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The Ventura County Wedding Minister - Unique, Custom-created, or Traditional Wedding Ceremonies "24/7 Anywhere"

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Ventura County Weddings - (805) 987-6252

Marriage is a commitment to life, the best that two people can find and bring out in each other. It offers opportunities for sharing and growth that no other relationship can equal. It is a physical and an emotional joining that is promised for a lifetime.

When two people pledge their love and care for each other in marriage, they create a spirit unique unto themselves which binds them closer than any spoken or written words. Marriage is a promise, a potential made in the hearts of two people who love each other and takes a lifetime to fulfil.


PLAN A DREAM WEDDING FOR YOURSELF

For every woman her wedding is a very special occasion. She always wants to make it a perfect one, like she had in her dreams. So after getting the perfect man and the ring it’s now time for planning your dream wedding. Relax! There is nothing to worry. Though planning your wedding might seem both stressful and overwhelming there is an easy way to achieve it for yourself and your future husband. You just need a bit of communication and patience while making your choices and decisions. So, let’s see how you are going to work it out - first and foremost, break your plans into sections, and consider the following questions.

Consider and choose the kind of reception you would like to put up. Is it going to be a large one or a more intimate one with friends and family? Discuss with your relations and prospective in-laws to form an idea of their concept and needs. After having a general idea of the number of guests you are likely to have, visit the place where you would like to have your reception and talk to the owners about their offer. Always keep in mind that the place of your choice should have experience in hosting weddings before yours. You can also ask them for suggestions and clarify your queries, if any. It may happen that you don’t get your answers immediately or you might get confused about their offers, in that case talk to them again and do not finalize anything until you are completely convinced that it can fulfill your individual needs. Do not forget to decide on a budget, as the reception is where you are likely to spend the most money.

Now, it’s time for the food and the wedding cake. Always look out for samples of food at every reception site you are going to visit; especially that which you decide to have for your wedding. Consider the time of the day of your marriage while choosing your food as it impacts your food choice. For example if you are planning to have the ceremony around mid morning then it might be preferable for you to go for a brunch buffet, whereas an evening wedding requires a formal presentation. Again do not hesitate to ask for recommendations as it may help you to judge their service and authenticity.

Then come the flowers, invitations, music and photography, which you can choose based on the style you would like to maintain for your wedding. You can try to cut down your budget in these areas if you wish to. A small number of invitations can also help you to save some dollars. Remember that a perfect wedding does not mean an expensive wedding. By using your creativity and proper planning you can also make your wedding a dream wedding.

Ceremony Seating Arrangements: General Rules

One area of the wedding planning that people forget about until the last minute is planning the seating arrangement for the wedding ceremony. Most brides and grooms spend an inordinate amount of time planning the seating arrangement for the reception. Yet there is also proper protocol for planning the seating in the church so that all those participating in the ceremony can easily partake in the ceremony as planned, and so your close family members can sit toward the front unobstructed. Here are some general rules for you to remember:

Rule #1: Block Off Certain Rows

In most cases the first rows of seating are for the immediate family and the wedding party. It is important that your ushers know who is and is not supposed to sit in these rows for proper seating. Also make sure there is enough space in the row for the people you want to sit there.

Rule #2: Can the Center Aisle Be Used?

In some venues the center aisle will have a runner that cannot be used until the wedding party comes down the aisle or swags may block access from the center aisle. Thus, you may have to use the outside aisles to seat your guests. Be sure that the grandparents and parents aisles remain unblocked, though, so they can be easily seated during the processional.

Rule #3: Know Your VIPs

There are always members of the family that you want to sit closer to the altar. You may designate those family members via a special statement on their invitation or just let the ushers know which family members get special seating.

Rule #4: Be Considerate of Disabilities

Almost every wedding includes guests that have disabilities. Be considerate of those guests so that they can have easy access to seating that accommodates their needs.

Rule #5: Keep Family Feuds to a Minimum

Are there people in your family that don’t get along? If so, then make sure your ushers are aware that those people should not be seated near one another. This way you can keep any extra drama to a minimum. This also goes for divorced parents that do not get along.

Rule #6: Children Should Be Seen…

If you are allowing young children to be present at your wedding ceremony, then you may want to be sure that the ushers seat these families where they have easy access to exit aisles. This way the parents can easily escape the room with a child that is being disruptive. You may also want your ushers to direct the parents to quiet areas and bathrooms just in case the parents need it.

Words of Advice for Newlyweds

Asking for Advice

The best way to get advice is to ask for it. Parents and grandparents used to be the main source of advice for a person’s upcoming married life. As the typical family changes face and divorce rates have grown, however, they may not be able to offer much. Trusted friends and neighbors may be able to add to any insights parents pass on.

For general marriage advice, couples often choose to make it part of their wedding activities. Bridal party members might choose to offer advice as part of a wedding toast. A popular activity at a bridal shower is for the host to ask attendees for words of wisdom that will be placed in a scrapbook or photo album of the event.

Couples can also solicit advice from their guests that will be shared with everyone. You can choose to devote a portion of your wedding website or wedding newsletter to advice your guests tell you. Be sure to credit who offered which words of wisdom.

Finally, couples can ask for advice at their wedding reception. A wedding card box with pens and notecards can be set up near the guest book table, with instructions for writing advice. The videographer can also shoot clips of guests who have suggestions on surviving the first year of married life.

Words of Advice for Newlyweds

The actual advice that newlyweds get is often varied. From humorous jokes about splitting chores to sentimental clichés about love, people will offer advice that runs the gamut. If you are going to be asked to give advice, draw upon the following resources:

Personal experiences with marriage or relationships
clichés, and why they may or may not be true
Quotations on love and marriage
Marriage poems
Advice from talk shows like Dr. Phil or other media sources
Newlyweds should be careful not to put too much stock into any advice they are given. Advice is meant to be a helpful suggestion, not comprise a how-to manual for their entire married lives. What works for one couple may not work for another. Take your own relationship into consideration when using advice.

Private Advice

Newlyweds often need advice on more private matters that they are dealing with directly. These are situations that are often personal and may make you feel uncomfortable sharing with a large group of people. Traditional wedding advice often does not cover these kinds of situations and should only be discussed with your closest friends or relatives.

Seek out a confidant in person for advice on the following:

Personal money issues Physical or sexual advice Advice on dealing with future in-laws Guidance in personal matters you want to keep private Personal crisis and other private issues can also be dealt with in pre-marriage counseling. A licensed therapist or religious counselor may be able to offer practical advice on dealing with matters before they become problematic.

Want More Info? YOUR ceremony needs to reflect YOUR personality, beliefs, and lifestyle. ALL philosophies, traditions, and beliefs are honored and included. IF YOU WANT A MEMORABLE, ORIGINAL, AND MEANINGFUL CEREMONY, LOOK NO FURTHER!
Please Contact Via Email:super8v92@gmail.com or Call 805.987.6252



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Ventura County Wedding Officiant

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Ventura County Wedding Minister

Rev. Randall G. Gullickson, D.D.

Spirited Wedding Ceremonies without Religion or Dogma

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  • Commitment Ceremonies
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I Now Pronounce You Paid In Full: Who Pays for What During the Wedding Celebrations

There’s no two ways about it: weddings are expensive. Paying for every detail is enough to drain any family’s financial coffers and – even worse – leave them wrestling with debt. Especially for new couples paying their own way during the wedding, the expenses quickly add up. The following is a traditional guide to dividing expenses equally and fairly among the four major participants in planning the four main parts of the wedding celebration: rehearsal dinner, ceremony, reception, and honeymoon. These are guidelines more than rules, and are intended to show tradition more than carved-in-stone etiquette.

The Bride’s Family
There’s a popular misconception among the unmarried of the world that the bride’s family foots the entire bill. That’s not entirely true, though unfortunately it may feel that way for the father of the bride! Traditionally, the bride’s family finances the reception dinner with all its facets: the food, drink, venue, service staff (including tips), flower arrangements, wedding favors, and any other miscellany. The bride’s family also pays for many of the necessities leading up to the ceremony: these usually include the bridal gown, the wedding invitations and save-the-date reminders, as well as the engagement and wedding photographs. Finally (!) the wedding ceremony costs, the photographer and videographer fees, the cost of the ring bearer and flower girl accessories, the transportation costs and bridesmaids bouquets are all picked up by the bride’s family. Honestly… if you’re the parent of a young girl, start saving right now.

The Bride
Compared to her family, the bride gets off relatively easy. Brides traditionally pay for the groom’s wedding band, gifts for her bridesmaids, the bridesmaids’ luncheon, her blood test fees, and the wedding day lingerie. In the strictest traditional sense, the bride should also pay for her out-of-town bridesmaids accommodations.

The Groom
Okay, guys. Time to pony up. Following the engagement ring (that two-month’s salary guideline is passé, by the way) you’ve still got a few things left to buy. You’ll pay for the honeymoon, the marriage license, and gifts for your groomsmen. The gentleman groom, however, also pays for the bridal bouquet and corsages for your mother and your new mother-in-law. You’ll also pick up the boutonnieres, ties, and accessories for the groomsmen, and finally the bride’s wedding ring. Gifts for the ushers and for your parents go the extra distance to showing your class. You should also pay the honorarium for the judge, justice of the peace, or clergyman who officiates the ceremony, too.

The Groom’s Family
Besides their own attire, the groom’s family is responsible for the rehearsal dinner and all its details.

The Maid of Honor
Bachelorette parties and wedding showers are the responsibility of the maid of honor. This includes all the details, top to bottom.

The Best Man
The best man is master of ceremonies and godfather of the bachelor party, from the planning to the execution to pouring all the guests into cabs at the end of the night. It’s a dirty job, but someone’s got to do it.

The Groomsmen and Bridesmaids
Most of the attire – for example, the tuxedo rental and costs of the gown – are the responsibility of the individual wedding party member. They also give a gift to the newlyweds. Groomsmen arriving from out-of-town are also expected to pay for their accommodations.

My Wedding Favors has a complete selection of elegant yet inexpensive wedding favors to fit any taste and style. We also carry a complete selection of groomsmen and bridesmaids gifts. Visit us online at www.myweddingfavors.com to browse our complete catalog.