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Married aboard the Norwegian Cruise Ship “Pride of America” (Port of New York, NY)
Oh Captain, my Captain,
Absolutely fantastic, amazing, spectacular, incredible, magnificent, touching and beautiful was your ceremony and these words are only but a few that I heard from all those present. Thank you for those beautiful words you spoke in Hawaiian and I we shall always remember that very special moment that you made possible on board the beautiful “Pride of America.”
Whenever you visit Hawaii, be sure to look us up.
Warm Regards,
Emily & George
Note: Captain Arnold was asked by The Wedding Experience, representatives of the Norwegian Cruise Line to perform the 1st inaugural wedding ceremony aboard the Pride of America.
George and Emily are the 1st couple to be married aboard the Pride of America, the largest U.S. Flag cruise ship in history that made its star-spangled debut on June 17, 2005 in New York City. After a series of inaugural festivities, complete with a christening ceremony that was held on Friday, June 17th in the Big Apple, Pride of America made her way to her homeport of Honolulu, Hawaii.
Pride of America’s All-American theme extends to the ship’s spacious public areas but on this special day the flavor was all Hawaii and Captain Arnold was asked to include into his beautiful ceremony a little “something” about Hawaiian tradition. Here is an excerpt from his ceremony:
“The lei (a beautiful string of flowers) is the Hawaiian symbol of love and aloha. The custom of giving and receiving leis at weddings began in the days of old Hawaii. During the wedding ceremony the minister bound the hands of the bride and groom as a symbol of the couple’s commitment to each other. During the lei exchange, the following words are usually spoken”: “E lei kau, e lei ho’oilo i ke aloha,” meaning love is worn like a wreath through the summers and winters; love is everlasting.”
(The groom then presents his bride with a beautiful white lei that he places around her neck and then the bride places a colorful lei around the groom’s neck.)
Married at the Glen Island Harbour Club (New Rochelle, New York)
Dear Captain Arnold,
I am so sorry it has taken so long for us to write. We returned from our honeymoon (which was amazing!) and immediately had to pack to move and with settling back into work… Well, you know how it goes- time just gets away from you. However, I find it to be no excuse, so again, I apologize.
I can’t begin to express to you how much we loved our marriage ceremony. Your words were beyond perfect and touched not only us, but all of our family and friends. We had countless guests tell us that it was the most amazing ceremony they had ever witnessed. You certainly moved the entire crowd. Most importantly, you not only made our day one to remember and cherish forever, but more special than we could have ever imagined it would be.
We would like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts. You are truly a special person and we feel so lucky to have shared the most important day of our lives with you.
We hope all is well with you and your family.
Love,
Michelle and Matthew Menard
Married at the “Historical Chapel” In the Greenwood Cemetery (Brooklyn, New York)
Dear Captain Arnold,
Thank you so very much for a wonderful and memorable wedding day. Both Carey and I really enjoyed getting to know you, particularly during our dinner in May. Your warmth and gentle spirit gave us such reassurance. We came away from that dinner knowing we made the right choice in asking you to officiate our ceremony. You really took care of our every need, including your call the night before. We knew you would really be there for us, making sure everything would run smoothly.
Your ceremony was, quite simply, beautiful. Your words were inspiring, and captured so perfectly the reasons why we wanted to be married. Your sage advice about the ups and downs of relationships was also very meaningful. Your perspective – the long view – will really stay with us throughout our lives. Indeed, we both feel so lucky that you were available on June 1st, and we do so appreciate all the time and care you took with our ceremony. We also appreciate your remembering to acknowledge the members of our family that had died. Having their names read aloud really meant a great deal to us as they were truly in our hearts and it was important for others to know. We so appreciate that you thought of that detail.
Mostly, we really thank you for your warm and generous personality. You not only embraced us with your kind heart, but conveyed to our family and friends how marriage is all about love.
Thank you for everything.
Much love,
Melissa & Carey Burtt
Married at “Danford’s on the Sound” (Port Jefferson, NY)
Dear Captain Arnold,
Thank you for conducting such a beautiful and unique ceremony for our wedding. You fit right into the nautical theme at Danford’s as we were married in the lovely outdoors. Our mothers were particularly touched by the rose ceremony in which they were honored.
We can’t thank you enough for being a part of our special day!
Dave Giertz & Eve Hollywood-Giertz
Married on the Yacht Skyline Princess (World’s Fair Marina, Flushing, NY)
Dear Captain Arnold,
Our great day was pleasured by having you as our wedding Officiant. Weddings are really special when the one that performs your wedding ceremony also becomes a close friend even though this was our first time meeting each other.
Captain Arnold, you not only performed a wedding to be remembered by all, but also gave us joy and laughter at the reception. You will always be in our hearts and prayers.
Our sincere thanks and appreciation for a very special and beautiful wedding.
Sincerely,
George & Dianne Paciello
Married on the Yacht Skyline Princess (World’s Fair Marina, Flushing, NY)
Captain Arnold,
We just wanted to let you know that we have received the package that you sent to us, and to especially thank you for the beautiful ceremony that you performed for us on May 28. Your ceremony was not only unique, but extremely touching, and very special to us and those who were able to share the day with us. Everyone loved it and had nothing but great things to say! Thanks again for everything. In addition, we appreciate your efforts in contacting the N.Y. office in an attempt to get our marriage certificate to us quicker.
Sincerely,
Mr. and Mrs. Todd O’Connor
Married on the Yacht Bateaux (Chelsea Pier 61, New York City)
Married on the Yacht Nautical Belle (Freeport, New York)
Married aboard the Yacht Nautical Princess (Freeport, New York)
Hello Capt. Arnold,
I thank you so much for the vows, as I was so nervous I was not able to appreciate them as they were being said. Many people commented that they enjoyed the vows and some commented that it was also nice they could hear them. Many times when you’re in a church you are unable to hear them. Thank you for everything, we are very happy.
Allison Marzano
Married at the Royal Regency Hotel (Yonkers, New York)
Dear Captain Arnold,
Robert and I would like to thank you for the beautiful ceremony that you performed. Your ceremony touched not only by Robert and I, but also my Family and friends who can’t stop talking about it. We were deeply touched with your words. I thank you very much, and appreciate everything you have done to make this day wonderful for us!
Sincerely,
Robert & Evelyn Johnson
Married on the Yacht Cloud 9 III East 23rd Street Marina (New York City, New York)
Hi Capt. Arnold,
Apologies in taking so long to reply, had a bit of an extended honeymoon, back to normality, work wise. Thank you so much for the wedding vows and photo you sent to us, reading the vows in the comfort of our home brought it back how emotional the whole evening was. Our friends and family are still talking about the service you did for us, saying that it was by far the best service they had ever been to. The majority of our married friends would have liked the exact service for their own wedding. They all thought you were fabulous. I would like to extend a very personal thank you to you, as if it hadn’t been for you and your calming influence and jovial personality, I think I would have fallen apart, when all the plans went astray at the very start of the evening. We eventually found the best man and party of 3 who went missing, they had actually gone to the opposite side of Manhattan. They eventually found the correct marina and were waiting for us as we docked. They came aboard to a round of applause and cheers, and David and I exchanged our wedding rings, more tears all round.
Once again, Thank you so much you definitely made our special day extra special. We will keep in touch and let you know, if we are blessed with the patter of “tiny feet” !!!!!!!
Kind regards,
David & Tracey Ingham
Married on the Yacht Nautical Princess (Freeport, New York)
Dear Captain Arnold,
Thank you so very much for making our ceremony absolutely beautiful. We are so glad we found you to join us together as husband and wife. You are wonderful! You’ve captured all of the emotions and feelings we wanted to convey. Our wedding was the most fabulous day of our lives! (so far). 🙂 I can’t tell you enough, how impressed and very touched all of our guests were with both our ceremony and the “Child Ceremony” held for Crisabella. Every one of our guests commentedÝon how beautiful you made our special day!
Love and warmest regards,
Frank and Cheri Martino
Married at the “Ramble” in Central Park (New York City, NY)
Married at the beautiful Strawberry fields in Central Park (New York City, NY)
Dear Captain Arnold,
Thank you for all of your assistance and for a wonderful ceremony! Lindy and I appreciate all of the help you gave us in selecting a spot, getting licenses, and finding a photographer on a day’s notice! Strawberry Fields was a fantastic location; a couple of out-of-towners like us could never have found that site on our own. Your instructions and friends at city hall made getting a license a breeze, and thank you for recommending Jorg Windau, the pictures are fantastic!
We have placed the wonderful wedding vows you sent us in a frame in the living room. They, along with a couple of photos, will serve as a lifelong reminder of our fantastic wedding in Central Park and of our commitment and promises to one another.
Thank you again for all of your assistance and for some amazing memories!
Mike and Lindy Bateman
Married on the “Moonchaser” (Captree State Park Boat Basin, Babylon, NY)
Married on the Cruise Ship
The Norwegian Crown
Norwegian Cruise Lines
(Pier 90, Port of New York, NY)
Married on the Yacht Cloud 9 III (East 23rd Street Marina, NYC)
Married on the Yacht Cloud 9 III (East 23rd Street Marina, NYC)
Married at the Statue of Liberty (Liberty Island, New York)
Dear Captain Arnold,
Thank you so very much for giving us, our family and our friends a touching ceremony. Not only did you incorporate the symbology of the Statue of Liberty and the meaning of the joining of two lives—you understood us perfectly. All of our guests said they were moved by the ceremony, that you said the perfect words for our relationship and they felt the romance of the day. In fact, a lot of people want to see a copy of our vows in order to remember those beautiful sentiments!
Thank you again,
Jim and Christina Albright
Married on the Yacht Nautical Princess (Freeport, New York)
Married at Chateau LaMer (Lindenhurst, New York)
Dear Captain Arnold,
What can I say? Words are not enough to thank you for making our Fairy Tale wedding complete. Your ceremony was touched not only by Frank, Vincent and myself, but everyone who attended. You helped people remember there own vows and sparked a few older couples into remembering there own. Guests are sending us Thank you cards thanking us for inviting them to such a touching ceremony saying, they never have been to a ceremony that was so beautiful and filled with such emotion. Our vows to Vincent. Wow! Thank you for giving us the words that was in our hearts to say to our son that we would not have been able to do if not for you. I will be sending you a copy of the video (as soon as I get it). I want the world to see your heart filled child ceremony as well as the candle ceremony together with your added humor, all of which adds up to a Fairy tale Wedding.
Thank you,
Frank and Karla DiCarlo
Married at the Atlantis Marine World Aquarium (Riverhead, New York)
Dear Captain Arnold,
We are truly grateful for the memorable ceremony you performed for us. We continue to hear how “perfect” the ceremony was for us. We weren’t able to grasp the vows at the time as we were so nervous, but we are thankful for the video (we are still editing it for you). The ceremony was a unique one for us as well as all our guests, the best one ever!! They all cried including us!! Mikey and Joshua were perfect gentlemen and were surprised by their Child’s ceremony vows we spoke to them. We are touched you were able to perform our ceremony and will definitely refer you to all our friends and family. Thank you 🙂 <><
Sondra, Juan, Mikey & Joshua
Married in their home (Bayside, New York)
Dear Captain Arnold,
Luis and I would like to thank you for the beautiful ceremony. I’m glad to know that having you to perform our ceremony was one of the best and easiest decision I’ve made while planning this event. My family and friends, along with myself were deeply touched with your words. Because of you this day will never be forgotten!
Thank you for sharing this special day with us.
Sincerely,
Luis and Lourdes Agramonte
Married at “The Linden Place” (Flushing, New York)
Dear Captain Arnold,
Luke & I loved having our son Travis included in the ceremony. He was full of smiles as he was held next to us which means, he liked it too! That day was special for all of us in our own ways.
Thank you
Danielle, Luke & Travis Braun
Married at The Molly Pitcher Inn (Red Bank, New Jersey)
Captain Arnold,
A Special Thank You!!! Ray and I did receive our Wedding Vows on such elegant Ivory paper. We seem to read the vows to each other often. Also, our marriage certificate was enclosed. Thank you for the picture of us together and your special wishes. We will treasure them always
Captain Arnold, Your presence in your Captain’s Uniform and knowing you are an ordained Chaplain was so meaningful to us. The Heavens opened up on April 2nd with showers of Joy for Ray and I–ALSO, for all of our guests. They asked us–Where did you meet him? Ray–Is he a friend of yours? Jackie–Tell us how do you know him?–To Ray and Jackie–That was the most beautiful and meaningful ceremony we have ever heard.
Again–Amidst all the showers of Joy–Jackie’s sister Carol said that she is going to find herself a husband and have you marry her. Ray and I wanted to include all of our guests from near and far. You made this all possible with the poetry and readings which were written and read by family. We could not imagine the fineness and elegance of it all
Many Warm Wishes,
Ray and Jackie
Married in the beautiful Strawberry Fields of Central Park, NYC.
“…Mesi and I would like to thank you so much for everything you have done for us. You made our wedding day so beautiful and a moment we will never forget. You picked the best location in Central Park and your ceremony was eloquently presented touching everyone present. Everything that day was truly amazing thanks to you. We want to thank you again for your support and guidance. We appreciate everything you have done for us especially making our wedding so beautiful and memorable. You are an amazing person and orator.”
Very truly yours,
Roger & Mesi