Beautiful Savannah Wedding

At noon on Saturday, April 27, 2013, we celebrated the wedding of Bridget Bland and Mychal Bogee. This wedding was absolutely beautiful for a number of reasons.

First of all, this is a beautiful couple! My interactions with them prior to the ceremony were primarily through telephone and email, but I could easily sense their love and compatibility. They were so easy to work with, and as the special day approached I could sense their growing excitement.

Secondly, the ceremony itself had numerous elements that could easily grace the pages of Pinterest. At the venue they had a lemonade stand, Croquet set, and a Corn-hole game personalized for the Bride and Groom.

Also, even though the wedding was in a beautiful Savannah square, a curtain was set up to highlight the wedding aisle.

Every detail of this wedding was planned and executed by the exceptional team at Morgan Gallo Events

For the ceremony itself, the Groomsmen huddled with Mychal before the ceremony. Their closeness and camaraderie was a good support to him at this special moment.

Bridget’s entrance and walk down the aisle was emotional. She was a beautiful bride.

Readings were done by the Bride and Groom’s “aunts,” two special women who have always been an important part in their lives.

They also had a singer who was amazing!

The couple currently resides in New York. It stands to reason, then, that there would be an announcement in the local newspaper, The New York Times.

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The full newspaper announcement can be seen here.

Bridget and Mychal are a beautiful couple! I am happy to have this special connection with them.

Congratulations to Mr and Mrs Mychal and Bridget Bogee!

A Variation on Unity Water

This is a great variation on The Unity Water Ceremony. We did this a couple of years ago at one of my weddings. If no one knows what will happen, this ceremony has a great wow factor. On this particular occasion, there was even a gasp of surprise from the guests.

For The Unity Ceremony Bride and Groom go to pour two containers of water. When the liquids combine it becomes a bright pink liquid.

I then mention how the union of the two is indissoluble and creates something qualitatively different.

It left a memorable impression.

How was it done?

The “trick” is in the chemical reaction created by acids and bases.

Phenolphthalein is a indicator of acids and bases. It is colorless when mixed with an acid. It turns pink when mixed with a base such as baking soda or ammonia.

The elements to be mixed should be added to separate containers. Of course, care should taken so that no one drinks any of the liquids!

I would recommend practicing with the recipe to get the desired shade of pink!

Unity Water Ceremony

Unity Water Ceremony

The creating of a new color together from the mixing of two other colors symbolizes the new union.

The Unity Water ceremony incorporates two small glasses of different colored water and a larger glass into which the smaller glasses are emptied creating a third color.

You should experiment with the colored water long before the wedding, to find a combination that creates a color you really like. You may even be able to use the colors from your wedding theme.

If the bride and groom have children, each child may be included and given a smaller glass of the same color water as the parent to pour into the container.

THE CEREMONY
The groom begins by pouring the water from his glass into the central container.
The bride follows by pouring the water from her glass into the same container.
During the Unity Water ceremony, the following is an example of what may be said by the officiant:

__________ holds the container of yellow water. Yellow is the color of sunshine. The color yellow represents joy and happiness. It also stands for wisdom.
__________ holds the container of blue water. First prize gets the blue ribbon. Blue represents confidence and trust. A “true blue” friend is faithful and trustworthy.
__________ and __________, this empty vessel between you represents your marriage. It is a new beginning in your relationship with each other.
__________ as you pour your yellow water into the container you bring sunshine and wisdom to your marriage. And __________ as you pour your blue water into the marriage vessel, you bring confidence, trust and loyalty to your marriage.
The blending of the yellow and blue water creates green, representing the blending of your lives together as one. The color green represents stability, endurance, growth and harmony.
May your marriage reflect these qualities. May your energies in this marriage blend just as equally as your give freely of yourself while honoring the greatness of each other.

Megan and David’s Wedding!

On Saturday, April 13, 2013, I was honored to officiate at the wedding of Megan Howard and David Lyons. This beautiful wedding took place at the historic Harper-Fowlkes House in Savannah. I love this venue. It has a stepping stone in the front to make it easier to disembark from a horse drawn carriage; this vestige of the house’s nineteenth century past is often overlooked.

There is a beautiful garden area in the back of the house which serves as a great setting for a wedding.

Morgan Gallo Events saw to every detail of this wedding. And things came together perfectly!

I truly enjoyed working with this couple to craft their customized ceremony. The bride was walked down the aisle by her grandfather. Readings were done by Megan’s cousin Holly and David’s sister Ashlie.

For their vows, they went with a more contemporary version. The vows went like this:

Exchange of Vows

(repeated after minister)

I David,
choose you, Megan,
to be my beloved soul mate,
to live with you and laugh with you;
to stand by your side and sleep in your arms;
to bring out the best in you always;
to be the best I can be, just for you;
to celebrate with you in the good times;
to struggle with you in the bad;
to solace you when you are downhearted;
to wipe your tears with my hands;
to care for you with my entire being;
to share with you everything that I have;
as we treat each other with tenderness, compassion and love.

(Woman to man)

I Megan,
choose you, David,
to be my beloved soul mate,
to live with you and laugh with you;
to stand by your side and sleep in your arms;
to bring out the best in you always;
to be the best I can be, just for you;
to celebrate with you in the good times;
to struggle with you in the bad;
to solace you when you are downhearted;
to wipe your tears with my hands;
to care for you with my entire being;
to share with you everything that I have;
as we treat each other with tenderness, compassion and love.

Venue: Harper-Fowlkes House
Wedding Planner: Morgan Gallo Events
Hair and Make-up: Amazing You Bridal Hair and Make-up I am particularly fond of the stylist, my wife Michelle!

Thank you very much, Megan and David. It was wonderful to be a part of your wedding.

Congratulations to Mr and Mrs David and Megan Lyons!

Shannon and Nathan’s Wedding

On Saturday, April 27, 2013, I officiated at the wedding of Shannon Janelle Cohen and Nathan Alexander. This wedding took place at The Charles Morris Center. This wonderful venue has been voted best in Savannah for several consecutive years. The facility is spacious and comfortable.

Often the weddings there take place on the bluff that overlooks the Savannah River. It is near the site where the original colonists to Georgia planted a Trustees’ Garden in 1733, from which the City if Savannah and the Colony if Georgia would grow. Trustees’ Garden Website

At this location I often compare marriage to a Garden. A garden, like a marriage, needs to be fed, nurtured, and watered. It must be weeded from things which choke its life and protected from the pests which threaten its life. Is it any coincidence that the first marriage of Adam and Eve took place in a Garden?

Shannon and Nathan have known each other for nearly six years. The fact that they were getting married this day did not come as a surprise to many of their family and friends who long ago recognized the special bond between them. Their love radiates outward for all to see.

Shannon and Nathan are a beautiful couple. My connection with them clicked from the first time we met.

Thank you for letting me be a part of your special day. Congratulations to Mr and Mrs Nathan and Shannon Alexander!

Melinda Marries Chris!

On April 20, 2013, I was privileged to be a part of the nuptials between Melinda Cole and Christopher McNeil. This wedding took place at one of my favorite venues, Vic’s on the River. This fine Savannah restaurant hosts many weddings on its top floor which features a commanding view of the Savannah River. I am also interested in the history of this building. Some years ago, during some renovation work, they found some sketches on one of the walls that dated to 1865! They drawings were made by Union soldiers, and they detailed battle plans/maps of General Sherman’s campaign. What stories those walls could tell if we allowed them to speak! Vic’s on the River Website

On this particular day, we were here for the special wedding of Melinda and Chris. There are several things that made this wedding particularly memorable for me.

First, due to this couple’s unique history, there were bag pipes! The sound of bagpipes are familiar in Savannah- especially around St. Patrick’s Day!

The bagpipes for Melinda and Chris’ wedding gave it a unique flavor – a piece of Scottish culture which I know helped many of Chris’ relatives who made the long trip from “across the pond” feel right at home.

A second thing that is memorable is the feeling of love that exuded from this couple. There was a warmth to this gathering that was palpable.

The wedding cake proudly displays the “M” of the newlywed couple’s shared surname. Joey and his staff at Vic’s saw to every detail so that everything ran smoothly.

There also was another special association for this wedding… Melinda’s hair and make-up was done by my wife, Michelle’s, company: Amazing You Bridal Hair and Make-up. Although both my wife and I do a large number of weddings independently, occasionally (like on this day) we are on the same event. Doesn’t Michelle’s team help make the bride beautiful? Click here to see my wife’s website!

Thank you so much Melinda and Chris! I am honored to have been a part of your wedding, and I cherish the memory!

Congratulations to Mr and Mrs Chris and Melinda McNeil!

Allison and Jordan Tie the Knot!

On Friday, April 26, 2013, Allison and Jordan were married at North Beach of Tybee Island. This was a memorable ceremony. They had a section of the beach set up beautifully. Their families and friends were warm and welcoming.

One thing that made this ceremony unique and memorable for me was that Allison and Jordan literally tied the knot.

This is how it went…

{{Jordan and Allison tie fisherman’s knot}}

“May we now have the cords.”
(Jordan’s mother stands and hands him a cord. She returns to her seat.)
(Allison’s mother stands and hands her a cord. She returns to her seat.)
(officiant prompts the tying of the knot.)
“Jordan and Allison, these two lengths of cord represent your separate families and individual lives before today. I ask that you each take one piece, and that together you bind them in a true lovers’ knot. Tying this knot signifies that your two families and your two lives are now and forever bound together as one.
(Groom and Bride tie the knot!)
(Officiant summons knot bearer to retrieve the knot.)
(Knot bearer comes up and Groom and Bride place knot in box.)
(Knot bearer closes box and returns to his seat.)

I have truly enjoyed working with Allison and Jordan to prepare for their special day. Thank you so much for letting me be a part of your wedding. May God bless you now and always!

Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Jordan and Allison Baldwin!!!

The Beautiful Wedding of Krista and Bob

There are many reasons that Krista and Bob’s wedding was so memorable for me.

The wedding took place on the afternoon of April 5, 2013. It was planned for Forsyth Park in Savannah, and the rehearsal did take place there. After the rehearsal and the whole night it rained, and rained, and rained some more. The next morning (the wedding day) it rained. The weather was threatening the plans for this outdoor wedding. Finally, in the early afternoon the weather began to clear.

The decision was still made, though, to go with Plan B – the rain plan. The wedding ceremony was to take place at The Mansion on Forsyth. This is a beautiful venue. Click Here!

This is an important lesson. All the planning in the world cannot prepare for every contingency. In a good marriage, and in life itself, things don’t always happen as planned. We all need a Plan B sometimes. Even Nature teaches us this: new branches on a tree are pliable and flexible; whereas the dead branch is rigid and hard. We live well if we are flexible.

I loved being a part of this wedding! Five years ago I officiated at the wedding of Krista’s brother, Brad. So now at this wedding I was able to see Brad and Ursula Warnick again. In addition, I was able to meet their son, Cameron, for the first time. I couldn’t resist having a photo with this couple I married five years ago with their son.

The wedding celebration was beautiful, and the soggy weather did nothing to dampen anyone’s enthusiasm. I am so very honored to have been a part of some of this family’s most significant celebrations.

Congratulations to Mr and Mrs Bob and Krista Kukovec!!!

Mollie Marries Mike!

On Friday, February 8, 2013, I was scheduled to officiate at the wedding of Mike and Mollie. This wedding put me at one of the most beautiful venues in Savannah, Bathesda! The venue is full of ancient, moss draped oak trees.

The property dates back to the 1740′s. For weddings, the property features a quaint chapel named for a prominent Methodist pastor.

Mollie and Mike were a delightful couple. Mike readily bragged at Mollie’s ability to pick her wedding dress. “She went shopping for a dress,” he said. “I thought she have to order it, and she came home that day with the dress in the car!”

They were full of joy, and their happiness that day was contagious. I am honored to have been a part of their special day.

Congratulations, Mike and Mollie!

Featured in Magazine!

If you get the chance, make sure to pick up the current issue of Southern Living Weddings. One of the weddings featured in this issue is the ceremony I did for Bridget and Rob. The article beautifully captured a great celebration!