Sentimental Howard Park Wedding Ceremony

Sentimental Howard Park Wedding Ceremony

by Charmaine Doumanian News

A few weeks ago I performed a wedding for Rachel and Aaron. They were coming to Florida on vacation with their four children and wanted to be married on the beach. They would be driving to Florida. They were going to be spending a few days in Orlando visiting the theme parks before heading to Tarpon Springs where they wanted to have a Howard Park wedding ceremony.

Rachel and I corresponded in preparing the ceremony. She told me she wanted a simple ring exchange, but wanted to include a little something in the ceremony remembering their son, Rylan. He had passed away three years ago. He was three weeks old and died from SIDS.  Rachel shared how his passing brought her and Aaron together. They had been going through difficult times in their lives. When she found out she was pregnant with him it made them figure out who they wanted to be in life. When he tragically left them they vowed to always respect and support each other and always honor him. They both learned not to take life to seriously and not sweat the small stuff.

It was a cold evening for the wedding. We had a rose petal heart in the sand. George Sr. was taking photos.

Officiating a very sentimental Howard Park Wedding Ceremony. Photos by George Sr.

Officiating a very sentimental Howard Park Wedding Ceremony. Photos by George Sr.

Aaron and Rachel had a balloon lock and key release remembering their deceased son Rylan. The balloons were locked with love. Aaron and Rachel unlocked the balloons and when they released the balloons they had the locks tied to the strings sending Rylan their love. It was so heartfelt and touching.

Balloons in rememberance.... Photos by George Sr.

Aaron and Rachel took part in a balloon lock and key release in honor of their son Rylan. Photos by George Sr.

The balloons flew off. They got stuck on a bush overlooking the beach. It was like Rylan was with us for the remainder of the ceremony. When we were done as a family they went over to the bush and together let the balloons fly off.

Watching over them....Photos by George Sr.

Balloons flew off….Photos by George Sr.

Letting balloons go....Photos by George Sr.

As a family they let the balloons go….Photos by George Sr.

Aaron and Rachel were so emotional saying their vows. They were having difficulty holding back the tears. They are a beautiful family and so thankful for all they have.

Together

Rachel and Aaron together and happy….Photos by George Sr.

Rachel thanked us for a beautiful ceremony and we are thankful to have met them and been a part of their special day.

Photos by George Sr.

Happily married! Photos by George Sr.

Tarpon Springs Wedding at St. Michael’s Shrine

Tarpon Springs Wedding at St. Michael’s Shrine

by Charmaine Doumanian News

Sara and Michael were married last Friday at St Michael’s Shrine in Tarpon Springs. St Michael’s Shrine is a little hidden gem in the residential area of Tarpon Springs. It is a tiny little Greek Orthodox Shrine with a lot of history and beauty.

The Shrine

The St. Michael’s Shrine in Tarpon Springs Florida

The Shrine is a very dear and close place for both Michael and Sara.  Michael in particular wanted to be married at St. Michael’s Shrine because he felt his parents would be with them on their wedding day. His late parent’s ashes had been placed by the outside statue of Saint Michael.

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When I arrived Michael showed me the inside of the Shrine. He shared some of the history of the healing tributes of St Michael and showed me the beautiful alter and place where a candle can be lit to take a moment to pray or just reflect.

Tarpon Springs wedding

Sara and Michael’s Tarpon Springs wedding at St. Michael’s Shrine was beautiful.

Weddings can be performed inside the Shrine. Sara and Michael had their ceremony outside right in front of the statue of St Michael.  They had their 18 month old son Antonio, her brother and his son present for the ceremony. It was a gorgeous day for an outside Tarpon Springs wedding ceremony.

Me with

Statue at the St. Michaels’s Shrine

Michael and Sara were neighbors and met five years ago in Tarpon Springs. Sara had tears in her eyes as she said her vows to Michael.

They were very pleased and sentimental after the ceremony. People walking on the streets stopped and congratulated them. They thanked me repeatedly for a beautiful ceremony.

Me with

Me with the happy couple and their family.

Fred Howard Park Destination Wedding

Fred Howard Park Destination Wedding

by Charmaine Doumanian News

Maria called me from New York last week and asked if I was available on November 5th  for a destination wedding at Fred Howard Park in Tarpon Springs at sunset. She had never been to Clearwater area or Tarpon Springs before and was very excited. I was available and let her know I would be honored to officiate her Fred Howard Park Destination wedding.

November 5th was a beautiful evening. The temperature was just right, a light wind was blowing, and clear blue skies. Now with the time change sunset is very early 5:39 PM.

Maria and Merlin had a few friends and family members attending the Fred Howard Park Destination wedding. As her fiancé Merlin waited for his bride he was a little nervous, but so so happy. A family friend was giving her away on behalf of her Dad. Maria looked so pretty as she was escorted to Merlin. The ceremony was short and sweet and full of love!!

Family and friends were going out together to celebrate with Maria and Merlin after the wedding. Maria and Merlin were staying in Clearwater Beach until the end of the week before returning to New York. They were so thankful to me for officiating their wedding.

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Family happily gather with Maria and Merlin at their Fred Howard Park destination wedding

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The happy couple!

 

Simple Sunken Gardens Wedding Ceremony

Simple Sunken Gardens Wedding Ceremony

by Charmaine Doumanian News

Warren contacted me and asked if I could perform a simple Sunken Gardens  wedding ceremony. It would be the two of them with no guest. They had been together for a few years and just wanted to be married. He also asked for a photographer to do a few pictures as well. I was available on Saturday and so was George Sr for photographs so we planned their simple wedding ceremony at the Sunken Gardens. They wanted a morning wedding before the Sunken Gardens got to crowded and it got too hot.

Warren told us that Larissa loved flowers, and I agreed that Sunken Gardens in St. Petersburg would be an ideal place for their ceremony. The Sunken Gardens has so many beautiful lush tropical plants, flowers, greenery & waterfalls. Larissa is from the island of Dominica in the West Indies and Warren is from Jamaica so they felt at home in the tropical gardens at Sunken Gardens.

On the day of the wedding, I notarized their marriage license in the lobby before the ceremony.

I like to take care of all the "business" aka marriage license before the ceremony so afterwards the couple can just enjoy! Photos by George Sr.

I like to take care of all the “business” aka marriage license before the ceremony so afterwards the couple can just enjoy! Photos by George Sr.

Having fun while notarizing the marriage license

Having fun before the wedding. Photos by George Sr.

Then they strolled out to the Oak Pavilion for the ceremony.

Heading to the ceremony spot

Heading to the ceremony spot. Photos by George Sr.

The flowers, birds, and plush greenery made such a romantic atmosphere for a wedding. George took photos before, after & during the wedding. He had them stroll over the bridge and into the Wedding Lawn.

I performed a heartfelt, short and sweet ceremony. Photos by George Sr.

I performed a heartfelt, short and sweet ceremony. Photos by George Sr.

Warren & Larissa were very pleased with our wedding officiant and photography service.  In a review Warren said, “They did a good job!  Just what we wanted, straight and to the point.”

Florida weddings don't have to be at the beach to be romantic. Photos by George Sr.

Florida weddings don’t have to be at the beach to be romantic. Photos by George Sr.

It was a beautiful day for a simple Sunken Gardens wedding ceremony. Although Warren & Larissa weren’t having a reception, the Sunken Gardens does have function rooms for wedding with receptions. They also have chairs, electrical set up for music, and an arch for the outdoor garden weddings. Florida weddings don’t always have to be at the beach. Consider Sunken Gardens as a beautiful alternative with it’s romantic gardens.

Wedding at Phillippe Park in Safety Harbor

Wedding at Phillippe Park in Safety Harbor

by Charmaine Doumanian News

Saturday, June 28th , Meghan & Joseph were married at Phillippe Park in Safety Harbor. It was a beautiful afternoon for a Phillippe Park Safety Harbor wedding. Megan & Chris met three years ago where they worked together. Megan had contacted me and had a number of questions. She didn’t want anything religious or as she said “too cheesy,” and I was glad to help her make that happen. She was a delightful bride to correspond with and help with her wedding plans. After answering all of her questions, I was able to create a Phillippe Park Safety Harbor wedding ceremony package that was perfect for her wedding and budget. The package included a pipe and drape fabric post, white ceremony chairs, isle runner, Photos by George Sr., and ceremony officiant.

The ceremony was under the beautiful draping oak tree overlooking the water at shelter 1 in Phillippe Park. As part of her ceremony package, pipe & drape fabric post and white chairs were set up by my friends at Gabro Event Services.

Pipe and drap

Pipe and drape setup by Gabro Event Services. Isle runner provided by A Beautiful Wedding in Florida.

Megan had three bridesmaids. They wore knee length teal dresses and carried yellow daisy bouquets. Chris had three groomsmen who wore purple shirts had peach colored boutonnieres.

bridesmaids

Beautiful ceremony overlooking Clearwater

It was a very tearful ceremony as Meghan & Joseph read their vows to each other. Meghan asked to read her vows first. She tearfully spoke of how happy that she was that her Mother got to meet Joey (that’s what she calls him) before she passed away last year. She expressed that although she was no longer present with them physically today that she was with them in spirit on this beautiful day. Megan said she see’s her & Joey together when they are old sitting on the rocking chairs at Cracker Barrel playing checkers.

A very tearful yet happy ceremony

A very tearful yet happy ceremony

Joey spoke of his love for Megan remembering their first kiss when playing truth or dare & walking hand & hand on a date. They were both so emotional, I asked that they give each other a hug before continuing on with the ceremony.

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Megan & Joey have fun together. He is her Superman. Joseph had a Superman t-shirt on under his dress shirt. Clark Kent (AKA Joey) opened his shirt and put his glasses on after the ceremony.

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Photos by George Sr.

The groomsmen had Batman, Spider Man & Darth Vader shirts on under their shirts. Photos by George Sr captured these moments, as well as the photographs before after & during ceremony.

Photos by George Sr.

Photos by George Sr.

Megan & Joseph were having their reception at Bon Appetit in Dunedin. When they were leaving they thanked George Sr. and I for everything. She said everything was just wonderful and how much they appreciated all we did to help make their wedding beautiful.

Congratulations, Joey and Megan!

Congratulations, Joey and Megan!