Ceremonies By Kristi

10/21/2024

Even when we don't end up working with a couple, we can still make a difference!

08/14/2024

DID YOU KNOW??

Why is white the default wedding dress color in most Western cultures?

We can thank Queen Victoria for white wedding dresses. When she married Prince Albert in 1840 at St. James Palace, London, the Queen wore all white. Her style choice began a trend that persists to this day, almost 200 years later (see cultural context below that helps explain why the trend has endured for so long).

Before 1840, brides often chose bright and even multicolored wedding dresses. It was common for brides to use pieces of wedding gowns from older relatives. They may choose "family colors," colors representing special feelings (i.e., passion, wisdom, protection, eternity, etc.), or colors the bride liked. For those of limited means, they made due with what was available.

Before white became synonymous with "wedding dress," a wedding dress was as unique as the person wearing it. Yellow, red, silver, purple, blue....there were few hinderances. The most common exception would be black because A.) Black fabric was costly, and B.) Has often been related to mourning. Today, black wedding gowns are very en-vogue.

So why have white wedding gowns endured for so long? The color white has been connected to "purity" vis a vis the bride's virginity (which, until VERY recently, was considered something of a big deal). Even when I married back in 1990, pure white gowns were STILL considered special attire, reserved for brides who remained virgins until their wedding night.

Yes, even in 1990, an intact h***n was considered a badge of honor. Only women who had preserved their virginity until marriage were rewarded the privilege of wearing a gown of the purest snow-white.

On my wedding day, I was five months pregnant with my first and had been "living in sin" with my child's father. I was shamed into wearing an ivory dress I didn't like....and even that was considered "pushing it." Looking back, I should have worn a scarlet letter.

How far we have come in just a few decades! Very few people from Western cultures concern themselves with womens' virginity in today's world. It has become the norm for couples to cohabitate and even have children before tying the knot. For some, wearing a white wedding gown may be a way to reject the old patriarchal expectations. For those who knowingly and willingly stick with traditional bridal wear, and are fortunate enough to find a great ensemble, I salute you.

For the number of our clients (and others) who upset themselves into a frenzy because they can't find the perfect white dress found within a limited number of dedicated bridal shops, I must ask....."Why do you want to wear white?" and "Have you thought about just choosing a wedding outfit (doesn't have to even be white or a dress!) that you feel gorgeous in and is within your budget?"

**Side note....please do not mistake my talk of purity, virginity, etc as being negative toward those who choose to wait for marriage. In today's world, we can make those choices....and our choices of when to become sexually active are no longer the business of society.

See photos below.....a famous rendition of Queen Victoria's wedding; example of a medieval wedding gown from the series "The White Princess"; Marie Antoinette's actual wedding gown of gold and silver; Martha Washington's yellow wedding gown.

07/09/2024

Looking for inexpensive, universally flattering dresses for your female attendants *bridesmaids"?

Check these out...they're having an amazing sail right now. They even have children's sizes!

If you have any bridesmaids who are pregnant or breastfeeding, these dresses are very friendly to BOTH!

Unique, modest dresses in 20+ sizes, including plus and maternity, crafted in high-quality fabrics you can feel beautiful in.

06/26/2024

❤️ this!!!

06/14/2024

Congratulations to brand-new Newlyweds Natasha and Kivia; Nicolina is Officiating. Look at these beautiful smiles! They're absolutely gorgeous. You can feel the love. This is why we do what we do.

03/06/2024

For those interested in traditional processionals….

02/20/2024

This special role comes with a few noteworthy tasks. See them all here: https://www.brides.com/story/modern-maid-of-honor-duties

02/19/2024

Creative ideas!

02/19/2024

Sammy Jarrett

01/31/2024

This is such an AMAZING idea! A wedding nanny to keep the little ones entertained (this company is based in Scotland).

I’m not sure if similar businesses would be feasible in the US because of insurance concerns

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095365370899&mibextid=9R9pXO

Qualified and experienced babysitter and events nanny for over 6 years based in uk👩‍🍼👶💍

12/03/2023

We LOVE happy clients!

Katherine from Kristy and associates was great. Our experience with her was quick and easy. She's super quick to respond and helped us tailor our ceremony to what we wanted. Also flexible to our needs

11/03/2023

For a limited time, we are teaming with Emerald Door NOLA to offer the following micro wedding/elopement packages in New Orleans….

Packages include:
-Officiating services, including ceremony & legal paperwork
-Use of venue for 90 minutes
-Decorations
-Cake
-Prosecco Toast
-Decorative Commemorative Certificate
-Use of flowers for couple
-Background music

Prices for couple plus up to 4 guests:
$475 Friday,Saturday, Sunday
$450 Monday-Thursday

Prices for couple and up to 10 guests:
$925 Friday, Saturday, Sunday
$900 Monday-Friday

*For a limited time, subject to availability
*Can do short notice
317-627-0702

11/03/2023

Just a few reviews from our amazing clients….

11/03/2023

11/03/2023

Our officiants, coordinators and couples….doing what they do best!

10/24/2023

We truly care about our clients. Cassie was a pleasure to work with and we are so happy that our Super Hero Officiant, Melanie Russell, was able to perform the marriage ceremony for this gorgeous young couple!

Lovely reviews like hers keep us in business and are appreciated....beyond measure!

I first contacted Kristi to do our officiating and she was great to talk to. She went above and beyond to help me get the perfect place to do our ceremony and helped me iron out any possible issues that could arise. Our officiant was Melanie and she was absolutely wonderful! She tailored our ceremon...

10/18/2023

This is why we do what we do!

Mr. Marc was our officiant and he exceeded all expectations!! He dealt with my requests with no hesitation!! Mrs. Kristi was also amazing reaching out throughout the whole process to make sure everything was going to go smoothly and it did! We asked all our guests to be our something blue and Mr. Ma...

07/17/2023

Wedding hack #5: This is for couples who itemize their taxes....if you rent a venue that is a certified non-Profit, 501-3C, you can deduct a sizable portion of the fee you paid to the venue from your taxes!!!!!

Unfortunately, many events coordinators for non-profits don't mention this perk to potential clients. If they did, they would be booking more events!

And usually the couple has to ask the venue for the paperwork you will need to send to the IRS.

There are TONS of non profits out there that make for wonderful venues. My husband and I married at the Cabildo in New Orleans and we were able to deduct quite a bit of the fee from our taxes.

If anyone is interested and would like more specifics, please post under here and let me know what you're looking for and what your budget is.

You will be looking at museums, some parks, buildings within universities or government facilities..and there are so many more possibilities!