What makes "Favorite Links" favorites and "Preferred Vendors" preferred?
In all cases I have personally officiated at a wedding ceremony with the people listed here and / or have firsthand knowledge of their goods and services. Each website, business, or person comes with my personal recommendation.
If you are less than satisfied with the service or the quality of products from anyone listed here, you would be helping everyone by mentioning it to me. I will do my best to help you get the finest, which you deserve!
None of these businesses has offered me any reward for promoting them, and it would be refused if offered.
Photographers
Parsons Photography - Diane Nanos Parsons
(860) 614-2456
WWW.ParsonsPhoto.Org
Diane and I have worked on several weddings together, with impressive results. Couples love Diane's creativity and flexibility, and she's virtually invisible during the ceremony. From your engagement photos to your going-away photos at your reception, you can count on Parsons Photography to bring out your personalities and show your love for each other.
DJs
Jim Hogan's Music Mix - Jim Hogan
(860) 569-8611
JH-MusicMix.Com
Jim has state-of-the-art equipment and 30+ years of experience. Jim provides wireless microphones that will pick up your voices as well as mine. He has a complete system that is entirely battery powered, a necessity when you get married in the fields of a vineyard.
Especially recommended for your Mystic Seaport wedding or Jonathan Edwards Winery wedding!
Musicians
Divina Strings - Danielle Turano
(203) 710-1095
WWW.DivinaStrings.Com
Danielle Turano and her fellow musicians are a treat to work with. Danielle can put together a group of as many musicians as you would like: String trios or string quartets, to unique wedding bands!
Divina Strings repertoire is wide, and they will most likely already know the songs that you want for your wedding.
Faith Leitner, Harpist
(860) 572-0170
Faith is a joy to hear and a pleasure to work with. She plays both Celtic and concert harps and has an extensive repertoire. Unfortunately, Faith Leitner does not yet have her own website. You can, however, visit WWW.Gigmasters.Com/classical-harp/faith-leitner.
The Beluga whales at Mystic Aquarium loved hearing Faith play the harp! There are more photos of the ceremony and the Beluga whales on my Mystic Aquarium Page.
Jewelry - Especially Engagement Rings & Wedding Rings
Northern Light Gems
(860) 443-7766 (New London)
(860) 691-2020 (Niantic)
WWW.NLGems.Com
From the simplest ring guard to the finest diamond ring, Northern Light Gems provides quality products with excellent customer service. Northern Light Gems is a locally-owned family business, not a mall mega-store.
They have two locations to serve you:
60 State Street, New London, CT 06320
36 Pennsylvania Avenue, Niantic, CT 06357
Miscellaneous
Sunrise and Sunset times
WWW.SunriseSunset.Com
Planning a sunset wedding in Connecticut? Sunrise and Sunset times change a lot during the year. You will need to time your ceremony so that your guests arrive in the daylight and your ceremony ends before it gets too dark to see.
Solstices and Equinoxes
WWW.ArchaeoAstronomy.Com
When you visit the WWW.ArchaeoAstronomy.Com website, select "almanacs" and then the year that interests you. (You'll also find the cross-quarters listed).
Flavours of Life - Fair Trade items from around the world
WWW.Facebook.Com/flavoursoflife
Flavours of Life is a fair trade retailer of clothes, jewelry, crafts, & food from around the world. The Flavours of Life store is on Bank Street in New London, CT.
At home, we drink only fair trade coffee and tea as part of our commitment to become more responsible citizens. You might consider Flavours of Life for wedding favors and other necessities for your green wedding.
Tires Plus - Automotive repair, tires, and brakes
(860) 739-3485
252 Flanders Road, Niantic, CT
TiresPlusBrakes.Com
Justin and his team are honest and do business by the Golden Rule. Calling the business "Tires Plus" is an understatement; they repair cars as well as sell tires and fix brakes.
Getting to your wedding safely and on time is a high priority for me, and I trust my car to Tires Plus.
Disclaimer
While I can guarantee my own work, I cannot guarantee anyone else's. I will do my best to act as mediator between you and the party who has offered you less than their best. If your unhappiness with the situation cannot be resolved, I will withdraw my recommendation.