Showing posts with label destination wedding. Show all posts
Showing posts with label destination wedding. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Valentines Day: "Almost Getting Engaged" Party - The Tradition of The Promise Ring For The Modern Couple

It’s Valentine’s Day: Someday He Will Propose, But Not Today
Does Anyone Give Promise Rings Anymore?

By Celebrity Wedding Officiator, Dr. Linda
(Director of Engagements and Proposals)

Planning A Valentine’s Day – “Almost Getting Engaged” Party or Getaway!

He is not going to propose this year.  And, it is o.k. with you. Your relationship has long since transitioned from newish to a daily public fact. Never-before-things say, “This is certainly it!”  Yet, it is not quite right to say, “Yes” for life.  But, those closest are expecting the “big announcement” of marriage. It has been my experience as Director of Engagement & Proposals at LegallyMarried and The Clergy Network, to meet couples wanting something significant “in-between”.  And, Valentine’s Day seems the best holiday of the year to take the next step.  But, is “Engagement” the only next move? There is dating, courting, engagement and marriage, right? 

Back in the day, there was a remedy for that “Almost committed for life feeling”. This “rite of passage” was a bonafide substantive gesture that promised a future together.  This gift and a statement said, “Ours is not a passing fancy”, or, “Until someone better comes along”.   They called it a “Promise Ring”. It wasn’t only the not-so-gainfully unemployed teenagers that utilized this method of declaring affection. Those a bit older might have done so too!

Go For It - Throwing An “Almost Getting Engaged” Party or “Almost Getting Engaged” Dinner

So, what does this mean to your Valentine’s Day? Well, for the comic couple, a Valentine’s Day get-together for the purposes of “Almost Getting Engaged”, the giving of a promise and ring, has a certain humorous appeal.  And, at an “Almost Getting Engaged” romantic dinner, for the serious minded couple, there is intentional charm, and, a really significant advancing of their relationship.  As a wedding officiator, I have conducted the simple, but tearfully joyful, “I promise to get engaged someday soon” ceremony before!  After the vow is given, the casual relationship is in the distance of love’s rear view mirror. And, with the gifting of a “Promise Ring or Necklace”, “Becoming Engaged” is in the not-so-distant horizon. The “Almost Getting Engaged” vow is for the “in-betweeners” needing to take the next step.  For some, it is a psychological necessity.  For example, while setting the momentum toward “Engagement”, it focuses each one’s thoughts on more seriously preparing for marriage together. Or, it might even slow things down to a crawl. Which, until a couple is really ready to “get engaged”, may be a good thing! In any event, drawing the romantic line in the sand on Valentine’s Day could be the best thing that you did for your relationship.

Ready To Exchange “Almost Getting Engaged” Vows? Maybe A Promise Ring?


So, if you are there, time to make a “Promise to Promise”?  Think about it for this Valentine’s Day.  In just your favorite setting, a gift and a “Promise to Promise”!  Share your vows with us, or, ask us to write the “Promise to Promise” Vows.  Happy Almost!  Sincerely, Dr. Linda - Director of Engagements & Proposals at Legally Married & The Clergy Network.   To find out about our “Almost Getting Engaged” Vows writers – info@theclergynetwork.comwww.facebook.com/legallymarri

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Starbucks Wedding Ceremony - "In the Presence of These Baristas, I Now Pronounce You Husband and Wife!" By Celebrity Wedding Officiator Dr. Linda

Grandma, Grandpa & Their Starbucks Wedding

A Story Only Hours Old

What Kind Of Celebrity Wedding Officiator Weds A Couple In A California Starbucks?

A wedding officiator can be interesting. Along with skill and experience, perhaps, a little “free spirited” tempered by dedication and discipline. After all “free spirit” makes him or her creative, and the discipline makes them reliable.  With a “flexible” soul, a good officiator would preside the most quirky to the most predictably practical ceremony themes. And, that is exactly the type that one looks for when you are a grandmother and grandfather eloping to Starbucks.

Today, the same Celebrity Wedding Officiator, whose co-officiator was once actor Rob Lowe, dashed off to the Orange County Clerk to pick up a marriage license.  And, from there, then off to a local Southern California Starbucks. Dr. Brian waited to meet a very much in a hurry grandmother bride and a grandfather groom. For this celebrity officiator, this was not his first Starbucks’ wedding.  This grandmother bride, taking a short absence from her pregnant daughter-in-law’s bedside, was not at Starbucks for a frappuccino! All she wanted to hear was “I Do” and “I now pronounce that you husband and wife….!” Perhaps, this couple would not have chosen a Starbucks in which to marry, but “Life Happened”!  With a daughter-in-law’s delicate pregnancy, simple but profound was the order. None-the-less, our celebrity officiator found himself marrying a very appreciative couple. They didn’t plan their wedding for a year. No, they didn’t spend thousands of dollars, but, their chosen priority to be married before the grand baby arrived, meant more.  So, in this crowded Starbucks, to grandma and grandpa, a moment so private, that they didn’t even kiss in the presence of coffee drinking strangers.  It was a sacred but brief ceremony at Starbucks for these two, and our officiator treated it with the love and respect it deserved.  Soon, this couple will be helping to change lots of diapers, but as a married grandmother and grandfather!

Let's Start A Fun Discussion With A Celebrity Wedding Officiators

If you were planning a Starbucks Wedding how would you decorate? What would you wear? Who would be your witnesses? What music would be played? Get Creative With Dr. Linda


Want a Starbucks wedding ceremony on a lunch break?  Going into the hospital for a serious surgery, but want to be wed first?  Or, like this couple, wanting to be married before the baby or grand baby is born? Call us at LegallyMarried & The Clergy Network.  Perhaps the same wedding officiator who presided The Real Housewives of Orange County Bravo T.V. wedding or issued Lakers Cobi Bryant’s marriage license will be the one saying, “In the presence of these Baristas, I now pronounce you husband and wife!” info@theclergynetwork.com - www.facebook.com/legallymarried - www.pinterest.com/livingfestive - www.twitter.com/legallymarried