Davis Island Garden Club Wedding Venue

Congratulations Andrea and Scott! We just LOVED the Davis Island Garden Club for this wedding venue. The weather was magnificent,sunny, with a light, gentle breeze, and a great view of the water. Andrea was radiant, Scott was attractive and the love between them was very apparent! Their ceremony was simple and elegant, and her flower selection of daisys just seemed to be the perfect petals to pick for their ceremony! Andrea and Scott exchanged beautiful, meaningful vows, and a blended sand ritual. The music for their ceremony and reception was provided by Rob Strange. Rob had quite the array of music talents and we was truly impressed! Andrea processed into the wedding to peaceful flute sounds. Andrea and Scott shared beautiful vows with each other that they were inspired from Conversations With God. As an officiant, we feel so blessed to be present at this most intimate time. One of the most beautiful and meaningful rituals of their ceremony involved the creative exchange of rings. It was such an honor to work with this magnificent couple as they created a truly unique ceremony that represented their own wishes and style and brought tears to the eyes of all of the guests. Andrea and Scott, thank you, for allowing us to have the honor of working with you on the most important day of your life!

Venue: Davis Island Garden Club
Music: Rob B. Strange 727-520-6650 www.bufflostrange.com
Catering: Amici's Catering www.amiciscatering.com

Officiant: Rev. David Bishop www.lovingunity.com

Ethnic Wedding Traditions - Celtic Weddings

Celtic/Irish Wedding Rituals

 I would like to share with you some of the ethnic weddings that I have had the honor of officiating with Loving Unity. Since it is March, and St. Patrick's Day is coming closer, it seems fitting that I should start with this tradition.  Exploring customs can be an exciting and educational journey for both the couple and me.  Couples share their customs with one another and their guests which lead to an extraordinary and memorable wedding! 

This is one of my favorites!!  Generally speaking Irish Weddings take place over a period of days, full of fun and festivities!!  They have a reputation of having a great time, centered around eating, music, dancing and drinking!

Music plays a large role in Celtic Weddings.  One of the most popular types of music is a Bagpiper.  He or she usually leads the wedding processional and escorts the couple out after the end of the ceremony.  Celtic weddings have several interesting elements.  Usually the bride is escorted in and presented, and the guests form a circle around the area.  A bride usually is carrying a horseshoe for good luck.  It can be incorporated into her bridal bouquet.  It could also be used attached to the hand fasting ribbons or to the inside of the bridal gown. The couple will share their vows with one another.  One of my favorite elements used at this time is the “oathing stone”. In ancient times, the kings and high political figures would place their hand on a stone as they said their oath.  In the wedding ritual, couples place their hands or one of their feet on a stone, which can be designed as a stepping stone they can keep forever.  As they share their vows together, they place their foot or hand on the stone, thus, casting their vows in stone.   Several couples have made some unique and beautiful oathing stones. 

 

Another ritual is a hand fasting ceremony.  Hands can be gently tied together with ribbon, a vine, rope, or a piece of material that matches the wedding colors.  The couple’s hands are bound together at the wrist to demonstrate that they are now bound together for life forming a circle of infinity and love. 

A blessing cup or unity cup is used for the couples to drink from.  Each takes a sip from the same cup, indicating that whatever may come forth in their marriage, they are willing to accept the bitter and the sweet, together in life.

At the reception, coins are to be tossed to the guests for good luck, or the couple could place candy coins at each place as a favor.

Depending on the location, couples may choose to wear sandals or be barefoot to be close to the earth.  The burning of peat in a small fireplace will also enhance the atmosphere to create a true feeling of a Celtic wedding. 

. The Claddagh is the traditional Irish wedding ring, but many couples choose to have a band with a Celtic knot displayed.

The beginning of something wonderful......

It was an honor for Rev. David Bishop to officiate as Carrie and Marc shared their love and exchanged their vows in front of their family and friends at the Butterfly Garden area of the Sunken Gardens in St. Petersburg. The religious ceremony gave testimony to God's love that the couple share. The colors of the bridesmaids gowns and the flowers were magnificent! The couple and their children participated in a family blended sand ceremony ritual, and Carrie shared a very special vow with the children. Fiddle music filled the air for the wedding party, and the bride's entrance, and music from the Lion King was played during the blended sand ceremony. It was so beautiful! Congratulations Carrie and Marc! May you be blessed with a long, healthy, and happy life.

Venue: The Sunken Gardens
Ceremony Music: Amanda Gertulla of www.pinkfiddle.com
Florist: Flowers By Design  www.flowers-by-design.org  or call 727-543-0833
Officiate: Rev. David Bishop of LovingUnity.com 727-532-6186

Nature Inspired Wedding in an Oak Pavillion

It was an honor for me to officiate the wedding of Katie andTony! !  Katie and Tony celebrated their special moment strolling over the walkway to exchange their vows under a canopy of shade trees in the Oak Pavilion at the Sunken Gardens. The beauty and tranquility of this timeless sanctuary added to the  romance of their special day.

The Sunken Gardens is a botanical paradise in the midst of a bustling city. As St. Petersburg's oldest living museum, this 100 year old garden is home to some of the oldest tropical plants in the region.

Wedding guests had the opportunity to unwind as they strolled through meandering paths, lush with exotic plants from around the world. They explored cascading waterfalls, beautiful demonstration gardens, more than 50,000 tropical plants and flowers.

  Katie and Tony specifically chose this location because of their love of nature and gardens, and as Katie told me, it is a reminder of the beautiful gardens and nature God has provided for us to enjoy.

Katie and Tony shared very beautiful vows with each other, and also shared a vow with Tony's daughter Brooke.

Music for the ceremony was provided by Eddie Lugo, and the beautiful flowers were designed by
Debbie of The Bridess Bouquet.

Congratulations Tony and Katie, may you be blessed with a very long and happy marriage!!

Vendors I enjoyed working with that day:
The Sunken Gardens, St. Petersburg
Eddie Lugo Guitarist - 813-817-6780
Photography - Jenny Brockwell-Frank  813-205-1214 www.jennybphotography.com
Florist - Debbie from The Brides Bouquet 727-785-2562