Wedding Ceremony at Shiloh Farm Tallahassee

Wedding Ceremony at Shiloh Farm Tallahassee

by Amanda Doumanian Reeves News

Sarah and Daniels wedding ceremony at Shiloh Farm Tallahassee

On October 15, 2017 I had the honor of officiating Sarah and Daniel’s wedding ceremony Shiloh Farm Tallahassee. It was the most beautiful day for a beautiful couple.

When planning their wedding Sarah had asked me for an affordable way to have someone make sure the reception ran smoothly. A Day of Coordinator was more than they were able to spend. Fortunately they are a very organized and well planned couple so my awesome assistant, Tyler, was able to work their reception for a few hours.

I worked with Sarah to put together their ceremony. She wanted a short and sweet ceremony that mentioned God. They also wanted to include a cord braiding ceremony. A traditional cord braiding ceremony uses gold, purple and white cords but they had tan colored rope so they asked me to help adjust this part of the ceremony. It really turned out beautiful, as you can see below.

Cord Braiding Ceremony

Today, Daniel and Sarah have chosen to braid three strands together into a single cord. Each strand has a significant meaning.

The 1st strand represents God and His majesty.

The 2nd strand represents the groom and his life.

The 3rd strand represents the bride and her life.

In braiding these three strands together, Daniel and Sarah have demonstrated that their marriage is more than a joining of two lives together. It is a unity with God as well. They have chosen to allow God to be at the center of their marriage, woven into every aspect of it.

As Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 reads, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not easily broken.”

Bride & Groom braid cord

Today, Daniel and Sarah have been woven together by God as ONE in marriage! One man, one woman, and God. It was God who taught us to love. By keeping Him at the center of your marriage, His love will continue to bind you together as one throughout your marriage.

The reception was fun filled including a pizza buffet and candy bar!

Vendors:

Venue- Shiloh Farm

Photographer- Nina Nicole Photography

Caterer- Marco’s Pizza

DJ- Abernathy Enertainment

Officiant- Amanda Reeves, A Beautiful Wedding in Florida

It was an honor to officiate Sarah & Daniel’s wedding at Shiloh Farm Tallahassee

 

 

Rainy Maclay Gardens Tallahassee Wedding

Rainy Maclay Gardens Tallahassee Wedding

by Amanda Doumanian Reeves News

Rain on your wedding day happens. Especially in Florida! When it does rain and changes your wedding plans, I wish there was something I could do. It rained on my wedding day so I truly understand what a disappointment it can be. But rain is also beautiful and brings freshness to earth. As long as you are marrying the one you love most, rain or shine, it’ll be the best day ever! Trust me!

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Beautiful bride, Casey, in Maclay Gardens on a rainy day. Photo by Tai Nunez Photography.

Casey and Matt were married on March 26th at a rainy Maclay Gardens Tallahassee wedding ceremony. I had the honor of officiating their ceremony.  The day before we met at Maclay Gardens for a rehearsal. The weather forecast was showing high chance of rain for Saturday, but we all crossed our fingers it’d hold off. I guided everyone through the rehearsal. Casey and I talked about what we’d do for “plan b” in the event of rain.

On Saturday it was raining and raining and raining. I felt so bad because Maclay Gardens is a beautiful for outdoor Tallahassee weddings. I arrived at Maclay Gardens and big tents were up around the cottage.

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M&M’s make everything better 🙂

One small tent was placed right outside the house. For the ceremony Casey walked out of the house with her Dad then we had the ceremony right there. There was a second larger tent setup adjacent to the house where other guests gathered for the ceremony.

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Small tent right outside cottage for ceremony.

Casey and Matt are the sweetest couple. Rain was not going to stop them from having a wonderful day shared with family and friends. We gathered closely under the tent for their ceremony. Casey’s Dad walked her down the aisle and gave her to Matt.

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Rain didn’t stop us from having a wedding ceremony filled with love, smiles, and a few happy tears.  Photo by Tai Nunez Photography.

Rain or shine, Matt's love for Casey is real. Photo by Tai Nunez Photography.

Rain or shine, Matt’s love for Casey is real and he was so happy to be holding her hands on their wedding day. Photo by Tai Nunez Photography.

Despite the rain photographer, Tai Nunez, was able to capture the beauty of Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park and the love Casey and Matt share. Check out more photos:

http://www.tainunez.com/casey-and-matt-tallahassee-wedding-photographer/

Congratulations, Casey and Matt!!

Congratulations, Casey and Matt!!

Ceremony and Reception Venue: Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park Tallahassee, FL

Photographer: Tai Nunez Photography

DJ: Amplify Entertainment

Chilly Panacea Wedding Ceremony

Chilly Panacea Wedding Ceremony

by Amanda Doumanian Reeves News

Michael and Willow met in China while Michael was teaching English. Michael decided to get his Masters Degree which landed him in Tallahassee Florida at Florida State University. Willow, who is from China, moved to Tallahassee to be with Michael. They decided to get married on December 19, 2015. Willow’s Mom and Dad flew all the way from China to be there for the special day. The wedding was held outside Michael’s Dad’s beach house on Bald Point Road in Alligator Point.

Path down to the beach for the wedding ceremony.

Path down to the beach for the wedding ceremony.

When Michael called to plan the ceremony he was busy and stressed with end of the semester final exams. I helped ease his wedding anxiety and put a package together for him. Their wedding ceremony package included Officiant (me), Photographer Kaely Sirois, and a Cake by Alisha cake.

Beautiful wedding cake by Cakes by Alisha

Pretty wedding cake by Cakes by Alisha

The day of the wedding was chilly! But it was sunny so we had a beautiful chilly Panacea wedding ceremony. Michael and his Dad built a beautiful arbor out on the beach.

Beautiful arbor that Michael and his Dad built.

Beautiful arbor that Michael and his Dad built.

I arrived with the cake and photographer and they were ready to get married. Michael’s Mom, Dad, Sister, best friend, best friend’s Mom, and Willow’s Mom and Dad were in attendance.

Family and friends gathered for Michael and Willow's chilly Panacea wedding ceremony.

Family and friends gathered for Michael and Willow’s chilly Panacea wedding ceremony.

We had a sweet and simple wedding ceremony on the beach. It was beautiful. Michael and Willow took pictures along the beach after the ceremony. Then we went inside where they cut their cake and did a champagne toast. It was a wonderful day for a chilly Panacea wedding ceremony. Michael and Willow thanked me for my worked and help.

Me with the newlyweds at their chilly Panacea wedding ceremony. Congratulations Michael and Willow!!!

Me with the newlyweds at their chilly Panacea wedding ceremony. Congratulations Michael and Willow!!!

 

Veterans Day Wedding Ceremony in Quincy Florida

Veterans Day Wedding Ceremony in Quincy Florida

by Amanda Doumanian Reeves News

On Veterans Day I officiated Scott and Sheila’s wedding ceremony in Quincy Florida.

Our family team of Wedding Officiants thanks all active military and veterans for their service. We truly appreciate your sacrifice and commitment to our country. Our very own George Sr. is a Veteran and we appreciate his service very much. To show a small token of our appreciation, we are happy to give active military bride or groom a discount on our services.

Scott and Sheila had their Veterans Day wedding ceremony in Quincy Florida at a Scott’s Dad’s house. The ceremony was at 7pm so it was dark. They had beautiful lights strung up all around. It was so romantic.

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White lights decorated the property for Scott and Sheila’s Veterans Day Wedding Ceremony in Quincy Florida

The ceremony included a unity sand ceremony.

Unity Sand Ceremony setup

Unity Sand Ceremony setup

Sheila emailed me over the ceremony and after a few days of thinking about it I emailed her and ask, “Is anyone attending your wedding in the military or a Veteran? If yes, would you like me to say a thank you being that your wedding ceremony is on Veterans Day?” She emailed back and said her husband-to-be, Scott, is a Veteran and another guest is a Veteran. She was so happy and appreciative that I made this recommendation.

After the I welcomed guests to the wedding, I said “Being that today is Veteran’s Day and our very own groom, Scott, is a Veteran as well as guest John Blackburn we would like to take a moment to recognize and thank them for their bravery, hard work, and dedication to our country.”

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We THANK YOU!

Sheila and Scott, and all the guests, thanked me for saying that. It made me very happy to recognize the Veterans present and recognize Veterans Day.

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Me with the newly married Sheila and Scott at their Veterans Day Wedding Ceremony in Quincy Florida

Congratulations, Scott and Sheila!!!

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?

by Amanda Doumanian Reeves News

             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