Weddings By Noel

WEDDINGS BY NOEL

Serving the Families of Stuart, Florida since 1982

Getting Married in Florida and “Legal Stuff” you should know…

Wedding Officiates ("Have Seal, Will Travel…")

Wedding Consulting: Etiquette and Free Information for Event Planning

Sample Wedding Ceremonies

Directions to the Office

Vendor List

GETTING MARRIED IN FLORIDA

(And “Legal Stuff” you should know…)

Believe it or not… Florida still does not require a blood test to get married. There is also no residency requirement and no waiting period for non-residents. There is a three day waiting period for Florida residents. All that is required is a wedding license, which can be obtained from any Clerk of the Circuit Court (at the Court House) in any county. The fee is usually $93.50, credit cards are accepted. If you are age 18 or older you can sign for yourself. Each county has a minimum age requirement (14 is the youngest that we know of). You must present a photo ID (driver's license or passport is acceptable). If you have been married before, you must furnish the date of death or divorce from your previous spouse. Most counties do not require a sealed document (death certificate or decree) if it has been more than one year, but it never hurts to have a copy with you, especially if you are coming from out of state. Once issued, the license is good anywhere in the state for 60 days. The State of Florida allows numerous officials to perform weddings, but there is no Justice of the Peace in Florida and the state does not permit captains of ships to perform marriage ceremonies (only in the movies). A large number of weddings are performed by Notary Publics. Please note that not all states are alike and laws differ from state to state. If you are married by a clergyman, you will need two witnesses to your wedding. If a public official performs the ceremony, no witnesses are required by law, but it does not hurt to have them. The type of ceremony is up to you. The license must be returned to its office of origin no later than 10 days after the ceremony by U.S. mail, and must be recorded in the Circuit Clerk’s office to be legally recognized. You will receive a certified copy in the mail after it is recorded.

WEDDING OFFICIATES

("Have Seal, Will Travel…")

Weddings by Noel can supply you with a Wedding Officiate who is experienced in the art of performing wedding ceremonies. They also have a background in wedding etiquette to get you through those awkward situations. We have both men and women available for your personal preferences. They can perform ceremonies in keeping with your personal specifications, long or short, fancy or plain, anyway you would like it to be. We write a personalized ceremony for each wedding so it fits the client's individual needs. We have a data bank of numerous ceremonies to choose from or you can supply your own. Our people are available 24 hours a day year round, including holidays, to adapt to your schedule and serve your needs. Small or large weddings are no problem, formal or casual, wherever or whenever you want it.

Please call us for more information at 1-772-283-1831, or feel free to email us at noel@weddingsbynoel.com.

ETIQUETTE AND FREE INFORMATION FOR EVENT PLANNING

The first thing any wedding professional should tell you is that "Etiquette Police" will not be coming to the wedding. But this does not mean you should abandon all the protocols that go with a wedding day. Etiquette is a social phenomenon which allows people to have a benchmark for their behavior in public situations. It is something that you can fall back on. It is there as a social safety net.

If you have a question that you cannot find the answer to in any standard wedding etiquette manual please feel free to email your question to me. If I cannot figure out a solution I will contact other wedding professionals around the country to find you an answer. I enjoy a challenge… that is what makes this job interesting!

The following is an example of how you might plan the main events of your wedding ceremony:

Order of Events for Main Ceremony

Groom's Mother escorted to seat (optional lighting of Unity candle)

Bride's Mother escorted to seat (optional lighting of Unity candle)

Processional:

Officiant

Groom

Best Man

Groomsman

Bridesmaids

Maid/ Matron of Honor

Ring Bearer

Flower Girl

Bride with Escort

Opening Remarks

Presentation of the Bride

Readings (optional)

Exchange of Vows

Exchange Rings

Unity Candle (optional)

Pronouncement and Introduction

Recessional:

Bride and Groom

Ring Bearer and Flower Girl

Best Man and Maid/Matron of Honor

Bride’s mother

Groom's Mother

Remaining Grandparents given priority

(End of Ceremony)

The Reception Timetable - "The Sit-down Dinner Model"

Introduction of the Wedding Party.

First Dance between the Bride & Groom.

Everyone takes their seat for dinner.

Best man toasts, followed by the eating of dinner.

Bride & Father dance.

Groom & Mother dance.

Cutting of the Wedding Cake.

Groom feeds Bride first piece of cake, followed by Bride feeding Groom first piece.

Partying commences in earnest.

Bride throws her bouquet.

Groom removes Bride's Garter, then throws it.

Serious partying continues until time to leave.

Bride and Groom leave for the Honeymoon Suite.

The Reception Timetable - "The Buffet Model"

Introduction of the Wedding Party.

First Dance between the Bride & Groom.

Bridal party to the buffet first, followed by family party, then guests.

Bride & Father dance.

Groom & Mother dance.

Best man toasts.

Cutting of the Wedding Cake.

Groom feeds Bride first piece of cake, followed by Bride feeding Groom first piece.

Partying commences in earnest.

Bride throws her bouquet.

Groom removes Bride's Garter, then throws it.

Serious partying continues until time to leave.

Bride and Groom leave for the Honeymoon Suite.

Over the years, this basic outline has saved a lot of tears and confusion. Most couples take for granted that the DJ, Photographer, and Caterer all know the schedule… Do not assume this! Better to make sure each vendor at the wedding is running on the same outline (give them each a copy). We have found this outline works well, but you are free to change it, and we hope it helps you. Good luck!

SAMPLE VOWS FOR WEDDING CEREMONIES

Besides planning the events of the main ceremony on the order as a whole, you'll also want to plan your ceremonial vows and customize them to suit your personal preferences. Please find below several sample formats, available for download as either zipped Microsoft Word™documents (Windows 95/Word 6.0 or newer) or for viewing and printing as plain text files in your browser.

Zipped Word™Documents:	Plain Text Files:
Religious Ceremony	Religious Ceremony
Civil Ceremony	Civil Ceremony
Religious/Civil Mix	Religious/Civil Mix

DIRECTIONS TO THE OFFICE

Weddings by Noel can be found at The Tux Shop, which is located in Martin County, Florida. We are on the East Coast less than one hour drive north of Palm Beach.

To get here via the Florida Turnpike:

GET OFF AT THE STUART EXIT.
HEAD EAST ON MARTIN DOWNS BOULEVARD (STRAIGHT OUT OF TOLL BOOTH).
GO OVER THE PALM CITY BRIDGE AND GO TO THE FIRST TRAFFIC LIGHT.
AT THE LIGHT, TURN RIGHT ONTO SR 76 AND PROCEED ONE MILE TO INDIAN STREET.
TURN LEFT ON INDIAN STREET, FOLLOW OVER US 1 AND ACROSS RAILROAD TRACKS.
WHEN YOU REACH THE INTERSECTION MARKED A1A AND DIXIE HIGHWAY, TURN RIGHT ONTO DIXIE HIGHWAY.
WELCOME! WE ARE IN HENDRY PLAZA ON YOUR RIGHT, AT 3182 SE DIXIE HIGHWAY.

To get here using I-95:

TAKE EXIT 101 AT MILE MARKER 100, TURN RIGHT OFF RAMP.
STAY ON THIS ROAD FOR 4 MILES, THEN TURN RIGHT ON INDIAN STREET.
FOLLOW INDIAN STREET OVER US 1 AND ACROSS RAILROAD TRACKS.
WHEN YOU REACH THE INTERSECTION MARKED A1A AND DIXIE HIGHWAY, TURN RIGHT ONTO DIXIE HIGHWAY.
WELCOME! WE ARE IN HENDRY PLAZA ON YOUR RIGHT, AT 3182 SE DIXIE HIGHWAY.

If you need special directions, please feel free to call for them at 1-772-283-1831.

VENDOR LIST

This is only a partial list of wedding vendors in my area; I recommend them only for the ease of my clients. You are free to choose whomever you want to work your wedding.

Bridal Consultant

Dream Concierge, Natazie, 561-818-8384

Bridal Gowns and Dresses

Special Events, Karen Boyles, 772-335-5763

Cakes

Sweet Tiers, Betty Baird, 772-546-8822

Caterers

Elegant Edibles, David Gould, 772-220-8806

Coordinator/Wedding Day

Joan Schroeder, 772-334-0781

Dry Cleaners

Cormans Cleaners, Glenn Minsky, 772-283-4678

Florist

Brandy's Flowers, Laurie, 772-334-2710 (toll free 1-800-780-2710)

Halls

Fairways Restaurant, CJ and Patty Adendruth, 772-229-5900

Monarch Country Club, Joanna Sasso-Hoover, 772-286-8447

River Palm Cottages, 772-334-0401 (toll free 1-800-305-0511)

Limo

Cobblestone Limousine, 772-286-2637

Music

Bagpipes, John McCloskey, 772-286-1314

Band, Eclipse, Steve Middleton, 561-746-4557

DJ, Paragon Entertainment, Lou Sarno, 772-334-0056

Harpist, Barbara Brundage, 772-229-5344

Rental (Tents and more)

Premier Part Rental, Gary Hendry, 772-781-4804 (toll free 1-888-34-PARTY)

Tuxedos and Formalwear

The Tux Shop, Noel, 772-283-0017

Video Services

Peter Zack, 561-433-8977