When two people are in love and decide to get married they begin to think of wedding day details. Many people decide to get married in a church, others at their reception venue and still others find unique locations to hold their ceremony.
Wedding day vision is as unique as each couple's personality. I have found that there are traditional couples and non-traditional couples. The common factor for all of them is the joy shared during the ceremony. Any location becomes "ideal" when all that matters is the love. I have officiated beautiful weddings in gorgeous ballrooms and in homey living rooms, on docks at the bay and on Jersey shore beaches, in hotel suites and even in my own home! The backdrop literally fades away and the couple's love takes center stage during each and every ceremony. Wherever it feels right for you and your future spouse to say your vows is the absolute right place for your ceremony. Let your creativity and heart guide you!
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I love to give out references!! I have been fortunate to be blessed with many kind, beautiful reviews and I know how important those reviews can be. I myself read online reviews when selecting professionals in my own life! Reading reviews and looking at ratings is a great start. You can learn much about other couple's experiences with a particular officiant.
I encourage any couple inquiring about my services to also speak with couples I have already worked with. The reviews will bring you to the point of inquiry but the references are a chance to ask questions of people who selected me as their officiant. There is a lot to be said for the excitement and enthusiasm in a person's voice that does not always translate through the written word. Perhaps the reviews did not address some specific thoughts or questions you are having. I am always thrilled to ask the couples I have married if I can use them as a reference for other couples about to be married. I am even more thrilled to supply those references to you, the inquiring couple. As always, I am honored to be chosen as the wedding officiant for any couple's wedding day! When considering an officiant it's important to realize that the services an officiant provides goes beyond the 30 minute ceremony. An officiant is an artist, a motivational speaker, a personal assistant, a secretary and a friend.
Your officiant should be able to creatively compose a ceremony unique to you. I enjoy this part of my process because the writer/artist in me loves to prepare a ceremony that resonates with the couple and the guests. Little personal and meaningful touches will always be remembered when your ceremony is performed with only you two in mind. Your officiant should be a motivational speaker. I don't mean as in an infomercial but certainly well-spoken and sincere when delivering your ceremony. I love to engage the guests and speak thoughtfully to evoke all the beautiful feelings a wedding day brings. Your officiant should be a personal assistant. Guiding my very busy couples through the licensing process to ensure every i is dotted and every t is crossed is of the utmost importance. Your officiant should be a secretary. I take care of filing the license on behalf of my couples so that they are free to begin their honeymoon!! Mostly, as you come to know your officiant they become a friend. I love learning a little something about the couples I officiate for. I enjoy the stories about their journey to the wedding day. By the time of the ceremony I feel very much attached to their "I Do" moment and my heart celebrates with them! When two people fall in love and decide to marry, sometimes there are children to consider. I encourage anyone who has children that is getting married to include them in the ceremony. Not only is a new marriage being born, but a new family is also being born.
A person with a child is a package deal. Mother and child, father and child cannot be seperated. The well-being of children in a relationship should be a priority of the couple. If the children are honored, the couple's marriage will be stronger. To incorporate children in a ceremony is very easy to do. Once the couple exchanges vows, vows to children can be expressed. A few moments of loving, supportive, reassuring promises will allow the children to feel involved and secure in the new family. A token of these vows can be given to each child. These tokens may include family medallion jewelry (easily found online), a "certificate of family", family momentos, or any tangible item that is meaningful to you. The main thing is inclusivity and recognition of all members of your new "tribe". Blending a family is a challenge worth taking for love multiplies itself with the proper nurturing! A wedding ceremony, whether traditional or contempory, contains similar elements. The welcome, the "I Do's", the vows, the ring exchange are all familiar and expected. One way to personalize YOUR ceremony is to include a ceremony within the ceremony. These are the special moments that put your touch into your day.
Many weddings have included a candle lighting or sand ceremony. These are beautiful and classic touches. For those seeking something more unexpected a handfasting moment is lovely. The couple's hands are intertwined and then wrapped lovingly with a decorative ribbon signifying the binding union. For couples who have children, reciting vows to them as parents is both reassuring for them and recognizes that a new family is being united. Another unique and nostalgic moment is for a couple to include the same vows their parents or grandparents took. There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all spouse. That's why I believe your wedding should be reflective of the one-of-a-kind personality of your relationship. Almost any family tradition or momento can be woven into a wedding ceremony to create a ceremony within the ceremony. As a wedding officiant, I love when a couple wants to add that signature touch into the day! |