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 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!

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

Tallahassee Wedding Officiant- Pros I Know

Tallahassee Wedding Officiant- Pros I Know

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As a Tallahassee Wedding Officiant I meet  A LOT of wedding professionals. The wedding industry is a bit crazy. There’s a lot of stress, pressure, emotions, and for vendors, competition. I am fortunate that Tallahassee is a wonderful city where people help each other out. I see many of the familiar faces at the weddings I officiate. Which is great because we know how to work together, and we’ve become friend in the process. I do not get referral fees for referring couples to vendors and I only refer couples to vendors I have seen in action, enjoyed working with, and thought their work was TOP NOTCH!  With that being said, if you are not hiring me as your Tallahassee Wedding Officiant, Ceremony Director, Rehearsal Director, Day-of-Coordinator, or Photography Services, I recommend the following Tallahassee Wedding Vendors:

Catering

A picture Terri Smith took of me officiating Liz and James' wedding ceremony at the Tallahassee Garden Club.

A picture Terri Smith took of me officiating Liz and James’ wedding ceremony at the Tallahassee Garden Club.

Photography

Cakes

Chairs and rentals

Cupcake cake and sea shell cookies by Cakes by Alisha

Cupcake cake and sea shell cookies by Cakes by Alisha. Photo by Kimberly Rae Photography.

DJ

Planners and Coordinators

Check out J& J’s pictures of an event Piece of Cake put together for the now Mr. and Mrs. Aloi at The Retreat at Bradley’s Point where I was the officiate. It was gorgeous! 

 

*I not only provide premier Tallahassee Wedding Officiant services, I provide: Day-of-Coordinator services, wedding ceremony packages with chairs and arches, photography, Ceremony Director, and Rehearsal Director.

Planning your wedding is a FUN time. There’s a lot of decision to make and I’m available to assist in any way I can. I love weddings and love creating wedding ceremony that are exactly as YOU dream!

Finally, I didn’t list any venues I recommend because I love SOOOO many venues in the Tallahassee area. Each venue is beautiful and special in it’s own way. I’m always floored how each couples makes a venue that I’ve seen many times before unique just to fit their wedding. I’ve  also seen a lot of non-traditional venues that are wonderful too- Cascade Parks, homes, boats, my house (hah!), and more!!! So I hope my little list of recommendation helps you…now go out and plan your wedding…and hire me 😉 to make your day amazing!

 

 

Picture that Black and Hue took at a wedding I was officiating in Cape San Blas

A picture that Black and Hue took  of me officiating Kelly and Daniel’s wedding in Cape San Blas, FL.

A picture Inga Finch took of me officiating M wedding at Shilow Farms in Tallahassee, FL.

A picture Inga Finch took of me officiating Alison and Jason’s wedding at Shiloh Farms in Tallahassee, FL.

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Maclay Gardens wedding setup by Fairytales