Small and Beautiful Tallahassee Weddings

Small and Beautiful Tallahassee Weddings

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Your wedding is YOUR day! We encourage you to do what you and your fiance want. So many times couples get caught up in what others want and “keeping up with the Jones” that they lose track of what brought them to the wedding. On October 25, 2014, I had the privilege of officiating two small and beautiful Tallahassee weddings.

Leann and Joseph got married at the Piney Z Lodge which is part of the Piney Z community center. There was nice outside green grassy space where the ceremony was held. The inside Lodge had plenty of space for tables, buffet, and dance floor. Leann and Joseph had friends and family helping them put everything together. It was very nice. They had special message next to a picture of Joseph’s mother whom died from breast cancer a few years ago. All the groomsmen wore pink ribbons in her honor. It was very touching. The weather was perfect for their outside Tallahassee wedding and I really enjoyed being a part of their special day.

Inside the Piney Z Lodge for Leann and Joseph's wedding reception.

Inside the Piney Z Lodge for Leann and Joseph’s wedding reception.

Beautiful remembrance memorial message for Joseph's mother.

Beautiful remembrance memorial message for Joseph’s mother.

Me with the beautiful Leann and her now-husband Joseph

Me with the beautiful Leann and her now-husband Joseph

Later that day I had the real pleasure of officiating Robin and John’s Tallahassee wedding. Robin and John had been together for over 20 years and finally decided they wanted to get married. They live in South Florida and traveled to Tallahassee for the wedding because John’s family lives in Tallahassee. The wedding was held at John’s sister’s house off Ansel Ferrel Rd. About 15-20 friends and family were gathered to witness the joyous occasion. John and Robin were so cute! When I arrived and met Robin in the bedroom she told me they had memorized all the vows; including the “repeat after officiant” parts! They were so excited and so in love. The ceremony was held outside in the grass. White chairs were lined up and under neath a beautiful tree. John and Robin impressed me by saying the vows that are typically repeated. After the ceremony Robin’s mother told me, “I never thought I’d see this day. I am so happy.” Tables were setup outside to have a lovely reception and celebration. It was truly an honor to be a part of their small and beautiful Tallahassee weddings.

Me with the very happy just married Robin and John

Me with the very happy just married Robin and John

Outside tables

Outside tables for John and Robin’s reception

So please remember as you plan your wedding ceremony it can be any size, shape, color you want. Have fun with your day! These are just a few examples of small and beautiful Tallahassee weddings I have been a part of. For more ideas about planning your wedding please contact me!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

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October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is an annual campaign to increase awareness of the disease. While most people are aware of breast cancer, many forget to take the steps to have a plan to detect the disease in its early stages and encourage others to do the same. 

Throughout the country people are encouraged to wear pink to raise awareness about Breast Cancer. I’ve seen football players, celebrities, and friends wearing pink in support of this great cause. This past Saturday the bride, Leanne, at one of the weddings I officiated at The Retreat at Bradley’s Pond in Tallahassee had a small pink ribbon on her bouquet. I thought this was a really nice way to show support for Breast Cancer Awareness month being that her wedding was in October.

Leanne's Fall wedding bouquet with a small pink ribbon for October Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Leanne’s Fall wedding bouquet with a small pink ribbon for October Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

What are you doing to show your support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month? What do you think about having pink at your October wedding to show your support?

October Weddings in Tallahassee Florida

October Weddings in Tallahassee Florida

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On Saturday October 4th, I had the honor of marry Lyndsi and Mike. They were a sweet couple with a beautiful wedding ceremony. October weddings in Tallahassee Florida are some of my favorite (thus why I chose to get married in October) because the weather is gorgeous. And boy was the weather PERFECT for Mike and Lyndsi’s wedding.

Mike and Lyndsi met each other while working at Esposito Lawn and Garden Center in Tallahassee. Because of this they asked me perform a unity tree planting ceremony. I did some research and came up with a beautiful unity tree planting ceremony that Lyndsi and Mike liked. Before the wedding, we met up to go over the final details and put the final touches on their ceremony.

Unity Tree Planting Ceremony

Unity Tree Planting Ceremony

On the day of their wedding family and friends gather outside Shuster’s Cafe in Southwood. Lyndsi’s Dad owns the Shuster’s Cafe so they were able to have a BEAUTIFUL wedding outside on the grass then a reception inside the cafe. As guests arrived a three-piece string band played. Before, during, and after the ceremony a violinist played. The ceremony included the unity tree planting ceremony, a prayer lead by Lyndsi’s Dad, and a moment of recognition for those not physically present at the wedding.

Tallahassee weddings in October are gorgeous because the weather is typically sunny and cool.

Mike and Lyndsi’s wedding ceremony setup. October weddings in Tallahassee Florida are gorgeous because the weather is typically sunny and cool-which was the case for Lyndsi and Mike’s wedding on October 4th.

After the wedding Lyndsi and Mike were so happy. They thanked me and said they really appreciated everything I did for them which made me feel really good. I love being a part of weddings where everyone is happy and laid back!

 

 

 

Fall Weddings in Tallahassee, FL Tips for Getting Married During Football Season

Fall Weddings in Tallahassee, FL Tips for Getting Married During Football Season

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Football and Fall Weddings in Tallahassee, FL go hand-in-hand. Even though Tallahassee is North Florida it’s very SOUTH! Meaning it’s a football town. So with Florida State University being #1 in college football Tallahassee in the Fall is a bit…hmm, crazy.

BUT with all that being said the weather in Tallahassee during October, November, and early December is amazing. The colors are perfect for outdoor rustic weddings. I feel bad for couples who want to get married during the Fall because the football schedules are not released until late February and early March. Plus game times are not released until a couple weeks before the actual game. I got married in October so I know what’s it’s like to plan a wedding around a football season. Seems a bit crazy, but in Tallahassee, you got to do it!! Everything from hotels to restaurants get booked up quickly on big home games. And on the two weekends that are bye-weeks everyone wants to get married so you better book your favorite vendors FAST!

If you’re planning a Fall wedding in Tallahassee, FL you have two options- pick a date and hope it’s not a big home game day OR wait for the scheduled to be released and hope your dream venue is still available. If you do pick a date before the FSU football schedule being released and then your date falls on a big game day, you really don’t have many options. If it REALLY bothers you, and you can afford to change the date, you could do that OR more realistically you will just have to get over. You’re guests should be attending your wedding because they care about YOU and I would hope that your marriage is more important then any football game.  So if your Fall weddings in Tallahassee, FL lands on a big game day and you think your guests are going to be distracted by needing to watch the game or knowing what is going on with the game you have a few options. Put a TV with the game on in the bar area, have your DJ make announcements with game score updates, project the game on a big screen in the reception room with no sound so everyone can dance and still watch a little, or kindly ask guests to refrain from football for one day.

Here's a picture of me and Ryan on our wedding day. This is one way we embraced the fact that our wedding fell on the Clemson game. Go Noles :)

Here’s a picture of me and Ryan on our wedding day. This is one way we embraced the fact that our wedding fell on the Clemson game. Go Noles 🙂

If you do decide to wait for the schedule to come out and you could plan all the aspects of Fall weddings in Tallahassee, FL that do not require a date. For example, your dress, bridesmaids dresses, groomsmen outfits, flowers, centerpieces, invitation design, save the date design, honeymoon ideas, and more. You could have your favorite venue, photographer, wedding officiant, caterer, and cake baker decided so as soon as the schedule is released you could start booking them as fast as possible.

Fall weddings in Tallahassee, FL are gorgeous. I’m bias, like I said, I got married in October. I don’t like football and I like October so that’s why we did our wedding when we did it. If you are planning a Fall wedding in Tallahassee a lot of people will give you their opinion about whhhyyy would you get married during football season etc. etc. But don’t listen to them. When planning your wedding it’s your wedding and you need to do what makes you happy. Not everyone in the world likes football and you’re wedding will be beautiful whether it’s on a big game day or a bye-week.

For more tips and ideas about Fall weddings in Tallahassee, FL please don’t hesitate to contact me: 850-322-0911 or amandad335@gmail.com

 

 

Sand Key Clearwater Wedding Ceremony

Sand Key Clearwater Wedding Ceremony

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After being together for eleven years Celina & Antwan were married on Saturday , July 19 at Sand Key Park in Clearwater. They have two beautiful children a 6 year old girl and a one year old boy with another boy due in November. They decided it was time to be married!! Celina & Antwan drove to Florida from Georgia. A few family members were able to be drive to Florida and join them at the ceremony and they had some other relatives in the area who were able to come to the ceremony. Celina contacted Charmaine two weeks ago to see if she was available to perform their Sand Key Clearwater wedding ceremony and if could George Sr.  was available to do photos. We were available and delighted to be a part of their Sand Key Clearwater wedding ceremony.

The wedding was an hour before sunset. On the day of the wedding the forecast was for thunderstorms. But, fortunately, we had some clouds which was just enough cloud coverage for it not to be uncomfortably hot but nice for photographs.

Happily married Photos by George Sr.

Just married! Photos by George Sr.

Celina & Antwan faced each other with love in their hearts throughout the ceremony.

Beautiful evening for a sunset Sand Key Clearwater wedding ceremony

Beautiful evening for a sunset Sand Key Clearwater wedding ceremony. Photos by George Sr.

Before the ceremony, Celina asked if I could have her sister sing a song at someplace in the ceremony. After the ring exchange I asked her sister, Helena, to come forward. She beautifully sang, “All of Me” by John Legend. I could see tears in the eyes of many guest, as well as, Celina. It was beautifully done.

Sings during ceremony. Photos by George Sr.

Helena singing during ceremony. Photos by George Sr.

After the ceremony and pictures, Celina & Antwan had a reception dinner at Rumba’s Island Grill in Clearwater. They were spending the rest of the week in St Petersburg before driving back to Georgia. Congratulations, Celina & Antwan!

Wedding at the Wakulla Springs Lodge

Wedding at the Wakulla Springs Lodge

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The Wakulla Springs Lodge is located in the Wakulla Springs State Park. The Wakulla Springs Lodge befan in 1937, and is featured, along with the nearly 6,000 acre park and river, on the National Register of Historic Places.

Wakulla Springs is where the movie Creature from the Black Lagoon was filmed. This vintage poster is found hanging in the Lodge lobby.

Wakulla Springs is where the movie Creature from the Black Lagoon was filmed. This vintage poster is found hanging in the Lodge lobby.

Surrounded by nature, including canopies of oak, hickory and beech trees, the natural spring, and Florida wildlife, the Lodge offers an old southern feel and a peaceful getaway for family vacations and reunions, weddings, anniversaries, conferences, and other special events.

Entrance into Wakulla Springs State Park will get you to the Wakulla Springs Lodge

Entrance into Wakulla Springs State Park will get you to the Wakulla Springs Lodge

On July 12, 2014, I had the privilege of officiating Greg and Bethany’s wedding at the Wakulla Springs Lodge. Greg and Bethany live in Gainesville, FL and loved the uniqueness of the Wakulla Springs Lodge for their wedding.

Old joe

Old Joe is an 11-foot alligator that lived in Wakulla Springs. He never harmed anyone. He was shot and killed in 1966 by a poacher. He “lives” on in the lobby of the Wakulla Springs Lodge.

Bethany and Greg, had an afternoon wedding ceremony outside under the gazebo which overlooks Wakulla Springs.

Gazebo where Greg and Bethany had their wedding ceremony

Gazebo where Greg and Bethany had their wedding ceremony

Their ceremony included personal vows, as well as, a sand ceremony.

Sand ceremony setup

Sand ceremony all setup

Greg and Beth pouring their individual sands together.  Photo by Vizuliz

Greg and Beth pouring their individual sands together. Photo by Vizuliz

Family and friends enjoyed the ceremony then immediately went to take a boat tour of the Wakulla Springs. After the boat tour they went back to the Lodge for a reception. Their wedding at the Wakulla Springs Lodge was great because all the guests could easily stay at the Lodge and make a little vacation out of it. A trip to the Wakulla Springs Lodge will give you a glimpse of old Florida and true southern beauty…..which it truly did for Greg and Bethany’s wedding.

Gregory and Bethany July 12 2014 Wakulla Springs Lodge

Photo by Vizuliz

Photo by Vizuliz

Photo by Vizuliz

Congratulations, Greg and Bethany!

Congratulations, Greg and Bethany!