Throwback Thursday- Ohhh the Weddings We’ve Officiated

For the past twelve years , I have been officiating weddings. It’s been such pleasure to meet so many wonderful couples and an honor to officiate their weddings. It’s also been wonderful to share this experience and opportunity with my family members who are also wedding officiants. We have worked with so many wonderful couples who continue to follow us on Facebook and occasionally share photos with us. We’ve even had a few times that we’ve run into couples we’ve married at their friends wedding ceremony or even had a few times where they’ve asked us to officiate their siblings wedding ceremony.

The first wedding I officiated was twelve years ago with David & Grace. David is actually my brother-in-law so I was very excited to perfom his wedding!

David and Grace married December

David and Grace married December 8, 2001

Most of the weddings I officiate make me very happy!

Holiday wedding at Clearwater Beach. Photos by George Sr.

Holiday wedding at Clearwater Beach. Photos by George Sr.

But last year a wedding I officiated touched me with so much sadness. April & Brian asked me to perform their wedding on Clearwater Beach. They were coming to Florida with their three children. They were going to be in Orlando and traveling to Clearwater for the wedding and a beach day– the kids had never been to the beach before. The family was being sent to Florida by Make a Wish because their daughter who, at the time, was 9 years old has cancer. She had cancer when she was five and with treatment went into remission. But sadly, the cancer came back and they elected not to pursue treatment. She was a beautiful little girl. She had a seizure while we were together and it was amazing to see the love this family had for her, and one another. It was so sad performing the ceremony and looking at their family knowing that the little girl wouldn’t be with them much longer. Brian and April wanted to get married with their entire family together and it was truly a special time with everyone was having fun at their first beach trip.

Beautiful family

April and Brian with their beautiful family. Married on May 14, 2013 on Clearwater Beach. Photos by George Sr.

I’ve also had funny weddings. One time, I was asked to dress up as Elvis Presley for a Halloween wedding. Barbara & Bruce had their house all decorated for Halloween and wanted an Elvis themed wedding. It was so much fun! I wasn’t the only one in costume, Barbara & Bruce were in costumes also. My husband George Sr. was the photographer….their photos were by far not your typical wedding photos.

Elvis is in the house...and ready to marry you!

Elvis aka me (LOL!) was in the house…and ready to marry Barbara and Bruce. Married 10/31/2012. Photos by George Sr.

Having fun at Bruce and Barbara's Halloween wedding

Having fun at Bruce and Barbara’s Halloween wedding. Photos by George Sr.

I’ve performed weddings at: parks, on beaches, at venues, in gardens, at homes, on boats, and even at a Chick-fil-A.  Small weddings, large weddings, simple weddings, vow renewals, LGBTQ commitment ceremonies, and more….I honestly can say, I’ve enjoyed them all!!!

My daughter, Amanda, began officiating weddings seven years ago while attending college at Florida State University. She continues to perform weddings in Tallahassee and the surrounding areas.

Amanda officiating a wedding at Lichgate on High Rd Tallahassee

Amanda officiating a wedding at Lichgate on High Rd Tallahassee

Amanda officiating Megan and Eli's wedding in Quincy, FL.

Amanda officiating Megan and Eli’s wedding in Quincy, FL.

My son, George Jr., also began officiating weddings while attending college at the University of South Florida seven years ago. He is also fluent in Spanish and performs Spanish weddings throughout the Tampa Bay Clearwater area.

George Jr. officiates wedding at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club in Palm Harbor

George Jr. officiates wedding at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club in Palm Harbor

George Jr performed a Spanish wedding ceremony on Clearwater beach

George Jr. performed a Spanish wedding ceremony on Clearwater beach at sunset

My husband, George Sr., is also an officiant and photographer. Often times, I am the officiant and he is the photographer. We have a lot of fun working together and helping couples with their special day.

George Sr. officiated Haley & Daren's wedding in Brooksville, FL

George Sr. officiated Haley & Daren’s wedding in Brooksville, FL

George Sr. officiated a beautiful small intimate wedding at Phillipe Park in Safety Harbor

George Sr. officiated a beautiful small intimate wedding at Phillipe Park in Safety Harbor

Whether you want a male, female, older male or older female, we have an officiant that will help make your wedding ceremony remarkable. We’ve all performed a number of weddings, happy, sad, funny, elegant, simple…whatever you want we will make happen! Take a look at more of the weddings performed at A Beautiful Wedding In Florida.