Well, another Christmas has come and gone. The dinners and parties have ended, and the gifts have been opened. But for many, there is still much work to do. This is because many grooms-to-be choose the holiday season to give the special gift of an engagement ring. To all of the couples who got engaged this Christmas - Congratulations! To those who have yet to pop the question, New Years Eve is coming! Have a safe and happy New Year everyone!

A Thanksgiving Wedding

The holiday season is upon us and people are getting married during this time of family and friends. Thanksgiving is a very popular wedding weekend. To all those couples starting a new life together this coming weekend - Congratulations!!! You will have much to be thankful for as the years go by.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

The Enagement Season is Upon Us!

It is hard to believe but Thanksgiving is coming soon. With it begins the marriage proposal season. Between Thanksgiving and Valentine's Day, 40% of engagement occur. Selecting the right officiant is a very important part of any wedding plan. Here are some tips courtesy of eleGALA.com.

Before the big day, ask your ceremony officiant these questions to determine whether s/he is open to your ideas.

You will meet with your officiant or potential officiants before your wedding to discuss the ceremony and any pre-ceremony requirements - and ultimately decide if the three of you want to work together. It’s best to come prepared with some qualifying questions.

Questions to Ask Your Ceremony Officiant:

Are there any pre-wedding requirements, such as counseling?

What is the ceremony fee?

Is the officiant open to any personal ideas for ceremony? For instance, is he or she open to non-secular wedding vows, weddings readings or wedding songs?

Will the officiant give a sermon or a speech?

Will you have input in the ceremony, and will you be allowed to review the sermon or speech beforehand?

Are there any ceremony site restrictions such as flash photography, videography, music, dress code?

What items does the ceremony site/officiant provide, and what must you bring yourself? (pews, isle runners, microphone, etc.)

What will officiant wear?

What time will he/she be available for rehearsal?

Should you bring your marriage license to the ceremony, or will you sign it beforehand?

Other Things to Consider Before Hiring an Officiant

Demeanor – His or her personal demeanor should reflect the mood you envision for your reception. Some are light and jovial—often interjecting sermons/speeches with bits of humor. If you envision a more formal and solemn affair—you may object to this style.

If you don’t already have a relationship with this person—consider whether you like his/her style and whether you would enjoy working with this person. Remember—your officiant performs the most important service at the wedding. He or she is the one who will officially pronounce you man and wife, which is the sole reason for the big event in the first place (don’t lose sight of this!). You should feel comfortable inviting this person to share such an intimate moment in your life.

Your officiant can offer guidance along the way—spiritual and non-spiritual, such as resolving family conflicts etc. Don’t hesitate to speak with your officiant regarding these personal matters.

I am happy to address any of these questions. Good luck with your engagement and wedding planning. I'm looking forward to assisting you!

Another Wedding Season Coming to an End

It is hard to believe that April is now five months past. Another wedding season is coming to an end and it has been a memorable one. Great wedding location favorites were experienced again this year - Hartefeld National & Ridley Creek Park and Mansion. In fact I'll be closing out the 2010 wedding season at Hartefeld National in late October.

New favorites were found. These are places I highly recommend. Venues such as Cescaphe Ballroom, the Curtis Center, and Brandywine Manor House all provide for beautiful and elegant ceremonies. Whether you are looking for a grand celebration or a simple ceremony, these venues have exactly what you need.

So for everyone planning a 2011 wedding event, give these places a look. Also, give me a call or send me an email. I'm happy to help you craft your wedding ceremony.

Meanwhile, cheers to all the 2010 newly weds! Now bring on 2011!

A Great Start!

Well, the 2010 wedding season officially kicked off this weekend. Congratulations to Andrew & Laura and Tim & Kate. The two couples shared the same wedding weekend but in very different ways.

Andrew & Laura were married in Center City Philadelphia at the Double Tree Hotel on Broad Street. It was a full ceremony complete with a wine blessing and a beautiful version of Unforgettable sung by Laura's cousin, Amanda. After they were officially pronounced husband and wife, they took in the sights via horse-drawn carriage. They returned shortly thereafter to join their guests at their reception.

Tim & Kate has a simple, yet meaningful ceremony in LOVE Park, directly in front of the LOVE statue. It was a location that meant a great deal to this couple, and they had a beautiful day for it.

Congratulations to these special newlyweds!

Romance Year Round

Well, another Valentine's Day has passed and based on the number of couples who have contacted me this week, cupid has been very busy! Valentine's Day is one of the most popular engagement days of the year and for good reason - it is a day for romance. But, there is no reason why February 14th should hold a monopoly on romance. Successful marriages embrace romance year round. I've posted a link over on Joyous Occasions Facebook page to an article that provides some helpful tips on year round romance. Visit the page and check it out. It might give you some ideas or confirm that you and your love are on the right track.

For those of you who are newly engaged, Congratulations! I'm looking forward to working with you.