As an evangelical church minister, I have officiated 5000+ beach weddings and vow renewals along Gulf Coast Alabama, Mississippi, Northwest Florida, and in 2010 was featured on ABC Good Morning America, Fox News, and the Christian Television Network. In that year I officiated a Valentines Day mass wedding vow renewal at Lulu’s at Homeport restaurant in Gulf Shores, Alabama. The Guinness Book of World Records people were on … Continue reading →
“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 … Continue reading →
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 … Continue reading →
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 … Continue reading →
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, … Continue reading →
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 … Continue reading →
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, … Continue reading →
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 … Continue reading →
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. … Continue reading →
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 … Continue reading →
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 … Continue reading →
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 … Continue reading →
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 … Continue reading →
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 … Continue reading →
Here are a few videos available on my YouTube channel. If you visit there you’ll find a few more, including several that our more current. If you click the “More Information” link on the top right hand corner of the video it will give you an overview of the clip.
Continue reading →On this page, I’ve posted a portion from my book “Simple Wedding Ceremony Planning Guide” on 3 ways to do your vows. You can use these to adapt, customize, or to get you thinking about creating your own. Also, as you scroll down you’ll find a list of verbs you can use to help you in your vow writing exercise. If … Continue reading →
As far as the general order of the ceremony, there are 6 parts: Presentation of the Bride, Introduction to the Ceremony, Exchange of Marriage Vows, Exchange of Wedding Rings, Special Feature (sand ceremony, unity candle, etc.), Pronouncement of Married Couple. You can read more about these in detail in my book “Simple Wedding Ceremony Planning Guide” or just ask me! … Continue reading →
If you are blending families with your new marriage, it can be important to include some type of blended family ceremony – if it is appropriate and will not cause any backlash with an ex-spouse and your future relationships. Over the years I have seen some good ways to include step-children and some not so good ways to include step-children into your … Continue reading →
If you want to add a nice meaningful touch to your wedding ceremony, consider adding a sand ceremony. It is popular down here on the beach and is much like the unity candle ceremony that you may have seen in a church wedding. The idea behind it goes back to biblical times when covenants were made between two parties and the blending of … Continue reading →
I realize that brides like a “sunset” wedding, and they are beautiful and have a certain romantic appeal, but there are some things to consider if you are wondering about the pros and cons of choosing to start your beach wedding in the morning, afternoon, or evening… SUNRISE: A sunrise or an early morning wedding is awesome. It is peaceful, … Continue reading →
Including a simple communion service as part of your wedding ceremony is not only acceptable, but an ideal way to include an important biblical element in the ceremony. Annually, I probably get about 8 to 10 requests for including communion as part of the ceremony. During a wedding ceremony, communion fits best just after the rings are exchanged and is … Continue reading →
I do not require premarital counseling before I’ll officiate a wedding, but that doesn’t mean I don’t believe in it. I just believe that a couple must want biblical guidance in order to benefit from it. In fact, couples who themselves understand the value of premarital counseling and engage in some sort of “premarital counseling” reduce their risk of divorcing by 30%. I believe in premarital … Continue reading →
I gladly officiate Vow Renewal Ceremonies across the beaches and areas of the Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida Gulf Coast. Vow renewal ceremonies are an excellent way to celebrate your marriage relationship and reinforce your commitment to your spouse. Vow renewals are best known for celebrations of a wedding anniversary, but over the years I’ve officiated vow renewals for many other reasons, too. … Continue reading →
In 1923, my grandmother, Mary, was asked to be the maid-of-honor for her best friend’s wedding. As the wedding approached in her hometown near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Mary wondered what the best man might be like. She had heard that Lou was also a recent immigrant from Czechoslovakia and also an available bachelor, but he wouldn’t be arriving until just before … Continue reading →