What Do You Mean By Officiant?

You can go online and anyone can become an officiant if they register through Universal Life Church to fulfill the legal qualifications to become ordained and choose whatever title you prefer from a selection of categories.  Many people do it just to be able to perform wedding ceremonies for friends or family.  You have to promise to honor all beliefs and comply with all state laws.  In Washing State, you have be ordained through some church.  It's about 10-minute process through ULC which has been around since 1959.  We could do any kind of ceremony, but we stick to weddings.

My husband and I have both gone through ULC to be able to officiate for weddings.  I enjoy helping people design their wedding ceremony.  Many people just want a very small wedding, have mixed beliefs in their families, don't want to go through months of counseling through a church so an officiant is a great solution to these situations.  Some people are widowed or divorced and don't want to go through all the pomp and ceremony that come with traditional weddings.  We have performed wedding ceremonies where there were hundreds of people, however.  Some people choose an officiant simply because they want to be able to customize their ceremony more than what they could in a regular church.  We let family members of friends of the bride and groom participate in any of the religious aspects to the wedding.  We choose to remain very neutral.

I won't speak to other states, but there are only two lines (never seen or met anyone who performed this type of ceremony) that are necessary in Washington State to make a couple legally married.   The, Do You?, Do You? (questions to make sure they aren't entering the marriage under duress), and then pronouncing them as husband and wife.  Really, that's all!  We would do those too, if people wanted it that way, but people like to personalize it.  We avoid ceremonies that take on the feel of a theatrical performance rather than a solemn occasion.  Speaking from experience, we were disappointed to get a review on not being theatrical enough.  Sorry, that is not why we do perform wedding ceremonies!  At that same wedding, people said it was a wonderful ceremony.  Go figure!

Some people choose an officiant to make it a legal marriage and then have a more elaborate wedding (sometimes even with an officiant) months or years later when they can afford a bigger wedding, when someone has returned from being overseas, or any number of reasons.

You won't believe this, but when we say that we can officiate, some people really think that we are qualified to officiate at sporting events!!   No!  That's a totally different game!!

You should always check into your own state's laws.
Wishing you the greatest of days!

Contributed by Puget Sound Wedding Professional Member: Janis Flagg of Greatest of Days Events & Wedding Planning.

5 Creative ways to “number” your reception tables

Your ceremony is over and you are married. Wow! The first part of your day is complete. Now comes the fun part….your reception. While you and your husband have pictures taken, your guest will be heading to the reception. Once they arrive, where will they sit? If the food at your reception will be served buffet style, open seating works perfectly. However if the meal will be plated, you will need to do place cards and perhaps also assign tables. Doing the seating chart is a fair amount of work and is straight forward…..not a lot of room for creativity. You will need a list of all your guests, which entrée they will eat and where they will sit. Place cards and table numbers do not need to be fancy or expensive, but these can be a place you show your creative flair or continue the theme of your wedding. Here are five ways to be uniquely you with your table assignments:

• Name tables instead of numbering – use your favorite wines or types to label your tables: Merlot, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Chardonnay, etc. Your place cards could be bottle shaped or the color of each wine type.

         

• Label your tables with names of states you have visited together or lived in – each table could have a story about being in that state: the state where you met each other, where you each grew up, where you vacationed together or went to school. Place cards could have a ribbon matching a color in the state flag or a picture of the state plant or bird. You could do cities instead of states. Have fun with this!
• Add some bling to your guest tables and use gems as the names. You could go really glamorous with this one. If your base table cloths are white or ivory, you have a great “canvas” for adding some color to your tables. The Diamond table could have rhinestones around the center of the table and the place cards can have a “diamond” glued to it. Think your birth stone, his birthstone and then your whole bridal party for gems to use. Craft stores have rhinestones in many colors and shapes.

         

• What if you and your groom are big readers, you could use favorite author’s names or book titles. You can really take off with this one. Your place cards could be bookmarks with the guests name, entrée and author/book. You could include your names and wedding date and their place card can double as your favor. Your guests now have a keepsake from your wedding to use again in their favorite book or magazine.

• Let’s say you love to garden. What is your favorite thing to grow? This one has lots of options. Pick your favorite culinary herbs and spices for table names. Try flowers, vegetables, fruits, or shrubs. Your place cards could have a picture of the plant, vegetable, fruit, etc. Your favors could tie in with corresponding seed packets for your guests. Or choose wildflowers and there is actually handmade paper that has wildflower seed embedded in it. The paper can be used for place cards and table sign, and then the really cool part: seeded paper can be planted and the seeds will produce wildflowers. From table décor to place cards to table sign into a guest favor. Eco friendly and creative too!

        

Part of the fun part of wedding planning is being able to infuse the personality of you and your groom into the day. Be uniquely you all the way to your reception tables. I would love to help you create unique ways to name your tables. Seating charts can be a chore and you can hire me to do these for you.

Written & contributed by Puget Sound Wedding Professional Member: Nancy Skipton of Simply Celebrations & Events LLC.

Acknowledgments:

Décor provided by Crystal of Trendy Events in Tacoma, WA

Photography provided by Family Affair Photography, Tacoma, Wa

Winter Wedding Tips

Do you want your wedding to be memorable?  A winter wedding can be a great way to do something new and different for your wedding.   We compiled a list of tips from the wedding professionals who are members of the 'Puget Sound Wedding Professionals Networking' group. 

*     Plan for inclement weather.  What happens if it snows or rains heavily on your wedding day?  Will people still be able to get to your ceremony and reception venue if this weather happens?  Think about how weather could affect getting from your ceremony to your reception.  ~ Nancy with Simply Celebrations

*    Gloves.  Stock up on some of those $1.00 stretch knit (one size fits all) gloves for guests who forget to bring their own gloves.  These will be appreciated especially for those who enjoy an impromptu snowball fight at a snow resort venue.   ~ Monica with Family Affair Photography

*     Remember that winter days are shorter.  Without strategically placed accent lighting, richly colored flowers will fade to gray and black -- especially burgundy, dark blue and purple flowers.  If you're planning an evening wedding, and you don't up the lighting effects, consider using more white flowers and add mirrors, crystals and metallic accents to reflect light.  ~ Julia with Julia's Floral

                             

*     The most expensive days are on Friday & Saturday in December, competing against company holiday parties for the venues.  Photographers, DJ's and your guests already have full holiday schedules in December.  Alternatively a November, January, February wedding means your guests can focus on your big day, without competing event invitations.  Also vendors are eager for your business in the slower months so typically you can negotiate to make your budget go farther.  ~  Corine with Billy Baroo's Restaurant 

*     Plan your event on a weekday, most vendors work for less on those days!  ~ Adam with Adam's DJ Services

*    Consider using an old mansion or private estate with a gorgeous spiral staircase (perfect for that grand entrance) or with a warm cozy fireplace to create an intimate setting.  ~ Phyllicia with Realtime Weddings Consulting.

*     A winter wedding doesn't have to mean "Christmas"!  Ask the venue if you can hang decorative snowflakes from the ceiling to soften the look of the room.  ~  Katie with The Inn at Gig Harbor

*     Centerpieces can be very easy if you use bare branches with lights strung in them or use natural forest greens.  ~ Katie with The Inn at Gig Harbor

     Plan ahead, book your event before most companies book their last minute holiday parties.  ~ Adam with Adam's DJ Services

*    Buy decorating items during holiday sales.  Clip coupons for further discounts.  ~ Paula with South Sound Wedding & Event Magazine

*     Get a massage!  Holidays can be stressful enough, but add a wedding to the mix and it can become utter chaos!  Treat yourself to a peaceful hour and enjoy your wedding and holiday season to it's fullest and make this a season and event you will never forget!  ~ Francesca with Papa Eddie's Catering

*     Don't be afraid of the rain and cold when it comes to your photography!  A little preparation can make all the difference for getting some truly amazing and unique wedding pictures.  Too often, a bride and groom will feel like they have to stay indoors for their pictures because of the winter weather and they miss out on the beautiful diffused soft light we often have during the winter months.  A fun or antique umbrella and some colorful rain boots can be a recipe for some of the most romantic and unique wedding pictures ever!  Many wedding dresses are made of materials that will bead light rain right off and dry extremely quickly and a few pictures of you and your groom playing in the rain or kissing under an umbrella or standing in a puddle with your colorful rain boots will definitely be pictures you will treasure the rest of your life and will almost certainly set your pictures apart from all of your married friends!  ~               Gabriel with Van Wyhe Photography.

   

*     Have a fun & memorable wedding ceremony, work with your wedding theme or include a Santa, ask the minister to dress for a Victorian look.   Many ministers are asked to dress for a Hawaiian, Western or Sea Captain for summer weddings.  Why not have fun with your winter wedding too?  ~ Bob with 'I Need a Minister'

*     In winter skin and lips can get exceptionally dry so take care to use a nourishing moisturizer and to exfoliate in the run up to the wedding.  If skin looks good then make up will look good.    These steps should keep skin as smooth as possible in preparation for make-up.  If lips are prone to exceptional dryness then use a lip balm made from plant based ingredients which will nourish the lips deep down.  A protective petroleum type product could be used during the day or if going out in the cold windy weather.

~ Creamy textured make-up looks smooth and covers skin well.  Try cream foundations and cream blusher.

~  Avoid liquid stains as they can soak in to dehydrated areas and look patchy.

~  Choose a lip stick formula with added moisture to keep lips looking soft and supple.

Cassandra with The Bella Look

*     Candles, candles, candles!  ~ Corine with Billy Baroo's Restaurant

*     What foods are readily available during the winter months?  What vegetables or fruits taste great during the winter months?  In season foods taste better, cost less and is readily available locally.  What foods will your guests expect to be eating this time of year?  What foods would be a refreshing change and a nice surprise for your guests?  ~ Nancy with Simply Celebrations

*     White poinsettias and white Christmas lights are a stunning and inexpensive backdrop to a ceremony and floral decor.  ~ Corine with Billy Baroo's Restaurant

*    In case of snow or ice, plan to start the ceremony 15 or 20 minutes later than scheduled as guests do hate to be late.  When they arrive late they arrive in a stressful state-of-mind.  They are relieved to know the "show" hasn't started yet.  Loreli with Heart 2 Heart Weddings

*     Hire a coat check company!  During winter months it's often cold and wet promoting people to wear coats.  Is there a plan and place to accommodate these?  Coat check companies often handle the coats as well as providing gift security and guest concierge services at weddings.   ~ Marni with Coat Check Complete

*     For an evening wedding, if you are using signage to direct guest, be sure it's reflective so people can read your signs ~ Paula with South Sound Wedding & Event Magazine

*     Don't forget the specialty cocktails as guests arrive to the reception, serve a saketine (rice wine and sweet vodka) in a glass trimmed with sugar crystals  ~ Phyllicia with Realtime Weddings Consulting.

                    

*     If the venue allows it, a candle-lit ceremony is both beautiful and meaningful.  There's always LED tealights and candles as well.  ~ Katie with The Inn at Gig Harbor

*   Have large colorful (wedding colors, rainbow colors, etc) umbrella's available in case of snow or rain.   These can be used to usher guests in from the elements and they can also be used in some of your wedding portraits.  ~ Monica with Family Affair Photography

*     Choose a venue with interesting inside spaces, fireplaces, brick walls, soft leather furnishings which create a natural backdrop to a winter wedding.  ~ Corine with Billy Baroo's Restaurant

*    "Winter Time" Burrr!  Warm up guests with "hot" cocktails or hot non-alcoholic beverages such as Hot Buttered Rum, Coffee Royale, Hot Spiced and Spiked Apple Cider, non spiked hot Spiced Apple Cider, rich Hot Chocolate with whipped cream or marshmallows.  Yummm!  ~ Loreli with Heart 2 Heart Weddings

*** To our readers, if you have a tip that you feel we forgot to mention, please feel free to add it in the comments!

Helpful Wedding Invitation Hints

Your invitations will be the first glimpse of your wedding that guests will see.  So think about the vision you have for your wedding and how you want to let them know the joy you have for this day!

1.  Start looking and be inspired!  If the internet is your first choice of where to start your research, that is fine.  Just remember, you can't see true color,  size, and texture of the paper or ribbon with a picture on the internet.   Look at magazines, papers and even wrapping paper to find a color combination that will make your day beautiful!

2.  Make your invitation list!  Remember to count couples and families as one invitation.  A common mistake when counting guests.  For 100 'guests' you will probably only need 50-60 invitations depending on couples.  As a rule of thumb, order 20% more than your list total to allow for last minute invitees.

3.  Allow plenty of time for invitations printing and addressing!  It can take from 2-6 weeks to have invitations printed and another 2 weeks for addressing.  Don't use labels!  If possible have your invitations hand addressed.  So, order your invitation 4-6 months before the event.

4.  Check for correct name spellings of parents and how they want to be addressed!  I know that sounds funny, but better to be certain than be embarrassed later on.  If your parents are divorced, it will be best to ask them how they want to be addressed.

5.  Do not include a registry card with your invitation!  This is considered tacky and an impolite gesture.  Put this information on your wedding website and also rely on family and friends to let guests know where you are registered.

6.  Don't forget your thank you notes!  It is easy to order these with your invitations and then you will have them when you need them.  Thank your guests and vendors on a timely manner for their gifts and services.

7.  Mail your invitations 6-8 weeks before your wedding.  If you are having a destination wedding and will have several guests traveling, you might want to send them 10 weeks before the event.  Save the dates should be mailed 6-9 months before your wedding.

8.  Postage.  DO NOT purchase the stamps for your invitations until you have a full ensemble put together and it has been weighed by the post office.  Square invitations will cost more in postage due to the size.

9.  Time!  If you are considering making your own invitations consider your time and resources.  Don't rely on your friends.

10.  Have fun!  Don't be afraid to express you and your fiance's style and who you are.

Submitted by Puget Sound Wedding Professional Member Valerie of Valerie's Invites.  You can also find her here on Facebook.