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Get Married for $99 / Renew Your Marriage Vows for $99 The fee to officiate any type of ceremony, any day of the week is $99 The fee to officiate any type of ceremony on a holiday or holiday weekend is $99 There is a $1 per mile travel fee (one way) to any location that does not have a Venice, FL address. Yes, I will travel to Sarasota or Siesta Key or Boca Grande or Englewood or Nokomis or Osprey. There's nothing quite like getting married or renewing your wedding vows in paradise! Beach theme ceremonies, Christian Ceremonies, Interfaith Ceremonies, Non-religious Ceremonies, Romantic Ceremonies and Spiritual Ceremonies (mentions God). Yes, I have done many "short notice" ceremonies. In Florida, only ONE signature is required on the Marriage License, the officiant's signature. I have performed many "just the two of us" ceremonies.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

April 28, 2011

A Bride and Groom received $5 in a wedding card.  At first they thought it was a joke, and then they read this note . .   "What can you do with $5?

You can buy a plastic watering can . . some acrylic paints for an arts and crafts project . . glass candle sticks . . a souvenir print of the Eiffel Tower . . buy some glass mason jars and fill them with jelly beans or cookies or cotton balls . . made lemonade with $5 worth of lemons . . lip gloss or lip balm . . a small plastic cosmetic bag for your purse . . a cotton scarf to dress up a plain jacket . . and a bang trim at the hairdressers.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

April 27, 2011

Why is the wedding ring put on the third finger of the left hand?

The ancients believed that a special vein, which they called a "vena amoris" or vein of love, ran from the finger directly to the heart.  By putting on a fitted ring, the affections were bound in and could never flow out the finger tips.  Also, this finger - although not the smallest on the hand - is the weakest and most dependent on the others for help in lifting and holding.  It seemed to symbolize the young wife supported by the strength of her husband.  The ring finger has sometimes been on the left hand, sometimes on the right hand, according to country and custom.  Among English-speaking persons, it has been on the left since the edict of Edward VI in 1549.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

April 26, 2011

Why a Wedding Band?

Wedding bands, symbolized eternal love by their lack of beginning or end, grew out of the ancient tradition of using circlets of grass to decorate a Bride's wrists and ankles.  Although not required to validate a marriage under a civil law, rings were required in the 16th century by the Council of Trent.  The circular shape symbolizes eternity.

Sunday, April 24, 2011

April 24, 2011

As a couple about to be engaged or an engaged couple or newlyweds, I suggest that you become a member of Costco for the following reasons . .

You can buy engagement rings.

You can buy health insurance, it acts like a middle man to match members with the appropriate insurance company (ies).

Secure a mortgage.  You can save a substantial amount on lender fees from national lenders that have an agreement with Costco.

Wedding dress.  Kirstie Kelly will be selling six exclusive wedding gowns for about 40% off their retail price at trunk shows throughout the country.  The gowns will be ranging in price from $700 to $1400, ranging in sizes from 2 to 24.

Wedding paper goods and decorations.  Costco is selling everything from fresh flowers to printed wedding invitation kits.

Honeymoon or vacation.  By becoming a member of Costco Travel you can get some great rates on cruises, theme parks, rental cars, and hotels plus honeymoon packages.

Yes, buying a membership is definitely worth it!

Saturday, April 23, 2011

April 23, 2011

Question from a Bride and Groom . .
    
When are we legally married?

Response . .

When you say, "I do," you did.  The Certificate of Marriage goes straight from the hands of the Officiant/Clergy Man or Woman to the County Clerk's Office (either by mail or dropped off).  If you are having "second thoughts" about being married right after the ceremony there are no exceptions, no loopholes, and no grace period.  You, the Bride and Groom, have made a verbal legal contract during the ceremony,  and once the Officiant has declared you "wed" and the paperwork confirms that, you are "legally married."  Problems that occur after that are between you, your spouse, and the state.  The Officiant cannot "undo" what was already done (whether it was two hours ago or the previous day).

Friday, April 22, 2011

April 22, 2011

Question from a Bride and Groom . .
               We gave an officiant a deposit check for $100 to officiate our wedding.  The check did not
                clear, it was our fault.  And now the officiant is telling us that we broke the contract and he will not
                conduct our ceremony.  Can he do that?

Response . .

                Giving someone a check that is insufficient is like not giving them any money at all.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

April 20, 2011

Wondering what how much your wedding guests are going to spend on your wedding gift?

According to a recent poll . .

16% spend less than $50
35% spend $50 to $99
30% spend $100 to $199
19% spend $200 or more

Which means 51% of your wedding guests will give you a gift that costs less than $99.  Maybe you need a new set of friends?

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

April 19, 2011

The International Foods of Love . .

Truffles . . Chocolate Mousse . . Creme Brulee' . . and Chocolate Covered Strawberries.

Easy Choclate Covered Strawberries Recipe
Makes about 20

16 ounces of milk chocolate chips
2 tablespoons of shortening
1 pound of fresh strawberries, preferably medium to large size

Insert toothpicks into tops of strawberries.

In double boiler, melt chocolate and shortening, stirring occasionally until smooth.  holding strawberries by toothpicks, dip each one into chocolae mixture.

Turn strawberries upside down and insert toothpicks into styrofoam and let chocolate cool.

Sunday, April 17, 2011

April 17, 2011

There are many Brides and Grooms who are fortunate to have "everything they need" so they ask their guests to donate to a charity in lieu of a purchased gift.  Here's some websites that may help you, the Bride and Groom, determine what cause or nonprofit organization you would like to support. 

Charity.com . . Easy to use listings and contact information for thousands of charity and nonprofit groups, updated daily.

Charitynavigator.org . . This site offers unbiased ratings and background information to help you learn about a charity before you contribute to it.  Also, includes a vast charity directory and top 10 lists.

Just recently I was associated with a Bride and Groom who made a donation to the burn unit of a hospital in lieu of table favors.  The donation was stated on the Ceremony Program and on the wedding gift table.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

April 14, 2011

Question from a Bride and Groom . . Do we have to have a reception?

Response . .
A reception is not expected if your ceremony takes place in a Court House setting or in a private setting.
Your guests will expect some type of reception if you are getting married in a house of worship or some other type of formal setting.  A reception is more than a tray full of cheese and crackers, Italian wedding soup, a chicken dinner, and wedding cake with lots of icing . . it is  the Bride and Groom's opportunity to say "Thank You for coming to our wedding" to your friends and family members.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

April 13, 2011

Attended the April 12, 2011 meeting of the Weddings of Venice networking group at the Manasota Beach Club in Englewood, FL.  Our group is preparing for a bridal show on June 5, 2011 at the Venetian Golf & River Club in North  Venice, FL.

Friday, April 8, 2011

April 8, 2011

Question of the week . .

What would yo do if one of your guests has asked you if they can being "some friends visiting from out of town" to your wedding.  And those friends total six more people.  How do you respond?

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

April 6, 2011

Question from a Bride . .

My friends and I would rather have a "Pajama Party" or "Girls Night In" than bachelorette party.
Could you give me some ideas or suggestions on what to do?

Response:  Have a pizza cook-off.  Create some teams.  Each team would bring their own ingredients to the party.  The hostess would provide the pizza dough (which can be purchased from local pizza shops or grocery stores).

Each person brings some "Hollywood gossip" from a magazine or news show or off the internet.

Bring some CDs that feature "the oldies but goodies" from the 50s and 60s or 70s.  Dance . . dance . . dance to the music!

Ask your guest to bring their favorite board games.  Break into teams.  The team with the most points at the end of the evening wins a prize.

Give each other manicures or pedicures.  Ask your guests to bring their favorite nail polish color.  The hostess would provide polish remover, nail files, etc.

Ask each person to bring their favorite DVD movie in a specific category.

Friday, April 1, 2011

April 1, 2011

Question from a Bride and Groom . .
Do we have to invite an immediate family member to our wedding and reception who is a known trouble maker at family events?

Response:  YOU, the Bride and Groom, should NEVER invite anyone to your wedding (or any event) who will make you feel unhappy or uncomfortable or angry.  Would you invite a swarm of bees to a picnic?