Tips for a Successful Sand Ceremony

There are many blending ideas, that unite a couple and even unite families. One of the creative ideas and in particular, one that is popular for beach weddings is Blending Sand. It is perfect for outdoor weddings, but couples using all sorts of venues, choose it as a sign of unity. Of course it is also beautiful for photographs. I have seen such a great variety of vessels used for the ceremony. Some couples use sea shells, others choose vases that they have personalized with their initials. I am going to show you a few different ideas that the couples I have worked with have used. First, I want to give you some tips for a successful sand ceremony.

• Plan a smart set up. You would like to have it take place in an area where guests can have a good view of the sand ceremony as it unfolds, instead of a look at the backside of you. One of the options would be to set up the vessels on a small table so that the officiant can stand in the middle facing the guests, and you and your partner can stand facing each other with the table in between. Another option would be for the two of you to stand on the same side but still facing the guests. The officiant would stand to the other side.




• Make a beautiful Scene. A bare, boring table doesn't make for a beautiful visual. It won't look that good in your pictures either. Try to get a table that is on the smaller side, I personally like the tables at a store like Wallmart that is a small circle on top with three screw on legs. These tables can be easily covered with a white cloth, or color of your choice. You could even add a pretty table runner of tapestry to make it more festive. Some couples have added rose petals or shells to give it more eye appeal.




• Keep the sand dry. Sometimes moisture and humidity affect the way that sand flows, it may clump together. It would be a good idea to keep it dry by sealing it until you are ready to use it. I try to always have a look at it before the ceremony to ensure that there is no clumping. One of the couples that I worked with used Salt instead of sand and they added food coloring to have it match the bridesmaids gowns. It was stunning.




• Eliminate mess. If the vessel is very small that you will be using, you may want to utilize a small funnel. That way, when you are ready to pour your sand, you can slip the small funnel into the middle vessel. If you don't have a funnel, a simple paper in the shape of a cone will work.




• Practice makes perfect. During the rehearsal, I usually talk to the couple about the specifics, where they will stand, how to pour it little by little, each taking turns, how slow you should pour,




• Family sand ceremonies. For sand ceremonies that are used for uniting families with children, I suggest that each child have a different color to represent themselves, and that their sand be placed in smaller vessels perhaps the size of a shot glass, and that during the blending they all take turns including their sand.

It is my hope that just as the grains of sand once joined can no longer be separated, so also will be the love and bond of this couple through marriage, and the bond with their children.

Wedding Professionals Working Together!

How can we help our couples get the best service from all of their vendors??? One of the ways that we can do that is by keeping up with meeting professionals in the wedding industry

On February 19th, a group of officiants and myself, met with members of the local American Disc Jockey Association to discuss our mutual ideas and learn how we can work as a team.

As you know, DJ's are more than just about the music! The members of the American Disc Jockey Association are professionals who have the purpose and ongoing mission to produce educational content, to promote networking, and provide support for their members, to provide higher calibers of service, performance, talent and professionalism. As an officiant, I have the chance to meet and work with a variety of DJ's, we work together to make sure that the couples have everything that they need to be able to have their ceremony be heard by the guests, and to have the reception of their dreams. A great DJ can make all the difference in whether or not you and your guests enjoy the festivities. It is our job as officiants, to help you to find the best DJ's and music source available. The members of the American Disc Jockey Association go well beyond the call of duty if you have special musical requests or needs, and they keep the party going.

An officiant does more than conduct the ceremony, they help YOU, to find the vendors that you need to make your day memorable. The officiants in this picture are Rev. Tracy Reid, Rev. Deborah Walker, me, and Rev. Kathy DeMarco. Be sure to ask your officiant if they have recommendations for you for the vendors that you need. They will be glad to assist you! A special Thank You to Jeff Mufson of Jemstar Entertainment http://www.jemstarentertainment.com/ for inviting the officiants to be a part of this discussion and for sharing this picture with us.

Rusty Pelican, Tampa - Congratulations Catherine & Brad McGuire

Catherine & Brad said their "I Do's" at the Rutsy Pelican in Tampa. It was raining outside, but as all of us in the wedding business knows.........rain on your wedding day is a lucky sign! The Rusy Pelican provided a beautiful indoor area for the couple to be married in spite of rain, and the couple just brought along their own sunshine! Don Valente and the staff of the Rusty Pelican provided outstanding service. If you get a chance to go there to eat, you will enjoy the panoramic view of the bay and a great menu selection. Best wishes Catherine & Brad for a long and happy marriage!

Sandpearl Resort - Congratulations Kim & Craig Battinelli!

The Sand Pearl http://www.sandpearl.com/ was the venue of the beautiful wedding of Kimberly & Craig! The weather was fabulous and the ceremony was held on the lawn. Guests were able to see the beautiful flowers created by http://www.thebridesb.com/ . A Dove Release by Florida's largest white bird release company, Don Creamans of http://www.donslovedoves/, took place while Kim and Craig sealed their love with a kiss. In addition to the two white doves in white floral decorated cages on each side of the wedding party, there was a release of a group of white doves above the heads of the couple and their guests. It was quite a stunning moment! Special thanks to Sidney Fox from the Sand Pearl for her work with Kim and Craig. It was a magnificent event!

What is an Interfaith Officiant?

I am sure you are interested in what exactly an Interfaith Officiant is. As an Interfaith Officiant I am a trained professional who has studied and been ordained through the All Faiths Seminary of New York City, one of a growing number of Interfaith Seminaries around the world. Interfaith ministers serve as guides to help people deepen and nourish their own religious roots while they are opening their hearts to the wisdom and beauty of other traditions and teachings. Regardless of my own spiritual tradition or path, I am a trained professional who is dedicated to serving the spiritual needs of ALL those who seek guidance, and assistance regardless of their race, creed, ethnic background, sexual orientation, gender or age.

I have chosen to learn about, respect, and appreciate the diversity of paths to the Divine and to look for the universal truth in each of them. I seek to promote understanding, harmony and love among all people by emphasizing what is universal in the teachings of the many spiritual paths and faith traditions.

I am committed to the ongoing deepening of my own spiritual faith practice and connection to the Divine, so that m service to others is always grounded in the integrity of my own spiritual life.

My role as an interfaith minister is to help you in creating a ceremony that is respectful of your own religious beliefs and traditions and in fulfilling your wishes for a very beautiful and meaningful ceremony.

Music For Every Occasion!

Beach weddings provide so many opportunities for a variety of music. Recently, at the wedding of Karen and Matthew on the Beach in St. Pete, to go along with their Hawaiian Theme, they enlisted the help of Ken Molenaar of Calypso Sound Steel Band. Ken was born in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands and aspired to play the steel drum since he was a small boy. At the age of 21, the opportunity presented itself. Traveling abroad, nationwide, and predominately statewide these last few years has given him the distinct pleasure of entertaining a wonderful array of individuals. He has been living his passion for 30 years and that has provided him with opportunities to perform at a variety of venues, hotels, resorts, cruise lines, beach parties, and weddings, just to name a few.

Throughout his entire career as a steel drum player, he strived to exceed the expectations of his clients. He believes that punctuality makes a great first impression, courtesy is essential, cooperation is key in all team efforts, and tropical attire adds color to the scene. Ken will provide Sweet Caribbean Music for your listening pleasure, or to dance the night away.

I loved his music, and I hope that you will get an opportunity to hear Ken play, and share his passion with you. He can be reached at 813-914-9116. Calypso Sound Steel Band can provide solo, trio, duo's, or quartet. http://www.myspace.com/calypsosound

Making Memories! Brides Against Breast Cancer

One of the wonderful aspects of what I do is the ability to meet and be involved with so many incredible folks and events. Working as a volunteer is so rewarding, and even more fun when you are working with future brides! Making Memories http://www.makingmemories.org/
has the mission to grant wishes, including memory making events, for metastatic breast cancer patients, while continuing to support, educate, and increase resource awareness. This year, the event in Tampa was held at the Tampa Westshore Marriott on March 21st. This is the annual National Tour of Gowns sale. This event provided brides to be with the opportunity to find the wedding gown of their dreams, at an incredible savings, while making wishes and dreams come true. The event in our area is managed by Tammy Waterman, with the help of her family, http://www.eventsbyspecialmoments.com/ and with volunteers from all walks of life!

I am including a picture of some volunteers, one of whom is Angela Harwell, Mrs. Tampa Bay 2008. I had the pleasure of spending time getting to know her and found she is very involved with several endeavors, such as the Boggy Creek children's camp for children with terminal illness, http://www.boggycreek.org/ where she serves as an ambassador, also you may want to have a look at a website about the pageants that Angela is involved with, http://www.flauspageants.com/ . The photos for this article were contributed by Judy Zimmerman, who wears many hats, but is the director of sales and marketing for Tampa Bay Premiere Bride http://www.tampabaypremierebride.com/ and Angela Harwell and her husband Bruce. Thank you!

I will keep you all posted about the event for next year so that you can join us, either as a volunteer, to donate your bridal gown, or to purchase a bridal gown. This past event was successful and raised over $33,000. for a very worthy cause. I hope you will think about donating your gown, or purchasing one for your wedding.

Including children in the wedding ceremony..

May couples today are blending together not only their own lives, but lives with their children from previous marriages. There are so many beautiful blending ceremonies that can be incorporated into the wedding that makes the children feel special and gives them the sense that it is a true blending of a family. Recently, Kelly & Greg Vieu were joined together with their daughters. They chose to do a blended sand ceremony that included one color or sand for each member of the family, which they blended together. Just as the grains of sand once joined can no longer be separated, so also is the blending of this family. Other times, you may wish to give the children a token gift, such as a bracelet or necklace. For Kelly and Greg's wedding, they chose a beautiful beach wedding, that was orchestrated for them by Tammy Waterman of http://www.eventsbyspecialmoments.com/ Tammy is a professional Wedding Consultant, member of the Association of Bridal Consultants, more to come about that later. Blending families together are a great opportunity for beautiful rituals that will make wonderful memories to last a lifetime.

Keith & Tara Vetsch tie the knot!

Congratulations Keith & Tara Vetsch on your beautiful wedding celebration on Indian Rocks Beach on March 13th! Best wishes for a long and healthy life together with your beautiful family! Keith & Tara flew in to soak up the sun and warmth with their families and enjoyed all that our beautiful state of Florida has to offer.

Beach Weddings! I Love Them!

One of the great things about officiating in the Tampa Bay Florida area is the opportunity to be on some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. I just love conducting a destination wedding or beach wedding late in the afternoon and we finish in time to watch the beautiful sunset! Breathtaking! There are a few pictures on my website www.LovingUnity.com and I am going to be adding more pictures to my blog in the next few days, so be sure and come back to have a look!

Customized Wedding Ceremonies

Many times I meet with couples and let them know that I specialize in customized wedding ceremonies. They have no idea about the options that are available to them! I let them know that they are unique and that their ceremony should reflect their own unique style and wishes! I meet with a couple and get to know them, are they nature lovers? are they passionate about their animals? do they desire a beach wedding? a wedding beside a lighthouse? an intimate garden wedding? a large wedding? a destination wedding? an ethnic wedding? Many couples are simply unaware of all of the options available to them. I get such enjoyment out of meeting with them to discuss the options and begin from scratch to show to create a one of a kind wedding ceremony. That is perhaps what makes us different from other officiants who may have several samples for you to choose from. We take pride in our ability to spend the time with you to create exactly what you want for your special day.