Super User
Wedding Whimsy
During difficult times, a few laughs are helpful. I was thinking about how I add a little touch of humor in wedding ceremonies and thought I’d share some of that.
EVERYTHING’S STILL CANCELLED, WHAT DO WE DO?
Oct 04, 2020
Yes, I’m going to address this issue… again! Because it is an ongoing situation. And talk about wedding stress! This is not a crisis over a dress or flowers. COVID-19 has caused the postponement and cancellation of countless events. What if it’s your wedding? For that matter what if another emergency comes up that puts your special event into question? What do you do? How would you handle that?
It’s Not Just the Virus…
NOVEMBER 22, 2020
The struggle to have safe gatherings is on-going, as the pandemic is far from tamed. The struggle to unite our country continues as well. But there are other struggles, more personal, within many families. The concept of the dysfunctional family has become a bit of a joke because everyone thinks their family is “not normal.” But what is “normal” anyway?
Testimonials Header
Just some of the notes and comments I've received.
Be sure to read my reviews on the Wedding Wire, The Knot, and everywhere reviews are found.
Contact
physical and mailing address is:
127 Harmony Lane Saylorsburg, PA 18353
To request more information please use the contact form.
For weddings or other services not at Harmony Gardens don't forget to include the date and location!
Wedding Ceremonies
Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life, and the ceremony is the heart and soul. You deserve a wedding officiant who has the skill to express what it truly means for you.
Your ceremony can, and should be, an honest reflection of your world view, your taste and style and of course your love. I am a professional officiant and create and clearly perform a unique, personalized ceremony - for you, your family and guests. You will have complete control and final approval of every word!
We can be as creative, formal, or informal, as you wish. I am an especially good choice to officiate for secular, interfaith, multi-cultural, and spiritual couples, giving you the opportunity to have your traditions and world view accurately respected. I am an especially good choice if you are looking for something NON-TRADITIONAL.
I am open to your path and will find the balance that may be needed to accommodate you and your families.
I will listen to you and make lots of suggestions - and in the end, we will have the perfect ceremony. I am comfortable, sensitive and aware of the diverse needs of today's families.
Here's an article about wedding vows you may enjoy, recently published in Local Flair Magazine.
WHERE ARE YOU GETTING MARRIED?
I officiate in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, at the area's finest venues - Stroudsmoor Country Inn, Mountain Springs Lake, Skytop, as well as other interesting locations in and around the Poconos ... and at my own lovely outdoor ceremony site: Harmony Gardens!
I ALSO CREATE AMAZING ELOPEMENTS.
The Story of Harmony Gardens
Here's how it happened...
Having officiated hundreds of weddings since 2005, I began to see a need that was not being met in the Poconos. The weddings I perform at beautiful venues like Skytop Lodge, Stroudsmoor Country Inn, Mountain Springs Lake, Shawnee Inn, and many more, are great for larger weddings and receptions. I love them all, and continue to officiate there. But it isn’t for everyone.
And then there is the timeframe. Most of these venues can book up a year or more in advance. You might want to get married very soon!
Couples began contacting me to perform a wedding for just the two of them or with a few close family members and guests, and I began accommodating them in my home or in our garden. However, our garden, while beautiful, wasn’t truly set up for a ceremony.
That’s when, in 2009, my husband Kent, being the ever adventurous and ambitious gardener that he is, offered to create something designed especially for this purpose on our 25 acre property.
And he did. With input from my experience officiating at the many locations, and his gardening expertise, it all came to life.
We wanted it to be intimate, have a great entrance and charming features and details. We wanted it to feel spiritual, comfortable, quiet, and be full of trees, plants and flowers. And like everything we strive to do in our personal lives and business lives, we wanted it to be eco-friendly and well thought out. A lot to consider
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We hope we have succeeded in all that. What really makes it wonderful, though, are the couples who find their way here
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Always changing and growing, in 2015 we designed and built the amazing PAVILION to enhance your experience here even further. Every year since Kent has added more and more landscaping and features.
Thank you for reading our story.
- Lois
Ceremony Matters
As featured in the Pocono Record newspaper (USA Today network)
We are relaunching the Pocono Wedding Talk column to be more inclusive of the topics covered. Welcome to Ceremony Matters!
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Other Services
Funerals, Memorials and Celebration of Life Ceremonies
For many reasons more people today are looking for services outside of religious traditions. But the ritual of a service or a ceremony is still important and should be deeply satisfying. I provide a personal, dignified end-of-life tribute. I carefully write and officiate a ceremony that accurately reflects the life and beliefs of the person who has died. I am able to suggest meaningful ways to honor and celebrate your loved one's life. Many of us have attended funerals that were less than satisfactory. My goal is to do all that is necessary to create a fitting service, with compassion and care. I am inclusive and sensitive to the diverse needs of modern families.
Baby Blessing, Welcoming, or Naming
Whatever it's called, every culture has a ceremony to name or welcome a new child into the family and community. With your input I will create a celebration that is right for you. Don't miss the opportunity to mark one of your most important milestones because you are not sure how to accomplish this - you can do it on your own terms, in a way that is honest for you, and I can guide you in this journey.
Renewal of Vows
It is my honor to help you find the way to express all that your marriage means. Whether you wish to have a more meaningful ceremony, after a simple courthouse wedding, or are celebrating many years of marriage - I can help make this dream come true.
What a wonderful way to honor a significant anniversary, and look back on your life together, or celebrate with family and friends if you did not have the opportunity when you signed your legal documents.
Transgender Naming Ceremony
I will create a custom ceremony to honor a person's coming into the fullness of their identity. After going through the difficult process of transitioning, and coming out with a new gender, a trans person may want to bring together the family and friends who have supported them through the process to celebrate this important step in life. It can be a life-affirming experience.
