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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.

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

August 31, 2011

A great idea from Mirassou Vineyards . .

Purchase a 3 liter or larger bottle of red wine and ask your wedding guests to sign the bottle when they arrive at the reception.  Then, when you celebrate your 10 year anniversary, you can invite many friends and family members over and enjoy not only a well-aged wine, but reminisce about your wedding day.

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

August 30, 2011

Need a wedding cake?  Are you thinking about serving mini cupcakes at the bridal shower or the rehearsal dinner or the morning after brunch?

Contact Dee Baker at DeeZiner Cakes and Pastries
807 US 41 Bypass, Suite B
Venice, FL 34285

Phone:  941-716-4196
Website:  www.deezinercakes.com
E-mail:  Deezinercakes@hotmail.com

Dee Baker was the winner of the "Best Booth Contest" at the Weddings of Venice June 5, 2011 Bridal Show . . "That's Amore!"

DeeZiner Cakes and Pastries is a member of the Weddings of Venice  (www.wovfl.com) networking group

Monday, August 29, 2011

August 29, 2011

Why the Wedding Kiss?

Part of the ceremony since Roman times when it was the only legal bond - if one of the engaged pair died before the wedding, the other could keep the gifts only if they had already kissed. 

The wedding kiss is a symbol of the newlywed's faith and love, respect and obedience to mutual benefits, it grew out of the feudal practice of kissing a lord's ring.

Sunday, August 28, 2011

August 28, 2011

The miracle of love is that love is given to us to give to one another . .

Saturday, August 27, 2011

August 27, 2011

Question from a Bride and Groom . .

Did we have to have an equal number of bridesmaids and groomsmen?

No.  No one is going to arrest you if your wedding party is uneven.  You do what words for you.

Just recently I was associated with a Bride and Groom who had a Matron of Honor, a Maid of Honor, three bridesmaids and twin Flower Girls.  Only a Ring Bearer stood next to the Groom because the Best Man had to cancel out a week before the wedding and there no groomsmen asked.

Friday, August 26, 2011

August 26, 2011

Looking for someplace to have your wedding?  Reception?  Lodging for your out of town guests?

Bentley's Resort Hotel.
The perfect location for your wedding . .

Ceremonies can be conducted inside or outside.
A variety of  rooms that can accommodate a  reception, a shower, a rehearsal dinner or party, a tea party or a mini family reunion.
Dance floor and nightclub so you can dance the night away.
Beach and pool complex for children of all ages.
Now a 4 STAR hotel with luxurious accommodations with 100+ rooms, including a bridal suite.
A Seattle's Best Coffee shop.
A great in-house restaurant.

1660 South Tamiami Trail, Osprey, Florida 34299
www.bentleysresort.com
941-966-2121

Thursday, August 25, 2011

August 25, 2011

Have you ever attended a wedding reception where the food and/or service and/or beverages were inferior or less than desirable?

Did you tell the host and hostess?  That evening?  Several weeks later?  Ever?

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

August 24, 2011

According to a recent poll 43 percent of Brides and Grooms are paying for their own wedding.  And here's a couple of reasons why . .

They prefer planning, organizing and hosting their own event.

The can afford to pay for their own wedding and reception.

They do not have to have a traditional wedding if they don't want one.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

August 23, 2011

Mark your calendar . .

The Wedding  Village Bridal Show
Sarasota Municipal Auditorium
Sunday, November 20, 2011
12 Noon to 4PM

Featuring only the top wedding professionals in the area!  Fashion show at Noon.  Live entertainment, hair and make-up demonstrations, samples engagement photos, signature cocktails and tastings.

The Bride and Groom are FREE, guests $5

Monday, August 22, 2011

August 22, 2011

Wine Gift Registry . .
Create a wish list at the popular WineEnthusiast.com and fill it with everything from stemware, corkscrews and accessories to selections fro The Wine Enthusiast Catalog's wine cellars.  Most items are available gift wrapped.  Wine Enthusiast also offers a toll-free number to assist gift givers.

Saturday, August 20, 2011

August 20, 2011


A toast to the Bride and Groom . .

There is no need to spend $40 on a house brand of champagne or sparkling wine if your wedding guest count is more then ten people.  Consider using a prosecco or Spanish Cava for $10 or $12 per bottle.

What would you rather do, buy 20 bottles of a $40 champagne or 20 bottles of a $12 bottle of prosecco?

Thursday, August 18, 2011

August 18, 2011

The wedding toast . .
The toast, well done, is a reflection of the past . .
the present . .
and the future.

A toast should be less than five (5) minutes long and it should not be read verbatim (although having have a note card or index card for reference or review is a good idea).

A good toast is positive, upbeat and communicated with the passion that brought everyone to this moment (the wedding reception).

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

August 17, 2011

Trying to get "in shape" for your wedding day?  Trying to eat healthy?

Think salads for lunch and dinner.  The Salad Blaster Bowl can keep you on track.  The domed lid holds 2 ounces of dressing; press it down and it spritzes your greens and fresh vegetables.  The premeasured amount means you'll use less dressing . . and save calories.  Can be found at the containerstore.com.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

August 16, 2011

If there was a gift designed for the Groom, this is it.  BedroomIsBoutique.com (pronounced bedroom eyes boutique) carries trendy and classic "Just Married" pieces suitable for brides of every age and style.  Brides and grooms can register can register online but they'll have to tell their friends as there's no e-mail notification function on the site.

Monday, August 15, 2011

August 15, 2011

Donation Registries

More modern couples are straying away from gifts and asking friends and family members to donate to their favorite non-profit organization, cause or charity.  Through the I DO Foundation, guests can donate directly to a couple's chosen charitable cause via a secure system.  Charities are grouped into six focus areas including health, environment, social justice, community development, education and children, you and families.  Information provided by Nuovo Bride.

Saturday, August 13, 2011

August 13, 2011

What does a coin in the shoe mean (a wedding custom)?

Ancient custom  to appease Diana, goddess of chastity and unmarried maidens, so that the bride could lose her virginity and bear children.

Friday, August 12, 2011

August 12, 2011

Why Something Old - Something New?

Something old:  continuity
Something new:  optimism, hope
Something borrow:  happiness shared from a happily married couple
Something blue:  fidelity, love, purity
Lucky sixpence in shoe:  ensures a life of fortune.

Thursday, August 11, 2011

August 11, 2011

Attended the monthly meeting of Weddings of Venice at the Mission Valley Country Club, 1851 Mission Valley Boulevard, Nokomis on Wednesday, August 10.  Our speaker was social networking expert, Kate DeSantis.  Our best booth contest winner from the June 5 bridal show, Dee Baker of DeeZiner Cakes & Pastries, was announced and awarded $50.  Our venue hostess was Stacy Brown, she treated us to mini crab cakes and miniature cream puffs.  YUM!  The next Weddings of Venice Bridal Show will take place on Sunday, June 10, 2012 at the Mission Valley Country Club.

Saturday, August 6, 2011

August 6, 2011

How should we carry the wedding rings down the aisle?

Colin Cowie suggests . . if your dog is an essential part of your life then ask if it is permissible for he/she to be a member of the wedding party.

Though the exchange of wedding rings is not a tradition in a Greek wedding, having the rings brought out on an olive branch is a great way to put a modern spin on an old tradition.

If you are having a beach wedding, the rings can be brought in on a curved shell or one of the fingers of a starfish.

Monday, August 1, 2011

August 1, 2011

What is the origin of the Bride carrying flowers?

The use of flowers in the wedding celebration is as old as marriage itself.  nearly every type of blossom bears a symbolism that goes back for centuries.  Flowering quince was favored by the ancient Greeks who believed nurture the love between a Bride and Groom, while the Romans braided wreaths of marigolds and roses to guarantee love and longevity.  The bouquet symbolizes life, growth, and fertility.