Looks like everybody has a Dolly story. I do too. Years ago I officiated a wedding at Wightman Chapel at Scarritt-Bennett. Unknown to me, the groom was a nephew of Dolly Parton. I didn’t make the discover until the start of the ceremony. The groom and I walked out into the chapel and waited for…
Category: Wedding Ceremony
Options for How You Want to Be Introduced at the End of Your Ceremony
Most couples don’t think about this until the last minute…but that moment right after the kiss? The one where everyone cheers, the music hits, and you walk back down the aisle?That moment starts with how you want to be introduced. And yes—there are options. More than you think. Here are the most common (and some…
The Great Greeting Debate: To Line Up or Not to Line Up?
From where I stand—usually right between you and your guests—I witness the exact moment the adrenaline crash happens. You’ve said the vows, exchanged the rings, and I’ve pronounced you married. We walk back down the aisle, you duck into a side room to sign the license, and then… the panic sets in. “Wait, do we…
My Top 10 Most Memorable Weddings
People sometimes ask, “What’s your most memorable wedding?” “After officiating thousands of weddings, that can be a little tough to answer. But here’s some that stand out in my memory. And at the end I will tell you my favorite and most memorable. #10 – Midnight on the Pedestrian Bridge One New Year’s Eve, I…
A Sudden Hush: What to Do When Someone Faints During Your Wedding Ceremony
As an officiant, I’ve seen it all: nervous giggles, happy tears, the occasional dropped ring. But nothing quite prepares you for the moment when a guest—or, heaven forbid, someone in the wedding party—suddenly hits the floor. It’s a surreal, heart-stopping event that instantly halts the beautiful flow of a ceremony. Note: I’ve only seen it…
A Lighthearted Look at Love: How to Perfectly Weave Humor into Your Wedding Vows
Hey, lovely couples! As an officiant, I have the profound pleasure of witnessing hundreds of beautiful and unique expressions of love. Every ceremony is special, but the ones that truly resonate often have one magical ingredient: humor. Your wedding vows are the heart of your ceremony—a deeply personal promise you make to one another. But…
What Do Couples Remember Most After Their Wedding Day?
Here’s a little secret that surprises a lot of engaged couples: after all the planning, the Pinterest boards, and the last-minute details, most people don’t remember half the stuff they thought they would. Sure, the photos help jog your memory later—but when you ask couples what really stuck with them after the big day, the…
Unique Idea: Your Wedding Guest’s Vows to You
We all know the classic wedding vows: “I do,” “I will,” the promises exchanged between the happy couple. But what about all those incredible people sitting in the audience? The ones who’ve cheered you on, picked you up, and will continue to support you throughout your marriage journey? What if your entire community of friends…
What is a Ring Warming Ceremony?
Looking for a ceremony detail that will make your wedding feel truly personal and deeply connected to your loved ones? Forget the unity sand for a moment—let’s talk about the incredibly simple yet profoundly moving ritual known as a Ring Warming. It’s one of those beautiful little touches that instantly makes your guests feel like…
Questions to Personalize Your Wedding Ceremony
One way to personalize your wedding ceremony is to have something said at the start about you. But what? Here are some questions you can ask yourselves that might give you some ideas. In my experience, whatever you use in the ceremony shouldn’t be too long. You want to make it more “you” but you…