Mary Coburn, Wedding Celebrant & Officiant

Bridal Show January 22nd

2012-01-05T14:37:00.000-08:00

For all you engaged couples: Join me at a bridal show on Sunday, January 22nd, 2012 at The Riverview at 10 Winslow Place in Simsbury, CT. The charge is a mere $8 and you will meet loads of great vendors and have a chance to win a free honeymoon! Check out the flyer and call Wedding Steps at: 203-746-1648 to register. See you there!

DJ Sam of Atmosphere Productions

2011-12-18T10:08:00.000-08:00

Choosing the right DJ is critical to the success of your wedding day. Several times this fall I had the opportunity to work with a wonderful DJ whom I’d like to recommend. Sylvester Samuels or DJ Sam of Atmosphere Productions www.atmosphere-productions.com is a true professional, experienced, fun, detail-oriented and totally focused on providing a fantastic experience for couples and their guests. I’m a stickler for details and so is Sam. He made sure we did a sound check before the ceremony, which I always love to do but sadly many DJ’s aren’t as focused on the sound for the ceremony as they are getting ready for the events after the ceremony. But Sam made sure he and I were on the same page so everything would unfold seamlessly, which it did. In fact, when I work with Sam, I never have a worry about the sound, cues, or music for the ceremony. He also works with several wonderful string trios (always an elegant way of walking down the aisle.)

Let me introduce you to DJ Sam…

DJ Sam is an expert Wedding Professional and is a seasoned entertainer - not just a DJ, he's an experience and will take care of every details as YOUR Reception Entertainment Director! With a silky smooth radio voice and a great personality, DJ Sam is right for the person who wants it all: style, sophistication, versatility, an ultra classy performance, fun, unique and an uncanny sense of music programming that just fits perfectly all the time and feels so good, this is the man to have at your wedding reception.....nothing else compares, guaranteed.

Truly a professional, "DJ Sam" has an outstanding resume and is in extremely high demand. He began his career in Gloucester, England more than 30 years ago as a mobile and night club DJ; in 1979 he was winner of the Grand Disco DJ Championship. After coming to the US in 1981, he became a popular air personality on WKND and has also appeared on WFSB, Channel 3, and CPTV. He has been recognized by his peers in the industry as DJ Times ~ The International Magazine For Professional DJ's as a Mobile DJ Of The Month and was a Founding Member of The Connecticut Professional Disc Jockey Association. He is a Brides Choice Award Winner 2011, was also featured in Eric & Amanda's winning wedding on the season finale of TLC Television's reality show "FOUR WEDDINGS" and will soon appear in a CNBC special on Valentines Day featuring his clients who met on Match.com.

Sam's ability to read the crowd and mix the right music is impeccable. With his English background and natural elegance and class, there is no better choice. If you're looking to please and impress not only yourself, but everyone else at your event, there is no better choice. Make the right choice and be ready to dance!

Jen and Ryan under the Strawberry Moon

2010-08-31T19:45:00.000-07:00

In the storybook setting of Santarella, in Tyringham, Massachusetts, Jennifer Albrecht and Ryan Knight married on June 26th, 2010. Santarella is truly a magical place, and is called Tyringham’s Gingerbread house. The main building has a thatched roof, leaded glass windows and there isn’t a straight line in the entire place. The grounds are beautiful as well. We followed a lovely path surrounded by annuals and perennials all in bloom, crossed a little stone bridge until we came to the frog pond. With the croaking frogs in the background, we celebrated Jen and Ryan’s marriage vows. And as Jen and Ryan, their friends and family celebrated into the evening, they were graced by the first full moon of the summer, called, The Strawberry Moon. It was enchanting in every way.

Beth and Melissa at the Nobska Lighthouse

2010-08-31T19:02:00.000-07:00

On a gorgeous June day, Beth Asher and Melissa Ford exchanged their vows of marriage in front of the Nobska Lighthouse in Falmouth, Massachusetts. Beth's son Christopher escorted her into the circle where she and Melissa were surrounded by friends and family all of whom had traveled from Ohio to bear witness to their ceremony. We included a handfasting ritual and a blessing of the four cardinal directions to pay honor to nature. The Nobska Lighthouse was a perfect location for a wedding...there is just something very romantic about lighthouses as they carry such a sense of homecoming and constancy...calling us safely home.

Leah and Chris's Renewal of Vows Ceremony

2010-08-31T18:51:00.000-07:00

Leah Hacker surprised her husband Chris on their ninth anniversary by arranging an anniversary celebration and renewal of vows ceremony in Central Park. Leah had contacted me a year before and over the months we worked out all the details, which was a challenge because she lives in Florida and I live in Connecticut! But everything worked out perfectly! Near Cherry Hill Fountain in Central Park, a little stone path leads down to a small fishing hut right on the water’s edge, called Wagner’s Cove. The three of us gathered and celebrated their anniversary with a ceremony that looked back over their years together, beginning when we they first met in high school and looking forward to their continuing life together with their two little girls. It was such a joyful celebration, so full of hope and what happens in the lives of two people who really love each other and commit themselves to growing and nuturing a marriage.

Meg and Tyler's Wedding in the Vineyard

2010-08-31T18:43:00.001-07:00

Meg and Tyler were married on May 29th, 2010 at the Jonathan Edwards Winery in North Stonington, Connecticut http://www.jedwardswinery.com/. It’s a beautiful venue and Meg and Tyler had put so much of themselves into every aspect of their wedding from the invitations, the programs, the wonderful and fun readings, the attire for the groom and groomsmen and bridesmaids. Every one of their choices had a sense of fun, which reflected Meg and Tyler perfectly. Meg and her mother made fabric covers out of vintage material for each of the programs. It is a testament to how creative one can be and no detail was left to chance. Meg looked beautiful walking down the aisle, which was a wide open area between the rows of grapevines. Just minutes into the ceremony we all had to scurry inside the large barrel room to continue the ceremony as the sky darkened and rain was on its way. But no spirits were dampened. Meg and Tyler’s lovely dog Norah was part of the wedding party and when we were doing the Vow of Community Support and all the guests lent a loud and joyful “we do” Norah chimed in with some joyful barks!

Melissa and Ben

2010-08-31T05:35:00.000-07:00

In the South Garden of the lovely Waterview in Monroe, Connecticut, Melissa Abeling and Ben Dowden were married on May 29th. With a stunning view of the water behind them and baskets of bright pansies hanging along the white arbor, they pledged their vows to one another. They had met at the University of Hartford and it didn't take long for them to realize they wanted to spend their life with each other. Ben planned a wonderful surprise proposal that included a trip to New York City to see the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall. After the performance, by the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center he proposed to Melissa...and she said yes!

Melissa and Brian

2010-08-22T13:44:00.000-07:00

On a perfect April day, Melissa Piscitelli and Brian Saunders married at the beautiful Society Room of Hartford http://www.hartfordsocietyroom.com/index.html. The professional staff at The Society Room are wonderful and accomodating and made sure everything unfolded perfectly. In this recently renovated space, that began life as a bank, the interior is so grand that no additional decorations are needed. Murals and marble details, banisters curving around a sweeping staircase, huge windows, and a ceiling with gold leaf embossed bas relief, make for a sumptious environment. Melissa was gorgeous coming down the staircase accompanied by her father. Melissa and Brian have experienced many wonderful adventures throughout their life together, and now, they begin their newest adventure together as husband and wife. Photographer, Travis Flynn captured the day from start to finish. http://www.travisflynnphotography.com/

Susan and Cynthia

2010-08-22T13:20:00.001-07:00

Susan and Cynthia traveled from their Idaho home to celebrate their marriage vows at the home of friends in Simsbury, Connecticut. With family and friends gathered around, they exchanged rings that incorporated the diamonds from their mother’s engagement rings. After the ceremony, we made a quick trip to the Simsbury Town Clerk’s office, so their license could be processed and they could return to their home with their certified Marriage Certificate!

Mitzi and Jenny

2010-08-22T12:54:00.000-07:00

Mitzi and Jenny celebrated their third anniversary by getting married in Elizabeth Park in West Hartford, Connecticut on March 12th. Traveling from their home in North Carolina, Elizabeth Park in early spring was a perfect location for them. We did their ceremony on a lovely stone bridge spanning the pond and ended with photos in the greenhouses amid flowering daffodils and tulips with photographer Michelle Wade http://www.michellewade.net/

capturing the beauty of the day. Then, they were off to a romantic honeymoon in New York City.

Springtime in Elizabeth Park

2010-05-31T15:35:00.000-07:00

On the West Hartford/Harford town line is beautiful Elizabeth Park.
It’s a perfect place for couples to have a quick ceremony, especially for
couples coming from out of town. If it’s just the two of you (plus me of course) and perhaps a photographer to capture the events of the day, then you don’t need to get a permit to have your ceremony. You can walk around, enjoying the park, find a nice spot and get married! The best times to do this are in the morning hours during the week because the park gets rather busy later in the day and certainly on the weekends. After your ceremony, you can pop in to the Pond House Restaurant for a celebratory lunch!

Elizabeth Park has a duck pond, many, many rose gardens and arbors which are gorgeous. There is a greenhouse and perennial gardens as well as a large gazebo (in case of rain!) Plus, it is not only a people friendly park, it is also dog friendly…and that makes it okay in my book! http://www.elizabethpark.org/

Sacred and Fun: Troy & Anna's Halloween Wedding

2009-03-09T06:36:00.000-07:00

Anna Sideris and Troy Quirk had an especially fun wedding on
Halloween. Their wedding took place in their spectacular Victorian
home in Coventry, CT. Perfect weather graced the afternoon wedding and the festivities went on until the wee hours.

Guests were of course invited to come in costume and they certainly did! The bridesmaids were faeries, the groomsmen were knights, the mother of the groom was Mother Nature herself and sitting behind her, Queen Nefertiti. There were biblical figures, mythological figures, storybook characters and assorted spooky and hilarious costumes. Anna's mother made traditional Greek costumes for the ringbearer and flowergirl, (her grandson and granddaughter) that beautifully celebrated their heritage. Troy and Anna spared no detail. Each guest had a trick or treat bag waiting for them on their seat and everything from the champagne glasses to the groom's cake had a halloween theme. It was so much fun just to take it all in...the whole day was such a wonderful celebration.

This wedding was the perfect example of how to mix the fun and the sacred. Many might think those mutually exclusive, but they certainly don't have to be! It all has to do with the intention of the day and Anna and Troy wanted to celebrate the sacred origins of Halloween, which was originally a celebration based on the Celtic cycles of the seasons. Originally called "Samhain" this date for the ancient Celtic people of Ireland signified the end of summer and the time when the earth begins its slow and quiet renewal of life, in the darkness of the winter months.

Honoring the sacred and celebrating love, all on a beautiful Halloween day. What more could you ask for?

Going Back to College

2009-01-31T11:41:00.000-08:00

When choosing the venue for your wedding ceremony, think of places that hold meaning for you. On a blue sky August afternoon, Karey Scheyd and Irfan Hydari married on the beautiful and historic campus of Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Massachusetts; Karey’s alma mater. For Karey and her friends, many of whom were present for the wedding, the campus of Mt. Holyoke held their individual and collective histories and was a place where friendships that would last a lifetime were forged.

For many of us, our college campuses were places where we experienced great personal growth and intellectual transformation and for some of us, where we fell in love for the first time. College, especially if it is one’s first time living away from home, is a threshold experience and an important rite of passage.

If your college campus feels like an old friend to you, check it out as a possible venue for your wedding ceremony, especially if it is where the two of you met. It allows you the opportunity to celebrate another great change in your life, with an old friend bearing witness.