About Me
- Simple Seaside Ceremonies
- 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.
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
March 31, 2015
For those of you who are shopping for a bridal gown for a "beach wedding" please keep in mind that purchasing a gown that is "floor length" or has "a long train" is something that you should avoid. Why? Two words . . beach sand.
Monday, March 30, 2015
March 30, 2015
What is the South African Lighting of the Hearth?
One of the most common wedding traditions is having the parents of the Bride and Groom bring fire from their homes to light the hearth of the newlyweds together as a family.
One of the most common wedding traditions is having the parents of the Bride and Groom bring fire from their homes to light the hearth of the newlyweds together as a family.
Saturday, March 28, 2015
March 28, 2015
What is the Polish Money Dance?
The Czepek translates into "the money dance". It is a popular custom that helps fiance the couple's honeymoon. Guests pin money to the Bride and Groom's clothing while they are dancing dancing plus the wedding guests create a circle around the newlyweds so they can throw money onto the Bride's veil.
Thanks to Lifestyle / Julia Kitlinski-Hong
The Czepek translates into "the money dance". It is a popular custom that helps fiance the couple's honeymoon. Guests pin money to the Bride and Groom's clothing while they are dancing dancing plus the wedding guests create a circle around the newlyweds so they can throw money onto the Bride's veil.
Thanks to Lifestyle / Julia Kitlinski-Hong
Friday, March 27, 2015
March 27, 2015
Thinking about coming to the Sarasota, FL area for Easter or spring break?
How about renewing your wedding vows one the beach? Or at one of the many resorts or beach front condos? Surprise your spouse . . make room reservations, make arrangements for an officiant to meet you at sunset, and make dinner reservations. Have a grand spring break!
How about renewing your wedding vows one the beach? Or at one of the many resorts or beach front condos? Surprise your spouse . . make room reservations, make arrangements for an officiant to meet you at sunset, and make dinner reservations. Have a grand spring break!
Thursday, March 26, 2015
March 26, 2015
What is a Kransekake?
It is a traditional Norwegian cake that is often served at weddings or holiday celebrations. it consists of almonds, icing sugar and egg whites. it is created by stacking the cake rings of different sizes from the larges to the smallest in a pyramid shape. The top is adorned with trinkets depending on the occasion, for example, a bride figure for a wedding.
It is a traditional Norwegian cake that is often served at weddings or holiday celebrations. it consists of almonds, icing sugar and egg whites. it is created by stacking the cake rings of different sizes from the larges to the smallest in a pyramid shape. The top is adorned with trinkets depending on the occasion, for example, a bride figure for a wedding.
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
March 25, 2015
Need a Flower Girl dress in June, July or August?
Easter and spring party dresses go "on sale" after Easter so check out the party dresses at your favorite department stores before you go to a bridal shop.
Easter and spring party dresses go "on sale" after Easter so check out the party dresses at your favorite department stores before you go to a bridal shop.
Monday, March 23, 2015
March 23, 2015
What is Henna Night?
The Kina Gecesi or henna night is a ceremony that usually takes place the night before the wedding. Historically it is to symbolize the Bride leaving their family's home as a daughter and entering into a new family as a wife. A red veil is placed over the bride-to-be and her hands are elaborately decorated in henna.
Thanks to Lifestyle / Julia Kitlinski-Hong
The Kina Gecesi or henna night is a ceremony that usually takes place the night before the wedding. Historically it is to symbolize the Bride leaving their family's home as a daughter and entering into a new family as a wife. A red veil is placed over the bride-to-be and her hands are elaborately decorated in henna.
Thanks to Lifestyle / Julia Kitlinski-Hong
Sunday, March 22, 2015
March 22, 2015
What does 3 3 9 times means in Japanese weddings?
Traditionally, wedding sin Japan take place in Shinto shrines, whee the Bride and Groom partake in a sake-drinking ritual called san-san-ku-do. This ancient tradition translates as "three-three-nine-times," where couples drink from three different-sized cups three times each.
Odd numbers in Japan are considered lucky, especially the number three. The smallest cup represents heaven, the middle represents earth, and the largest represents mankind.
Lifestyle / Julia Kitlinski-Hong
Traditionally, wedding sin Japan take place in Shinto shrines, whee the Bride and Groom partake in a sake-drinking ritual called san-san-ku-do. This ancient tradition translates as "three-three-nine-times," where couples drink from three different-sized cups three times each.
Odd numbers in Japan are considered lucky, especially the number three. The smallest cup represents heaven, the middle represents earth, and the largest represents mankind.
Lifestyle / Julia Kitlinski-Hong
Saturday, March 21, 2015
March 21, 2015
On the 21st day of March, Faye M Mallardi and Richard L Cameron said, "We Do."
and on that same day Helaina J and Raymond Q Johnstone said, "We Do Again."
and on that same day Helaina J and Raymond Q Johnstone said, "We Do Again."
Thursday, March 19, 2015
March 19, 2015
What is a Var Mala Ceremony?
The Var Mala ceremony is a tradition of Indian weddings, where the Bride and Groom exchange colorful garlands to signify their unity and acceptance of one another. The ritual is practiced throughout India, but differs on shape and size depending on the region.
Thanks to Lifestyle / Julia Kitlinski-Hong
The Var Mala ceremony is a tradition of Indian weddings, where the Bride and Groom exchange colorful garlands to signify their unity and acceptance of one another. The ritual is practiced throughout India, but differs on shape and size depending on the region.
Thanks to Lifestyle / Julia Kitlinski-Hong
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
Tuesday, March 17, 2015
March 17, 2015
According to "The Knot"'s report on 2014 Wedding Statistics, the average amount spent on a bridal gown is about $1350.
And the average cost of a wedding (the ceremony and the reception) is about $31,000. This amount does not include the honeymoon.
Save your pennies!
And the average cost of a wedding (the ceremony and the reception) is about $31,000. This amount does not include the honeymoon.
Save your pennies!
Sunday, March 15, 2015
March 15, 2015
According to the well-know wedding magazine, "The Knot", Manhattan / New York City is the most expensive place to get married.. WOW! What a surprise! The average cost of a Manhattan wedding and reception is over $75,000.
And the least expensive place to get married is Utah. For less than $20,000 you can have "a very nice wedding" in Utah. Go west, young man, go west!
And the least expensive place to get married is Utah. For less than $20,000 you can have "a very nice wedding" in Utah. Go west, young man, go west!
Saturday, March 14, 2015
March 14, 2015
One of the Ten Things That Every Guest Wants at Your Wedding
To be entertained . . Absolutely!
In my mind there's two kinds of entertainment . .
(1) A DJ or band leader who knows how to read the guests for their taste in music and smart enough to stop or tone down the music when it is necessary.
(2) A DJ or band leader who plays his or her favorite music very loudly. BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
To be entertained . . Absolutely!
In my mind there's two kinds of entertainment . .
(1) A DJ or band leader who knows how to read the guests for their taste in music and smart enough to stop or tone down the music when it is necessary.
(2) A DJ or band leader who plays his or her favorite music very loudly. BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Friday, March 13, 2015
March 13, 2015
One of the Ten Things Every Guest Wants at Your Wedding
A little time with the Bride and Groom . . Yes!
A friend of mine went to a wedding recently. When they got to the reception, they discovered that three large banquet rooms were needed for the 400+ invited guests. My friend and her husband only saw the Bride and Groom from a distance. The newlyweds did not have a receiving line and they only visited with friends and relatives who were positioned close to their head table. If you wanted to see the Bride and Groom "up close and personal", you had to watch a television screen in the other two banquet rooms.
A little time with the Bride and Groom . . Yes!
A friend of mine went to a wedding recently. When they got to the reception, they discovered that three large banquet rooms were needed for the 400+ invited guests. My friend and her husband only saw the Bride and Groom from a distance. The newlyweds did not have a receiving line and they only visited with friends and relatives who were positioned close to their head table. If you wanted to see the Bride and Groom "up close and personal", you had to watch a television screen in the other two banquet rooms.
Thursday, March 12, 2015
March 12, 2015
One of Ten Things Every Guest Wants at Your Wedding
Knowing what to do next . . for sure!
I will never forget a Bride and Groom who I worked with years ago who were so secretive about their plans immediately after the ceremony that they left their guests wondering if, and when, the newlyweds were going to return.
Unbeknownst to me, the Bride and Groom arranged for a long carriage ride immediately after the ceremony. The Bride and Groom were gone for over an hour and surprise, surprise upon the Bride and Groom's return a lot of the guests were drunk or missing (and many paid for dinners were not consumed).
I always make it a point to ask the Bride and Groom what their plans are immediately after the ceremony so an announcement or an explanation can be made to their guests. Your friends and loved ones should not wonder what to do next. Either state the Bride and Groom' schedule on the Ceremony Program or ask someone to make an announcement.
Knowing what to do next . . for sure!
I will never forget a Bride and Groom who I worked with years ago who were so secretive about their plans immediately after the ceremony that they left their guests wondering if, and when, the newlyweds were going to return.
Unbeknownst to me, the Bride and Groom arranged for a long carriage ride immediately after the ceremony. The Bride and Groom were gone for over an hour and surprise, surprise upon the Bride and Groom's return a lot of the guests were drunk or missing (and many paid for dinners were not consumed).
I always make it a point to ask the Bride and Groom what their plans are immediately after the ceremony so an announcement or an explanation can be made to their guests. Your friends and loved ones should not wonder what to do next. Either state the Bride and Groom' schedule on the Ceremony Program or ask someone to make an announcement.
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
March 11, 2015
One of the Ten Things Every Guest Wants at Your Wedding
Interesting conversation at dinner . . yes!
I'm a firm believe in mixing up table assignments. For a couple of hours, it's OK for a husband and wife to sit at two different tables. For a couple of hours, it's OK to enjoy the company of seven people you have never met before. When you put eight "total strangers" at the same table, everyone is on their "best behavior" which makes for a very pleasant evening and interesting conversation.
Interesting conversation at dinner . . yes!
I'm a firm believe in mixing up table assignments. For a couple of hours, it's OK for a husband and wife to sit at two different tables. For a couple of hours, it's OK to enjoy the company of seven people you have never met before. When you put eight "total strangers" at the same table, everyone is on their "best behavior" which makes for a very pleasant evening and interesting conversation.
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
Monday, March 9, 2015
Sunday, March 8, 2015
Saturday, March 7, 2015
March 7, 2015
One of the Ten Things Every Guest Wants at Your Wedding
A short ceremony . . Absolutely!
There's a happy medium between these two stories . .
A Bride and Groom wanted " a five minute or less ceremony". Why? Because sharing a case of champagne with their friends was much more important to them. The Bride's Mother and Father paid over $5000 for a bridal gown that was only worn during the ceremony.
Another Bride and Groom's ceremony was so long that both the Flower Girl and the Ring Bearer fell asleep plus several of the guests dozed off. And how long was that ceremony? Over two hours.
When a ceremony is over thirty minutes long . . it's too long!
A short ceremony . . Absolutely!
There's a happy medium between these two stories . .
A Bride and Groom wanted " a five minute or less ceremony". Why? Because sharing a case of champagne with their friends was much more important to them. The Bride's Mother and Father paid over $5000 for a bridal gown that was only worn during the ceremony.
Another Bride and Groom's ceremony was so long that both the Flower Girl and the Ring Bearer fell asleep plus several of the guests dozed off. And how long was that ceremony? Over two hours.
When a ceremony is over thirty minutes long . . it's too long!
Friday, March 6, 2015
March 6, 2015
One of the Ten Things Every Guests Wants at Your Wedding
A peaceful atmosphere . . Absolutely!
If you or one of your parents or one of your guest have to tell the band leader or the DJ to "turn down the volume" because you can't carry on a conversation with the person next to you then you are not providing a peaceful atmosphere.
I will never forget a recent Bride and Groom decided not to have a band or DJ at their wedding and her parents were quite upset because the Bride's parents like to dance and party. The Bride and Groom considered themselves poor dancers and they thought it was much more important to talk to people they have not seen in several months or years rather than do something they did not enjoy.
And so, the parents brought a CD player and some music which they set up at the far end of the banquet room for those people who like to dance.
A peaceful atmosphere . . Absolutely!
If you or one of your parents or one of your guest have to tell the band leader or the DJ to "turn down the volume" because you can't carry on a conversation with the person next to you then you are not providing a peaceful atmosphere.
I will never forget a recent Bride and Groom decided not to have a band or DJ at their wedding and her parents were quite upset because the Bride's parents like to dance and party. The Bride and Groom considered themselves poor dancers and they thought it was much more important to talk to people they have not seen in several months or years rather than do something they did not enjoy.
And so, the parents brought a CD player and some music which they set up at the far end of the banquet room for those people who like to dance.
March 6, 2015
One of the Ten Things Every Guest Wants at Your Wedding
A short journey from the ceremony location to the reception . . Definitely!
I was once associated with a Bride and Groom who choose a hotel restaurant that was almost an hour's drive from the ceremony location for their reception luncheon. And even though there were only about thirty people involved in this event, just about all of them had to drive back to the ceremony location which was a bed and breakfast.
A short journey from the ceremony location to the reception . . Definitely!
I was once associated with a Bride and Groom who choose a hotel restaurant that was almost an hour's drive from the ceremony location for their reception luncheon. And even though there were only about thirty people involved in this event, just about all of them had to drive back to the ceremony location which was a bed and breakfast.
Thursday, March 5, 2015
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
March 4, 2015
One of the Ten Things That Every Guest Wants at Your Wedding
Free Alcoholic Beverages Definitely!
I will never forget a Groom asking me years ago, "How do we put bring your own beer to the reception on our wedding invitation because we don't drink and we're not buying beer for other people to drink."
Your guests should not have to supply their own beverages. They don't have to bring their own silverware and they don't have to bring their own dessert so they should not be expected to bring or pay for their own beverages. If you choose not to have alcoholic beverages at your event, that's your decision, and your guests should accept that decision. Pass the word to your friends and family members before your wedding date that your reception is going to be "alcohol free".
And for those of you who think it's OK to have "a cash bar" the answer is "it is not OK."
Free Alcoholic Beverages Definitely!
I will never forget a Groom asking me years ago, "How do we put bring your own beer to the reception on our wedding invitation because we don't drink and we're not buying beer for other people to drink."
Your guests should not have to supply their own beverages. They don't have to bring their own silverware and they don't have to bring their own dessert so they should not be expected to bring or pay for their own beverages. If you choose not to have alcoholic beverages at your event, that's your decision, and your guests should accept that decision. Pass the word to your friends and family members before your wedding date that your reception is going to be "alcohol free".
And for those of you who think it's OK to have "a cash bar" the answer is "it is not OK."
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
March 3, 2015
Maria Conti and Christopher A Koval became Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Koval on the 3rd day of March.
Monday, March 2, 2015
March 2, 2015
On the 2nd day of March, Tammy JP Grimont and Ronald D Myers Jr. became Husband and Wife.
Sunday, March 1, 2015
March 1, 2015
On the first day of March, JoEllen Dangel and Joseph Weaver became Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Weaver
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