A Short & Sweet Post -- for a Lovely Review!

I officiated at a wonderful, intimate ceremony at the Walt Disney World Polynesian Resort a little over a week ago, for a wonderful couple from North Dakota who searched through many officiants before finding me.  One of the things that I feel makes my services as an officiant a bit different from the "average" is that I spend a lot of time with the couples I marry, to get to know them as people and to work with them to make their wedding ceremony something truly suited to the two of them. 

Without further fanfare, here's their review from Wedding Wire:

My husband and I recently married at Disney's Polynesian Resort through Disney's Fairytale Weddings. Being from North Dakota, we planned an intimate destination wedding. Disney provided us with a list of vendors, but we were unsatisfied with the selection of officiants. We were blessed to come across Renee and her services through weddingwire.com, A Lovely Ceremony, and she provided just that! She was always available for long distance planning via email, cell phone, and Skype. She was kind and was willing to travel over 2 hours to pick up our wedding license when ours failed to be delivered on time in ND. She really personalized our ceremony and helped coordinate our events. Renee's kindness and dedication to providing a truly unique ceremony for a couple is what makes her an excellent officiant. She is just an outstanding lady to work with and recommend her for anyone who is interested in having a beautiful, "lovely ceremony."

Photos will follow in another blog post, but I was so honored by this review that I had to share it immediately!  This is why I LOVE what I do!  

 

 

Slacking on the blog...

Okay, I admit it -- I haven't been keeping up with blogging, and there's no one to blame for it but ME!  The days just seem to go by so quickly, and before I know it, I realize it's been a long time since my last post.  

I've got so many weddings to blog about -- each one different, and each one joyful in its own way -- let me start with a wedding ceremony that was traditional-looking on the outside, but had wonderful humor all the way through!

Here I am, coming down the aisle -- I'm smiling because I know what's going to be coming!

 Ted and Patricia were married in the Rose Garden at Leu Gardens, a wonderfully beautiful botanical park in Orlando.  Their wedding was on April 15th, which fell during a weekend -- Ted works for the IRS, so of course, we included a line or two about why they chose this particular date for their wedding!

But what made their ceremony really humorous were references to Sponge Bob!  On their first date, after a movie, they stopped in at a toy store near the theater, and both of them immediately headed to the Sponge Bob toys.  They knew then that they were meant to be together! 

Besides being so in love, what's wonderful about Ted & Patricia is that they are also best friends -- an important factor in any marriage!  Their ceremony included lots of references to friendship, and also included a Sand Ceremony with their mothers forming the base of the sand in their vase.

Ted was so happy to be marrying Patricia that he answered each one of my questions with an "I Do" without even waiting for me to finish!  He was so thrilled, he just couldn't wait!

The part of the ceremony that was the most fun, by far, was when Patricia put the ring on Ted's finger -- on his right hand!  After a small whisper from me, some laughs from the guests, and Ted putting his left hand out (I referenced it as "the other right hand"), Patricia successfully placed the ring on his finger.

 As I pronounced them husband and wife, the kiss they shared was so sweet and wonderful -- I don't think there was a dry eye in the house!

Thank you, Ted and Patricia, for choosing me to be a part of your joyful day -- may you never stop playing with Sponge Bob toys!

 

 

 

Long Time, No Post!

Yep, it's been a while since my last blog post, and I don't have any excuse except for the fact that I've been so busy!  Wedding Season in Florida runs from October through May, and there have been so many wonderful, creative, fun ceremonies that I hardly know where to start!

I'll begin with a ceremony that was probably one of the most unusual ones I've ever done!  Matt and Cristin were such a fun couple to work with!  Their love of Mexican food inspired their Mexican-themed wedding, from not only their menu, but their entire decor and entertainment.  As their guests arrived, they were serenaded by a live Mariachi band (who were pretty dang good!)

To add to the fun tone of the ceremony, each attendant wore a different-colored Mexican outfit -- a true explosion of color!

The bride and groom's offbeat personalities were reflected in the wording throughout their entire ceremony, including two friends reading the words to "Never Gonna Give You Up"  (an old 80's disco song), which had everyone screaming with laughter.   

As I always say, and will keep on saying, one size ceremony does NOT fit all!  

Congratulations, Matt & Cristin, for having the ceremony that YOU wanted, and thank you for allowing me to create it with you!

 

 

Variety is the Spice of Life!

What an amazing few weeks it's been -- a number of wonderful weddings, each one different!  I'll blog about one at a time, so that each one gets the attention it deserves!

One of the most unusual ceremonies in my 34 years of experience was last weekend.  Karli and Zack were married in a beautiful tropical garden on a perfect fall day.  That's where anything "typical" ends -- because their ceremony was absolutely one-of-a-kind!

They're looking at a butterfly that flew between them as their ceremony started! 

I worked with them for several months on making their ceremony reflect their off-the-wall sense of humor, along with their love of zombies.  They also wrote their own vows, which included both traditional and hysterically funny wording.  Their guests were laughing one minute, and crying the next!

The icing on the cake was when, at the end of their ceremony, I gave them a plastic wrestling belt that they had asked I hide in my book -- and as they walked back down the aisle, they held it up, to the cheers of their guests!

Karli & Zack, it was so much fun to work with you, making your ceremony so unique -- may your laughter continue throughout your life together!

We pulled off the belt surprise!

Fall is in the Air!

How wonderful it is when the season changes, and things get a little cooler here in Central Florida!  Outdoor weddings in the summertime are still wonderful, but also very challenging because of the heat.  Once October rolls around and things start to cool down, having a ceremony outdoors becomes a real pleasure!

Last weekend, at the beautiful Mission Inn Resort in Howey-in-the-Hills, it was a pleasure and honor to officiate at the wedding of Rich and Andrea.  They live in Philadelphia, but came to Florida for their wedding because her parents live in the area.  Rich had found me online, and booked my services after we had spoken on the phone and established a great rapport.  He, Andrea and I worked together via phone and email on a ceremony that was absolutely beautiful and heartfelt, and reflected what they wanted to say to their guests and each other on their special day.  

Their wedding day had perfect weather -- sunny and breezy, with the temperature just right!  After making sure everything was in place (thanks to wonderful coordinators, Tammy & Elisa), and with the music of the classical guitarist adding a wonderfully romantic touch, their ceremony proceeded flawlessly.  The genuine love they have for each other showed in their radiant faces, and the joy as they shared their first married kiss was shared by all their guests. 

                                                          
Congratulations, Rich and Andrea -- may you share a lifetime of great weather, 
love, laughter and good health together!

I've Been Published!

A couple of months ago, I attended a networking event at a venue called Danville, which is in Geneva, Florida.  It's always great to get together with others who work in the wedding industry, to exchange ideas and meet new people.  
During this get-together, I was fortunate to meet Lisa Holt, a/k/a Carrara Nour.  

She is a professional bellydancer who specializes in high-end weddings and corporate events.  She came in costume, and performed several amazing dances, including some where she balanced swords and candleabras on her head!  
Since then, we've stayed in touch -- I love reading her posts on Facebook (Bellydance by Carrara Nour), as well as her blog.  She's asked other wedding people to write an article for her blog, which I did, and she honored me by posting it!  
Check it out -- you can find it at http://carraranour.com/2011/08/creative-ceremony-ideas-a-guest-post-by-orlando-wedding-officiant-renee-silverman.
Thanks, Lisa -- I hope we'll have the chance to work together soon!

Real Men DO Cry!

What a great week it's been!  I officiated at two different weddings with similar, but different, stories -- where each couple had been together when they were young, moved on to separate lives, but met again after years apart, and rekindled their romances.  

Christina and Ryan became friends in 8th grade.  After high school graduation, each went on to their own lives.  Christina married and had two children, and Ryan became a career Navy man.  Fast forward 12 years, and Christina was single once again.  She and Ryan re-established their friendship, but this time it blossomed into love.  Ryan had never married, and confessed to Christina that he had loved her since 8th grade -- and that he was never able to find someone else who could hold a candle to her!

This past Thursday morning at Gemini Springs Park in DeBary, by the St. Johns River, with the sound of herons calling to each other, a family of bunnies nearby, and surrounded by their families, Ryan and Christina became husband and wife.   Ryan began to cry happy tears as their ceremony started, and was still crying when their ceremony ended.  

In addition to including them in their Sand Ceremony, Ryan & Christina included her children by giving them a special gift during their ceremony -- a beautiful ring for her daughter, and a wonderful engraved dog tag for her son.

Mama & Daddy were in the Rabbit Hole, but Baby came out for a photo!

This morning, I officiated another wedding with a wonderful story.  Todd and Stacy had married each other right after high school graduation, back in 1978.  After five years, they divorced.  Each moved on with their lives and married other people.  Ten years ago, both single, they met again, and their sparks rekindled!  The theme I used for their ceremony was "Love is Lovelier the Second Time Around."  Todd cried happy tears from beginning to end, and Stacy's tears as she said her vows was so moving. 

If you look closely, you can see the photo of Todd & Stacy that was taken at their first wedding in 1978 -- it's on the table to their right!

Two different weddings, two very different men -- but both of them weren't afraid to let their emotions show, and cried tears of joy.  Real Men DO cry -- and it's a beautiful thing!

I know I've said it before, but I'll keep saying it, because I truly mean it -- I LOVE what I do!  What an honor and privilege to be a part of a couple's happiest moments!

Congratulations, Christina & Ryan, and Congratulations, Todd & Stacy -- may the joy you felt on your wedding day continue for the rest of your lives together!