Wedding Ceremony Family Bible Signing

A Family Bible is a time-honored tradition.  It is handed down through a family and each successive generation records information about the family's history inside it. 

I was recently honored to officiate the wedding ceremony of a couple that wanted to include the signing of the Family Bible during  their wedding.
The bride's grandparents had given them (and all of their children and grandchildren) a Family Bible as a wedding gift.  They wanted to honor them by including them and the signing in their ceremony.

Officiant invites the grandparents to join us and sign the Family Bible.   (They had no idea this was being done, it was a complete surprise!) 

Wedding Officiant signs the Bible.

Bride signs her Family Bible as her grandmother and the groom observe.

Groom signs....

This is a wonderful way to pass on stories, family faith and traditions from one generation to the next.  

To see a complete list of all optional ceremonies and traditions that I am happy to include in your wedding ceremony (at no addional fee), please visit the 'Options and Info'  page (http://WeddingWoman.net/ceremony.html) of my website: http://WeddingWoman.net -   Thanks for stopping by!  

**These photos courtesy of Sarah Holder Photography in Greenville, SC 
**Ceremony location:  Mary's Cottage at Falls Park - Greenville, SC 

Tree Planting In Your Wedding Ceremony

A creative nature-inspired idea is to plant a tree together, adding soil (perhaps gathered from both of your hometowns) to a potted plant to symbolize your union.
You can transplant it to your yard after your wedding or when you purchase a home.

You will need a sapling, two containers of dirt, two trowels and a small watering can.

Your officiant can speak about building strong roots for the foundation of your marriage.

And as you provide sun, soil and water for your tree,

remember to nourish each other with words of encouragement, trust, and love. 

A special thank-you to Milan Morgan Photography http://MilanMorgan.com and Augusta Manor in Greenville, SC for these images.  +Brenda M. Owen - Wedding Officiant Minister - http://WeddingWoman.net 

Love Letter on your Wedding Day - http://WeddingWoman.net

Bride and Groom before your wedding day, write a love letter to each other.

The letters should describe the good qualities you find in one another, the reasons that you fell in love, for choosing to marry as well as your hopes and dreams for the future.

Seal your letter in individual envelopes and have your photographer take photos of you reading your letters.

These letters will always be a special memory, memento of you wedding day.  

Brenda Owen Wedding Officiant, Minister  http://WeddingWoman.net -

These photos courtesy Jon Torres ~ http://ISeeYouBeautiful.com http://ISeeYouBeautiful.com

Why I LOVE what I do! - Wedding Ceremony Officiant - http://WeddingWoman.net

Why I LOVE what I do….©©©

  Today I found a moving wedding video on Facebook and shared it with ‘my fans’ http://www.brides.com/blogs/aisle-say/2011/02/wedding-video-couture-motion.html .   I prefaced it by saying that it was a great example of why I love weddings as much as I do…

I meet the nicest people, go to beautiful places and everyone is in a good mood because it is a celebration!  But, it is much more than that...

  I sometimes wish I had a wedding venue on Lake Hartwell.  There is a very real need for one.  Had I known 'back then’ that I was going to grow up to be "The WeddingWoman"  I would have one!   But, at this point in my life it would be too much work to maintain a venue and a large property so I am content.  I do love going to all of the venues and get excited when a couple ‘invites’ me to a new one I have not seen.  I tell myself that I would get bored doing the same thing over and over again in the same place… and perhaps that is true.

   But the very best part of what I do isn’t the place or the nice people at the wedding.  It’s the couple and my connection with them.  After I do the Opening  Remarks and Words of Welcome, I turn my attention to ‘my couple’ and I barely know the guests are ‘out there’.  It’s as if I’m speaking with only them …it’s ‘just the three of us’ and I think that for many,  that it is that way for them as well.

  I love to meet with my couples and interact with them as they move thru the process of planning their wedding.  I get quite close with some of the brides and in the past  felt a little ‘at a loss’ after the wedding was over and I didn’t hear from them any more.   

   Then I ‘discovered’ Facebook.I had been there with my personal page for quite awhile but rarely checked in.  After talking with a photographer buddy about how he kept in touch with his clients I decided to create a business page :  http://Facebook.com/BrendaOwenOfficiant

  I started connecting with my couples -  past, present and future and  I love it!     Some of my married couples are pregnant or have their first child.  Some are buying their first home, some pursuing careers.  I am very proud of all of them and on their wedding day this is exactly my hope and prayer for them…they they will always remain best friends and each other’s greatest love.  It reminds me of the song made famous by the Carpenters: “We've only just begun to live - White lace and promises - A kiss for luck and we're on our way - So much of life to live… We've only begun.    
   And so, what is the VERY best part of what I do?   The privilege to be the one to take 'my couple' from being 'two people in love' to 'husband and wife'!  In the seconds it takes to say "I declare that you are now husband and wife!"   Their eyes always light up and they smile at each other - priceless!  I love being able to not only a create a moment, but also a memory.
I  am honored and privileged to have the opportunity to serve them by writing and officiating their wedding ceremony. 
©©©

http://WeddingWoman.net 

Wedding Officiants - About our Fees - http://WeddingWoman.net

Hello and welcome to my first blog post!
As a wedding officiant / minister, so many wonderful, funny, sometimes unusual, crazy and down right irritating things happen before, during and after a wedding ceremony.
I often have been told by friends and family with whom I share my 'experiences' that I should keep a log and  write a book....so, here we go...my first 'blog' with those stories...amusing, sad, happy...all rolled into one...come along for the ride...
I meet many wonderful people that invite me to beautiful places and... everyone is in a good mood because after all, it's a celebration!!!
Thank you to each and every one that I have met and have invited me to be a part of your 'special day'. I have enjoyed each and every one!
But, for my first post I think I will be more serious than I will be later and address the fee that a wedding officiant charges. Many couples call and ask, "how much"? 
   Well, it depends. Let me explain just a little of what is involved.

Are you coming to me to elope or do you want me to travel to your ceremony location?  If travel, how far?  Will you have a rehearsal?  If so, do you want me to attend?  Do you want me to be the point person and 'run the show', (so to speak) ? - I do charge an additional fee for time and travel to attend rehearsal...it is more work than the wedding!   
I often meet with 'my couple' to discuss their 'wedding vision'. I do not charge for the meeting, some officiants do.

A LOT of time spent with emails and phone calls...to give ideas, suggestions, console, re-assure.. about the ceremony location, content, optional ceremony or tradition (I do not charge extra for this, most officiants do - up to $100 more!) ...etc.   I am happy to add an optional ceremony or tradition (Unity Sand, tree planting, wine, hand fasting, etc) at no additional charge.  See my website, the 'ceremony options' page for a complete list.  If yours is not there, send it to me!
 Sometimes I have to email and call to get the couple numerous times to get the info needed to write their ceremony.   Reading...which one and who will read it?
You want to write your own vows?  That's wonderful and it customizes your ceremony but, send 'em to me - plez so I can include them in your 'keepsake' copy of your ceremony!

   Once I have all the info, I write the ceremony (about a month before the wedding) and send the opening remarks to the couple to approve.  

If I am booked for rehearsal I must get a list, by name of everyone participating in the wedding processional/ recessional and their relationship to the bride and/or groom.
I must drive to the rehearsal location and be the 'point person' to people that have not seen each other for awhile and want to 'catch up' - oh my! 

Day of wedding I will get dressed for a wedding and I do try to look my best and 'very professional'!  I drive to the wedding location, 'track down' the couple (who by the way don't want to see each other before the wedding so they are in separate places) to get the paperwork signed.... I also take care of many intricate details that the couple is never aware of.   I always speak with the photographer/s to tell them how the ceremony will unfold and photo ops.  I also speak with the DJ or whomever will be taking care of the ceremony music to coordinate what song will be played when, etc. and I signal them when we are ready to start.

  
Then I wait for the start time...get everyone lined up...lights, cameras, action! ...perform a wonderful, heart-felt wedding ceremony ...sometimes in the freezing cold or in stifling heat with the sun...in my face or standing on HOT rocks (I'll tell you about this on a future post! ... I mean, Hello?! ....how am I supposed to read with the sun in my face, for goodness sake?!?!  (couples do like to get married outside!)
  After the wedding I email any photos that I took to the couple or post them on Facebook, email the bride a name change info package. I personally take the marriage license to the post office and mail it (certified) to probate court (GA/ SC) or Register of Deeds (NC). Whew! makes me tired just thinking of it all... Yep, worth every penny we charge and often-times I think, not enough.
Thanks for stopping by and please, ''stay tuned"! ~ Brenda~  - http://WeddingWoman.net

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