Real Wedding @Sunset Vistas Beachfront Suites Wedding

11/11/11 it only happens every one hundred years.

 This was a very special day for many couples, and we were honored to officiate the wedding of Leanne and Jeffery Green on the beach at the Sunset Vistas Beachfront Suites at Treasure Island, Florida.

 Jeffery and his groomsmen managed the setup of the beautiful beach theme wedding.  Leanne looked simply gorgeous as she arrived on her brothers arms, processing in to the steel drum music.  The aisle was decorated with starfish and bell jars filled with beach sand, starfish and sand dollars.

 The couple shared their personal vows, and joined their individual sand vials together, symbolizing the joining of their lives together.  In Filipino tradition, the bride and groom exchanged the aras.

These are the coins that flow from the groom to the bride and back to demonstrate his willingness to support his wife and family, and her willingness to be an equal partner in the marriage.

 Rev. David Bishop of LovingUnity.com officiated the nuptials.  The photos of the beautiful couple say it all!







After the ceremony, the couple and their family enjoyed a reception in the venue cafe overlooking the tropical courtyard and waterfalls.   We were so honored to be such an integral part of their day.

Venue:  Sunset Vistas Beachfront Suites   www.SunsetVistas.com
Photos for the Blog: Virginia Bishop
Music: Steel drum music by Jason of the Island Boys
                                                          Florist: Gulfport Florist
                                                          Bamboo Arch Rental: LovingUnity.com

Walsingham Park - where the couple first met........

Natalie and Benjamin first met and then fell in love during their visits to Walsingham Park.  Thus, selecting a location in the park to exchange their vows was perfect!  The weather was splendid, and they exchanged their vows and along with their children, participated in a blended sand ritual.  A small, intimate, family gathering to celebrate in the park was just what they wanted!!  Rev. Kathy officiated and the day was lovely.......  Congratulations Natalie and Ben! 

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.

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.