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Stoddard: Posted on Friday, January 06, 2012 10:45 AM
A wonderful comment I received after a wedding came from the
mother of the bride who said to me, “You made it seem as if you have known my
daughter all her life.” I had meet with the bride and groom once before the
wedding, learned the story behind their relationship, and presented it during my
personal remarks section of their wedding ceremony.
There is no secret to doing this well other than to be a
good listener. I spent many years as a high school counselor and mediator and
quickly learned that the key to being a good counselor is being a good
listener, easy to say, but often difficult to do. |
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Stoddard: Posted on Sunday, December 04, 2011 5:57 PM
Looking for an unusual, distinctive venue for your wedding?
Check out the Methuen Memorial Music Hall, www.mmmh.org The building houses “The Great Organ”,
once the largest organ in the country and is truly spectacular. The hall was
designed by the English architect Henry Vaughan, who began the Washington
Cathedral, and will impart dignity and grace to your ceremony.
I officiated at a wedding there in October. The acoustics
are fabulous and the staff of volunteers does a wonderful job. Your guests are
certain to be wowed by the surroundings and having an organist playing for them
is special. |
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Stoddard: Posted on Thursday, September 22, 2011 1:01 PM
I often get asked whether rehearsals are necessary. They are certainly not necessary for me. I am comfortable walking into any venue and performing a wedding.as is often the case for the small, intimate weddings where I meet the couple for the first time. Earlier this week I performed a lovely wedding at a beautiful horse barn -- no bridal party and with a simple, beautiful ceremony, no rehearsal was necessary.
But for larger weddings I love to have a rehearsal. The rehearsal allows us to accomplish many things, but most importantly, everyone involved is much calmer for the wedding as all know where to go and how to stand. |
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Posted on Sunday, August 07, 2011 10:52 AM
 Recently, we have had a number of older greyhounds returned
to the kennel. Dogs are returned for a variety of reasons – their owner may be
sick or have passed away, may be moving and unable or unwilling to take the
dog, life circumstances may have changed, or the owner may be unwilling to deal
with the issue of having an older dog. Whatever the reason, I am glad that Greyhound Friends is there to provide a safe haven for these dogs.
Often these dogs are bewildered and depressed by their
return to a kennel, but we give them extra love and care and try to get them
readopted as soon as possible. |
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Posted on Wednesday, July 27, 2011 1:43 PM
I hate to say no, but it seems that I am saying that a lot
these days. “I’m sorry, but no, I am not available for that date.”
I am often asked how
soon one should book a Justice of the Peace. The simple answer is as soon as
you have selected a date and determined a venue. Too often the JP is the last
person booked, behind the photographer, DJ, caterer, and even the florist. Yet
the person who is marrying you is keystone in your wedding ceremony. Don’t you
want to have the person who is your first choice rather than the person you
have to take? |
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Stoddard: Posted on Tuesday, July 19, 2011 12:52 PM
During a busy July when not doing weddings and meeting with
prospective clients, I spend time watching the Tour de France on television. I
have always been a fan of this three week long spectacle, but it has had an
even more special meaning since my visit to the tour eight years ago.
In 2003 I traveled to France with four of my closest friends
and our bikes. We were initially centered in Alps at the base of the famed L’
Alpe d’ Huez, one of the legendary climbs of the tour with its 21 switchbacks. |
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Stoddard: Posted on Wednesday, June 08, 2011 11:37 AM
To be successful, your wedding does not have to be in the
swankiest, and most expensive, hotel in Boston. Thankfully, there are many
beautiful venues throughout Massachusetts, some free, to hold your wedding. Following,
in no particular order, are a few of my favorite non hotel venues, some well-known,
some not, some geared for large ceremonies, some only for small, some
expensive, some inexpensive or free. Most can be seen on my website on the FAQ page
The Fruitlands Museum, Harvard – gorgeous views of the
Nashoba Valley |
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Stoddard: Posted on Tuesday, May 24, 2011 7:51 AM
My friends often ask me, “Why do you do the JP stuff?” My
answer is always the same,” What’s not to like.”
I explain that I meet many, many interesting people. I
become involved with them at one of the happiest times of their lives and work
hard to make certain that their wedding ceremony is special and memorable. I continue
to use my skills as a former English teacher and counselor through writing and
helping them deal with the stresses that sometimes, unfortunately, accompany
wedding planning – more on that in a later post. |
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Stoddard: Posted on Wednesday, May 04, 2011 10:14 AM
 An increasing trend in weddings is to include a beloved pet, especially a dog, in the marriage ceremony. Many people frown on this practice, but I embrace it. I spend my day surrounded by beautiful greyhounds at home and at the kennel -- as I write this two are sleeping at my feet -- and well know the importance that your dog plays in your life. Why not include him or her on your special day?
Some brides and grooms have walked with their dog to the place for the ceremony then handed him off to the best man. |
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Stoddard: Posted on Thursday, March 24, 2011 8:57 AM
The best part of a meeting for me comes at the end. That is when I'll find out about you and your relationship. I'll learn about the journey that has brought you to this exciting time in your lives. I'll try to find out what makes your relationship unique and learn some of the special stories that characterize your relationship. These stories could be about your how you met, your first date, an interesting proposal, or something funny or important that has happened to you together.
I particularly enjoy this aspect of being a Justice of the Peace, for it takes me back to my roots as a counselor, learning and understanding about people. |
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