Sample Articles

Like Brides and Grooms, each Wedding Chronicle™ is unique. And, because every Bride and Groom has his or her own story to tell, each Wedding Chronicle™ is different. Here are a selection of articles that appeared in previous editions of Wedding Chronicles.™

Something Old . . .

The legend of the Old English rhyme indicates wearing something old transfers the good luck the bride amassed in her single life to her new life. Something new symbolizes her life as a married woman. Something borrowed connects the bride to her community, family and friends. The color blue symbolizes fidelity and is often associated with the purity of the Virgin Mary.

Carol’s ‘something new’ is her wedding gown — ‘Ilissa’ by Demetrios. The bodice is a rose pattern, embossed on guipure lace. The winter-white gown features a basque waist, contessa neckline and full chiffon skirt, all accented by a simple headpiece and fingertip-length veil.

Over the years, pharmacist Raymond Darsh saved the gold coins that passed through his cash register. Carol’s mother, Ruthie, saved her father’s coins and shared one of them with her daughter today to represent ‘something old and a sixpence in her shoe.’

‘Something borrowed’ is a crinoline from Karen Nelson, Carol’s good friend who was married last fall. Representing ‘blue’ in the poem are the sapphires in the Bride’s engagement ring.

Browne — Martin Nuptials

Mary Browne and Robert Joseph Martin were married this morning in a double ring ceremony at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in New Monmouth. The bride was given in marriage by her Godfather and Uncle, Walter Browne. Monsignor Robert T. Culmar celebrated the Nuptial Mass.

Mary and Rocky exchanged wedding bands — his gold, hers platinum — each inscribed with their initials and today’s date. Jean Paglia was Maid of Honor for her cousin. Mary’s best friend, Linda Dashkavic, was Bridesmaid.

Rocky’s six-year-old twin sisters, Karen and Kathy, were Flower Girls. Rocky’s Best Man was his brother, Pacific Highland’s own Thomas Martin. Rocky’s brothers Richard and Raymond were Groomsmen. Communion Gifts were presented by Mary’s cousins, Maryann and Diane Miola of Unionville.

Special Favors

The tradition of offering guests a favor at the wedding reception is based on superstition. Legend has it that because the Bride and Groom were considered to be good luck, guests would often tear a small bit of lace from the Bride’s dress — or a flower from her bouquet — as a good luck keepsake. As customs changed, wedding favors were given to guests as a bit of good luck and a thank you for being part of such a special day.

Kate loves chocolate, so it’s no surprise she chose personalized gold gift boxes of chocolates from Hebert’s in Shrewsbury MA as a remembrance of this happy day.

Musical Notes

Music is important to David and Mary, a semi-professional singer. No doubt that’s why it will play a significant role at their wedding. Today’s processional was the Trumpet Voluntary. During the ceremony, Lorraine Butterfield, the Reverend’s wife, offered a rendition of John Lennon’s Grow Old With Me.

The Bride and Groom selected the Beatles tune to reflect their deep feelings of love everlasting. Beethoven’s Joyful, Joyful is a favorite of both Mary and David, who chose it for their Recessional. Entertainer John Stansfield provided accompaniment during the ceremony and cocktail reception.

Mary and David chose James Ingram’s So This Is Love from the movie ‘Cinderella’ as their wedding song, because, said David, "I am Mary’s Prince Charming." The Bride plans to surprise her dad during their dance with a studio-recorded vocal of The Beatles In My Life, featuring his favorite daughter’s magnificent voice.

DJ Dennis Devens is in charge of the rest of the evening’s music. Mary and David recently took dance lessons, so expect a bit of everything — even the limbo!

Flower Facts

For a bride to have flowers on her wedding day is as old as the wedding custom itself. Garlands were carried or worn by the ancients; and wreaths of real flowers were placed on the heads of medieval brides. So today, brides usually carry real or silk flowers, since flowers symbolize this once-in-a-lifetime special day.

Margaret’s bridal bouquet, a cascade of blush and ivory flowers, was designed by Raymond & Garland of Tewksbury — the same florist that created her parents’ wedding flowers 32 years ago.

Bridesmaids carried complementary colorful presentation-style bouquets to accent their soft-gold gowns. Raymond & Garland also created the floral arch covering the gazebo entrance.

In keeping with tradition, the bride will toss a keepsake bouquet to all unmarried females, which, Bill points out, includes most of the Bridesmaids. Margaret plans to preserve her wedding bouquet in a shadow box.