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   5 out of 5 by Lisa Specker
Pastor Marie April Gismondi was our officiant on November 1st, the day we got married. She was clear, kind and super easy to work with. Being as overwhelmed as my wife and I were it was great having her be part of our ceremony. Many of the Groomsmen and Bridesmaids were unsure of where to stand and what to do. She set everyone at peace by singlehandedly running our rehearsal. By the time the actual ceremony began, she had everyone in line. Everything went perfect. She spoke so eloquently and effortlessly, making us feel like the most important people on Earth. We're quite shy and she picked up on that by having us turn toward her after noticing how nervous we were while facing our family, friends and the blinding cameras. Her attentiveness to this put me and my wife at ease. She even went as far as to make us take the time to be seen for those magical moments where everyone cheered as she introduced us as man and wife. Prior to getting married Pastor Gismondi made selecting the words we wanted to use as easy and uncomplicated as possible. She was extremely patient with us during this process. Overall, she's a true delight. We still get people asking about her. We are so happy we chose her to be part of our special day. We truly can't thank her enough.
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   5 out of 5 by Lisa Santana
Rev. Marie April was fantastic. Made our memorable day a glorious one. Easy to work with, beautifully written and always very professional. Couldn't have asked for a better experience. She really makes you feel at ease and special. I would highly recommend her to anyone who is getting married.
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   5 out of 5 by Lisa Nowosielski
Pastor Marie April Gismondi was absolutely phenomenal throughout the whole process of the wedding. We had a customized ceremony that was beyond my wildest dreams. Her way with language is one of a kind, and truly represented us as a couple. Everyone at my wedding raved about how wonderful the ceremony was and how special it was to us. I'd have to take their word because all I could do from crying happy tears is stare into the eyes of my beloved. After going over the ceremony so many times, I knew hearing it would just bring me to tears if I listened. So we stood there staring into each other's eyes and whispering to each other to stay strong as she told all of our friend and family how we felt about them, each other and the moment. Truly a one of a kind experience with Pastor Marie April Gismondi. We can't thank her enough.
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   5 out of 5 by Lisa Northrop
Pastor April married us in November 2015 and we have to say that marrying people is really her calling. She was born to do this job. If you are like us, we wanted a ceremony that was personal but we didn’t want to have to cry and nervously spill our guts with our own vows in front of a hundred people. We wanted our ceremony to be succinct, lively, and entertaining, but still offer a certain gravity and soulfulness. And we wanted to hit the right note of spirituality without being cheesy or cookie-cutter. Pastor April delivered on all of these parameters and more! Her special talent is being able to interview you as the wedding couple and almost instantaneously write “your story” in a way that is unique and captures who you are as a couple. She has a real gift for language and writing and storytelling in a way that I think many officiants don’t. In person, she is super smart, organized, charismatic in front of a crowd, and has a little boho chic to her. Our guests mentioned that she was very engaging and that the ceremony was very modern and “cool.” She’s also full of useful advice and tips to make your ceremony flow better like having a candle lighting during our singer and wearing my engagement ring on my pinky finger. She has several options for vows and readings and lays them all out so you can pick and choose. She always communicated well with us and gave us plenty of time and was clear about procedures and timelines. On the wedding day, she kept us calm and on track and was truly happy for us from her heart. We also appreciated her keepsake book of our ceremony which is a nice way to remember the day without us having to spend more money on yet another item. We can read our vows each year on our anniversary and relive our beautiful day. Please hire April...she is truly special!!
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   5 out of 5 by Lisa Ambrosio
I didn't even know I wanted to look for/book an officiant when I arrived at the Hilton bridal Showcase. I am so glad I met Pastor April because I instantly knew she was the one for us! She was sweet, open, bubbly and poured enthusiasm for what she does. She went through every step of our ceremony. We chose the 'Meet' where my husband and I spoke to her in person, and she listened to our words and our stories, and on the spot, came up with some great wordings for our ceremony. Afterwards, she kept in touch via email, back and forth with editing, until I was happy, even over the phone, and she never once made it seem like she didn't have time for me, she was always so pleasant to speak with. The day of, I was slightly stressed, and when she arrived, she calmed me down instantly just by being herself and soothing me through the process. My guests commented on her professionalism and sense of care. I would highly recommend her. Thank you, again, April.
'The ceremony shouldn't be the thing that you and your guests have to suffer through to get to the good part. I promise you a meaningful, enjoyable, ceremony that everyone will remember for years to come.'
What type of services do you offer?
I have performed all kinds of ceremonies, secular, religious, multi cultural, traditional, untraditional, sections that include children, even bi-lingual. I call what I do a “Couple Centered Ceremony” and my goals are always the same. I want to be the mirror that is held up high enough for everyone to see the couples own reflection in it. What ever aspects of traditional structure are important to the couple, we keep. The personal details are, in my opinion, that parts that really make a ceremony shine. When I ask 'Tell me about your guests. Who are these people to you and what does it mean to have them with you on your wedding day?' From that answer comes the welcome of the guests. 'What do you love and admire most in one another?' I love looking right into the eyes of the couple's mothers as I recount what has been said of their child. Although they know it already, to hear that someone sees and loves all the wonderful qualities that they have known all along in their child, moves them to tears. 'Why are you getting married? What is marriage from your perspective?' closes this nicely and it's interesting the answers that I get. My favorite is the oldest and truest of all. 'Because we love one another and want to spend our lives together.' My ceremonies are enjoyable in that everyone is emotionally and intellectually connected to everything that is being said, and then we are on to the next good thing!
Other services include, Baby Blessings, Memorial Services, Writing Services, and Elopement Specials.
What types of religious ceremonies can you perform?
This is an interesting question. I am well versed in world religion, - Christian - Jewish - Islam - Buddhist - Hindu - Earth Based Spiritualities - and always add the aspects of religion that my couples request. However, as an Interfaith Minister and a Professional Wedding Officiant, I don’t like perform any one religion’s ceremony in it’s entirety. It seems disrespectful to me in some way. Couples looking for a traditional religious wedding go to the church or temple. My couples want the aspects of their religion they love, yet in a more personal ceremony.
Do you conduct interfaith ceremonies?
I do! I conduct them most often as a single officiant, but I have worked with a Hindu Priest, Catholic Priest, and I have a favorite Rabbi to work with. Another important point, especially in our area of the country, is knowing how to be culturally as well as religiously considerate.
A quote that I have always admired, although it is a bit wordy, with respect to Interfaith is “The cause of human sectarianism is not a lack of sympathy in thought, but rather in speech. And this it is our not unambitious goal to remedy.”
A nice way to start an Interfaith Ceremony is to acknowledge this commonality with something like:
“Every marriage ceremony is unique, and today, not only are two special people being joined together, but two faiths, as well. Out of two different and distinct traditions, they have come together to learn the best of what each has to offer, appreciating their differences, and confirming that love, which is spoken of in all religions, is our true home, our true meeting place. So this is not only a joyous occasion, but a spiritual one, as well. May we all see the love we share and offer this couple in their marriage as truly a gift from God.”
How far in advance should a couple book with you?
Most couples meet with me a year to a 18 months in advance, but others are within weeks. Both ways work, it depends on your comfort levels, and if your date is in the popular months. However if you have your heart set on my being available, meeting early is always best.
Do you have any special requirements for marrying a couple?
Nope! I eat sleep and breathe wedding, so I am overjoyed to be at every ceremony I perform. I also consider it quite an honor to be chosen and trusted with these once in a lifetime words and moment.
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They have a great story captured here by Rob Coup of Couped Up Productions
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Great personal section shot by the wonderfully talented Capture The Moment Productions
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Beautiful couple, video shot by Capture The Moment Productions to show an originally written ceremony
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Thank you again Capture The Moment Productions!
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One of my awesome Church of Ancient Ways Officiants Aviva Sala, captured by Capture the Moment!
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After 17 years together, they each have a husband.
I have been doing many a quick signing of the license for my couples sometimes a year or more in advance of their wedding date. Why? Many reasons, insurance, buying a house, immigration, having a baby and IT'S ALL GOOD. How you live that long and happy life together is tricky to negotiate in today's world and 'what ever works' is different for every couple.
I do many showcases at the best venues on Long Island all year long. If you have been stressing how and where to secretly be married COME SEE ME. It's a great opportunity visit some of LI's most beautiful halls and whether I perform your next ceremony or not, bring me a license at a showcase and I would be honored to sign it for free.
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Best of 2008
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Best of 2009
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Best of 2010
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Best of 2011
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Best of 2012
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Best of 2013
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Best of 2014
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Best of 2015
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Best of 2016
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Best of 2017
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Best of 2018
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Best of 2019
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Winter is Coming... And that's a Beautiful Thing!
11 November 2016 12:00 AM by Church of Ancient Ways
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Online Ordinations, Are they legal?
05 August 2016 01:09 PM by Church of Ancient Ways
Are friends and family members with online ordinations legally able to perform marriage ceremonies on Long Island?"New York County trial judge stated in 2014 that marriages performed by ULC ministers...
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Father of the Bride Reveal
10 February 2016 03:14 PM by Church of Ancient Ways
Are you a Daddy's Girl? Truth be told, I think every bride is on her wedding day. There is a passing of the torch from father who has been protector and guide to husband who will carry on in that rol...
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Moment of Remembrance
10 April 2015 02:22 PM by Church of Ancient Ways
Often I am asked to include a Moment of Remembrance. This one was really more uplifting than the topic would imply. So I thought I'd share! "As the future comes from the past, Jennifer and Michael wo...
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12/13/14 Specials!
04 December 2014 03:31 PM by Church of Ancient Ways
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