Tampa 4th of July Wedding Ceremonies

Tampa 4th of July Wedding Ceremonies

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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.

 

 

Celtic Hand Fasting Ceremony Sand Key Park Wedding

Celtic Hand Fasting Ceremony Sand Key Park Wedding

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I recently performed a Celtic Hand Fasting Ceremony Sand Key Park Wedding.  I hadn’t performed a wedding with a Hand Fasting ceremony in awhile so I was excited for the opportunity.

Celtic Hand Fasting ceremony Sand Key Park Wedding picture by Megan Pitts

Celtic Hand Fasting ceremony Sand Key Park Wedding picture by Megan Pitts

Hand fasting ceremonies can be done in a variety of ways. Typically, as the ceremony is performed expressions of intent are asked to bride and groom. As each expression of intend is recited a binding is placed over their hands. For this ceremony I used red ropes for the binding. Ribbons are also commonly used. The couple starts off with holding hands. One partner with the left hand the other with the right. An expression of intent is recited to each partner such as, “will you share in laughter and look for the brightness and positive in him or her?” When they reply “I will” a binding is done with the ropes over their hands. The binding crosses over their hands and continues with each expression of intent thus binding their hands together.  The couple continues to keep their hands bound as the ceremony continues. When it is time for the ring exchange the binding is then released. The binding is given to the couple at the end of the ceremony for a keepsake souvenir.

The Celtic Hand Fasting Ceremony Sand Key Park Wedding ceremony was at sunset. I sprinkled fresh red rose pedals in the sand and I performed the Celtic hand fasting ceremony binding them together for eternity. The final binding sealed with a kiss. My photographer partner, Megan Pitts, took photos before, after, and during the ceremony.

The couple repeatedly thanked me and were very happy. I really enjoyed working with them to create their special Celtic Hand Fasting Ceremony Sand Key Park Wedding.

Sand Key Park Clearwater Wedding Ceremony

Sand Key Park Clearwater Wedding Ceremony

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Ken & Solveiga were married on Thursday. I officiated their Sand Key Park wedding ceremony and George Sr. took pictures. Ken & Solveiga were visiting Florida from Norway. They were staying in Orlando and wanted to be married at sunset on the beach. Ken wanted our Tampa Elopement Wedding Package #3 . He asked me for my suggestions for a nice beach to have ceremony at sunset. He said he wanted something Florida themed maybe with a surf board or something like that.  I recommended they have a Sand Key Park Clearwater wedding ceremony and he agreed. He called me when they arrived in United States to confirm;  they were SO excited. He said it was 5 below when he left Norway so they were loving the Florida weather.

On day of their Sand Key Park Clearwater wedding ceremony we had picture perfect weather. It was a nice temperature with some cool wind. We typically don’t have surfers at the beach in Pinellas County, but we had enough wind that day that a number of surfers were out on the beach.

Just married!!! Photos by George Sr.

Just married!!! Photos by George Sr.

I made a pretty rose pedal heart in the sand and had them stand it for the ceremony. George Sr was doing photos.

It was the PERFECT day for a Sand Key Beach Clearwater Wedding ceremony. Photos by George Sr.

It was the PERFECT day for Ken and Solveiga’s Sand Key Park Clearwater wedding ceremony.  Photos by George Sr.

Solveiga was so emotional when saying her vows that she just burst out crying and couldn’t compose herself. I had them hug while she pulled herself together then continued on with the ceremony. They were such a happy loving couple. After the ceremony George Sr was taking photos and noticed a surfer just putting his board down and kind of watching us. George politely asked the surfer if we could use his board for a few photographs explaining that our couple from Norway were just married and would love it for a few photos. The surfer gladly let us use the board…and he even took a few photos himself– everyone loves a wedding 🙂

Photos by George Sr.

Ken and Solveiga got their “Florida” surfer picture 🙂 Photos by George Sr.

Ken & Solveiga met on matchmaker.com. They were going to be spending the rest of the week in Orlando.

Ken e-mailed me this morning and thanked me for a few of the photos that I sent him right away.  He said, “We are thrilled about your service and thanks for the beautiful pictures!”

 

Sand Key Park Elopement Ceremony

Sand Key Park Elopement Ceremony

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Ajoke and Babatunde were married on Saturday afternoon at beautiful Sand Key Park in Clearwater Florida. Ajoke had contacted me and wanted some suggestions on where to have the ceremony. She saw our Tampa Florida elopement packages and was interested in the package with the fresh rose petals heart in the sand. She wasn’t familiar with the area so I suggested Sand Key Park in Clearwater. On one of our conversations the topic of shoes came up and she said she wasn’t sure if she was going to be wearing heals or go barefoot. I suggested to her to wear flip flops out to the beach, as quite often there are burs and they hurt. On Saturday she wore flip flops and put her heals on for pictures and ceremony. She was very thankful for the suggestion. It was a little windy, but a gorgeous afternoon. Rose petals were flying away on me as I was making the heart in the sand for them, but I was able to keep it together and make a pretty heart in the sand for their Sand Key Park Elopement Ceremony.

in the rose petal heart at their Sand Key Park Elopement Ceremony

Ajoke and Babtunde in the rose petal heart at their Sand Key Park Elopement Ceremony

They are truly an adorable couple!! Both from Nigeria, however, met at church locally. They have been together for a little over a year. They wanted a little religious text in the ceremony. They had no plans after the ceremony. Just taking some time to enjoy one another. She e-mailed me later in the day ,“Thank you so much.  I appreciate everything.”

Me with the happy couple

Me with the happy couple

 

Holiday Tampa Wedding Ceremonies

Holiday Tampa Wedding Ceremonies

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We officiated a number Holiday Tampa Wedding Ceremonies. We had vacationers coming to Florida wanting to share their special day with family and friends, couples who had time off from work, and even couples who wanted to be married by end of year for tax purposes. All in all, they all wanted to be married because they were truly in love!!

Jackie & Simen were married on December 26 at Hyatt Regency on Clearwater Beach. They were in Florida visiting with family and wanted a pretty wedding on the beach. They met each other in New York. Simen is from Norway and has the cutest accent. They kept the wedding simple with a four post decorated bamboo with white draped fabric and roses in the corners draping down the sides. A very cheerful couple. They had a champagne toast on the beach and photographs after the ceremony.

Me with

Me with Jackie and Simen

Jessica & Joseph were visiting Florida from Michigan and were married on December 27 on Honeymoon Island. It was a gorgeous day. To my surprise Jessica & Joseph found a beautiful spot for the ceremony. The beach was really crowded. They found a pretty spot by the Nature’s Center for the ceremony. It’s not a sandy beach area, but has some trees, a wooden swing, and a beautiful view of the ocean.

Honeymoon Island wedding ceremony

Me with Jessica and Joseph at their Honeymoon Island wedding ceremony

John & Maria were married on New Year’s Day at the Postcard Inn in St Petersburg. John is currently serving in the US Coast Guard. Maria looked so pretty in her knee length white dress carrying red roses and wearing red heel shoes.  She is probably the first bride I’ve ever seen gracefully walk down the beach in sand wearing high heels. John looked so handsome in his military uniform. Maria is from Russia.  They met through a friend about a year ago. She had family members visiting Florida so they were able to be at the wedding.

haha

John and Maria’s family together at their wedding

All the weddings were very simple, fun, and done just the way the couples wanted them to be. These are just a few of many fun weddings that were performed over the holidays. All couples were very thankful and pleased with their weddings.

What to Expect When You Hire A Beautiful Wedding in Florida

What to Expect When You Hire A Beautiful Wedding in Florida

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Who can tell you better than some of our past client’s? Take a look at some of our reviews.

“If I needed to change anything Charmaine respondent to my e-mails asap.”  weddingwire-rated-badge-for-100-reviews

“Charmaine did a perfect job! Short but very sweet!”

“George (sr.) was great! He was on time, polite, and did everything just as I wanted it. He had a very clear voice and did a wonderful job.”

“Charmaine officiated our wedding and I gotta say, she did a wonderful job! She was exceptionally quick to respond to all of our e-mails and phone calls and was a great help answering every question we had. We had a short beach ceremony and her prices were VERY reasonable. She was on time, prepared, and guided us through every step to make sure we had a perfect wedding!”

“George Jr was very professional and polite. He came out with almost no notice and he was very accommodating”

“From beginning to end Amanda was on top of it and quick to respond “

“Charmaine was was sooo very patient.”

“Amanda is an awesome officiant. She did an amazing job with the ceremony and getting everything moving. She is knowledgeable and very friendly.”

“Charmaine was great. She was very professional and took charge when it came to the ceremony.”

“George Sr did a perfect job of officiating our incredible wedding!  True professional – experienced & confident – spoke eloquently & made us feel comfortable.”

“George Jr was very sincere and sweet He was very easy to work with and answered all of my questions on the phone and via email. Months in advance, George sent me samples of his wedding vow scripts and allowed us the flexibility to alter them as we saw fit.”

“Amanda was such a wonderful officiant! We could not have asked for a nicer, more professional person for our wedding.”

Getting ready for the wedding on Sand Key Beach.

Getting ready for the wedding on Sand Key Beach. We will literally get on our hands and knees to make sure your wedding ceremony is WONDERFUL!

George Jr. AKA the "Lucky" Clearwater Beach Wedding Officiant

We will even dress up in a costume if you ask! George Jr. AKA the “Lucky” Clearwater Beach Wedding Officiant.

I will marry you anywhere.!

We’ll go out onto the Wakulla Springs boat, stand on the edge (even though we just saw an alligator), and perform an awesome ceremony for you!