A Loving Unity Wedding Officiant! 207 590-6339 www.LovingUnity.com

Labels: Custom Weddings Florida, Ethnic Traditions, Hindu Weddings, Interfaith officiant, interfaith weddings, Sirata Resort, Tama Bay Area Weddings

My greatest honor is to create and officiate customized wedding ceremonies.  Gillian and Tam were such a beautiful couple, and I enjoyed every moment of the planning of their unique wedding that was held at the Vinoy in St. Petersburg.  The Tea Garden was the perfect location for their intimate ceremony.  The ceremony was written to incorporate Gillian and Tam's ethnic and religious traditions.  The ceremony incorporated Catholic and Buddhist rituals, and demonstrated their spiritual nature and their desire to live the life of kindness.



The Tea Garden of the Vinoy was decorated with magnificent flowers designed by Scott of Apple Blossom Florist.  I hope that the pictures I have chosen to share with you will give you an idea of the beautiful colors and how they were incorporated with the traditions of the couple.  Even the readings that were selected encompassed the different cultures.

A table set to the side held pictures of the deceased ancestors, and was the altar where the couple brought the relatives to mind, lit incense to honor them, and ask for their blessings upon their marriage.  The flowers that had been placed on that table are offerings representing beauty, love, compassion and peace.

At the beginning of the ceremony, a bell was rung three times, and rose petals that had been placed in perfumed water were strewn at the couples feet to bring to mind the sacredness of the ground. 

Some of the Wedding Professionals responsible for the success of this wedding:

Flowers:  www.AppleBlossomsTampa.com   813-985-6409
Event Management:  Sarah Fairbarn  813-624-5484  www.onefinedayinc.com
Rev. Virginia Bishop  LovingUnity.com 727 532-6186
  

Labels: ethnic weddings, Florists in Tampa, interfaith weddings, tampa bay area weddings, tampa weddings, Vinoy, Wedding Flowers

Congratulations Brandi and Kenny on your marriage! The sun was shining upon the wedding at the Hyatt in Tampa. Rev. Pauline Rohrman provided a interfaith ceremony that blended the elements of both faiths together in a very loving and respectful way.


Brandi and Kenny shouted Mazel Tov at the end of their ceremony as they broke the ceremonial glass! Brandi was radiant and Kenny looked so handsome as they shared their custom vows with each other. May you be blessed with a long and happy life together! The photography was done by Stacey Creamer of Alexis Photography. Music for the ceremony and reception was
provided by Chuck Weirich of TampaBayDJ.com

Labels: Hyatt in Tampa, interfaith weddings, tampa weddings

Congratulations Ali and Helena! How beautiful it is when marriage rituals of two cultures can be combined! I was so honored to officiate the wedding of Ali and Helena this past weekend. I officiated the American wedding at the beautiful Don CeSar Resort in St. Petersburg, Florida. Once completed, the couple then had a Persian Wedding Ceremony and I want to share with you about that ceremony and the rituals involved.

The aghd wedding ceremony is performed by a religious or civil authority. He asks the bride if she accepts the groom as her husband. This question is traditionally repeated three times. The first and second time, the bride does not respond. Other people make excuses like, "she has to conduct surgery", or "she went to the library." Finally, the third time, she quietly responds "baleh (yes)." It is said that not responding the first two times indicates that the bride is entering the marriage with enough thoughtfulness and wisdom. So, in this case, Helena rejected Ali twice!!

The wedding vows are taken before an elaborate table called the "sofreh aghd" in the presence of the bride and grooms parents, family members, and close friends. As with any other Iranian and Persian traditions, the sofreh aghd and the multiple items placed thereon have deep symbolic meaning. Perhaps the most significant items is a large central mirror placed directly in front of where Ali and Helena sit before taking their vows. Two candles flank the mirror and this represents the bright light that shines into the couple's future. A tray of bread also adorns the sofreh representing prosperity. Traditionally, a flatbread called non-e-sangak has been used and can be decorated in many ways. Representing fertility are walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, and decorated eggs. These are usually painted in gold and silver colors. The sweetness of life is represented in many items including, a bowl of crystalized sugar, or "kaseh nabat", a small bowl of honey, and in one or more trays of assorted Persian sweets and pastry such as Baghlava, Toot, and raisin cookies. A small bowl of yogurt represents the sour times in a marriage. Termeh is a traditional Persian embroidered cloth, generally having the paisley design. It is used to decorate the sofreh aghd and symbolizes tradition. A tray of esphand (wild rue), which can be decorated in many different shapes and colors is used to keep away the "evil eye." Also placed on the sofreh are small bowls of coins representing wealth and many pomegranates, a heavenly fruit. Religious and poetry books may be placed on the aghd setting.

Family and friends gather and hold a long scarf made of fine fabric or silk over the heads of Ali and Helena. The guests take turns rubbing two large pieces of rock sugar (Kale-ghand) over the scarf. This represents the sweetness they bestow upon the couple. A needle and seven strands of colored thread are sewn into one corner of the Kale-ghand scarf and are used to figuratively sew up the mother in law's lips from speaking unpleasant words or meddling in the marriage. For those who wish to keep this portion and make it less offensive, the tradition could mean sewing the lips of the "nay-sayers".

There was also a beautiful Persian Knife Dance. The purpose of this dance called Raghseh Chagoo is for Ali and Helena to retrieve the knife from the dancers with money so they can finally cut the wedding cake. The dancers who performed the knife dance at the wedding were Shahrzad and Rozana.

Beautiful, rich, traditions, enjoyed by all! Congratulations Ali and Helena!!!

Labels: destination florida weddings, ethnic weddings, interfaith weddings, themed weddings