April Fools Day Tallahassee Wedding!

April Fools Day Tallahassee Wedding!

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It wasn’t a joke! Stephanie and Christopher were married on April 1, 2016 in Tallahassee! I worked with Stephanie for a long time putting all the details together. She wanted a sweet and simple wedding ceremony setup. Stephanie and Christopher have 3 children and wanted to have their kids involved in the ceremony and invite a few guests. I put together a sweet and simple Tallahassee wedding ceremony package which included, 20 chairs, ceremony officiant, photographer (Lance Oliver), and ceremony decoration.

The plan was to have the ceremony at Lafayette Heritage Trail Park but the weather was not looking good so we made a quick change. I found a big gazebo in the Camelot neighborhood in Tallahassee. It easily fit 20 chairs and the decorations. Stephanie was very pleased with this alternative location.

Large gazebo for wedding in Tallahassee

Large gazebo used for Stephanie and Christopher’s April Fools Day Tallahassee wedding

On the wedding day, I arrived to the gazebo early. I setup decorations and chairs. Guests began to arrive. Stephanie wore a pretty dress and Christopher had a suite with a red tie. Their little girls wore red dresses.

Gazebo all decorated and setup for wedding ceremony.

Gazebo all decorated and setup for April Fools Day Tallahassee wedding ceremony.

I officiated their ceremony which include a unity chocolate ceremony where they shared chocolate with each other and a love wine box ceremony. They also gave their girls a ring prior to exchanging their own rings. It was very nice way to symbolize the joining of their family.

Unity chocolate sharing and love wine box ceremony setup

Rings for bride and groom and for their 3 daughters. Unity chocolate sharing and love wine box ceremony setup.

After the ceremony group pictures were taken and celebration began! Everyone was happy– no joke!!!

Congratulations, Stephanie and Christopher!!

Congratulations, Stephanie and Christopher!!

Jan and Jay’s Tallahassee Wedding at the Indian Mounds State Park

Jan and Jay’s Tallahassee Wedding at the Indian Mounds State Park

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It took Jay over 3 years to get Jan to marry him but on Sunday, March 13th they tied the knot!

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Jan and Jay’s Tallahassee wedding at the Indian Mounds State Park

When Jan contacted me about getting married she told me about how she had been dragging her feet. Now she was ready to get plans in place and marry the man of her dreams! We worked on putting the perfect ceremony vows together which include a family unity candle ceremony and memorial to Jay’s past daughter.

“This candle you are about to light is a candle of Family. Its’ fire is magical because it burns with the flame of a family joined in love, as well as, remembrance of Jojo.” 

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I provided the small table and white clothe for Jan and Jay’s Tallahassee wedding family unity candle ceremony.

Jay was Jan’s  first crush, and forever, so I incorporated this into their ceremony vows:

Amanda to  Jan: 

“Jan, do you take Jay to be your husband, knowing in your heart he will be your faithful forever crush, your one true love, and your constant friend?””

About 25 of Jan and Jay’s family and friends gathered for their wedding. Chairs and wedding decorations were setup under a pavilion in the Indian Mounds State Park. Jan’s two sons walked her down the aisle. Jan’s friends stood by her side as her maid of honor and Jay’s brother stood by his side as the best man. I officiated their beautiful thoughtful ceremony. After the ceremony everyone was staying at the park to celebrate with cake and appetizers.

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Jan had told me about how she wanted a cake topper with the groom dragging the bride and I found one online! She ordered and it was so happy to have their wedding!

Congratulations, Jan and Jay! It was a honor and pleasure to be a part of your wedding!!

Terry & Roger’s Tallahassee Wedding Ceremony

Terry & Roger’s Tallahassee Wedding Ceremony

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Terry and Roger are great men! On February 8th they had a sweet and simple wedding at their home in Tallahassee, FL.

They were surrounded by a few close friends and their two sweet dogs. I had the honor of officiating their ceremony. It was a beautiful day for a wedding. I officiated the ceremony on their back patio. It was a heartfelt ceremony that referenced their dogs and how they met. Terry and Roger had asked me to arrange for a photographer so I hired Lance Oliver Photography. During and after the ceremony Lance took tons of awesome pictures. It was really fun to see Terry and Roger so happy and surrounded by love.

Officiating wedding ceremony in Terry and Roger's Tallahassee home. Photo by Lance Oliver.

Officiating wedding ceremony in Terry and Roger’s Tallahassee home. Photo by Lance Oliver.

Terry and Roger happy married with their fur babies :) Photo by Lance Oliver

Terry and Roger happily married and sharing the special moment with their fur babies 🙂 Photo by Lance Oliver

After the pictures concluded, they cut their beautiful cake. The cake was from Artistic Confections. A friend had sent them a groom and groom cake topper. It was really perfect.

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Beautiful cake for Terry and Roger’s wedding ceremony at their home in Tallahassee, FL. Photo by Lance Oliver.

Congratulations, Terry and Roger!!!

Me with the newlyweds! Thank you for allowing me to officiate your Tallahassee wedding ceremony!! Photo by Lance Oliver.

Me with the newlyweds! Thank you for allowing me to officiate your Tallahassee wedding ceremony!! Photo by Lance Oliver.

 

A Look Back at our 2015 Wedding Ceremonies

A Look Back at our 2015 Wedding Ceremonies

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From all of us at A Beautiful Wedding In Florida we wish you very Happy Holiday season!

Looking back at 2015 it’s been a wonderful year. Starting with changes a major change in the Florida wedding industry in January when same sex marriages were legalized in Florida. We’ve added new packages and services to our business and have had the pleasure and privilege to perform a number of wedding and vow renewal ceremonies throughout the Tampa Bay area and Tallahassee areas.  We’ve met so many wonderful couples, their family and friends from near and far away places.

Our first wedding of 2015 was with Anthony and Ashley on Pass A Grille Beach on New Year’s Day. They travelled from Ohio to Florida. They were married on the beach with a fun simple wedding ceremony.

January 1, 2015 Anthony and Ashley

January 1, 2015 Officiating Anthony and Ashley’s wedding ceremony on Pass-a-grille beach in St. Petersburg Florida

On February 7th  Charmaine performed her first same sex marriage for Qaadir and Sam. They had been together for over 14 years and were delighted when Florida legalized same sex marriages.

Simply want your marriage license notarized? We can do that! Call us to make an appointment.

Qaadir and Sam happily legally married after 14 years together!

In 2015, we celebrated a number of vow renewal ceremonies. Many of them surprises.  Jim surprised his wife, Eria, with a 20 year vow renewal ceremony on Sand Key Park on February 13th.

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Jim and Eria’s vow renewal ceremony.

Chris surprised his wife, Lisa, with a 25 year vow renewal on St Pete Peach on June 6.

Chris and Lisa at their vow renewal ceremony in St Petersburg Florida

Chris and Lisa at their vow renewal ceremony in St Petersburg Florida

Florida is such a great place to travel to with so many beaches, parks, and venues. Couples from all over choose to come to Florida and elope. Ken and Solveiga travelled from Norway and were married at Sand Key Park in May.

Our recently added bamboo arbor was provided for many of our beach weddings and backyard ceremonies. Some couples chose to simply keep it with the white fabric others chose to decorate.

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Our bamboo arbor is available for rental in the Clearwater/Tampa area, as well as, Tallahassee areas. 

We also now provide Florida Marriage License by Mail service. Saving couples time and not have to go to the courthouse when they arrive in Florida to get their marriage license.

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You wedding is your day. We encourage you to enjoy the ceremony process. We have fun with our couples and they have fun with us. We like to have your ceremony be stress free, but have the atmosphere and style that you envision for your wedding.

Santa celebrating 4th of July joined Jocelyn and Tito for a fun wedding picture. Picture by C. R. Newman Photography

Santa celebrating 4th of July joined Jocelyn and Tito for a fun wedding picture. Picture by C. R. Newman Photography

Looking forward to 2016. Contact A Beautiful Wedding In Florida Palm Harbor, Tallahassee for all of your wedding needs.

Veterans Day Wedding Ceremony in Quincy Florida

Veterans Day Wedding Ceremony in Quincy Florida

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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?

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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