Stories

Alisa Tongg Celebrant

Sebastian’s Baby Blessing and First Birthday Party

And this spring it finally happened, we planned Sebastian’s Baby Blessing Ceremony to coincide with his first birthday…and it was a very special celebration indeed. Everyone pitched in, giving freely of their talents to make this first birthday party a remarkable one. Here’s how we did it.

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Alisa Tongg Celebrant

Stephen M. Rivkin, RIVKO, Itinerizer, Naming Genius, Beloved

When people find out that I also write and perform funerals and memorial tributes, inevitably tones become hushed, there’s nodding and a slight (at least I perceive it) sense of unease at the serious and somber nature of all that entails. It is true, that the responsibility for delivering someone’s

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Alisa Tongg Celebrant

Kate + Dmitriy…Everything MERT

Just like on their first date, Kate and Dima’s effervescent emotion and excitement was present again, for all to see, at their romantically lit Front & Palmer wedding ceremony this April.

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Alisa Tongg Celebrant

Heather + Nathan, Family Vow Renewal with Kissing on the Lips

To mark their 20th wedding anniversary, Heather and Nathan wanted to “take a moment to celebrate what they’ve created together”. What resulted was a family-centered vow renewal, which celebrated some of the ways their steadfast commitment to each other has created many good things.

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Alisa Tongg Celebrant

Susan + Tom, Honey Kisses and Lion Dancers

I had the pleasure of working together with Susan and Tom to create two ceremonies (a Western-style love story-centered one, as well as a traditional Chinese Tea ceremony) for their wedding celebration at Pomme at Radnor this summer.

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Alisa Tongg Celebrant

Vows, a primer

In my opinion, the big reason more and more couples have the desire to adapt or add to traditional vows, is that in today’s culture, we expect more from our spouse than people did 100 years ago.

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