Capturing the story through music and photos

Being a story teller I'm usually officiating at ceremonies. Sometimes I get to be an attendee at the celebration. With the honorees permission I will take photo's to blend the story in a video format. I just recently did that for my friend and posted it on you tube. Check it out.

Why you should have a memorial service.

I've been meaning to write a blog on the importance of a memorial service and found this wonderful article in the  Huffington Post this very day. Here is the link to this informative and enlightening article. I could not have said it better. Enjoy.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marilyn-sewell/virginia-doesnt-want-a-me_b_903570.html?ref=fb&src=sp

Want a truly memorable wedding day? May I suggest an inspiring and fun read?

Gerald Fierst, a world-renowned storyteller and Certified, Life-Cycle Celebrant has recently published a book titled “The Heart of the Wedding”. Please, don’t think this is just another cookie cutter wedding book. It will expand your creativity and touch your heart. It offers wise guidance not just for the Bride and Groom but for the Wedding Pros they will be working with. It offers thoughtful “how to’s” on planning creative and meaningful weddings. Gerald is a Master Storyteller and Master of Ceremonies. He offers inspiration on how to weave your story throughout your wedding, from the Ceremony to the last dance. Gerald forges into fresh territory and brings ancient rituals into modern day light. Whether you envision a small backyard wedding or a huge formal wedding at an exclusive resort this book will guide you gently into a magical process to create a beautiful and memorable wedding that touches the heart. For more information and to read a sample chapter go to theheartofthewedding.com.  

Pat Murphy

Certified, Life-Cycle Celebrant

www.storycatcherpat.com

Getting Married in Miami? Want a unique Venue?

For couples planning a Miami wedding there are many venue’s to choose from. Beautiful Hotel Venues are fairly well known, but what about some of the more unusual or non-typical settings? I’ll create another list for this Blog entry. A listing of wonderful but not so well known venues.

1)   How about a parking garage? Check out the new Herzog & de Meuron designed parking Garage on South Beach. It has 360-degree views of Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. It is on the seventh floor of the building’s open-air garage. It’s located at 1111 Lincoln Road and has a 25,000 square foot space outfitted with catering and audiovisual facilities. www.1111lincolnroad.com

2)   How about a hidden Villa just blocks away from the Adrienne Arsht Center? Villa 221 consists of two 1920’s-era Spanish style villas connected by a breezeway. They also have a large outdoor garden and deck. Find the hidden treasure at www.villa221.com

3)   How about a place for the birds? Jungle Island offers various options from elegant and formal, to truly unique, to small and intimate depending on the setting you choose. Check out your options at www.jungleisland.com

4)   How about a winery? Yes, Miami has it’s own unique winery and it’s located between the Everglades and Biscayne National Park. Don’t think of grapes-think exotic tropical fruits. Schnebly Redland’s winery offers three beautiful locations for your exchange of vows.  Think tiki huts and waterfalls. Find them at www.schneblywinery.com

5)   How about someone’s backyard? Like mine. Well it’s not exactly my own backyard, but just one block 

     from my home is a quiet, hidden park right on Biscayne Bay with a beautiful vista of the Miami skyline. The location is just 

     a minute from Miami’s finest restaurants and just 10 minutes to Dodge Island if you plan to catch a cruise. Find me at www.storycatcherpat.com                                 

Pat Murphy, Celebrant: TELLING YOUR LOVE STORY-It’s All About You

Pat Murphy, Celebrant: TELLING YOUR LOVE STORY-It’s All About You: "Your Wedding, Commitment, or Vow Renewal ceremony is all about you and your love story. Let it be heard and seen. Your story can be share..."

Pat Murphy, Celebrant: Planning a Destination Wedding? South Florida Welc...

Pat Murphy, Celebrant: Planning a Destination Wedding? South Florida Welc...: "Miami Florida is calling June the 'Romance Month'. Miami Romance Month includes deals from wedding vendors throughout the Miami-Dade County ..."

Planning a Destination Wedding? South Florida Welcomes You!

Miami Florida is calling June the "Romance Month". Miami Romance Month includes deals from wedding vendors throughout the Miami-Dade County area. Watch for special offers at the following sites:
1) TheKnot.com
2) Miami.Weddings.com 
3) MiamiRomanceMonth.com
Also look for an exciting contest on MarryMeInMiami.com for a chance to win a $150,000 wedding at the Biltmore in Coral Gables, Florida.
I'll be participating in Miami Romance Month by offering a 20% discount on my Celebrant Ceremonies in the month of June.
Watch for my next Blog when I'll be suggesting unique South Florida Venues. If you want some suggestions at this very moment, just e-mail me at pat@storycatcherpat.com 

TELLING YOUR LOVE STORY-It’s All About You

Your Wedding, Commitment, or Vow Renewal ceremony is all about you and your love story. Let it be heard and seen. Your story can be shared not just through narrative but also through rituals, visuals, music, objects and location.  Your love story is multifaceted and can be expressed throughout the celebratory event.  How do you go about sharing it in such a way that it heard and seen out loud and touches the hearts of your guest?

Besides being a ceremony and a ritual maker, I’m a list maker, so I’ll list some ideas on how to tell your story throughout the ceremony.

1)   Location. Why did you and your partner choose the venue? For example, did you choose the lovely park because that is where you fell love? Let the celebrant explain that.

2)   Rituals. Rituals often speak louder than words. Rituals are a universal language. Choose rituals that are meaningful to the two of you. For example perhaps you and your chosen life mate enjoy time at Starbucks and good coffee is important to you. Your celebrant is a ritual maker; have him/her create a coffee ritual to weave into the ceremony.

3)   Colors. Does your color scheme have anything in particular that relates to your love story? For example, did you choose the red flowers to represent the passion between the two of you?

4)   Readings. Select readings that reflect who you are. Are you quirky or full of humor, maybe you’ll want to select a reading from Dr.Suess. Poetry is such a wonderful way to express emotion and goes straight to the heart.

5)   Music. Let your favorite sounds be heard. Most people have a variety of music they prefer depending on mood. Let your favorite sounds be heard from ceremony through the reception. Music definitely can set the tone you want to convey and says a lot about you. If you love hip-hop but choose not have it during your ceremony let it be heard during the reception or perhaps later in a video of the wedding. Talk to your entertainment person photographer and/or videographer.

6)   Vows. Use your own words- write your vows let them say what the two of you want to uniquely promise one another. Ask your Celebrant or other officiant for sample vows you may want to use as a template.

7)   Programs and such. Share something special about your  

     relationship on your program or on cards at each table. For

example, have a quote or poem printed out as a keepsake that                                      may have been read during the ceremony. Think about having your guest tables have names of your favorite songs, restaurants, vacations spots, etc.         

Remember, we all like a good story. Let yours be heard, seen and felt.

If you have questions or comments, I would love to hear from you.

So What's the Difference?

I am often asked, what’s the difference between a wedding or commitment ceremony officiated by a celebrant & one that is officiated by a clergy person, or justice of the peace or in Florida a notary public?

Well for one a celebrant lead ceremony is one of a kind. There are no two ceremonies alike. Celebrants do not conduct “off the rake” ceremonies. Each Ceremony is custom fitted to reflect the personalities, values, beliefs, customs, and desires of the client. For example the Hallmark of a Celebrant lead wedding ceremony is the couples love story. Each couples love story is unique to them and each element of the ceremony, is a thread that weaves into the couples story, creating a beautiful tapestry. Every element (i.e. music, rituals, readings) is thought out and co-created with the couple to reflect those parts of themselves they want to share with their guest. So what I’m saying is you will not be hearing or viewing the same –old- same old. Celebrant lead ceremonies will capture your attention- you’ll be saying, or thinking- “what’s next?” or “tell me more!” Is that exciting or what?

Another difference you may notice is that the celebrant is not standing center stage with the couples’ back to their guest. The ceremony is all about the couple- not the celebrant. The couple face their guest and the celebrant is off to the side. I need to mention, however there may be certain parts/elements of the ceremony where the couple may choose to face the Celebrant in order to be lead to a space where a ceremonial ritual may take place. The celebrant choreographs each movement in the ceremonial space. Also the couple will choose to face each other during the more intimate rituals such as vow and ring exchanges and during those times the celebrant will be standing with them much like the traditional wedding ceremony.  The celebrant will be reading the ceremony script since it not memorized with fill in the blank names. The script is always unique and meaningful to the couple and may often include antidotes gleamed from the guest, if approved by the couple. The ceremony is the coming together of the couple’s community and gives the guest a feeling of inclusiveness. Another big difference is the fact that there will be no surprises to the couple. They own the ceremony and approve of every last word.  The script is not completed until it is perfect and exactly how the couple wants it and the couple will always receive a copy of the ceremony as a keepsake.