Wedding Officiant Trivia- Do You Know Why Women Are Escorted On The Left?

Wedding Officiant Trivia- Do You Know Why Women Are Escorted On The Left?

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             Wedding Officiant Trivia-   Do You Know Why Women Are Escorted On The Left?

We are quite often asked these questions at rehearsals and at wedding ceremonies:

What arm does the woman go on? Why do we escort women on our left arm? Here is the answer!

When a man escorts his partner, tradition has it that he offers his left arm. This tradition originates from medieval times when men escorted women around town and through the fields. Should a threat arise or the woman’s honor require defending, the man’s sword hand (his right hand) would be free, giving him quick and easy access to his sword, worn on his left side.

To this day, the left arm rule still applies while indoors. However, with the rise of wheeled vehicles and non-pedestrian streets, the proper escorting etiquette evolved over the years for outdoor environments. Today, when escorting a women outdoors, you should position yourself on the outside (closest to the street) to protect her from traffic, mud splashing, etc.

Now you know 🙂

Of course, you don’t have to do it this way. We see couples creating new traditions all the time! So if you prefer to have the women escorted on the right- do it! It’s your wedding ceremony and we encourage you to personalize it and make it yours.

Kristen's Dad walking her down the beach for her Sand Key Park wedding ceremony

Kristen’s Dad walking her down the beach for her Sand Key Park wedding ceremony

Mark and David’s Honeymoon Island Wedding Ceremony

Mark and David’s Honeymoon Island Wedding Ceremony

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Since January 6th when same sex marriages were legalized in Florida I’ve had the opportunity to officiate a number of same sex wedding ceremonies in the Tampa area. I had performed commitment ceremonies for same sex couples prior to legalization. Officiating same sex wedding ceremonies has been very eye opening for me as I see these couples with so much love for each other and how much it means to them to be married. This was never an option for them and now they have the same opportunity that a man and a woman have…to be married!!!.11176367_443434369157145_1525122755_n

I performed a Honeymoon Island Wedding Ceremony the other night for two men, who were so happy to finally be able to be married. David & Mark were married Saturday night at Honeymoon Island in Dunedin. David text me when he got to the Court House to tell me they got their Florida Marriage License. They were so excited! He again text me hours before the wedding and confirmed everything one last time. I could see how much it mean to them. When I met them, Mark wasn’t smiling and David was beaming!!! I said, “Come-on Mark, smile.” David assure me that he is like that all of the time. Hah!

Honeymoon Island in Dunedin is a beautiful spot for small and large weddings

Honeymoon Island in Dunedin is a beautiful spot for small and large weddings

As I was performing their wedding ceremony, I could see so much emotion between them. David continued to smile. When it came time for Mark to say his vows he could barely speak. He burst out crying. It was so sweet. I had them hug before continuing on with the ceremony. After David said how taken back he was at Mark crying. They were both so happy.

Beautiful day for Mark and David's Honeymoon Island wedding cermeony

Beautiful day for Mark and David’s Honeymoon Island wedding ceremony

They e-mailed me later that evening “We loved the ceremony this evening! Thanks for all you did to make this so special for us. This was more than I ever dreamed on the beach at sunset. Still…..gleaming with excitement!!”

Me with the happily married David and Mark on Honeymoon Island in Dunedin Florida

Me with the happily married David and Mark on Honeymoon Island in Dunedin Florida

 

 

Facebook & Your Wedding

Facebook & Your Wedding

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Nowadays a lot of couples are meeting one another through various match making websites, as well as, reconnecting old relationships through Facebook. I’ve been a Clearwater Wedding Officiant for a number of weddings where couples have reconnected after many years apart because they found one another on Facebook. The first thing after the ceremony that I hear guests and even the couples say is, “post a picture on Facebook” announcing the newly married couple. I often chuckle inside when I’m at a ceremony and see how important posting on Facebook has become to our society.

Here is a photo of Cheryl who just getting ready to walk down the aisle, and is still making calls, texting and probably even doing a last minute Facebook post. Photos by George Sr.

Here is a photo of Cheryl who just getting ready to walk down the aisle and is still making calls, texting and even doing a last minute Facebook post. Photos by George Sr.

I’ve even had a bride holding her cell phone under her bouquet and wanting a photo taken IMMEDIATELY after ceremony to post on Facebook. A number of weddings are shared through Facebook with so many friends that aren’t able to attend the wedding or may not even know the couple. I’ve often thought about ending the ceremony vows with, “it is now my pleasure to pronounce you as Mr & Mrs please kiss the bride & update your Facebook status.” Haha! What’s the world coming to?! married-on-facebookAll in all Facebook is a great source of social media, keeping in touch with friends, relatives, forming friendships, relationships, and getting a lot of great tips and information. As a Clearwater Wedding Officiant, I love seeing happy couples that have met through online dating sites or reconnected through Facebook. In the end it’s about being with the person you love and it doesn’t matter how you met it matters where you end up! Read this article on The Knot for more tips on Facebook, cell phone, and social media etiquette at your wedding: “5 ways Facebook can ruin your wedding.

Put your cell phone away while walking down the isle!! http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2055503/OMG-Bride-starts-texting-wedding-ceremony-lol.html

“Omg! I’m getting married! Bride takes out her phone and starts textin as she walks down the aisle (after hiding it down her dress)”. Click here to read full story.

 

Indian Rocks Beach Wedding Ceremony

Indian Rocks Beach Wedding Ceremony

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Megan contacted me about performing her Indian Rocks Beach wedding ceremony. She and her fiancé, Michael, would be traveling to Tampa, Florida from Tennessee and wanted a Florida beach wedding. We ‘saved the date’ for Friday, August 15th at 6:00 PM.

When their wedding day arrived it was pouring rain, all day. I contacted Megan at 3:00 PM and asked her about an alternate plan. She said she didn’t have one and was hopefully it was going to stop raining by 5:00 PM. Sure enough at 5:15pm it stopped raining and actually turned out to be quite a nice evening on the beach.

Everyone was crossing their fingers that the ran would stop for Michael and Megan's Indian Rocks Beach wedding ceremony...and just 45 minutes before the ceremony start time the rain stopped!

Everyone was crossing their fingers that the ran would stop for Michael and Megan’s Indian Rocks Beach wedding ceremony…and just 45 minutes before the ceremony start time the rain stopped!

Megan met Michael four years ago on MySpace. Megan had a quote in her vows that she said fit her and Michael perfectly, “True love has a habit of coming back”. Megan said she and Michael had some down periods in their earlier days of their relationship and weren’t together for seven months. They had even dated other people. She & Michael came back to each other and even Michael when we spoke on Friday told me they just knew they couldn’t be without each other. They have a beautiful 20 month old son, who so cutely toddled down to the ceremony.

Congratulations, Michael and Megan. I had a wonderful time being a part of your Indian Rocks Beach wedding ceremony.

Congratulations, Michael and Megan. I had a wonderful time being a part of your Indian Rocks Beach wedding ceremony.

A simple wedding setup was done on the beach. Quilted blankets were laid out for guest to sit on and two post of bamboo like greenery were setup on each side where they would be standing.

Blankets

Megan and Michael’s Indian Rocks Beach wedding ceremony setup

They had a tray table for the sand ceremony and little candle lanterns alongside the blankets and it all looked simple and very nice.

sand ceremony

Sand ceremony

Megan and Michael were both tearful as they said their vows to each other. Everyone was so happy that the skies had cleared up and they could have their beautiful Indian Rocks Beach wedding ceremony.

 

Clearwater area Gazebo Weddings

Clearwater area Gazebo Weddings

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Your wedding doesn’t always have to be at a beach to capture a romantic setting for a wedding. How about a wedding under gazebo? I’ve been a part of many Clearwater area Gazebo weddings one of my favorite gazebos is Veteran’s Memorial Park in Oldsmar. It’s such a pretty spot in the park. The gazebo overlooks the water and is a very picturesque spot for a wedding. It can be rented through the City of Oldsmar. Chairs can be setup and shelters are nearby if you would want to have a park reception.

George Jr. performs a sunset wedding in Spanish under the Veteran's Memorial Park gazebo.

George Jr. performs a sunset wedding in Spanish under the Veteran’s Memorial Park gazebo in Oldsmar, FL. Photos by George Sr.

Another beautiful gazebo is in downtown Dunedin. Right near Edgewater Drive next to the Dunedin Marina. The gazebo is shaded and there are picnic tables and a playground nearby for children. The gazebo is nice and large. It can be rented through the City of Dunedin.

Dunedin

The gazebo in downtown Dunedin is a wonderful place for an outdoor Florida wedding.

Downtown Safety Harbor also has a beautiful spacious gazebo. It’s right in the heart of downtown near so many shops and restaurants. It can hold 60 chairs under the gazebo and has space for plenty more on the lawn. Gazebo, chairs, & tables can be rented through Safety Harbor Parks.

Safety Harbor Gazebo at John Wilson Park.

Safety Harbor gazebo at John Wilson Park.

Clearwater area gazebo weddings not only capture a beautiful setting, but can be very reasonable to rent. The gazebos that I’ve mentioned are all near parks and offer something for guest with children. If you are considering a Clearwater area gazebo wedding we can offer a photographer, chairs,  music, ceremony officiant, and more to help you create you beautiful wedding in Florida.

Changing Your Last Name After Marriage

Changing Your Last Name After Marriage

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As a Tampa and Tallahassee wedding officiant service, we marry many wonderful couples. We are asked about how the bride changes her last name. I recently changed my last name (was Amanda Doumanian now Amanda Reeves) so I totally understand that it’s a confusing processes, as well as, a pain for the woman! Haha! So we are glad to help with all your marriage license and name change questions please do not hesitate to ask us!

This is an email I recently received from a groom, “We were a little curious how bride will sign her name on the marriage license. She intends to change her last name to mine, so should she sign the marriage license with my last name or her last name now.”

So to clear this up (because we are asked this often), the bride will change her last name AFTER the marriage. Just because you get married does not mean the woman’s last name automatically changes. Today, a lot of woman do not change their last names. When I changed my last name, I made my middle name my maiden name and last name my husband’s last name. There are all sorts of options and in our modern time the woman is free to chose to do what they want.

The bride doesn't have to change her name

The bride can change her last name after the marriage.

If the bride is changing her last name there are a few steps to take and they are all be done AFTER the marriage is legal.  In Florida, your marriage is legal after your Florida Marriage License is notarized by a Florida notary and returned back to the County Clerk’s office where you got the marriage license. After the County Clerk records your notarized marriage license you will receive a certified copy which you will use to get your name changed. Note– if your marriage license is returned via regular mail it’ll take 7-10 days to get the certified copy back OR if you bring it directly to the County Clerk’s Office you will get the certified copy back right then and there.

If you are going on a honeymoon right after the wedding you will use your current ID or Passport then when you return you can take the steps in getting your last name.

Here are the steps (do them in this order) to get your name changed after you are legally married:

1.  Marriage license – get your certified copy of your marriage license. One will be given back to you and if you need/want more you can pay to have extra copies

2. Social security card– you must change your name on your social security card before changing it on anything else. You cannot change your name on your social security card online. You must go to your local social security office to change your name- find yours here. There is no charge to change your name on your social security card. You will need to fill out an application for social security card and bring the required documents. Click here for more details on changing your name on your social security card.

3. Drivers license- contact your local DMV to find out what forms are required to change your name on your drivers license. There will be a fee to do this.

4. Passport- if you have a passport you should go ahead and update it with your new name. Click here for details on how to change your name on your passport.

5. Everything else– bank accounts, credit cards, doctors, insurance, voter registration card, etc.

6. Your signature 🙂 Now that you’re name is legally changed it’s time to practice your new signature!

Getting married is exciting and so is changing your last name so have fun with the process. I recommend making a list and going down the list as you get each one done changed. It’ll make it less overwhelming. You only have to change your last name one time so just do it and have fun with it. And of course, we are here to assist with any more questions your may have!! For more information on changing your license, sunset and sunrise times, and marriage license/County Clerks Office visit our Resources page.