TampaBayAreaWeddings

Real Wedding Carolyn and Mark@Clearwater Beach

2011-05-23T22:37:00.000-07:00

Carolyn and Mark left the snowy cold of Buffalo, New York to come down to sunny, warm, Florida to be married! It was a beautiful sunny day with a warm breeze coming off the ocean. Mark was waiting at the beach for Carolyn in order that he would see her for the first time in her beautiful gown and veil. She looked stunning as she walked towards her groom for their very private and intimate wedding on Clearwater Beach. The bride carried a beautiful bouquet of calla lillies, and they exchanged traditional wedding vows as they stood within a heart shaped in the sand. After the ceremony, we provided a toast for the couple. What a pleasure it was to be such an important part of Mark and Carolyn's elopement. I wish them a long, healthy and happy marriage!

Tradewinds Real Wedding Gina and Bill

2011-04-27T19:02:00.000-07:00

Gina and Bill and their beautiful children were united on the beach at the Tradewinds. The weather was outstanding, and the couple were very relaxed and happy. It was an honor to officiate their wedding.

The children all took part in the ceremony and the blended sand ritual that was very beautiful with all of the colors of the rainbow.

The bridesmaids dresses were a gorgeous royal blue, with their floral bouquets to match.

It was a fabulous day for Gina and Bill and their family. Congratulations!!

Botanical Gardens Real Wedding, Alan and Susan

2011-04-25T17:43:00.000-07:00

When Alan and Susan decided to tie the knot, they chose a magnificent location. The Botanical Garden in Largo. Their ceremony was held in the small garden area, and their floral, colorful outfits fit in just perfectly with the environment! Susan and Alan stayed calm and cool even tho the sun and weather was hot, hot, hot!!! They shared their beautiful vows and exchange of rings in front of their family and friends in a short, sweet, ceremony. Congratulations Alan and Susan!!!

Sunken Gardens St. Petersburg Wedding Stacia and Gabriel

2011-03-06T14:27:00.000-08:00

WOW! You cannot even imagine how wonderful it is to work with a couple who had a clear vision of their wedding and in particular their ceremony.

Stacia and Gabriel met almost 8 years ago in a store in the book section. The section of interest to both of them was of Japanese annimation. They are both extremely interested in the japanese culture and they are fond of the anama animated characters. It wasn't long after that through their mutual enjoyment of all things japanesse, that they became a couple and fell in love. Gabe told me that Stacia was the "yin to his yan", and Stacia told me that she couldn't imagine not having Gabe as her "partner in crime" forever.

They chose the magnificent Sunken Garden, sent out their save the date cards which featured artwork of a japanese animated couple and the word Love in Japanese, and then, the customized wedding invitations. From there, the wedding was created for and with them to feature japanese flowers, words, and rituals to further enhance their common interest. To create their vision!

Their wedding will be one of the featured weddings when I speak at the Association of Bridal Consultants international conference in Baltimore in November.

Professionals involved with this wedding:

Location and Planner: Sunken Gardens, St. Petersburg 727-551-3100

Officiant: Rev. Virginia Bishop, Loving Unity, 727 532-6186 http://www.lovingunity.com/
Caterer: Affordable Catering of Tampa Florida, 813-962-1525 http://www.affordablecatering.net/
Cake: A Piece of Cake of Tampa, 813-884-4049 http://www.cakestampa.com/

Florals Cheral Floral Studio 813-926-4556 http://www.cheralfloral.com/

Music: DJ Andy Cyman, Breezin Entertainment http://www.breezin.com/

Loving Unity wins Wedding Wire Bride's Choice Award 2011!

2011-01-26T09:52:00.000-08:00

Largo, Florida – January 26, 2011- WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding technology company, is thrilled to announce Loving Unity Officiants has been selected to receive the prestigious annual WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011 for Officiating Customized Wedding and Commitment ceremonies!

Recognition for the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011 is determined by recent reviews and extensive surveys from over 750,000 WeddingWire newlyweds. Our past clients are among those that shared their experiences on WeddingWire, the largest wedding review site in the nation.
Loving Unity Officiants stands among the top five percent of wedding professionals in the WeddingWire community, representing quality and service excellence within the wedding industry. Awards were given to the top wedding professionals across 20 service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers, and were based on the overall professional achievements throughout the past year.

“WeddingWire is honored to celebrate the success of the top-rated wedding professionals within the WeddingWire community,” said Timothy Chi, WeddingWire’s Chief Executive Officer. “With the annual Bride’s Choice Awards™ program, WeddingWire has the unique opportunity to recognize the best wedding professionals across the US and Canada. We applaud Loving Unity Officiants for their professionalism and dedication to enhancing the wedding planning experience last year.”

We are happy to announce that Loving Unity is among the very best Officiants within the WeddingWire Network, which includes leading wedding planning sites WeddingWire, Martha Stewart Weddings, Project Wedding and Weddingbee. We would like to thank our past clients for nominating us to receive the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011.

For more information, please visit our WeddingWire Storefront today at LovingUnity.com.

For more information on the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011, please visit http://www.weddingwire.com/.

Davis Island Garden Club Spanish Wedding Cindy and Keith

2011-01-18T16:25:00.000-08:00

When we customized a wedding ceremony we provide every element needed to make the rituals special for the couple and their families. Cindy and Keith were married at the Davis Island Garden Club. It was a muti-cultural ceremony honoring the bride's Spanish heritage. The ceremony was spoken in English and Spanish and they honored their parents and grandparents with special readings. Enjoy the photos!

Sandpearl Resort Wedding - Karen and James

2011-01-15T18:56:00.000-08:00

Today It was my honor to officiate at the splendid wedding of Karen and James on the gulf lawn area of the Sandpearl Resort. The wedding was full of rich Filipino Traditions. After the bride was escorted by her dad, and brought forward to the chairs facing frontward, the ceremony began. The couple was cloaked with the white veil, which symbolized Karen and James commitment to each other, to cloth each other in love and loyalty. It is a symbol of faithful love and continuous moral and spiritual support as they carry life's burden with joy. It represents James strength and protection to his bride, Karen, his wife, who he promises to take care of from this day forward.

The cord was then placed over their heads and on their shoulders in a figure 8 shape to bind their love, to unite their lives as one, to connect souls. It is placed in a figure 8 to represent eternity.

After their wedding vows and ring exchange vows, the couple shared in the coin exchange. In this tradition, the tinkling of the coins being passed from one pair of hands to the other, is a distinctive reminder of James promise to take care of Karen materially. Karen in turn, by giving back the coins into his hands, conveys that what they both earn become part of each others. The trickling sound also signifies abundance and success in the couples joint efforts.

Karen and James also shared a sand blending ritual to symbolize that two lives are joined as one forever. The ceremony was so beautiful, meaningful and respectful to both traditions.

It was truly and honor to work with Karen and James and their parents, in the creation of their ceremony reflecting their own style and wishes....

Blessings to you for a lifetime full of happiness!

Wedding Professionals who made this event magnificent:

Debbie Glancy from the Sandpearl Resort and her staff. http://www.sandpearl.com/
Hair and Makeup by Sara Shepard 727-644-5970
Flowers by In Bloom - Valerie 813-443-0551
Professional Photography by Valerie Ritter 727-365-0308

Five Star Audio for the Ceremony - Jeremy 727-710-1161

Cake by Nina - 813-251-4564

Hyatt Regency in Clearwater Beach - Wedding of Kristy and Kris

2011-01-06T10:23:00.000-08:00

On Saturday, Kristy and Kris exchanged their wedding vows in the sunshine, but with the wind whipping! The setting was the beautiful Hyatt Regency in Clearwater overlooking the white sand of the beach and the aqua blue waters of the gulf. The wedding ceremony was held on the 8th floor patio with a beautiful reception following. It was a private, intimate, area away from the hustle and bustle of other guests. The reception room was surrounded by windows allowing a magnificent view from every angle.

The colors chosen for the flowers were a magnificent orange color, created by by Rose Garden Florists. I loved the gerbra daisy arrangements and their vibrant color was perfect! The orange gerbra daisy's on the reception tables, in the bride and bridesmaids bouquet was fabulous. The floral pieces for the front area were also beautiful lilies in the same orange color. It was nice to see something simple, yet elegant, unique and beautiful!

The bride was escorted by her dad to the sound of steel drum music provided by Dave Holmstrand of CaladesiSteelBand.com. The bride entered to a steel drum rendition of Here Comes the Bride and she looked stunning as she strode towards her groom.

After the exchange of vows and rings, the couples had a blended sand ritual symbolizing the joining of their lives together.

Congratulations Kristy and Kris!! It was a honor to officiate your wedding.

Here are the professionals I enjoyed working with at this wedding!

Florist: Rose Garden Flowers 727-391-1200 or 1-800-771-1371
Music: Caladesi Steel Band, Dave Holmstrand 727-642-4814
Venue: Jennifer Payne | Catering Sales Manager
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa
301 South Gulfview Boulevard | Clearwater, FL 33767
P: 727-373-4446 | F: 727-373-4450| E: Jennifer.payne@hyatt.com
clearwaterbeach.hyatt.com

Buddhist and Christian Interfaith Ceremony

2010-12-27T18:53:00.000-08:00

Gillian and Tham shared a beautiful ceremony created to honor their own beliefs and traditions. The ceremony took place at the Vinoy in St. Petersburg in the courtyard. The ceremony began with the traditional ringing of the bells to center us, and begin the meditation. The couple honored their deceased relatives with the lighting of a candle and burning of incense, and shared a moment of silence to ask for their blessings upon their union.

The vows Gillian and Tham spoke were beautiful and heartfelt and there was not a dry eye in the area. The rose petals were strewn at their feet and their hands were blessed with the scented holy oils.

Congratulations and thank you for allowing me the honor of officiating your wedding!

Celtic Wedding at the Bilmar Beach Resort, Florida

2010-05-16T18:59:00.000-07:00

It was such a pleasure and honor to officiate the Celtic Wedding of Laurie and Frank this weekend! It all began with beautiful celtic music being played to greet the guests. The vows that they spoke were the traditional celtic vows, and then followed up with their own personal words to each other. As they stated their vows, they each held an oathing stone. One of the stones was an actual piece of the Blarney Stone, and another round stone from the brides family farm in Ireland. Oathing stones are very sacred in the ritual, as the ancients took their vows on sacred stones where spiritual devotions and ancient rituals took place. Stones are part of the earth, and hold the memories of Irish ancestors. To make a binding oath on or near a sacred stone, is to make a powerful and lasting vow, as if your vows are "cast in stone". Laurie and Frank exchanged wedding rings with the celtic knots circling them.

The handfasting ritual is a celtic ritual that began in the middle ages, demonstrating that the couple is now bound together and are tying the knot. Laurie and Frank chose a fabric that is the Muirhead Plaid representing his Scottish heritage.

The Loving Cup, called a Quaich, was ordered special for this occasion. By the 15th century it was common for the Celtic couple to toast each other with a ceremonial cup. This cup is called the Quaich and is a two handled bowl often with an inlaid celtic design. As with this quaich, it is inlaid with Celtic knotwork that is unending represnting the permanence of the marriage. Laurie and Frank toasted to their love of the past, present and future and their happiness at finding their Anam Cara - soul friend. The cup is then passed down from generation to generation, ensuring happiness and good fortune for all who drink from it.

Frank and Laurie also blended their families together with a sand ritual, using sand from Sand Key, their favorite beach.

After the wedding the wedding party was introducted in to an irish jig, which they all enjoyed. Congratulations Laurie and Frank! I was very honored to celebrate your heritage and mine as well! Laurie and Frank.... Slante'

Thomasena and Frank at the Don CeSar

2010-05-11T10:20:00.000-07:00

What a pleasure it was to unite Thomasena and Frank for their very special wedding day. The sun was shining and their was a slight breeze as Thomasena entered with her dad to meet Frank, the love of her life.

Thomasena looked stunning in her gown,
and I have never seen a happier groom! The couple
shared special vows they had chosen for each other,
and in memory of her grandpa that had passed,
Thomasena wore her grandpa's wedding ring.
It was an honor to be there with them and their family. Congratulations and best wishes for a lifetime full of happiness!!

Marriage Prep Course for Florida Couples of Tampa Bay Area

2010-03-13T12:17:00.000-08:00

SIGN UP NOW!!!!

It's time to sign up to take the Pre-Marital Marriage Prep Course that I will be offering! Couples get the chance to take the course to learn about each other and how to manage their lives together along with the opportunity to get a discount on their marriage license!!!

Date: Sunday, March 28th
Time: 2:30 - 5:00 pm
Location: Pinellas Park, FL
Cost: If registered by March 14th the fee is $20 per couple, if registering at the door $25.00 per couple.
I am planning for this course to be FUN as well as informative!

Additionally, If I am secured as your wedding officiant, there is NO FEE for this course, it is my gift to you!

Email me at LovingUnity@gmail.com to register

Mello Vibes has the sound of Caribbean Steel Drum listen now!

2010-03-07T10:44:00.000-08:00

One of the beautiful things about having a beach wedding is the opportunity to use Caribbean Steel Drum music to set the tone! I have been involved with several weddings with the sound of Mellow Vibes and guests and wedding party alike love it! It just fits the setting so well! Here's your chance to listen to Mello Vibes to experience it for yourself.

The Sound of the Caribbean Steel Drum makes for a relaxing day lounging on the beach while sipping Pina Coladas. The Steel drums are accompanied by some vocals along with guitar solos to add more variety to the album for a reggae/island/jazz fusion. You can have the sounds of steel drums all year round without hiring the steel drummer. Take a listen and feel free to purchase a copy today!!!

Download a sample of Mello Vibes Debut Album or individual songs at: http://cdbaby.com/cd/MelloVibes Or check out client reviews at: http://www.gigmasters.com/clientfeedback.asp?rowid=22604 http://www.mellovibes.com http://www.myspace.com/mellovibesentertainment
http://cdinsight.com/news.php?readmore=837
Contact Mello Vibes TODAY! 813.732.8826

Guest Blog with Photographer Bryan Glynn of BG Pictures Photography

2010-03-05T14:40:00.000-08:00

Today I had the chance to sit down with Bryan Glynn of BG Pictures Photography. What a pleasure! Not only is Bryan a great photographer, but he was a very activie Volunteer for the Brides Against Breast Cancer fundraiser this week, so he gives back to the community! Thanks! Bryan has been a photographer for 10 years. He is originally from Michigan and has been in Florida 11 years. BG Pictures Photography specializes in Weddings, Portraits, and Commercial Photography. When asked about the most challenging part of his job he told me, he just enjoys photographing the couples so much, he wants to spend the whole day capturing the essence of their love and happiness! Bryan said that couples today want a fresh modern style with a classic twist! Here are a few tips from Bryan as you shop for a photographer for your special day.

* Most important, make sure the photographer is actually in a licensed business.
*Are they a full time professional photographer or is it a hobby?????
* Ask to see a recent example of albums.
*Look at all the recent work on their website to see if the style of the photography matches your vision.
*Budget more for photography than you think you will need.
*Photography should be at the top of your list as it is one of the items that will last your lifetime.
*Check references, check references, check references.
*Ask to see a copy of their contract.

Not only is Bryan a fantastic photographer, but he TEACHES photography, and keeps current on all the latest trends and equipment available to be able to provide the highest quality results to the client.

Check out his work!

Contact: Bryan Glynn
Web: bgpictures.com
Phone: 727-946-1000

Email: bryan@bgpictures.com

Bryan, thanks! It was a pleasure to see you at the Brides Against Breast Cancer event this week! Thanks for also being a great volunteer!!!!!!!!!!

Brides Against Breast Cancer- Tampa- Tv Appearance

2010-03-01T10:41:00.000-08:00

An unusual call of duty for a Wedding minister, but the cause is so worth it, that how could I refuse the request for my help. Once again, Loving Unity's own, Rev. Virginia Bishop is modeling gowns for a cause. What cause you ask, Brides Against Breast Cancer.. Making Memories Foundation is bringing the annual sale of Gowns called Brides Against Breast Cancer to Tampa this weekend...

Check out the link below of the Tv segment that aired today and see if you catch me in a fabulous gown for the cause.

http://www.studio10.tv/day/monday/segment.aspx/126042/Brides_Against_Breast_Cancer

For more details abour Brides Against Breast Cancer visit: http://www.bridesagainstbreastcancer.org/

Brides Against Breast Cancer- What can you Do?

2010-02-26T14:19:00.000-08:00

Stress on your Wedding Day? Let me provide Reiki Stress Relief!

2010-02-21T15:22:00.000-08:00

I want to chat with you about stress management and how to cope with your marriage stress. In particular, your wedding day stress. Stress is really the state of mind most likely to ruin your special day, and your event. As a Reiki practitioner, I want to tell you how Reiki is the ultimate "Stress Management Tool" amd how I can channel Reiki Healing Energy to quiet your mind, and body, and relax you. I can relax your body to have a clear mind, being held with stillness and silence, and help you with the healing energy that will give your whole "Self" the opportunity for being restored and refreshed.

On the months leading up to the Wedding Day, if you would like, you can arrange for your guests, and your wedding party, and in particular the Bride and Groom, to have a Reiki Treatment before the big day. You will truy be amazed at hw stress free everyone can be. You will be able to cope with the stress that the big day creates, and you will be happy with the results! This reduction in stress will help you to cope with whatever curves life throws you!

Stress is actually a rising cause of sickness from work, which replaces bad backs as the main cause for people's illness and loss of time from work.

I believe that anything that reduces stress is worth the trial. It would be recommended that Brides and Grooms have a Reiki session approximately two weeks prior to the wedding and then have the Reiki Practicioner come to your home the morning of the wedding and provide Reiki to the Bride and Mother of the Bride. In addition, the bridesmaids could benefit as well. It will definitely make a big difference in the way that the day will go. The stress is relieved to a great extent to everyone's relief.

Physicians are fully aware of the presence of stress - they are vulnerable to it themselves! Stress is how you perceive the demands and pressures that life presents, and how you are able to draw on your inner resources to cope. What you find unable to cope with today, you will take everying in stride with Reiki.

Reiki is NOT a religion, although it does have some guiding priciples.

1. Just for today, do not worry.
2. Just for today, do not anger.
3. Honor your parents, teachers and elders.
4. Earn your living honestly.
5. Show gratitude for every living thing.

The point of these principles is that the life force relies on the views and judgements that we practice and make known. In other words, if we think positively, and try to feel only good feelings, such as caring and closeness, and dedicate our lives to disipline and preserverance (to the best of our ability) the life energy is profuse and the stress diminishes to that which we can copy with.

As a Reiki practitioner, I would be honored to work with my couples and their families to produce for them the most stress free and enjoyable environment for their wedding as possible. Appointments are available. Please phone me to discuss your options.

Namaste'

Looking for a great Bridal Show?

2010-02-10T16:44:00.000-08:00

The Third Annual Davis Islands Garden Club Bridal Showcase will be taking place on Sunday, February 28th from Noon to 4:00pm at the Davis Islands Garden Club, 81 Columbia Drive in Tampa. This is your opportunity to come and meet the Tampa Bay Areas wedding vendors and enjoy the bridal fashion show, live music, signature cocktails and canapes. This is one show not to be missed!!!! The show is presented by Table 6 Productions. Last year I officiated at many of the weddings held at the Davis Islands Garden Club, it is a fabulous venue and one that I enjoy greatly! Admission is $5 so come by and say hello!!!

Sirata Resort - Beach Wedding, Sand Unity Ceremony

2009-09-27T16:42:00.000-07:00

Congratulations Tara and Joe!!! Your wedding at the Sirata was fantastic!! The weather was beautiful, the soft gentle breeze was just enough to cool everyone off and the sunset made for fantastic photos! I loved the Black and White theme with the bridesmaids gowns, and the beautiful red roses. The flower girl took her role very seriously making sure she only dropped one rose petal at a time to mark your entrance! During the sand ceremony, Joe and Tara poured sand into their beautiful engraved sand ceremony vases. Tara and Joe honored their parents with a special mention of their long term marriages, Francis and Bonnie celebrated 41 years of marriage, and Lee and Bill celebrated 34 years! Tara and Joe wrote very personal vows for each other. We were very honored to officiate their wedding. All our best for many years of happiness, health, and prosperity!

Vendors assisting Tara and Joe for their Day:
Rev. David Bishop, LovingUnity.com
Ms. Stacy Feldhusen of the Sirata
Flowers by Publix on West Bay
DJ: James King with Grant Hemond
Photographer: Edward Moore
Videographer: David Wetherbie with The Pros
Cake: Chef Nelson Cake Studio

1st Annual Open House! - Wedding Event in Saint Petersburg, FL, Florida

2009-09-17T09:16:00.001-07:00

1st Annual Open House! - Wedding Event in Saint Petersburg, FL, Florida

Shared via AddThis

Sandpearl Resort - Congratulations Jaclyn and Daryl!!

2009-06-17T13:00:00.000-07:00

Jaclyn and Daryl had a spectacular wedding at the Sandpearl in Clearwater, Florida. One of the awesome ideas that this couple implemented was that they had 5 Maids of Honor and 5 Best Men! They told me that they just couldn't select any one particular person so they decided to give them ALL the honorary title! How creative! The flowers were stunning and the men all had starfish on their lapels making it a real beachside wedding theme. The wedding was held with Rev. Pauline officiating, and the couple were beaming with their love for each other. Congratulations Jaclyn and Daryl!

Cheryl Daniels Photography - Featured Photographer

2009-06-07T14:04:00.000-07:00

It has been a pleasure to work with Cheryl Daniels several times as she photographed weddings in the Tampa Bay Area. Cheryl has an eye for excellent and majestic photos, has a wonderful and pleasing personality and makes couples feel very much at ease during their photos. They capture the sparkle in the eyes of the couple when they look at each other, and document the most important moments of your lives. Daniels Photography is a member of the Tampa Area Professional Photography Association and they specialize in wedding and portrait photography. I am including a few photos, and suggest that you visit their website for details and more beautiful photos. Daniels Photography offers a free engagement photo with every wedding package that they contract.

Contact: Cheryl Daniels
Company: Daniels Photography
Email: Danielsphotography@tampabay.rr.com
Website: www.cheryldanielsphotography.com
Phone: 813-416-0657

Sandpearl Resort - Congratulations Carrie and Omar!

2009-05-30T10:00:00.000-07:00

Carrie and Omar exchanged their vows at a religious ceremony on the beach at the Sandpearl Resort in Clearwater, Florida. I so enjoyed working with this beautiful couple and their families! The weather was spectacular, and the Sandpearl again provided top notch service for the couple both for the ceremony and the reception. The professional photographers for the wedding were Shakespear Photography, and I will post some of their photos on a later blog. One of the nice things about a beach wedding at the Sandpearl, they had a refreshment area with a variety of cooling drinks available while the guests were waiting for the beginning of the ceremony. Since the couple really wanted to have a unity candle ritual, it was decided to have it at the reception just prior to the dinner blessing. One of my favorite things was the chocolate fountain. Yum! Congratulations Omar and Carrie! Best wishes for a long, health and happy marriage!

Destination Tarpon Springs - Sunset Beach

2009-05-27T18:04:00.000-07:00

Ann and Jon had always loved their visits to Florida in the past and when the time came to tie the knot, it was an easy decision for them! They called Lovingunity.com and after discussing their style and wishes, they chose to be married at Sunset Beach in Tarpon Springs. What is better than expressing your vows with your toes in the sand, the gentle breeze swaying the palm trees, and the sound of the ocean coming to shore. The intimate wedding ceremony with their expression of personal words to each other was so beautiful. Ann and Jon, CONGRATULAIONS! May you be blessed with a very long, happy and healthy marriage.

Custom Ceremony & Vows Written Just For You!

2009-05-18T20:43:00.001-07:00

Times are changing, and due to economic strains, couples are seeking ways to save money as they plan their wedding ceremonies. Several couples have told me that they wanted to ask a close friend or relative to officiate their wedding, but they didn't know where to begin.

If you would like someone to officiate your wedding, and they are approved by the state of Florida, then by all means, allow me to work with you. I will be honored to custom write a ceremony for you and vows that will reflect your own style and wishes. Then you will receive the custom ceremony and the person of your choice can officiate for you.

The fee for me to craft your ceremony and vows would be $100.00 and you would receive it within two weeks of our discussion. Please call me at 207 590-6339 if you would like to begin the process or email me at lovingunity@gmail.com.

Guest Interview with Nick Schriver with the Decorating Elves

2009-05-11T11:17:00.000-07:00

I welcome any guest interviews for this blog. Today I wanted to share the interview I had with Nick Schriver from the Decorating Elves. Many times, I participate in the actual ceremony but I don't see what goes on being the scenes, so this should give us a glimpse of that.

Hi Nick, can you tell us a bit about yourself?
Hi, I am Nick Schriver with Decorating Elves, we help brides with lighting and decor for their special day. This includes, fabric draping, from the ceiling and throughout the room, also includes accent lighting throughout the room, and working with their theme to increase the ambiance of their event.

How do you accomplish this?
Most of what we do is working with fabrics like gossemeyo, tulle or chiffon, and incorporating mini twinkle lights into them with a pattern throughout the areas to cover unwanted items in a room or highlighting certain areas, for example, entryways, the bridal table, then we shine a colored spot lights into it to get accent colors.

Why is this important to couples?
Our services are especially great for couples that may be on a budget and want their event to look magical. With couples being more budget conscious than ever, they are able to rent the larger less expensive halls that don't have the fees attached as some hotels and it can really transform the area into an elegant wedding setting.

When do you perform your services?
We like to get into a room before the caterers and do the ceiling work right away. If there is a limited timeframe on the set up, we will arrive earlier in the week and measure everything and have it ready so that we can meet the restrictions.

Where are you doing most of your events?
Most of the decorations that we do are in recreation centers, community centers, church halls, St. Pete Recreation Center, Clearwater Beach Recreation Center, Davis Island Garden Club, Country Clubs, just to name a few, in addition to the hotels such as the Don CeSar, Sirata, and the Tradewinds.

What else do you do?
We can accomplish anything a couple would like as long as they have a photo and budget to accomplish it. Other popular items we have available are oriental lanterns, led cherry blossom trees, plants and trees which accent holiday lighting.

What do you feel sets you apart from others in the industry?
We pride ourselves in our ability to work in venues larger and small, and also to be able to work with a variety of budgets.

How can couples reach you?
They can go on the website at www.decoratingelves.com or visit us on my space at www.myspace.com/decoratingelves

Thank you Nick for sharing this guest blog, I continue to enjoy my association with you!

I love when photographers share!!!

2009-05-07T12:12:00.000-07:00

Officiating is FUN! The downside is that I never get to actually have any photos of the wedding ceremony or the couple unless I BEG!!! That is not true with a handful of photographers that realize that it is helpful to me and I so appreciate the effort that they make to ensure that I at least get one or two photos for my blog!! This time it is a big thank you to Brian Idocks of Brian C. Idocks Photographics! We have worked together several times and even tho he is friendly and professional, the quality of his work is outstanding.

Brian has been photographing weddings for a very long time. He has received a great deal of industry awards. As many of you may know, Brian was awarded photographer of the year for the Tampa Bay and Sarasota areas and also was included in the Top Ten Photographers in the State of Florida. He prides himself in great photography, but also in ensuring that everyone has a great time. Brian also seems to capture moments some others don't see..........for example.........me adjusting a cumberbun or putting on boutineres, or assisting in a great many other ways that come into my "other duties as needed" in my job description.

Brian's staff - Melissa and Derica are also great photographers and outstanding assets to his team. I will be featuring some shots that Melissa and Derica take in future blogs. So, keep your eyes on the blog and also make sure that you check out Brian's website at www.briancidocks.com You will see that the images really do speak for themselves!

Thanks Brian, Melissa and Derica for sharing with all of us!

Brides Against Breast Cancer - We Granted a Wish!

2009-04-08T14:57:00.000-07:00

My purpose for this blog is to give the gift of publicity to the vendors that I am honored to work with. I cannot even express how happy I was to be able to work with the Making Memories organization that grants a wish to a bride with breast cancer. In April, at the Cocktail Hour for the Brides Against Breast Cancer, a wish was granted to Cassiday and Douglas. The group opened their hears and provided the couple with a beautiful wedding, complete with flowers, cake, video, hair and makeup, music, gown, tuxedo, venue, and accomodations. It is one thing to be a professional in your field, but it is totally fantastic to see these professional give of their time and their talents and expertise, to grant a wish to make a couples dream come true.

The venue was the Safety Harbor Resort, the sunshine and warmth was provided by......well, you already know that, don't you? It was a fabulous day. The brides gown, the grooms tuxedo, the hair and makeup, the music, the flowers, the cake, EVERYTHING a couple could ever want in a dream wedding! I have never witnessed such gratitude by a bride. The love between them was very evident, and there was not a dry eye around as they exchanged their personal vows.

This post is to let you know that people really do care, and that dreams really can come true. My gratitude and that of the couple, truly goes to the following people who went above and beyond to Cassiday and Dougs dream a reality!

Venue: Tina, Katie, and the staff of the Safety Harbor Resort & Spa
Event Planner: Tammy Waterman, EventsBySpecialMoments
Florist: Scott Darhower of Apple Blossoms
Music: Neil Barnhart, Creative Productions
Video: Mike and Dave Furhmann of Artistic Media
Photography: Brian C Idocks Photographics
Gown: Making Memories Organization and Brides Against Breast Cancer
Tux: Sacinos
Cake: A local bakery
Hair & Makeup for bridesmaids: Michelle Rene
Hair & Makeup for Bride: Safety Harbor Spa
Officiant: Rev. Virginia Bishop, Loving Unity

Blending Beliefs - Your Interfaith Wedding Ceremony...

2009-03-03T16:06:00.000-08:00

You met the man or woman of your dreams, you fell in love, and never once did it occur to you that your individual religious beliefs may be an issue with your wedding. I imagine that you talked about so many other things during the courting, that the differences in your religious beliefs would need to be considered, that is, until you decided to get married. Only then did you realize that you may have more decisions to make than other couples. Do you have a religious ritual, and which one should you choose? How do you blend the two? Should you try to have two different ceremonies? Or, do you just go a different route and have a non-religious ceremony so that no one will feel slighted?

So many questions, but questions that I am honored to answer. Interfaith weddings should not be a source of stress. As an interfaith couple, working with me, you can create a ceremony that will honor both your beliefs as individuals and also you as a couple.

When we meet, I tell you about the various options available to you. The first would be to consider if you would like a religious ceremony, and if so, which one will predominate. When Matthew and Lori got married, they did quite a bit of research about interfaith weddings and decided to go with a ceremony that honored both the Jewish and Catholic faiths. Their ceremony involved a passing of the peace, and a unity candle and a reading from the New Testament about the definition of love, for the Catholic elements, and the breaking of the glass “Mazeltov” for the Jewish elements. Wording was used in the opening that indicated that even tho they were ware that there would are differences in their beliefs, the love for each other and wanting to share their lives together for ever were stronger than their differences. They chose a neutral site at a beautiful hotel, had a chuppah created and utilized fabric from the groom’s family that represented his Celtic roots.

Moira and Bill was a couple who wanted to incorporate her Greek Orthodox heritage into their ceremony. The couple had a beautiful crowning ritual, and circling of the altar to represent Moira’s heritage and a bagpiper played music to honor Bill’s heritage. They were married in a non-denominational church in a religious ceremony.

Having two ceremonies is an option for couples as well. Recently I officiated the American ceremony for Halina and Ali. After the traditional religious ceremony, the couple proceeded to go into the reception where the Imam conducted the Persian Ceremony. Halina and Ali had printed out programs for the Persian ceremony explaining all the elements of the rituals involved in that ceremony.

I thoroughly enjoy working with all of our couples to create a beautiful, customized ceremony that honors all traditions and faiths. I take a great deal of pride in my work, and I know that it sets me apart from many other officiants. Having studied at the All Faiths Seminary, upon graduation, I had a pretty thorough knowledge of all the world faiths and the meanings of the rituals

Here is my advice for any interfaith couple. Planning in advance is critical, make sure that you find an officiant that is willing to perform an interfaith wedding, and keep all the lines of communication open. It is up to the both of you to really get the ceremony that both of you want. Once you have both agreed, keep your vision in mind, even when faced with family pressure. It is YOUR wedding, have it YOUR way. Call me at 727-532-616 to allow me to assist you. Feel free to look at http://lovingunity.blogspot.com as well for further information.

Nature Inspired Weddings!

2009-03-01T18:47:00.000-08:00

Recently I shared with you photos and a write up about a Valentines Day Wedding at the Islands Bamboo Gardens in Pinellas Park. That very same day, I had the opportunity to witness the vow exchange and marriage of Katie and Tony.

They chose the Sunken Gardens, which they described as peaceful, and a reminder of the beauty of God's magnificent creation. I wanted to share with you photos by Jenny Brockwell of Katie and Tony's wedding. She provided some very creative shots to just give us a preview. The Oak Pavillion is an awe inspiring location for any wedding or intimate gathering. Enjoy the photo's and have a look at the work of Jenny at her websites www.jennybphotography.com and also her pet photography at www.happytailsphotos.com Jenny can also be reached at 813-205-1214.

You're Invited...........Bridal Showcase!

2009-02-18T13:18:00.000-08:00

I would like to keep you aware of the Bridal Showcases and Expo's that are in our area that may be helpful to your couples!!

Bridal Showcase

Sunday, April 5, 2009

10:00 am - 1:00 pm

St. Pete Beach Community Center

7701 Boca Ciega Drive

View the beautiful Boca Ciega ballroom with ceiling swag decorations and mock reception tablescapes. Visualize a ceremony on the edge of Boca Ciega Bay. Meet with the best of the Bay Area's caterers, chocolatiers, photographers, DJ's and more!

COST: FREE

All registered guests will be entedred to win a 4 hour rental to the Boca Ciega room for a rehearsal dinner, shower, or reception! Hope to see you there!!

Making Memories - Touching Lives - Brides Against Breast Cancer

2009-02-11T08:25:00.000-08:00

Brides........now is the time to think about getting your wedding gown, and what better way to shop than to know it is for a very worthy cause! Come to the Making Memories Bridal Gown Sale. Making Memories' mission is to grant wishes and memory-making events to terminally ill breast cancer patients and to educate the public about the best practices to prevent metastatic breast disease.

Their goal is to provide individuals and their families with a special time together, away from the realities of the disease and financial concerns. We desire that everyone losing their fight against breast cancer, pass from this world comforted by the joy of having left one final beautiful memory of his or her family.

Last year, my husband Dave and I, volunteered for the event, we moved gowns by the truckload to a central area and put them on racks in anticipation of the brides arriving the next day to get some great deals! There are hundreds of gowns to browse through, exquisite, name brand and designer wedding gowns, $99 to $799 donated by manufacturers, retailers, designers, and individuals valued up to $8,000. This is a WIN - WIN situation, brides are able to get a beautiful gown at a reasonable price, or brides can turn in their used gown for tax deduction purposes, and all proceeds benefit the Brides Against Breast Cancer.

This is a wonderful event for brides, bridesmaids, mothers of brides, aunts and counsins or brides, EVERY woman who every loved wedding gowns, and professionals who want to come and help volunteer for this worthwhile event.

Here are the details:
March 5, 2009 VIP night from 6-9 pm ($50)
March 6, 2009 10:00 am - 8:00 pm
March 7, 2009 10:00 am to 6:00 pm

Location: Howard Johnson Travel Plaza
111 West Fortune Street
Tampa, Florida

Website: www.BridesAgainstBreastCancer.org

If you would like to be involved contact Krissy Messer at 727-343-0800

Pre-Marital Preparation Course for Florida Residents by Loving Unity

2009-02-09T17:48:00.000-08:00

One of the opportunities for couples in Florida to receive a $30.00 discount off their marriage license - which is currently approximately $93.00 is to participate in the four hour marriage preparation course. As an ordained Minister, I am an approved provider to give this counseling to the clients that I have an agreement with to conduct their ceremony. This marriage preparation is not affiliated with any religious organization or denomination. It is an educational and interactive program that will allow your couples to enjoy the activities and games involved and will help them to become more familiar with each other through in depth discussions, and it will help them facilitate discussions on topics such as managing finances, and raising children, just to name a few. It is a pleasure for me to be able to offer this valuable course to my couples, and also to help them to receive a discount on the cost of their marriage license. I do not charge for my services for this counseling, it is my gift to them. Couples may contact me through LovingUnity.com or enjoy my wedding blog at http://lovingunity.blogspot.com

Guest Post from Cindy Stonehouse of StoneHouse Events & More, Inc

2009-02-05T07:25:00.000-08:00

Wedding Planning Advice…

I began wedding planning because first things first I am a planner. I have to know who, what, where, why, when and how. It is imperative that I know the answers to these questions for anything that I do so I can always plan accordingly. My love of weddings began much later when I realized how much the process had evolved and how many decisions and options were now available to you that I felt like I could genuinely help. Plus, I must add that I love LOVE and being apart of two people's lives on the day they say "I do" is so special that words just can not describe. It is inspiring!

There are so many choices and decisions that every couple must make for their special day that a wedding planner becomes essential. My goal with each couple that I work with is to make this process as easy as possible because I understand that it can be very overwhelming and stressful. I guide my couples through every step of the process and are there along the way for support and confirmation. When I refer a vendor, I try to match up each couple's unique personality with the different vendors I recommend, which is especially important for your photographer, videographer and DJ and officiants. It is important to me that you feel comfortable with who you are working with especially since it is over the course of months.

I am sure by now you have realized that you definitely need a wedding planner. So when you sit down with one and try to decide who you want to work with, I always say to go with your gut. Do you feel the person you are talking to will be easy to work with or difficult? Do they listen to your ideas or do they tell you exactly what you should do and who you will work with? Do they seem to know what they are talking about or does something just not add up? Does she/he have references or reviews from previous clients? Do they carry at least $1,000,000 in general liability insurance? Pay attention to your gut and really listen to what each planner you interview is saying and hopefully the decision will be easy to make from there.

One of my favorite things about planning someone's day is seeing the end result because I have already created in my head a vision of how everything will look after all of our conversations and seeing it come to life is breathtaking! It is amazing and one of the most gratifying moments of my job. But my absolute favorite thing about helping plan my couple's special day is the responses from them about how I made their day so spectacular that they could never thank me enough. That is the most gratifying moment of all and means the world to me!

Thank you Cindy! I know that of the weddings that I am involved with, things sure go much smoother with a professional wedding event planner!!! They are able to have a stress free event!!

StoneHouse Events & More, Inc.

P.O. Box 46836

Tampa, FL 33646

Ph: 813.973.9835

www.stonehouseevents.com

The Portable Photo Booth - What fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-02-04T12:26:00.000-08:00

I so enjoyed meeting Gary and Candy Terringno at a recent bridal show. Their company, Serendipity Photobooth - was such a fun and unique idea to bring some life to your parties!! I had the opportunity to have my photo shot in the booth and I will try to get it posted on here for you to see, but it was quick and easy, and the quality output was great! The photo booth provides fun for everyone! It's the fun of a traditional photo booth in a new sleek and modern design and it will be a hit with each and every guest. Because this new booth is so portable it makes it available in an area where full size photo booths can't go. You can choose between traditional Foto Fun Strips, a unique Foto Cube, or the classic Portrait Studio outputs. Each can be customized with a graphic design of logo to make the event even more personal and memorable.

The Portable Photo Booth is an ideal addition for any special occasion both large and small. Some that come to mind are Weddings, Graduations, Bar/BatMitzvahs, Sweet 16, Birthday Parties, Anniversaries or even Corporate Events. There are also Photo CD's available to commemorate the event.

One of the ideas that I liked most was that the guests could have their photos taken, and then placed in the scrabook along with their comments for best wishes for couples. That truly makes it personal.

Serendipity Photobooth
16607 East Course Drive
Tampa, Florida 33624
Email: gterrigno72@msn.com
Phone: 813.963.6054

Guest Post from Georgia Watson - How to have an "Echo Friendly" Wedding!

2009-01-21T18:18:00.000-08:00

Here is a great guest post compliments of Georgia Watson of www.weddingsbyGeorgia.com There are many ways to have an Echo Friendly wedding and if you have others to add, please share! Thank you Georgia!

How to Go Green, and have a “Echo Friendly” Wedding:

With weddings often being extravagant affairs, many couples wanting to tie the knot are looking towards making their nuptials more environmentally friendly. Weddings are generally a consumption nightmare and produce a great deal of waste. There's invitations, decorations, gifts, travel, clothing and the list goes on. Many of the items used at a wedding are only used once.

There's an old saying in connection with weddings believed to have been coined in the Victorian era. It refers to the bride and how she can bring good luck to her marriage by wearing:

"Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue and a silver sixpence in her shoe".

Superstition perhaps, but there's some very green advice in that.

My friend’s wedding was held on a local beach, a few miles outside of town. It had a total of 2 guests (the witnesses) and a celebrant. No marquees, no fuss, no catering, just a beautiful setting - you really can't improve on nature.

Still, such a small bare-bones wedding certainly isn't for everyone, so with that in mind, here's some green wedding tips!

Invitations and paper

- Use recycled paper (It is more money at times) wherever possible for wedding invitations; most companies can offer this option. Also consider treeless paper made from materials such as bamboo, hemp and kenaf. Even the type of ink used for the invitation should be taken into account as some inks can be toxic. Some girls even opt to send their invite on a CD or DVD instead. Maybe even an email!

- Weddings can generate a huge amount of paper consumption, so give careful thought to items that can be reduced. For example, instead of a program for everyone, perhaps one per couple or group.

Communications

- Throughout the lead up to the marriage ceremony, you'll no doubt have news to communicate with your guests about progress, venues etc. Instead of mail outs or bulky inserts accompanying the invitation, consider starting a web site or blog. This can also be very cost effective also as services such as Blogger.com can provide a blog for you for free. If you've had no experience with setting up a site or blog, companies such as Blogger provide easy to use tools. If you can use a mouse and a keyboard, you can run a blog!

Catering

- Where possible, use an organic catering company that sources local ingredients. Spear caught fish, organic veggies, etc.

- Minimize the amount of meat on the menu and maximize the use of in season fruit, vegetables and local dairy products.

Flowers

- Flowers used at weddings and receptions have a tendency to be out of season and therefore imported. Transportation and care of these flowers requires extra resources. Try to use locally sourced flowers. RENT and RENT again! Use reusable glassware, with water, organic materials go far here!

- Perhaps use potted flowers as these can make a great addition to your home or garden after the big event.

Venue and travel

- As mentioned, my close friend chose to have her wedding on a local beach. There was a good deal of luck involved weather-wise; but I can't think of a much more beautiful setting than one provided by nature!

- When selecting a venue, also consider where your guests will be travelling from. Try and find a middle point if possible. The less your guests have to travel, the cheaper for them and the less oil consumed.

- If you decide to hold the event indoors, try and select a venue that makes the best use of natural light.

- Encourage guests to purchase carbon offsets for their travel. Explain to them what an offset is and how they can purchase them.

Car or van pooling

- Instead of having everyone drive from their hotels/motels or wherever they are staying to the wedding or reception venue, perhaps organize a car pool or hire vans to transport everyone to and from your wedding venue. A great deal of fuel can be saved this way, not to mention it will help ensure those who have imbibed in the spirit of the occasion a little too much will get back to their accommodation safely.

Photos

- Everyone likes a photographic record of a marriage ceremony, so instead of sending out hundreds of paper based photographs, save on postage, processing and toxic chemicals by storing digital images on your wedding blog for family and friends to download as they please; printing out only what's absolutely necessary.

Cutlery and crockery

- Disposable plates, cups, napkins and cutlery can create masses of waste at large wedding receptions. Consider hiring non-disposable cutlery and crockery instead. If that's not viable, try to use recycled paper products or treeless options such as bamboo.

Wedding dresses and clothing

- Does your wedding dress really need to be new? Consider a pre-owned dress - you can save a stack of cash by doing so!

- If you do wish to purchase a new dress, try to ensure that it is made from natural, organic materials such as organic silk or hemp.

- If you have no desire to keep the dress after the wedding, donate it to a charity who can sell it, creating funds for them and perhaps saving someone else from needing to purchase a new dress.

Gifts and favors

- Weddings can generate all sorts of well-intentioned but unwanted gifts. Consider setting up a green wedding gift registry; which is basically just a wish list of earth friendly products you'd like.

- Ask for no gifts be purchased, but donations made to your favorite charities or environmental groups.

- For wedding favors, i.e. gifts you give to guests, make those earth friendly too. It could be a carbon offset to go towards their travel, a donation on the guest's behalf, a tree planted in their name or a gift basket of green products.

Wedding rings

- The amount of natural resources and energy that go into creating wedding rings is incredible. Consider very simple rings, or perhaps a re-fashioned pre-owned ring and for the truly adventurous; maybe a wooden wedding ring - that may sound a little strange, but these are amazing and very individual creations!

Confetti

- Instead of having paper confetti, rice or seed, use flower petal confetti as a beautiful and easily biodegradable option.

Wedding cake

- Ask your baker to use organic ingredients only. This shouldn't present too much of a problem and is unlikely to increase the cost of the cake considerably.

Cleanup

- Whoever you are hiring to clean up after your wedding, ensure that they will separate recyclables from non-recyclables in order to minimize the amount of trash that winds up in landfills.

Greening your marriage ceremony and reception is sure to be a talking point among your guests, so it's also an opportunity to educate your family and friends about earth friendly living!

Good luck in planning for your green wedding, for the big day and may you enjoy many years of wedded bliss! Georgia is experienced in going green even for the brides who just want to make a small change!

813-453-6616

www.weddingsbygeorgia.com

Best of 2008 Roger Slater of CCS Photography

2009-01-14T08:00:00.000-08:00

It is a pleasure to know and work with Roger Slater of CCS Photography. I asked him to share with us some of his Best of 2008 and WOW!!! See for yourself!!! I can only say they are creative, beautiful, and breathtaking! Also of note, Roger was in a state-wide competition and received TWO Salon Merits from the Florida Professional Photographers Association. Congratulations!!! Be sure to check out the winning entries on his website www.cssphotography.net.

Contact Information:
Roger Slater
CCS Photography
Phone: 727-517-5689
Email: roger@ccsphotography.net
Web: www.ccsphotography.net

Bayou Club - A beautiful venue...

2009-01-13T09:13:00.000-08:00

I It is such a pleasure to officiate weddings at The Bayou Club, in Largo. The grounds are magnificent, the reception room has a beautiful view and great dance floor, and there is a lovely "get ready" room for the bride and her entourage.

Kari Perkey, Food and Beverage Director, and her staff always provide outstanding service, and demonstrate high quality professionalism. The outside area for the wedding ceremonies can be dressed up with an arch or huppah, or is beautiful alone with the simplicity of the backdrop of the golf course and pond.

The Bayou Club has wedding packages for you to select from, and you should contact Kari at 727-399-1000 ext. 361 and visit online at www.bayouclubgolf.com or if you prefer, email catering33777@bayouclubgolf.com I am sure you would be very pleased with this venue for your wedding, or other celebration!

Photography by Fritz!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-01-05T20:05:00.000-08:00

I have enjoyed working with Fritz Everhyi owner of goodmemoriesbyfritz.com He is pleasant to work with, reasonably priced, and provides quality service. Enjoy these photos!!

I am looking forward to posting more photos from Fritz as he shows us his Best of 2008 and as we begin our Best of 2009 Photography!!

Contact Information:

Website: www.memoriesbyfritz.com

Email: goodmemories@earthlink.net

Phone: 727.724.6363 813.310.7537

Artistic Photography, Inc. by Glenda Madaris

2009-01-05T13:12:00.000-08:00

At many events I have personally seen the work of Glenda Madaris, owner of Artistic Photography, Inc. In addition to the great photography work that she does, her personality and style makes one comfortable whenever they are in her presence. Let me share her work with you. I will also send along the Best of 2008 that she will share, and also her creative Best of 2009 photos.

Contact Information:

Website: www.artisticphotographyinc.com

Phone: 813.310.6965

Why should couples buy Wedding Insurance????

2009-01-05T12:35:00.000-08:00

Recently I had the pleasure to speak to Becca Carter about the reasons why couples should buy Wedding Insurance. Here's what she told me........

Peace of mind and enjoying the planning process is enough reason to purchase wedding insurance. It is extremely affordable and easily purchased. When planning an event, such as a wedding, you could have many sleepless nights worrying about what may happen.

Unfortunately, some of what you've imagined can, and does, happen. A bride's most common "nightmare" is usually dress-related…it's damaged or defective, or the bridal salon goes out of business. Severe weather can wash out your big day. These are just some of the risks for one of the biggest investments you'll ever make (the average U.S. wedding is $27,000*). You'd protect your car, why not your wedding?
Click here https://www.protectmywedding.com/why.html and find examples of possible wedding "disaster’s" and you'll see how The Wedding Protector Plan can help ensure your day goes right.
There are several different types of wedding insurance.

The first covers unexpected problems which might hamper arrangements at the last minute. This might include a vendor you booked going out of business. In this case an insurance policy will cover the cost of a replacement and save the day before disaster occurs.

The second kind pays out if an item is damaged – such as the wedding photos – and they cannot be replaced.

A typical wedding insurance policy will cover such items as:
· Cancellations or Postponements, for example, if the venue is double booked
· Severe Weather
· Unemployment
· Lost Deposits
· Additional Expenses
· Ruined Photos
· Property Damage
· Liability, including liquor liability
· Lost or damaged wedding dress
· Re-taking wedding photos
· Suppliers going out of business
There is also liability insurance for the hosts and for the venue.
For more detail information on different on all aspects of wedding insurance types and costs visit www.ProtectMyWedding.com.

Be sure to have a look at the Funny Mishaps at Weddings video that is on the site. You can call her at 888.342.5977 to get more information. It's certainly worth finding out about!

Should you hire a Professional Wedding Officiant?

2008-12-24T11:20:00.000-08:00

Why you should hire a professional officiant to conduct your wedding.

The person you choose to marry you is going to share a very intimate, personal, holy moment in your life. If you a member of a church, usually, you will choose your pastor to marry you. But if you are not a member of a particular congregation or attend church regularly, or at all, then you will need to find a person who is approved by the state in which you are going to be married to legally marry you. This can be a Judge, sometimes a Notary, a Justice of the Peace, a Clerk at the County Courthouse, or you can choose someone like me who is an ordained minister but does not have a church. Their affiliation is a Community Minister. Many people have ordinations from accredited institutions who never ever wanted to preach or have a church. I graduated from an interfaith seminary called All Faiths Seminary in Manhattan, New York after quite an intensive study of the various religions and traditions. My studies involved course work, class work, internships, and having to pass an extensive verbal and written examination of proficiency in the study. The motto of the All Faiths Seminary is “We are all children of the same universe.” How fitting it is then, that it does not matter what your beliefs may or may not be, we are respectful of all.

I personally think that when you consider a relationship with your officiant, think about the bond you will be creating with them for the rest of your lives. The minister can begin the relationship with you in providing a marriage preparation course, then conducting your marriage or commitment ritual In my case, I am honored to be associated with my couples through the births of their children, as I am called upon to either baptize or perform a name giving ritual. In addition, I am there for them and their families when a crisis may arise. Your relationship with your minister continues throughout your lives, and they may be available through your life if you need to be ministered to in times of illness, or called upon for a memorial service should the need arise.

You can sometimes find an Officiant in the Yellow Pages, or today, the best place to find a good Officiant is on the Internet. You will want to then set a time to meet with the Officiant and see if you have good feelings about him or her. You should have an easy conversation together. The Officiant should be very agreeable to do whatever you want in your ceremony. The Officiant should NOT dictate to you what you should or should not do. The Officiant is your facilitator, and it is the Officiant's obligation to fulfill all of your wishes and desires for your wedding day.

It is your decision whether you want to have any type of religious expression in your ceremony. In my experience, I find that most couples will want to have some type of blessing during the ceremony. However, if they do not want a prayer, or any mention of God or The Bible, then I prepare a personal ceremony for them that just reflects their special love for one another. If you meet with an Officiant, and they insist on some type of religious ritual, or they condemn you in some way for things you have done in the past (already had a child) or are doing right now (maybe you are already living together), or they insist on you taking instruction and becoming a member of their church before they can marry you, then this Officiant is the wrong person to marry you. Keep looking. You do not want to do anything on Your Wedding Day that is forced upon you, or something you are not comfortable with, or any act that does not completely reflect who you are and what you believe. You have the right to insist on your personal desires being expressed. There is an Officiant available who will be willing to fulfill all of your hopes and dreams.

I marry many couples from mixed religious backgrounds. Sometimes one person is Jewish, and the other person is Christian. Sometimes one person is Catholic, and the other person has no religious experience. Sometimes, one person is Hindu, and the other person is Methodist. I have married many diverse couples! When I meet with a couple, I ask them if they have any specific religious faith, and if they do, what part of their religious faith they would like to include in the ceremony. Even if only one person is Jewish, I always ask if they would like to"break the glass." At times both the bride and groom break a glass to symbolize their equality in the marriage. If both the bride and groom are Hindu, they have their religious ceremony first with just the family, and then I do the legal, civil ceremony. Chinese couples that I marry have their Tea Ceremony first and then the legal, civil ceremony. I tell my couples that my ceremony (which is custom written) is spiritual without reflecting any specific religious faith, a humanist ceremony, but I can tailor-make it to suit any belief that they have. The Officiant you choose to do your wedding should be just this flexible.

When I was preparing for my Ordination, I studied all of the religions of the World. This experience provided me with a profound revelation - an idea bigger than anything any of the religions had taught me. There is a Creator - a Source of Energy. And there is a Creation - the results of the Creator's Hopes and Dreams. And the whole purpose of everything is to love and be loved!!! All of the religions of the World express this thought. Each of the physical incarnations of the spiritual teachers of each religion has said for us to love the Creator by seeing the Creator in all things, to love ourselves and to love one another. So it is all pretty simple! I don't know how we got it all so complicated! Religion has done more to separate us from one another, has caused more wars and hatred, has brought more division and unhappiness than it has brought peace and unity and harmony on the earth. I hope to live long enough to see everyone Lay down their dogmas, their doctrines, and their personal "Belief Systems" Perhaps we could begin to love and respect one another. I personally have signed The World Peace Treaty that promotes unity, peace and harmony among all people and religions on the earth.

An Officiant who is legal to perform your ceremony actually represents the authority of the state where you are married. I say in my ceremony: "by the power vested in me by State of Florida, I now declare that you are husband and wife." The Legal power is from the State where the couple is married. The power the local State recognizes is the Officiant's Ordination which can be from a Seminary, a University, or a church organization.

Most Officiants can handle your wedding rehearsal, also. If your wedding party is more than the two of you and a best man and maid of honor, then you will need a rehearsal. I will always run the rehearsal for the couple I marry if they do not have a wedding coordinator. I charge to do rehearsals, because for me it is like doing the wedding twice, but for you, it is worth it to have your Wedding Day be less stressful and go very smoothly. Your bridal attendants will appreciate it, too. They want to do a good job for you, and a rehearsal shows them exactly what they are suppose to do, where and when!

A bit about the fees:

Let me say a few things about the fee for the Officiant. If you are being married by your pastor, a small monetary Gift - usually $100 - is adequate for payment. However, you must remember that your pastor is being paid a salary plus housing and car allowance each week, which Is paid to him out of the tithes and offerings given by you and the other members of the Church. But if you do not go to church, you need to hire an Officiant, like me, who does not have a Church and a professional Officiant is "in Business" and has all of the expenses of doing business - like Paying for their Internet Site, a Webmaster and a Server, their Telephone, fax machine, cell phone, not to mention the big expense of operating an automobile. There is office expense, Stationery, stamps, personal cards, printers, print cartridges and paper, and out of the fee for every wedding that I conduct, and taxes. So, if the Officiant charges $325 plus an extra fee for the rehearsal, this is a bargain!

I researched Officiant Fees on the Internet, and it is not unusual for the Officiant's fee to be $400-$700!!! I see couples spend anywhere from $3500-$10,000 just for the dinner afterwards for the guests and $200 for a bridal bouquet that is thrown away later that day. Your Officiant is a very vital part of the Wedding Day. You must have a Ceremony and a Marriage License signed by a legal Representative of the State where you are married in order to be really married! So, whether you have anything else or not In your plans for The Wedding Day, choosing an Officiant is a #1 priority, and the fee - even if it is $300-$700 - should be considered a very small but very necessary part of the overall expense of the occasion.
Many times, the bride and groom are so happy after the wedding, and they are so grateful to the Officiant who marries them, they invite the Officiant to stay for the reception dinner. But unless the Officiant is a close friend of the family, I do not suggest that you invite them to your reception dinner. Usually the Officiant doesn't know anyone, and sometimes, people feel like they can't have a "good time" if the Officiant is sitting at their table! Many times, the Officiant has another wedding they need to get to anyway. So, even though we are honored by your invitation to attend the reception, we will be relieved not to be invited to stay.
Whether you know the Officiant beforehand or not, by the time the Officiant marries you, you will feel like you have known one another for all time! I always feel a very special bonding with the couples I marry. I truly believe that we get the very special brides and grooms that we are suppose to marry, who need our type of ceremony, and who have a very special love.
Choose your Officiant by what you feel in your heart, as you will be sharing a very precious time together.

Sincerely, Rev's. Virginia & David Bishop, LovingUnity.com http://lovingunity.blogspot.com

Grant Hemond and Associates Mobile Disc Jockeys...for Every Occasion

2008-12-18T17:23:00.000-08:00

The DJ is usually one of the least expensive items on the bill yet entertainment can be a major factor in determining if folks want to stay and whether or not they are enjoying themselves.

The staff at Grant Hemond dress the part - tuxedos for the wedding receptions and formal functions, suits or casual wear for less formal parties, and costumes for theme of ethnic events. They act as Master of Ceremonies, play continuously, on a state of the art commercial CD sound system and bring lighting to accent the atmosphere. They provide the perfect music for your special event because they customize what they play to meet the tastes of the couples and the guests and the mood that you wish to have created.

They coordinate all details so that the couples merely have to enjoy themselves! They can be crowd motivating or conservative...they can fully involve folks in the fun, with personality and mixers, or take a more low-key approach if that is the couple's preference.

Grant Hemond and Associates have been in business since 1985, and can provide you with references, they are polished professionals that will make your event enjoyable. They say that your satisfaction is their number one goal......always.

I have worked with the guys from Grant Hemond on many occasions where they provided wedding ceremony music as well as the music for the reception.

Web: www.granthemond.com
Phone: 727-736-2316

Selecting a Venue to match your vision!

2008-12-18T10:34:00.000-08:00

There are just so many decisions in planning a wedding! Selecting a Venue to match your vision and budget is one of the first decisions. Traditional weddings usually included a Church Wedding Service following by a Reception in a Banquet Hall. Today's Brides have so many additional options - we see lots of weddings at the Beach, at Residences, at Parks or Garden Settings, and even in Nightclubs!

The first question to address is Indoors vs. Outdoors or a combination of both. While Outdoor Weddings and Receptions can be absolutely stunning, there is the extra stress and possible expense of planning for inclement weather. I always advise my Bridal clients with plans for the Outdoors to have a back up plan. If the outdoor arrangements are particularly complicated, I will often suggest a Professional Wedding Planner who has experience with the site to handle arrangements which may include extensive rentals. So many of the romantic accompaniments to an outdoor wedding (tents, archways, tables and chairs) have to be rented and delivered and set up the day of the event. All of this makes for a very Special Event but many Brides are surprised to find out that the expenses of an outdoor wedding are comparable to renting a traditional Banquet Hall.

Traditional Banquet facilities whether in a Hall or Hotel do have some advantages in that they are designed for Weddings and Events. Price usually includes all tables and chairs, and the services of a Professional Event Coordinator who will assist with setting up the Party and designing the Floor Plan. When considering a Banquet Hall venue your minimal expectations are a clean, comfortable setting with handicap access, good bathroom facilities, a Catering Kitchen and ample parking for your guests and vendors. You can expect to pay more for a room with a beautiful view or chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, a large dance floor, or an expensive sound system. Many Brides cannot visualize a beautiful wedding reception while gazing upon an empty room. I advise you to as the Event Coordinator to show you photos or allow you to preview an actual event at the site to see how the room dresses up.

The big questions to address regarding a Banquet Hall are:
1. Availability
2. Rental Price
3. Additional costs such as Facility or Clean Up Fees and
4. Condition of Chairs which will impact whether you require Chair Covers which you may need to include in your Venue budget.

It is important to choose a venue with the Capacity to hold your total guest count. While you are thinking about numbers of guests, you are probably not considering the room required for the Bar, DJ, Buffet, Gift Table, or Dance Floor.

My experience is that most Brides look at multiple venues, weigh the costs but recognize what they want when they see it. When you find you perfect venue, you will want to put down a Deposit as soon as possible as popular dates book up fast and many venues can only handle one or two events a day. Phew! That's alot of information to digest but with a little bit of research and comparison shopping you can find the perfect venue especially in Tampa Bay where every day is a special day.

Best wishes for a Beautiful Wedding,
Marilyn Chapman
Bridal Events Coordinator
Delectables Fine Catering
Delectables Fine Catering, Inc.
"The Bay Area's Most Prestigious Caterer"
969 Virginia Avenue, Inc.
Palm Harbor, FL 34683

Email: info@delectablescatering.com
Web: http://www.delectablescatering.com
Phone: 727-781-1200
Fax: 727-789-3401

Amanda Gertulla - Violinist

2008-12-18T10:18:00.000-08:00

Amanda is a classically-trained violinist with 20 years experience in The Florida Orchestra in Tampa, Florida. She is available for weddings and receptions in Florida: Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Sarasota, Bradenton, Ft. Meyers, Naples, and surrounding areas. She has a beautiful website that will allow you to enjoy listening to her beautiful music and also to read very complimentary articles that have been written about her. In addtion she has CD's for sale for your listening pleasure. I enjoy them when I am working in my office, they are soothing and delightful.

Email: Pinkfiddle@tampabay.rr.com
Web: www.Pinkfiddle.com
Phone: 727-577-9554

Another Unique Wedding and Reception Location

2008-12-09T08:17:00.000-08:00

NOVA 535 is quite a unique location for your wedding, reception or other event. I was there last week for lunch, which was scrumptous! It is located at 535 Martin Luther King Jr. Street North, in St. Petersburg. Have a look at their website www.nova535.com or give them at call at 727-821-6682 and speak to Courtney.

NOVA 535

Modern Art Lounge & Historic Event Space

St. Petersburg's Spectacular Wedding, VIP, Corporate & Special Event Venue

Finally, the world class special event venue you've been waiting for to host your next wedding, corporate seminar, bar or bat mitzvah, film shoot, discrete VIP party or whatever you can imagine!

Housed in a gorgeous, meticulously renovated 1920’s structure, NOVA 535 offers 7,000 square feet, 2 stories and multiple rooms of extraordinary and versatile event and meeting space with over 100 convenient parking spaces & easy interstate access.

Our unique venue features a swanky full-service bar, a world-class floating DJ booth, delicious in-house catering, 2nd floor VIP Bar, private balcony, smoking terrace and the exclusive NOVA SUITE - a must see!

With a standing reception capacity of 400 (700 when our gorgeous brick and bamboo garden is enclosed), a staff of seasoned event planning specialists, professional grade audio/visual and HD theater capabilities and more, NOVA 535 offers unparalleled amenities in a spectacular, convenient and private setting.

Catering Vendors I enjoy working with.....Yummy!

2008-12-08T07:20:00.000-08:00

One of the other pleasures that I am able to enjoy in this business is tasting a lot of food from caterers, most of the time at Bridal Shows. I have enjoyed the food from Delectables Fine Catering as well as the visual displays that they make with the food. So, the taste is wonderful, and the visual presentation makes it even more appealing! Executive Chefs Nick Adams and Jeff Simpson take pride and place emphasis on presentation and superior quality.

Did you know that they were chosen for the "People's Choice" award by the Palm Harbor Chamber of Commerce? They have a complimentary tasting on the first Saturday of every month from 1:00-3:00pm. You only need to RSVP. They are located at 969 Virginia Avenue in Palm Harbor and you can reach them at 727-781-1200 or email them at info@delectablescatering.com You can receive a coupon for your choice of one of the following items an ice sculpture, a punch fountain rental, water display rental, honeymoon gift basket, or $50 dinner card if you have 100+ guests at a full service wedding reception with china and linen. Have a look at their website at www.delectablescatering.com Tell them I sent you!

Wedding Cakes and more

2008-12-07T15:00:00.000-08:00

Your wedding cake is one of the more important elements of your wedding, of course, choosing your officiant is first!!! Ihear about all the delicious cake tastings that my couples attend, and it makes me hungry!! One of the establishments that I have come to know personally for coffee, and lunch is Frida's Cafe & Bakery. While there, I have had the opportunity to watch the creative staff make astonishing wedding cakes and cakes for other special occasions. Frida's is happy to help you with the design, flavor, size, and ornaments for your cake. There are a variety of pictures for review on their website. They are located in Largo and delivery is available to your location. All cakes are made with fresh eggs, butter and other wholesome ingredients. If you have a special request, it will be honored. Their prices are very reasonable. Some of the cake flavors you can select fro are carrot, marble, lemon, mocha, and raspberry, along with the standard yellow and chocolate. In addition, catering is available, it is worth your while to stop by and have a bite of breakfast quiche or lunch for yourself! They are located at 9700 Ulmerton Road in Largo, or phone them at 727-587-7077. Tell them I sent you!

Fast Party Rentals - Coast to Coast Rentals

2008-12-07T08:35:00.000-08:00

Fast Party Rentals is the company to contact for all of your rental needs. They are committed to providing their customers with clean, professionally installed, rental equipment at a competitive rate. They carry tables, chairs, dance floor, stages, linens, dishes, candelabras, catering equipment, concession equipment, wedding accessories and more. They have tents in a variety of types, Traditional frame tents, High peaked frame tents, E-Z up tents, Pole tents, and Tent accessories. In addition to the tents, they have tent liners and drapes, sidewalls, fans, lighting, and can help you to create the beautiful setting that you have for your vision of your special event. Fast Party Rentals is located at 2230 A 31st Street South, St. Petersburg, Florida and you can phone them at 727-321-3404 or email them at e-mail@fastpartyrentals.com The owners, Jesse and Pam would be more than happy to help you determine the size and amount of materials needed. Their website is www.fastpartyrentals.com

Flowers and Gifts at your fingertips! Seminole Florist is the place to call.

2008-12-02T10:56:00.000-08:00

This is such a busy time of year for all of us, and I appreciate it when I can log on and immediately be able to order flowers or a gift for family and friends. www.SeminoleFlorist.com makes the shopping easy and painless. This morning I went to their website and learned a bit about them. They have been in business since 1970 and they offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee! Now, I don't think it can get any better than that! In addition to flowers, they have gift baskets, I particularly like the Spa Basket....I'll have to tell my husband. When I look at the Wedding Section, they have such a beautiful selection of flower arrangements, right down to dog neck wraps if you wish to have your loving pet in your wedding. They have an online catalogue for your convenience to shop 24 hours a day. They have local delivery and can also ship via UPS. Have a look at their site at www.seminoleflorist.com or you can call them toll free at 1-800-771-5599 or 727-392-1000 they are located at 8613 Seminole Boulevard in Seminole.

Are you thinking about hiring a disk jockey?

2008-11-30T21:00:00.000-08:00

I work with many DJ's for all of the weddings that I conduct. The Tampa Bay Area's longest running mobile DJ service provides the best in professional sound entertainment for private and business parties, weddings, bar or bat mitzvahs, birthdays or just for fun!!! They are professional, experienced, and reliable!! I have been in the company of Doug Shaw who is the owner, entertainer, DJ with Shaw Productions. He has 36 years in the business, and has also been a DJ in many of the major nightclubs in the bay area. He is also a professional licensed ring announcer. He is a member of the Wedding & Event Professionals of Tampa Bay, and the American Disc Jockey Association - Tampa Bay Chapter. He has been certified as a professional in meeting in exceeding standards in experience and quality equipment. They will meet with you in advance to help you plan all of the details that will make your event successful!! The DJ's will come suitably dressed, bring the music you want to hear, play your requests, use top quality equipment, and work with your needs to make your event successful The company is insured and is happy to provide references. Call them today at (727) 796-3701 or check them out on the web at www..shawsoundproductions.com I am pleased and honored to refer them as someone I enjoy working with at LovingUnity.com

Welcome to the Tampa Bay Area Weddings Blog!

2008-11-26T12:22:00.000-08:00

Welcome! I have created this blog to help YOU in your search for the perfect vendors for your wedding or other significant life event! I will showcase some of the vendors in our area that I have had the pleasure of working with! Enjoy and always leave me comments if you have ideas, questions, or would like to know about any specific vendors for your event!

Great Party Favor Ideas! Quality Custom Wines.

2008-02-24T22:30:00.000-08:00

If you are looking for unique and custom wedding party favors, you might consider the work of Wine Works. I recently met Hugh Watson and Jeanne Kepple and had the opportunity to taste the wine which are quality custom wines made to order. They create exceptional quality red, white and blush wines, unique to your own taste, by using the years of wine making experience and knowledge of fine wines from around the globe.

There are many events that you can order their wines for, some are for banquets, birthdays, retirements, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, Anniversaries, weddings, table favors, wedding party gifts and holiday gifts. That is only a small fraction of how you can utilize their fine wines. With the custom wines you may have personalized labels, which can make a wedding favor very unique. They will design and print your own label for the wine. They can incorporate you favorite photo or your company logo. Design possibilities are endless with thousands of graphics, shapes and color combinations to combine for the perfect label for your special wine.

You can purchase your own creations by the bottle. Another great feature is that they offer wine tasting at their location or if you want to host a wine tasting party at your location. You need only provide the location, the party goers, and simple food. They are located at 11861 34th Street North in St. Petersburg, Florida in the "Pinellas Workshops". You can call them at 727-556-2535 or 727 544-6080 and leave a message and they will get back to you.

If you desire to have a custom batch for your wedding, let the Blue Ribbon wine chef work with you to create the exact taste in the ideal size bottles to meet your needs. It certainly will leave your guests with the feeling that you cared to provide them with a very customized favor.

A hidden oasis awaits you - Island Lawn Bamboo Landscapes

2008-02-11T14:37:00.000-08:00

Island Bambo

www.islandlawnservices.com

Island's Bamboo Garden is a unique venue for your special occasion. The wedding/reception area is perfect for groups of 80 or less seated. The area accomodates 100 for coctail reception. The garden environment has townering bamboo plants and tropical foliage. A beautiful Koi pond, waterfall and fountains are part of this unique atmosphere. There is lighting complete with tiki torches throughout the gardens, a firepit is available and uplights everywhere. There is an outdoor sound system, and ice machine on site, and a dressing room for the bride. Custom packages are available. If you are looking for a truly unique location for your event, this is the place for you. Contact Karlyn or Kelly at 727 548-0595. Drop by to see their location. It would also be an awesome location for engagement or even school yearbook photoshoots.
www.islandlawnservices.com They are located at 6540 85th Avenue in Pinellas Park, Florida.