Exchange of Vows
Blessing of Rings
Exchange of Rings
Readings
Unity Rituals
Additional Rituals
Blessing of the Marriage
Declaration of Marriage
Including Family &  Friends
Order of Service
Type and Tone

 Check Calendar for Possible Availability

If you see a Red thumbtack with the words "Contract Pending" on the calendar, the date and time may still be available. If you see such a conflict, I will be happy to contact the couple to see if they intend to confirm their booking.

Sarah and Jonathan The Tides, Patrick Air Force Base June 19, 2010 Photo Courtesy Wendy Fisher Art & Photography

Your wedding will be wonderful. It will, I promise. I won a prize at a newlywed reception on my honeymoon cruise for having the most things go wrong at a wedding and mine was spectacular. Fifteen years later it still remains a cherished memory. The wedding will be just fine. Unless you tell them, no one will ever guess you couldn't get the flowers you wanted, the candles are the wrong color or even if you flubbed your vows. It will be beautiful.

First thing you should know is that weddings go faster than you think. A lot faster! All Florida requires is a valid marriage license, an exchange of vows and a legally authorized individual to declare you husband and wife. Not very romantic, is it? But that means that everything beyond legal requirements is an opportunity for you to express yourselves and what your marriage means to you.

 Regardless of the number of guests and attendants, the following questions may help you begin to visualize a service that will engage you and your guests. 

• What type of service do you want? (religious, spiritual, inter-faith, civil)
• What should the tone of the service be? (highly formal, semi-formal, informal, casual, extremely casual)
• Will the wedding have a theme? (renaissance, a holiday, Dr. Suess, etc.)
• Do family circumstances make a memorial element appropriate?
• Are there any family traditions on either side that should be included in the ceremony? (a particular song, unity candle, flower presentation, etc.)
• Are there any ethnic traditions that should be included in the ceremony?
• How long should the wedding last? The length of the service may help determine the number and type of elements you want to include.
• What role will music have in the service?
• Will the minister simply officiate  the vows, also deliver a short homily on marriage or preach a full sermon?
• If the commitment results in a blended family, would a separate set of vows for the children be appropriate?
• Will you write your own or choose from a selection of pre-written vows?

A capable wedding officiant should be able to easily guide you through these questions and be able to offer suggestions and alternatives based on your answers. Such consultation between the couple and the officiant will result in a unique, memorable and eloquent expression of your loving relationship.