Samantha and Sven Marry at Whitfield Square

Today I had the honor of officiating at the wedding of Samantha and Sven. The location of the ceremony was beautiful Whitfield Square, one of the “newest” of Savannah’s squares – dating from 1851.

Actually, this bride first met me in 2010 when she hired me to perform her mom’s wedding in Forsyth Park. I love it when this happens and my couples stay in touch. It is almost like being a part of an extended family.

Whitfield Square with its distinctive white gazebo is popular for Savannah weddings. For today’s ceremony, Samantha and Sven had the chairs set up choir-style, with the ceremony taking place in front of the gazebo.

The ceremony included a passage from Nicholas Sparks’ The Notebook:

I love you. I am who I am because of you. You are every reason, every hope, and every dream I’ve ever had, and no matter what happens to us in the future, everyday we are together is the greatest day of my life. I will always be yours.

It was a beautiful wedding. It was great to see all of you again! Thank you so much for letting me be a part of your family’s special events. God bless you now and always!

Erica and Jake Elope

Forsyth Park is one of my favorite places in Savannah, and it is a popular place for weddings. For one thing, I love the history of the place. During the American Civil War the park served as an area where Confederate soldiers would drill and train. In December 1898 President McKinley reviewed soldiers of the Seventh Cavalry here before they went off to fight in the Spanish-American War.

The park also was also a favorite place for Girl Scout Founder, Juliette Gordon Low. All this great history, and today the park served as the location for the wedding of Erica and Jake Crowl. This beautiful couple from Chicago is enjoying a delightful wedding weekend in Savannah.

Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Crowl for giving me the privilege and honor to officiate at your elopement!

Wedding Planning Details

Every wedding is unique and different.

As an officiant and father of an engaged daughter, I see that the details of planning a wedding can seem overwhelming. However, it need not be this way. I recently came across a wedding planning guide that was published by Real Simple. This guide can be tailored and adapted to suit your needs.

Wedding Planning Checklist

The guide mentions the need to book an officiant 16 to 9 months in advance. I cannot stress enough how important this is. Even though I do have a fair number of last minute weddings, it is so much better (and less stressful) to plan before the last minute.

Does Engagement Chicken Work?

The story has almost become legendary. Many years ago a fashion editor at Glamour Magazine gave a simple chicken recipe to her assistant, who cooked it for her boyfriend. He loved it, had seconds, and shortly thereafter proposed marriage. The magazine told the story and published the recipe,
which spawned many more proposals.

Glamour Magazine claims that 70 couples have married due to this dish. The recipe has been featured on The Today Show, Martha Stewart, and Barefoot Contessa.

If you are interested in the recipe, click Here

What about you? Do you think there is something to this or is it just a bunch of hype? What do you think?

Bride’s Shoes Custom

I came across a unique wedding idea recently, and I’ve been told that this is an old Armenian custom. While the bride gets dressed, her bridesmaids sign the bottom of her wedding shoes. Much like the familiar custom of tossing the bouquet at the reception, the signature which is best preserved at the end of the night will be the next to marry.
For a variation on this idea, have the bridesmaids sign in blue ink. That would easily take care of “something blue.”

A Life Changing Author…

A couple of year ago I asked my wife to attend a conference with me. The conference would be held in Atlanta, a three hour drive from our house. She agreed to come even without knowing too many details. Fortunately, she enjoyed the conference. That event was featuring Dr. Wayne Dyer, a man whom I have long admired. Again, this month we have plans to see Dr. Dyer. I have cleared my schedule and not accepted weddings for that date. I cannot wait!

Dr. Dyer has just published a new book called Wishes Fulfilled. This book “… is designed to take you on a voyage of discovery, wherein you can begin to tap into the amazing manifesting powers that you possess within you and create a life in which all that you imagine for yourself becomes a present fact. Dr. Wayne W. Dyer explores, for the first time, the region of your highest self; and definitively shows you how you can truly change your concept of yourself, embark upon a God-realized way of living, and fulfill the spiritual truth that with God all things are possible-and “all things” means that nothing is less” (quotation from publisher).

Dr. Wayne Dyer Books and Products

Dr. Dyer has helped me to see things, people, situations, life more like God must see them. This author and his books can change your life too.

Check out his website and blog:

Dr. Wayne Dyer

For Weddings and a Funeral

This is not only a variation on the name of a popular movie; it also describes my day today. In my work as a hospice chaplain, I have the privilege of being with people at the most important time of their lives. This is a true description of my day today.

This afternoon I had the privilege to officiate at a wedding for one of our hospice patients. In fact, for today’s ceremony he was sitting in a wheelchair; it was the first time I’ve seen him out of bed. He was dressed in a pair of shorts with a polo shirt. On the shirt was pinned a simple red rose. His bride sat in a recliner next to him with a bouquet of flowers in her lap. Both smiled all through the brief ceremony.

After the ceremony, with shaky hands, the newlywed couple fed each other cake. It was a sweet moment to witness. The whole experience was special.

Then this evening I had the honor of officiating at the funeral of one of our patients. This man was a member of what Tom Brokaw called “The Greatest Generation”. Although funerals can be sad occasions, this one was a fitting celebration of a full and long life.

“For weddings and a funeral”… What a day! As I think of it, there is one overarching theme which connects the two. It is all about LOVE. When all is said and done, the only thing that matters in life is that we lived a life of love and those whom we loved.

Unique Idea for Bridal Boquet…

Ask your florist to include in the bridal boquet, two small detachable floral sprays. .After your father walks you down the aisle, just before he turns to leave you and take his seat, remove one of them from your bouquet. Hand it to him and give him a kiss. Let him know in advance that this will take place and tell him that as he takes his seat next to your mother, he is to present the flower to her on your behalf.

Then at the conclusion of the ceremony, as you begin to make your way back up the aisle as husband and wife, stop at the pew where your mother-in-law is seated. Remove the second special flower spray from your bouquet and present it to her, along with a kiss, before continuing up the aisle.

Don’t tell the moms in advance that this will be taking place! It is the element of surprise which helps to make this so very sweet and special.

There will not be a dry eye in the place, and your wedding gesture will long be remembered.

Paralyzed man dances with wife for first time

Did you see the news story that recently appeared on ABC?

On August 5, 2006 Janne Kouri was injured in a freak diving accident. His injuries were extensive. He was paralyzed from the neck down. The doctors said he would never walk again.

He spent two months in an intensive care unit. He had a bout of pneumonia and nearly died twice. All throughout this ordeal, his girlfriend Susan stood by his side.

Two years after the accident, seated in a wheelchair, he married Susan. Together, they worked with an experimental technique called “loco-motor training”. Through much effort and determination, he was able to take his first steps with the assistance of a walker in 2009.

In February of this year, Kouri stood for the first time without assistance. After carefully standing, he turned to his wife and said “I have a little surprise. I’d like to give my wife a hug here and have our wedding dance.”. Their wedding song played as the couple embraced and danced their wedding dance.

This is such a great testament to the awesome power of unconditional love.

You can see the news story at the following link:

Wedding Dance

Haven’t we made some amazing breakthroughs in medicine?

Beautiful Callawassie Island Wedding

On March 31, 2012 I had the privilege of officiating at the wedding of Ashley and Matthew Boddington. The ceremony was held at the beautiful Callawassie Island Club. I was particularly excited about this wedding because this was my first time to do a wedding here.

The grounds here are beautiful. Feel free to look at the place Click here. The island has a rich history, going back to it Native American settlers. In the clubhouse there is even a display case featuring archeological artifacts that have been found.

The wedding took place on the yard behind the clubhouse, overlooking the water. It was a beautiful setting for a beautiful ceremony.

Thank you, Ashley and Matt, for allowing me to be a part of your special day!