Beach, Barbecue, and Tampa 4th of July Wedding Ceremonies

For some it was celebrating 4th of July by going to the beach, barbecuing with friends and family, and fireworks. Others celebrated by getting married or with a celebratory vow renewal ceremonies. We did it all.

The entire weekend we kept busy with Tampa 4th of July wedding ceremonies. We started on Saturday with a sunrise wedding ceremony at Sand Key Beach Park for Natalie and Terrance. Terrance is a sergeant in the US Army and Natalie is a US Veteran. They had an very intimate beach wedding ceremony with just two close friends, Jamia and Jeff, in attendance.  Natalie vowed to take Terrance as her beloved king and Terrance vowed to take Natalie as his beloved queen.  They chose to commemorate their marriage through the celebration of a Foot Washing Ceremony, “The feet of the twelve disciples were caked with the dust of daily travels. The job of washing feet was reserved for the slave of the home. Yet, in striking fashion, Jesus – the one who spoke galaxies into existence – dons the towel of a poor slave and wipes the muddied feet of his friends. What a display of love – a love that would bend as low as necessary to lift up, a love that would enter into the mess so it could make things once again clean. This is what Jesus not only does for us, but calls us to do for one another – love by serving and humbling ourselves.” The love Natalie and Terrance was infectious as their wedding ceremony was performed.

Natalie sent a review a few days later, “Amazing. Mrs. Charmaine was a true God-send. She stayed in constant communication with Terrance and I. She made us feel comfortable. When she was reading the vows we picked, she was reading them as if they were special to her too.”

That same Saturday evening our associate officiant, Ellida, performed  Jamia and Jeff’s ceremony (Natalie and Terrance’s two friends that attended their morning wedding) at sunset at Sand Key Park in Clearwater.  Jamia and Jeff were also a military couple. Jamia and Jeff radiated with the love they have for each other. Their ceremony was recognized with a sweet treat that will bring joy to their lives and nourish their souls. They shared a delicious chocolate bar promising to always be present for each other in darkness and in light in sweet and in titter in dismal and delicious!

On Saturday at sunset I officiated Bruce and Patricia’s 20 year vow renewal ceremony at Redington Shores Beach. Bruce totally surprised his wife Patricia. Bruce arranged for over 30 family members to be at the ceremony. Many of the family members hadn’t seen one another for years. Bruce had a plan and George Sr captured the moment as Bruce got down on one knee and proposed again to his wife…..She said “Yes” 😉

Bruce wrote a few days later “Great to work with. Very nice people. Everything was just beautiful.”

It was a busy weekend and we still had a few more Tampa 4th of July wedding ceremonies!

Amy and Chuck thought they were eloping until the word got out. Monday evening they had a beautiful sunset wedding ceremony at Ft Desoto Beach Park.

Also on Monday, Brandon and Tracy eloped at Sand Key Beach in Clearwater.

Pam and Lonnie thought they were eloping on the 4th, but word got out and they had a number of guests attend their ceremony at Honeymoon Island. Pam wrote the following day “Thank you we were very touched by the ceremony you made it very special for us we will always remember it and we wish you a lifetime of happiness”

What a great weekend for so many wonderful couples!! After all the Tampa 4th of July wedding ceremonies, we still had a little time for barbecuing, pool, family and fireworks.