WHY KNOT Celebrations by the Sea
| COPYRIGHT © 2003-2011 Celebrations by the Sea llc ALL RIGHTS RESERVED www.beachweddings101.com |
Frequently asked questions:
FAQ
WHERE DO WE START?
Once you reserve your date with Celebrations by the Sea you will have access to EVERYTHING you need
to get started including your marriage license application, vow and wedding script suggestions as well as
additional ideas and a comprehensive guide to our beautiful coastal village and surrounding areas.
Please do not hesitate to email or call with ANY questions or special requests.
We strive to honor all special requests.
JUST THE TWO OF US PLAN TO ELOPE, WHAT DO WE DO ABOUT REQUIRED WITNESSES?
No problem. The staff of Celebrations by the Sea will be honored to witness your ceremony.
We can also digitally capture this happy occasion for you to share and enjoy in photographs on CD or as
an online wedding album.
MY FIANCÉ IS IN THE MILITARY ABOUT TO BE SHIPPED OUT, I AM IN ANOTHER STATE, CAN YOU
HELP?
We are always honored to be of service to the brave men and women in our military. We offer MAIL-IN
Marriage License applications. Under special circumstances the three day waiting period may be waived
at the discretion of the County Clerk. We are within a 3 - 4 hour drive of most of the bases in Washington,
and have a lot of experience with the military paperwork involved. We try to honor ALL special requests.
SHOULD THERE BE A REHEARSAL AND WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
Small intimate weddings do not have rehearsals nor do they need one.
For larger more traditional ceremonies, the bride, groom, groomsmen, ushers, parents, bridesmaids,
readers, and others who will have a direct part in the service should attend.
MY FATHER IS DECEASED AND I HAVE NO BROTHERS, WHO WILL GIVE ME AWAY?
Often what I do in this case is have you start to the alter area and have the groom come and meet you half
way. It really looks romantic in a video and in the still pictures.
WE ARE OF DIFFERENT RELIGIOUS BACKGROUNDS (Jewish-Catholic) AND EVEN THOUGH WE
ARE HAVING A NON-DENOMINATIONAL SERVICE WE WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE BOTH
HERITAGES.
Each and every ceremony is unique and the wedding script personalized and customized to encompass all
aspects and wishes, including prayers, readings, having family or friends speak…the possibilities are
unlimited.
HOW MANY YEARS SHOULD GO BY BEFORE WE CONSIDER HAVING A VOW RENEWAL?
There is no set number, some couples renew each year, others every 5, others on special anniversaries.
WE WANT TO RENEW OUR WEDDING VOWS DO WE NEED PAPERWORK?
No legal paperwork is needed.
AS MY OFFICIANT, WHAT DO YOU WEAR FOR THE SERVICE? WHAT DO WE WEAR?
Usually I wear a suit or something that compliments the wedding itself, and the colors. Your choice of
formal gown and tux to as casual as jeans. Either way most ceremonies are performed barefoot on the
beach.
WHAT ARE “PRESENTATION ROSES”?
When the couple wish to recognize and honor their mothers they will present long stem roses to the
mothers as they leave the alter area and begin their move down the isle. The maid of honor gives the
bride her flowers and I give the groom the roses and they go to the bride’s mother first and then to the
mother of the groom. (Often they recognize grandmothers as well) This is not the same as the rose
ceremony.
MY MOTHER IS IN POOR HEALTH AND I WOULD LIKE FOR HER TO PARTICIPATE IN THE WEDDING.
HER DOCTOR WILL NOT LET HER ATTEND. CAN YOU HELP ME?
On a number of occasions I have placed a cell phone in my book so that a parent could listen in on the
service and be a part of it, even though circumstances have kept them from being there in person.
MY BACKGROUND IS SUCH THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A SPECIAL FEATURE IN THE
WEDDING? CAN YOU HELP?
We can do a number of special services including but not limited to the unity candle, the wine ceremony,
the sand ceremony, the rose ceremony, breaking the glass, jumping the broom and many others. If you
have a question, just ask. We strive to honor all special requests.
SHOULD I GIVE THE OFFICIANT A GRATUITY?
None is due nor expected. If you feel that one is in order then it will be most certainly appreciated.
I HAVE A DAUGHTER FROM A PREVIOUS MARRIAGE THAT IS 9 YEARS OLD. HOW DO I MAKE HER
FEEL A PART OF THE WEDDING?
We love to include children in the ceremony! Our most popular request is the Sand Unity Family Blending
in which the child(ren) are brought forward and the officiant has the couple and children take the sand
from where they are standing and blend it together into a sacred vessel (keepsake!) as you are also
blending your lives together as one family. The family Medallion ceremony in which necklaces are
exchanged is more common and also popular.
WHAT DO I DO WITH THE WEDDING CERTIFICATE?
When you apply for your marriage license you will receive a marriage certificate suitable for framing from
the Clerk of the Court as well as an official copy you will bring to the officiant. This license will be
registered with the state after the ceremony then request a registered copy that you will use to change
things such as driver’s license, social security, bank accounts and other legal items.
HOW DO THE TIDES FIGURE INTO MY CEREMONY?
We have a tide table available on our website. Rule of thumb is if you are having your ceremony on the
beach, especially some of the more secluded ones, they may be only available at LOW TIDE and you
usually have an hour window on either side of that time table. If you are not having your ceremony ON the
beach, the tide should not be an issue. Don't worry if you don't know anything about the tides, WE DO
and we can advise you.
I LIVE 2000 MILES AWAY IN MICHIGAN, CAN I REALLY PLAN A DESTINATION WEDDING FROM THIS
FAR AWAY?
Yes you can, just check out our testimonials! We can take care of every detail FOR YOU from officiating,
accommodations, flowers, cake, photography, gifts…most anything your heart desires, to make this your
most treasured memory here on the beautiful Pacific Coast.
Your dream ceremony can be a reality.
WHERE DO WE START?
Once you reserve your date with Celebrations by the Sea you will have access to EVERYTHING you need
to get started including your marriage license application, vow and wedding script suggestions as well as
additional ideas and a comprehensive guide to our beautiful coastal village and surrounding areas.
Please do not hesitate to email or call with ANY questions or special requests.
We strive to honor all special requests.
JUST THE TWO OF US PLAN TO ELOPE, WHAT DO WE DO ABOUT REQUIRED WITNESSES?
No problem. The staff of Celebrations by the Sea will be honored to witness your ceremony.
We can also digitally capture this happy occasion for you to share and enjoy in photographs on CD or as
an online wedding album.
MY FIANCÉ IS IN THE MILITARY ABOUT TO BE SHIPPED OUT, I AM IN ANOTHER STATE, CAN YOU
HELP?
We are always honored to be of service to the brave men and women in our military. We offer MAIL-IN
Marriage License applications. Under special circumstances the three day waiting period may be waived
at the discretion of the County Clerk. We are within a 3 - 4 hour drive of most of the bases in Washington,
and have a lot of experience with the military paperwork involved. We try to honor ALL special requests.
SHOULD THERE BE A REHEARSAL AND WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
Small intimate weddings do not have rehearsals nor do they need one.
For larger more traditional ceremonies, the bride, groom, groomsmen, ushers, parents, bridesmaids,
readers, and others who will have a direct part in the service should attend.
MY FATHER IS DECEASED AND I HAVE NO BROTHERS, WHO WILL GIVE ME AWAY?
Often what I do in this case is have you start to the alter area and have the groom come and meet you half
way. It really looks romantic in a video and in the still pictures.
WE ARE OF DIFFERENT RELIGIOUS BACKGROUNDS (Jewish-Catholic) AND EVEN THOUGH WE
ARE HAVING A NON-DENOMINATIONAL SERVICE WE WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE BOTH
HERITAGES.
Each and every ceremony is unique and the wedding script personalized and customized to encompass all
aspects and wishes, including prayers, readings, having family or friends speak…the possibilities are
unlimited.
HOW MANY YEARS SHOULD GO BY BEFORE WE CONSIDER HAVING A VOW RENEWAL?
There is no set number, some couples renew each year, others every 5, others on special anniversaries.
WE WANT TO RENEW OUR WEDDING VOWS DO WE NEED PAPERWORK?
No legal paperwork is needed.
AS MY OFFICIANT, WHAT DO YOU WEAR FOR THE SERVICE? WHAT DO WE WEAR?
Usually I wear a suit or something that compliments the wedding itself, and the colors. Your choice of
formal gown and tux to as casual as jeans. Either way most ceremonies are performed barefoot on the
beach.
WHAT ARE “PRESENTATION ROSES”?
When the couple wish to recognize and honor their mothers they will present long stem roses to the
mothers as they leave the alter area and begin their move down the isle. The maid of honor gives the
bride her flowers and I give the groom the roses and they go to the bride’s mother first and then to the
mother of the groom. (Often they recognize grandmothers as well) This is not the same as the rose
ceremony.
MY MOTHER IS IN POOR HEALTH AND I WOULD LIKE FOR HER TO PARTICIPATE IN THE WEDDING.
HER DOCTOR WILL NOT LET HER ATTEND. CAN YOU HELP ME?
On a number of occasions I have placed a cell phone in my book so that a parent could listen in on the
service and be a part of it, even though circumstances have kept them from being there in person.
MY BACKGROUND IS SUCH THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A SPECIAL FEATURE IN THE
WEDDING? CAN YOU HELP?
We can do a number of special services including but not limited to the unity candle, the wine ceremony,
the sand ceremony, the rose ceremony, breaking the glass, jumping the broom and many others. If you
have a question, just ask. We strive to honor all special requests.
SHOULD I GIVE THE OFFICIANT A GRATUITY?
None is due nor expected. If you feel that one is in order then it will be most certainly appreciated.
I HAVE A DAUGHTER FROM A PREVIOUS MARRIAGE THAT IS 9 YEARS OLD. HOW DO I MAKE HER
FEEL A PART OF THE WEDDING?
We love to include children in the ceremony! Our most popular request is the Sand Unity Family Blending
in which the child(ren) are brought forward and the officiant has the couple and children take the sand
from where they are standing and blend it together into a sacred vessel (keepsake!) as you are also
blending your lives together as one family. The family Medallion ceremony in which necklaces are
exchanged is more common and also popular.
WHAT DO I DO WITH THE WEDDING CERTIFICATE?
When you apply for your marriage license you will receive a marriage certificate suitable for framing from
the Clerk of the Court as well as an official copy you will bring to the officiant. This license will be
registered with the state after the ceremony then request a registered copy that you will use to change
things such as driver’s license, social security, bank accounts and other legal items.
HOW DO THE TIDES FIGURE INTO MY CEREMONY?
We have a tide table available on our website. Rule of thumb is if you are having your ceremony on the
beach, especially some of the more secluded ones, they may be only available at LOW TIDE and you
usually have an hour window on either side of that time table. If you are not having your ceremony ON the
beach, the tide should not be an issue. Don't worry if you don't know anything about the tides, WE DO
and we can advise you.
I LIVE 2000 MILES AWAY IN MICHIGAN, CAN I REALLY PLAN A DESTINATION WEDDING FROM THIS
FAR AWAY?
Yes you can, just check out our testimonials! We can take care of every detail FOR YOU from officiating,
accommodations, flowers, cake, photography, gifts…most anything your heart desires, to make this your
most treasured memory here on the beautiful Pacific Coast.
Your dream ceremony can be a reality.
 |