St Louis Surprise Wedding

How to Have a Surprise Wedding for Your Friends and Family

I have performed surprise wedding ceremonies and elopements for couples in several different ways.

Invite people to your home or special place. Come up with a special reason to have the 'party'. My favorite occurred on the rooftop of the Vin de Set restaurant in Lafayette Square (St Louis).

Surprise Wedding at the Vin de Set Restaurant

The couple reserved the space for a small group - up to 50 guests. I showed up and the three of us stood in the center of the space. The groom picked up a glass and a spoon and clinked the side of the glass to gain the attention of their guests. The surprise came next and they exchanged their vows.

Another location to have a surprise elopement is at the Gateway Arch in downtown St Louis.

Elope at the Gateway Arch in St Louis

This couple had an elopement where they picked up their two witnesses and told them what was going to happen as they drove to their destination.

Carolyn Burke | Officiant 314.821.4844

Missouri Marriage License

What Happens Once You Get Your Marriage License in Missouri? Once you receive your marriage license from the Recorder of Deeds Office, you must use the license within 30 days, it expires after the 30th day. If you do not use the license it must be returned to the Recorder of Deeds Office. Usually there are two papers for the Wedding Officiant to fill out : the Marriage License and the Marriage Certificate. The first paper is the valid marriage license which is the legal document that an officiant fills out before the ceremony with 1) The official name of person who performs the ceremony. 2) City where the wedding takes place. 3) County where the wedding takes place. 4) Day, month and year of wedding. 5) Official signature, title and sometimes their address. St Louis City Marriage Certificate and Marriage License The second paper is the invalid marriage certificate that is given to you for keepsake purposes. In most cases, you will not be able to use the cer...

15 Unique Ceremony Ideas

Here are a few unconventional ceremony ideas to take you down the aisle with a twist. 1. Let your guests mingle over cocktails before the ceremony. 2. The couple greets the guests as they arrive at the ceremony site. 3. Face the guests when you recite your wedding vows. 4. Have your guests sit or stand in a circle around you during the ceremony. Ceremony in the Round 5. Have both parents walk you down the aisle. Dad - Bride - Mom 6. Have your husband-to-be escort you to the altar. 7. Don’t have bridesmaids or groomsmen - just the two of you. 8. Have an uneven number of attendants. (Maybe you just want a maid of honor, but he wants three groomsmen.) 9. Have a “man of honor” instead of a maid of honor. (Your brother? A good male friend?) 10. Have the groom choose a “best woman.” (His sister? A good female friend?) 11. Don’t wear a veil. 12. Have bridesmaids carry candles instead of bouquets as they walk down the aisle. Bridesmaids H...

How Formal Is Your Wedding?

The formal bridal party consists of four to twelve attendants; a maid or matron of honor, the best man, bridesmaids, one usher for every fifty guests, one or two flower girls, and a ring bearer. The bride's gown is a work of art, full length, usually with a train and veil. The number of guests is often between 150 and 400. It's not unusual for the bride and groom to enlist the aid of a wedding consultant in planning these lavish events. Some, but not all, of the guidelines shown above are relaxed in a semi-formal wedding. The ceremony and reception can take place in a variety of locations and both are often held at the same place. Semi-formal weddings usually have fewer attendants, and wedding attire and flowers may be less traditional and more innovative. How Formal Is Your Wedding? Formal weddings are usually held in a church, synagogue, temple, a hotel ballroom, home or a garden. These weddings follow a myriad of time- honored customs, preserved down to the las...

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