1uq_WIXGxLA5aTWVBiOtpv5JMD7Ox6ZOzMSX-B-KEFE_PZ6W6aI4QTm7-qZYmLCMllHWmnF2m-z1EgyMIMA7gxG/s400/Stewart+mentions+the+ketchup+on+pizza%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Terrain+wedding%252C+We+Laugh+We+Love+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stewart sandwiches a little humor into a gorgeous set of personal vows to Eduardo. "Because of you, I dream a whole lot bigger." We Laugh We Love Photography</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The most powerful and touching vows I’ve read, written or witnessed have come from the inspirational frame work of, What does my partner, with all of his/her fears, insecurities and hopes--most need to hear from me? What ancient wound can I be deliberate in helping my partner heal? What’s the thing you most desire but don’t have? Is it a sense of family or heritage? A father? Security/ Stability? To be seen and known? To be enough? Acceptance? To belong? Once we identify what these things are for ourselves and our partner, we can take a step to soothing whatever that anxiety is for them. We can use our vows to show that we truly understand our partner and are committed to being intentional about how we love and show up for our partner in the life ahead.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirA1Ow9Y-3bbSd4swl_lV7pc7nuVdwLP3R8kcR0UAdva_jAvA993XDMD7Nzb3opE0G3TlidC0MJoRxVOeRAOk1YXNBRSF7TaUMyq890fplG59YpAx2MolV8ttxSFt9VLXxSDBbWCS36WLX/s1600/LauraPatrickSMP_198+copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirA1Ow9Y-3bbSd4swl_lV7pc7nuVdwLP3R8kcR0UAdva_jAvA993XDMD7Nzb3opE0G3TlidC0MJoRxVOeRAOk1YXNBRSF7TaUMyq890fplG59YpAx2MolV8ttxSFt9VLXxSDBbWCS36WLX/s400/LauraPatrickSMP_198+copy.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Patrick promises Laura. Sarah McKay Photography</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Did your partner grow up feeling isolated and left out? Maybe you can create a vow about how you are committed to creating a home, family and rich community life with them.<br />
<br />
Is it hard for your partner to trust others because they’ve been betrayed, abandoned or disappointed in the past? Maybe the best promise to give this person is that in all of your actions and meditations, that you will strive to be worthy of the gift of their trust.<br />
<br />
Maybe you’re afraid that as life becomes more complicated, that you will lose the part of you that delights your partner—your spark. Most people focus on their partner when making vows, but this is an example of where it would be appropriate to make a promise about how you will respect, honor and treat yourself with kindness, acknowledging your responsibilities to offer your partner your best.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp9FMbofiyulihPDx9D-haN1bkthItIQV9qJS1-VMOz3W7KwPnPqtMGgFsYZAJqyfeOAniIQ25sFaIZ7deRTGlDA3WMdmf8n0LXPgSKDgFWvIDDoacD4w6FLdloviePDLXkAv1wZ_vBj8X/s1600/Groom+sets+his+promises+into+stone.+Oathing+stone.+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant.+Bill+Cardoni+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp9FMbofiyulihPDx9D-haN1bkthItIQV9qJS1-VMOz3W7KwPnPqtMGgFsYZAJqyfeOAniIQ25sFaIZ7deRTGlDA3WMdmf8n0LXPgSKDgFWvIDDoacD4w6FLdloviePDLXkAv1wZ_vBj8X/s400/Groom+sets+his+promises+into+stone.+Oathing+stone.+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant.+Bill+Cardoni+copy+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bil Cardoni Photography</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Here are some examples of ways that I’ve seen soaring language incorporated in vows, any of these promises can be added on to a set of traditional vows.<br />
<br />
<i>“I promise to comfort you in times of distress and celebrate your triumphs as if they were my own.”</i> –speaks to creating an emotional as well as physical safe space, to not abandon, but instead to be fully invested in the identity and enrichment of your spouse. There’s no jealousy when their partner shines, only pride. <br />
<br />
<i>“I promise to listen to and learn from you, and to trust your decisions as well as respect your opinions.”</i> –seeing your partner as a source for learning and growing, someone worthy or respect.<br />
<br />
<i>“I promise that I now see my family as yours, your family as mine, and look forward to loving the family we create.”</i><br />
<i><br />“I promise to persevere when times get tough, knowing that any challenges we might face, we will conquer them together.”</i> –a pledge to be a true partner, to not quit. To see challenges as opportunities for strengthening relationship.<br />
<i><br />“I will cherish and protect your friendship all of my life.” </i>–acknowledging that friendship is of utmost value and worth being proactive about developing.<br />
<i><br />“I promise to respect, admire and appreciate you for who you are, as well as for the person you wish to become.”</i> -psychologists call this “positive illusions”, and a mental state where we assume the best about our partner’s character is thought to enhance and stabilize long term bonding.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis1xnZ7xnLpfPL2R4oiGrOF5kxej_s7XCDzBitnYNfazr_n2_vftd04z4VgY4qk731plnwsiyxbDj9Mz8KhRlfRpaIPfliXWfyoDO1R6i4-nY94IPGfTqDRBpLABPMhhEe5ohnaoE4phsp/s1600/Book+of+promises%252C+The+Living+Wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Jeremie+Barlow+Photography+-2096+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis1xnZ7xnLpfPL2R4oiGrOF5kxej_s7XCDzBitnYNfazr_n2_vftd04z4VgY4qk731plnwsiyxbDj9Mz8KhRlfRpaIPfliXWfyoDO1R6i4-nY94IPGfTqDRBpLABPMhhEe5ohnaoE4phsp/s400/Book+of+promises%252C+The+Living+Wall+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Jeremie+Barlow+Photography+-2096+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heather's book of promises to Nate. Jeremie Barlow Photography</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Last year, Samantha Joel, a Ph.D. candidate who studies the science of
relationships at the University of Toronto wrote a set of 10 vows for
her own wedding based on what she knew to support a long and healthy
relationship. <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/samantha-joel/ten-wedding-vows-based-on_b_4762318.html">These vows</a> may not make a good sound bite, but they are definitely an excellent framework for how we should strive to be in relationship.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZoXV3_vegEPjsYFfcA0dBAs4bJV8fa2iIoZbOmB4mz0q7SyJDw68bIvWY-3xto1Flb394fpbmAdj4OF3aZlLXEKlWdbI8QcBoxm1opcrbZaIsWab4T2yJsFretiePlMpci89YJB7uxKaX/s1600/Eduardo+vows+no+salmonella%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Terrain+wedding%252C+We+Laugh+We+Love+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZoXV3_vegEPjsYFfcA0dBAs4bJV8fa2iIoZbOmB4mz0q7SyJDw68bIvWY-3xto1Flb394fpbmAdj4OF3aZlLXEKlWdbI8QcBoxm1opcrbZaIsWab4T2yJsFretiePlMpci89YJB7uxKaX/s400/Eduardo+vows+no+salmonella%252C+Alisa+Tongg+Celebrant%252C+Terrain+wedding%252C+We+Laugh+We+Love+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eduardo promises Stewart "to always be your safe place, to encourage, support and believe in you." We Laugh We Love Photography</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
At this particular point in time, one of my favorite set of vows comes from my friend Heather and her husband Nate, who just renewed their vows on their 20th wedding anniversary. Here’s what they continue to promise each other:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNkmveCWNregw5x-Wu8MykzLxPugdNOU5k0BMnhDY5E9Sg01CwCih2-bcfOJboJiL-aWJH7ZEh_8-Uz-t0V3R-T5FAb7afEREy37jB0bfr-dWornDcgd2indQC3NxBOC9lkOCNiMN5cJH7/s1600/Sparkler+Kiss+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Jeremie+Barlow+Photography+-2797-3+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNkmveCWNregw5x-Wu8MykzLxPugdNOU5k0BMnhDY5E9Sg01CwCih2-bcfOJboJiL-aWJH7ZEh_8-Uz-t0V3R-T5FAb7afEREy37jB0bfr-dWornDcgd2indQC3NxBOC9lkOCNiMN5cJH7/s640/Sparkler+Kiss+at+Promise+Ridge%252C+Jeremie+Barlow+Photography+-2797-3+copy.jpg" width="464" /></a></div>
I take you ____, to be my wedded husband/wife. I promise to share my life openly with you, to speak truthfully and lovingly, to accept you fully and delight in your becoming. I will respect your uniqueness; encourage your fulfillment and support you with compassion through all the changes that life will surly bring.<br />
<br />AlisaTonggCelebranthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10641909328520358283noreply@blogger.com