Category Archives: Marriage Notes

Marriage Notes posts are related to my ministry of officiating 5000+ beach weddings and encouraging relationship care through applying biblical principles.

After the Wedding and 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

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“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NIV)* When we look at this passage we see sixteen specific things that identify what love looks like and what … Continue reading →

Reasons for Vow Renewals

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Here are just some of the reasons, other than an anniversary celebration, why couples choose to have a vow renewal ceremony… 1) to reaffirm marriage following a separation, 2) starting anew after troubling relationship times, 3) after the discovery of terminal illness, 4) couples who previously were married by a judge at a courthouse and want an ordained vocational church minister to officiate, 5) couples who have moved to a new resident/location in retirement and wanting to start together in the twilight … Continue reading →

Conflict Assessment Tool

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I like assessment tools that are simple and not crazy complicated just to tell you something that you already know — marriage is going to have conflicts. I am a big believer in the 5 Love Languages, the 1 Corinthians 13 practices, and the assessment tool that I developed below, using the word FORGIVE as a guide to work through in your mind the potential areas of marriage conflict that likely lies ahead. It provides … Continue reading →

Bridal Reviews of my Officiating Services

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It is always a blessing to hear from couples after the wedding, with a word of appreciation or otherwise. A lot of couples message me on their anniversary date, and I do enjoy hearing from them, too. Here is a collection of unsolicited reviews on my officiating services. Please contact me if you wish to share a review or have any questions, too.   Bridal Reviews “We very much appreciate your patience, your guidance, and your gentle … Continue reading →

Sand Ceremony Words

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Now it is time for Sand Ceremony. The Sand Ceremony actually dates back to Old Testament times when covenants were made between individuals by the blending of salt or sand, with the idea that just as it would be impossible to separate the original grains of sand, once mixed with the other’s, so it would be impossible to undo the covenant agreed upon, together. Each bottle of sand you hold in your hand symbolizes your … Continue reading →

When Brides Get Bamboozled

Pastor Steve Durkac Posted on by avatar

I don’t have any survey or research study to confirm my opinion, but I think brides tend to get bamboozled by the groom more than a groom gets bamboozled by the bride. I have some horror stories in my experience of officiating over 5000 weddings that point to the bride as intentionally deceiving the groom in order to get married, but generally I think the groom is more apt to deceive the bride into marriage. … Continue reading →

Premarital Conflict Assessment

Pastor Steve Durkac Posted on by avatar

I like assessment tools that are simple and not crazy complicated just to tell you something that you already know — marriage is going to have conflicts. I am a big believer in the 5 Love Languages, the 1 Corinthians 13 Practices, and the assessment tool that I developed below, using the word FORGIVE as a guide to work through in your mind the potential areas of marriage conflict that likely lies ahead. It provides … Continue reading →

When is Sunset?

Pastor Steve Durkac Posted on by avatar

Sunset times are usually important for your outdoor and beach weddings, especially when it comes to photography. There are two things to remember when planning a sunset wedding… 1) The rate at which the sun will drop: During the Spring and Fall months, like April and October, the sun will actually appear to drop quicker than during the summer months. So when the sunrise/sunset calendar says 7:59 PM it mean that at 8:02 PM the … Continue reading →

Where at Beach?

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I am sometimes asked “Where at the beach is the best place to have the wedding?” The answer to that depends on if you are staying at a condo or other lodging along the beach and if you’re asking about the Alabama, Mississippi, or NW Florida beach. Usually, the best spot is right where you are lodging because it is easiest to use the beach area out behind your condo/hotel/house. Everyone on the beach respects a … Continue reading →

Covenant Marriage Ceremony?

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The Covenant Marriage Ceremony is a lot like a Vow Renewal ceremony in that it is all “in the eyes of God” rather than in the eyes of the state. With recent changes in state marriage laws I am now happy to offer a Covenant Marriage Ceremony for Christian brides and grooms who meet the requirements as listed below. The Covenant Marriage Ceremony is a “church” ceremony not a “civil” ceremony, it is a ceremony … Continue reading →

Marriage License Requirement & Information?

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You will need a marriage license from the state in which you plan to get married in, before I can officiate your wedding. The marriage license gives me the legal authority to officiate and make your union legal. NEW IN 2018: Some states like Texas, and some counties in Tennessee and Arkansas have begun issuing marriage licenses to their citizens that are valid for solemnizing (legal term for ceremony officiating) within any state in the … Continue reading →

Asked to Officiate a Friend’s Ceremony?

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Over the years I have officiated weddings along side a family member of friend whom the couple wanted involved in the ceremony, but who couldn’t officiate because of not being church ordained. Most of these individuals have been a godly family member or a friend who was active in their Christian church or was in the process of going to seminary. In all these weddings they were someone who the bride and groom recognized as … Continue reading →

What Changed for Getting Married in Alabama?

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Getting married in the state of Alabama is now a little different than it use to be. The traditional marriage license has been replaced in Alabama by an affidavit document system, which means a couple will need to receive paperwork from any Alabama county courthouse, then get a Notary of Public to verify signatures, and then return that paperwork to the courthouse records division to register themselves as legally married. The proper paperwork is available … Continue reading →