Visit my latest blog post as a guest blogger for Exquisite Events and Consultants- "What NOT to wear to a wedding"!
Danielle M Baker
Officiant and Minister
(864) 303-8748
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Thursday, May 30, 2013
{Wedding Professionals Unite} Wedding Rehearsals: Practice Makes Perfect by Lisa G. Mc Millan
Wedding Rehearsals: Practice Makes Perfect!
by Guest Blogger and Wedding Professional
Lisa G. McMillan- Exquisite Events and Consulting
Photo by
As
your wedding day approaches it is always prudent to rehearse the wedding
ceremony with your wedding party. The
notion of “winging it” is not the right approach when considering most of your
wedding party has no idea what to do during the rehearsal. Here are 5 quick tips to make your rehearsal
run effortlessly.
3. A few days before the rehearsal discuss with your fiancĂ© who will escort your grandparents and parents down the aisle for the processional. Don’t forget to assign an escort for them during the recessional, typically the same escort. It makes for a more formal entrance and exit.
Photo by Corey Cagle Photography
5. Last but certainly not least if your rehearsal is to be held outdoors request that a few chairs are set up for grandparents and parents so they are aware of where they will be sitting during the ceremony. Plus, conduct a run-through at the inclement weather location in case of bad weather.
Being
prepared comes with a myriad of benefits and best of all it kicks off your
event with everyone feeling more at ease and ready for the ceremony.
Lisa G. McMillan
Exquisite Events and Consulting
Exquisite Events and Consulting
Happy Planning! Danielle M Baker - www.TheWeddingLady.us
Thursday, May 16, 2013
{Real Wedding} Rain, Romance and Weddings- Vince and Ali's Story
Weeks before Alicia and Vince's wedding scheduled to be held on April 28, 2013 at Homewood in Asheville, North Carolina, I, their Wedding Officiant received several emails from Alicia with sheer panic concern about the weather. You see Alicia and Vince were having a destination wedding to be held in the outdoor venue called The Glen at Homewood in Asheville. They and the majority of their guests were traveling from Florida for their big day. I assured her that it would be a beautiful day no matter what mother nature would bring our way!
THE REHEARSAL...
Fast forward a few weeks and it is time for their wedding rehearsal. Would you guess the weather man that is never accurate was right and of course it was raining cats and dogs sprinkling with an 80% chance of rain for the the next three days. Alicia was so sad because her dream nuptials would only be held in The Glen which is a beautiful park like setting and a perfect place for an outdoor ceremony.
As we rehearsed indoors, she said "It just does not feel right in here. If it rains tomorrow, I want to get married outside." Her coordinator Lisa G. Mc Millan with Exquisite Events and Consulting and I both agreed with her! We both said "It is your day and we will do your ceremony wherever you wish!"
I am blessed to being a part of many beautiful wedding days but on
this particular day, I was truly moved by the bride and groom's joint decision to overcome the obstacle of the dreaded rain that was inevitable.
They were handed lemons on their big day and turning them into lemonade!
WEDDING DAY....
Every girl dreams her entire life of her perfect man, perfect wedding and all of the details of her perfect day. Vince and Alicia decided that they would have that perfect wedding. Unannounced to all of us, Alicia had already planned for the rain and bought the most perfect umbrellas for the entire wedding party. Everyone
in attendance would stand under umbrellas and we would do this! With her coordinator Lisa, Katy Cook with Katy Cook Photography, her photographer and I all under umbrellas, we helped make their dream come true!
As the monsoon rain continued, Alicia and Vince were married in The Glen in front of all of their closest friends and family! As I pronounced them husband and wife, they both threw their umbrellas and kissed in the rain. It was magical!
The reception was beautiful. The happy couple had the time of their lives! On this day I not only witnessed the true love, but the WILL that this couple had to make their day perfect!
Congratulations Vince and Ali!
I wish you a lifetime of love and happiness!
Be sure to visit Katy Cook's Blog for additional photos on this beautiful wedding!
Vendors:
Venue: Homewood and Ceremony – The Glen
Day of Coordination – Lisa McMillian
Floral – Aria
Ceremony and Reception Music – Mitch Fortune Productions
Officiant- Danielle M. Baker
Cupcakes – Tiffany’s Baking Co.
Saturday, January 12, 2013
What Ceremony Is Right For Us?
If you are not having a traditional religious ceremony at a place of worship, then you should start thinking about the type of ceremony you want to have on your wedding day. My advice, when choosing the ceremony, it should be able to set the mood for the entire night.
The following are a few examples of wedding ceremonies.
Civil- A civil ceremony is a ceremony that does not include any religious aspects. It usually last between 10-15 minutes. This type of ceremony usually are done when there is a small group of people (up to 20) and there is not a reception venue)
Religious- A religious ceremony can be traditional, depending on your faith, or include just a few aspects from your religion. Whether you are observant or non- observant, a religious ceremony is still an option. It usually last between 20-25 minutes. This type of ceremony can be performed indoors or outdoors. (You can add unity ceremonies such as sand, wine, candle, etc to emphasize the commitment to one another.)
Spiritual- A spiritual ceremony does not subscribe to one specific religion, but rather incorporates elements from several religions that are more spiritual and less conforming. It usually last between 20-25 minutes, it also has the flexibility to incorporate your own vows and adapt other wedding rituals. (You can add unity ceremonies such as sand, wine, candle, etc to emphasize the commitment to one another.)
Renewal of Vows - A renewal of vows ceremony is a beautiful way for couples to rededicate themselves to one another. It usually last between 15-20 minutes. It has the flexibility to incorporate family to participate in as well. (You can add unity ceremonies such as sand, wine, candle, etc to emphasize the commitment to one another.)
Interfaith - An interfaith ceremony blends traditions, cultures, or religious aspects to make everyone feel celebrated and included. (You can add unity ceremonies such as sand, wine, candle, etc to emphasize the commitment to one another.)
Elopement - An elopement is a ceremony for couples that wish to get married legally in South Carolina. Legal marriages can be performed inside venues, outside in many of the Upstate's' beautiful locations. Usually last 10-15 minutes.
"You will never feel like you are being married by a stranger."
Danielle M Baker
Wedding Officiant & Minister
www.TheWeddingLady.us
Thursday, November 29, 2012
You may Kiss the Bride- How to Kiss at the Alter
How to Kiss at the Alter
By Danielle M Baker
"The Wedding Lady"
"You may kiss the bride."
You have heard that phrase hundreds of times. In fact, I have said it hundreds of times, or something close, such as: "Please share your first kiss as a married couple" or "You may seal your marriage with a kiss."
As much as we like to think of kissing as spontaneous, you would be surprised how much thought some brides put into the kiss. Having to contend with make-up, big dresses with trains, shyness, performance anxiety, and possibly conservative relatives, there is often talk in our consultations of how they will kiss and for how long.
I have also seen every kiss imaginable between bride and groom at the altar: A peck on the cheek, a hug, a fist bump, a long kiss on the lips, a series if kisses on the mouth, a full open-mouth tongue kiss, kissing through tears of joy, and kissing so passionately that friends and loved one scream, "get a room."
Everyone has their own feelings about kissing and their individual preferences about public smooching. This is something to be aware of on your wedding day. With that in mind, come up with a comfortable way to kiss at the wedding altar. Have a blast practicing!
1. Consider you and your Fiance's level of comfort with public affection. If
this is not something you or your fiance are used to, you can do a very
small, brief kiss just to seal your nuptials. I have married more than
one bride who kissed her beloved on the cheek at the end of the
ceremony, and that was just about as much that either one of them could
handle as they turned beet red.
2. Is one of you a bigger kisser than the other. Some couples
don't see eye to eye about kissing at the wedding. She wants a big passionate
smooch, he thinks it is embarrassing, and so on. It is good to get a
sense of which way things will go on your big day, before the big day is here.
Hell hath no furry like a woman whose lipstick has been smeared, kissed off or just ruined
before the photos are taken of the couple walking back up the aisle. Guys, her color may not be your color. 
3. Think about your family. Are your mom and dad
affectionate with one another in public? Will seeing a big, wet wedding
kiss make your grandmother faint? Does your family clank wine glasses
with spoons or ring bells demanding that you kiss? Some couples adapt
their kiss to the comfort level of the family.
4. Go For It. When everything is said and done, it is your
wedding and you can kiss any way you choose!
There is no right or wrong way to kiss on your wedding day. Like
anything else in the ceremony, having a sense of how you would like to
kiss and be kissed can relieve any "performance" pressure.
In truth, the kiss is the big moment when you can sigh and say, "The ceremony is over... and we are married!" I hope your wedding day kiss is perfect!
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
There is NO wrong way when it comes to YOUR wedding day!
There is NO wrong way when it comes to
YOUR wedding day!
Little girls grow up envisioning their "Dream Wedding Day" their entire life. You have found your Dream Man and now it is time to plan your Dream Day! I have brides tell me in our meeting all the time that they just don't want to do it wrong. There is no right or wrong way to design your wedding day.
After performing the nuptials of hundreds of couples, the most important advice I can give you is to follow your vision on your dream day! Family, coworkers, friends and vendors will all have opinions on what you should do to make your wedding perfect. The problem with this is it's their vision and not yours. Have the day you always wanted by sticking to what you love!
A Dream Wedding- Pinterest Style-
Many of today's brides want to be creative in their wedding planning. Style, ambiance and trends are all a big part in planning a wedding. If you love Pinterest like I do, you know there are amazing ideas. Don't get discouraged and think that you can not have those things. Many of my brides ideas for their perfect wedding came from Pinterest and were made into a reality! Here are just a few.
Dress of your Dreams-
If you are more of a traditional person, you may envision a traditional ceremony and reception. There are many wonderful wedding ideas and sites to assist you in keeping with your vision. 
Instead of wearing a traditional white wedding dress maybe you want a pink dress?
Do you love Red and want your wedding dress to show it?
Ceremony and Reception-
Instead of the traditional Saturday night ceremony and reception, consider this: Having an enjoyable early afternoon ceremony followed by an entertaining mid afternoon happy hour style reception.
This gets you out of being committed to serving a full course dinner and drinks. This in turn, will lighten your catering bill substantially, but will leave you and your guest with a radiant and memorable celebration.
Pick an Experienced Officiant, Minister or Pastor to perform your nuptials. You can read more on this in my prior blog. Click Here To Read
Now these were just a few wedding tips, but don’t forget to stay to your plan. So these tips were just a handful of the most important must haves or things to consider when planning your wedding! Being organized and fully prepared is the beltway to save and have a fabulous event.
No matter what style or color you choose, You will be a beautiful bride in the dress that you LOVE!
Ceremony and Reception-
Instead of the traditional Saturday night ceremony and reception, consider this: Having an enjoyable early afternoon ceremony followed by an entertaining mid afternoon happy hour style reception.
This gets you out of being committed to serving a full course dinner and drinks. This in turn, will lighten your catering bill substantially, but will leave you and your guest with a radiant and memorable celebration.
Pick an Experienced Officiant, Minister or Pastor to perform your nuptials. You can read more on this in my prior blog. Click Here To Read
Now these were just a few wedding tips, but don’t forget to stay to your plan. So these tips were just a handful of the most important must haves or things to consider when planning your wedding! Being organized and fully prepared is the beltway to save and have a fabulous event.
Pick and choose what you find
appropriate and your dream wedding will transform right in front of
you!!! It is all in how you present your wedding and timing is the
ultimate way to save in all areas of your wedding!
Have fun planning and never forget to keep it simple so you can enjoy every moment of this cherished day!!!!
Have fun planning and never forget to keep it simple so you can enjoy every moment of this cherished day!!!!
Monday, October 15, 2012
Sunrise Wedding in a Hot Air Balloon- Dennis & Linda
Dennis & Linda Osborne
I had the honor of performing the nuptials of this beautiful couple on 10/10/2012. They were married in a hot air balloon at sunrise in Anderson, SC.
Dennis & Linda met as they headed back to college after retiring for second careers! They never imagined when they headed back to school that their lives would be changed forever!
I had the pleasure of working along side two wonderful vendors-
Emilie Carol with EmilieCarol Photography
&
Steve & Connie Lambert with Skyscapes of America
If you want to learn more about this special package please visit: http://www.theweddinglady.us/Packages.html
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
{Real Wedding) Even after a Stroke... Nothing would stop this Father's from walking his Daughter down the aisle!
On June 3, 2012, I had the honor of officiating the wedding of Ashley & Chris Weld at The Red Horse Inn in Landrum, SC. I am blessed to being a part of many beautiful wedding days, but on this particular day I was truly moved and bought to tears.
A FATHERS LOVE...
It's most every father's dream to walk their daughter down the wedding aisle and dance with his baby girl on her wedding day. Ashley's Father was no different than any loving father with the exception that he had suffered a stroke and he is unable to walk or talk. He decided there was no way that he would not walk her down the aisle! Everyone in attendance was moved as he exited his wheelchair and with a cane, took his daughters arm and led her down the aisle. He smiled the entire way!
Once they reached the alter, Ashley's mother joined his other side and the three of them stood together as I asked "Whom has the honor of presenting this woman to marry this man?" He silently raised his hand and smiled and Ashley's mother said "Her Father & I."
Mr. Fudge sat in the front row the entire ceremony and there was nothing in this world that could wipe the smile off of his face. He was so proud. The ceremony was beautiful. I had already been so moved by this man and his will to walk his daughter on her wedding day, I could not imagine it could get any better.
The reception was beautiful. The happy couple cut their cake and then we all watched as Ashley & Chris took to the dance floor as the music began to play for their first dance.
All of a sudden "Butterfly Kisses at Night" began to play and again Mr. Fudge carefully stood with assistance from his wheelchair. He joined his daughter in the middle of the dance floor and held his beautiful daughter for their dance. I lost it. It was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen!
On this day I not only witnessed the true WILL that this man has, but an undying Love for his daughter.
I dedicate this story to you Mr. Fudge because this day forever changed me!
God Bless You!
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