It was a Very Good Year.....

Wow, where did 2013 go?  It's hard to believe that in less than 6 hours, a new year will begin!  

As far as officiating, I must say, it's been my favorite year -- so many wonderful couples, so many creative wedding ceremonies -- each one different, each one special!  In fact, I could create the world's longest blog post if I wrote about all of them, so I won't do that here -- rather, I'll wish everyone and anyone who's reading this a heartfelt wish that 2014 will bring you good health, happiness, and peace -- and maybe even A Lovely Ceremony!  Happy New Year!  

And, as a P.S., above is my brand spankin'-new logo!  I wanted a little something to express the fun and happiness of what I do.  Please feel free to share your opinions! 

Delightful December Weddings!

There's something very special about a wedding during the holiday season -- each ceremony I performed was special, but there were four of them that were so amazing that I just had to write about them before this year ends!  

Trevor and Colleen wanted a ceremony that included wording about their love of dogs, and that would surprise their guests -- so as their ceremony began, I read a verse entitled "Falling in Love is Like Owning a Dog" that got their guests chuckling -- followed by some beautiful Disney references (since their ceremony took place at Disney's Boardwalk Hotel) suggested by Colleen's mother.  Their ceremony closed on a tender note, and the joy on their faces was radiant!

Colleen's bouquet was absolutely gorgeous!

  I knew from the first time I spoke with Chelsey and Jason that their wedding was going to be lighthearted and one-of-a-kind -- they told me when we met not only about their love of Christmas (in fact, their tree had been up since October 25th!), but that their favorite movie of all time was The Muppet Christmas Carol.  We had so much fun working on their ceremony, which included several quotes from the movie, references to their kitties, and a family ring-warming that added a beautiful touch.  And, of course, their ceremony at the beautifully-decorated Dubsdread Country Club was held by the tree!

Chelsey & Jason used this photo to announce their marriage to their family and friends!

 Next up on the Delightful December weddings was Kyla and Thadd's ceremony.  They were married at the lovely Eagle Creek Country Club, and put their very special, personalized touches on both their ceremony and their reception.  The most touching part of their ceremony was the words of love they whispered to each other during the ceremony -- that no one else could hear but them!  Kyla's dress graduated from white to pink -- so unique and beautiful!

I fell in love with Kyla & Thadd's adorable daughter!

And, last but not least, was Nicole & Josh's nature-themed ceremony at the lovely Lake Louisa State Park in Clermont.  They included a tree ceremony that included their grandparents, parents, and themselves, and talked about how a good marriage must be nurtured, like a tree needs nurturing to grow. Each participant added soil to the tree, and Nicole and Josh watered the tree.  But no doubt, the most touching part of their ceremony was the vows they wrote to each other -- some of the most loving words I've ever heard.  I don't think there was a dry eye in the park!  

And -- a first -- at the request of the bride and groom (and no resistance from me!), I officiated barefoot!  What fun!

Nicole was barefoot, and Josh decided at the last minute to wear shoes!

How lucky am I to work with such amazing couples?  I've said it before, and I'll say it again -- I absolutely LOVE what I do!

Until next time ...

An Adventure-Filled Wedding!

In the 35-plus years I've been performing wedding ceremonies, I've never been bored -- because not only is every couple I work with different, but every ceremony I've performed is different!  Depending on the personalities of the couple, and the mood they wish to set for their ceremony, we work together until they are absolutely thrilled with the words that will unite them as husband and wife!

I knew from the first time that I met with Lauren and Chris that their ceremony was definitely going to be a great one -- one of the first things they told me about themselves was that they loved to travel, and had been to some amazing places -- and that they wanted to include their story, and those places, in their wedding ceremony.  

Over the next few months, as we worked on their ceremony, they were chock-full of great ideas, and actually came up with the exact wording they wanted to use in their ceremony to describe how they met, the places they'd been and the adventures they'd shared -- and how, one day, "at the super-fit age of 80," they planned to go back to the slopes of Colorado where they met, to "look back on an adventure-filled life spent with their travel partner and best friend."

They were married at an amazing venue in Orlando, Paradise Cove, which has a beachy, island vibe, and is right on a lake.  It's like a little slice of Hawaii in the middle of the Orlando resort district!

Chris and his groomsmen made their entrance via speedboat, jumped out when they reached shore, and ran down the aisle high-fiving everyone, including me!

Lauren had a more traditional entrance -- and their ceremony began.  Their guests were treated to hearing their story, which elicited many laughs -- and as their ceremony continued, their guests learned what they love about one another, along with their promises to love each other both in everyday life and in adventure.  

Their vows, in keeping with their unique ceremony, were said by taking turns, one line at a time -- and their ring exchange included a promise to keep each other's life interesting!  They, and their guests, were laughing one moment, crying the next!  

And -- do you know what the frosting on the cake was for me?  As I was leaving after their ceremony, Lauren's father ran up to me with a beaming face, and thanked me -- in the middle of all the celebration, he wanted to let me know how much he enjoyed their ceremony!  Yet another reason for me to say what I've said before, and will continue to say -- I love what I do!

Congratulations, Chris and Lauren -- may your great adventures in love and life continue to grow!  

Until next time....