Here is an article that explains why a honeymoon is so necessary.  After your Wedding Ceremony at Old Church Wedding Chapel, don’t skimp on the honeymoon!

 

5 Reasons Why Your Honeymoon Is So Necessary

The honeymoon. What seems like a lavish vacation fantasy is, in fact, a much needed time in a newlywed’s life. Some skip the theatrics of a wedding and that’s okay. However, there is something special about a honeymoon that solidifies the bond between a couple. It includes an individualistic journey that entails entangling souls! I’ll explain.

1. Charting New Territory.

One of the first wedding planning tips I received was to book my honeymoon before anything else. My brother and sister-in-law said, “You just need too.” I’d heard the same thing from my boss who’d been married for over 40 years. She said, “it’s a time for you and your husband to reflect on what you have and where you are going.” So, in fact, that’s what I did. My husband doesn’t have the travel bug like I do so he left the planning up to me. I booked an all inclusive trip to the beautiful beaches of Playa Del Carmen. It would be my husband’s first time out of the country. He was just a little nervous. I guided him through each step from passport chronicles to packing to customs to transportation to the resort. Encountering new territory can be scary. However, having a supportive spouse can calm any worries that may arise. It was just me and my husband going on an adventure miles away from anyone we knew or loved! And so, the bonding began.

2. You Jump, I Jump Is True.

My husband is scared of water. However, he’s is an amazing underwater swimmer! Oxymoron much? YES! We had bought an excursion to snorkel in a cave, swim in a cenote, zip line, and ride ATVs. When we arrived at the cenote, I volunteered to zip line into the water first! I don’t know what came over me, but I said Today is the day that I’m conquering all my fears. After I got married, I said its all or nothing for everything in my life! If you know anything about me, you’d know that I always thought marriage was scary! I wanted it, but it had to be a planned and a matter of fact option for me. And when that time came, I did it! The new woman in me zip lined right into the water screaming bloody murder and came up rejuvenated. I look at my husband and asked him if he were going to do it. He said, “No, you’re crazy!” I said okay. That may be true, but I’ll jump with you. So, we jumped together as if we were Jack and Rose on the Titanic. For the rest of my life, I am committed to jumping if he jumps and vice versa! We’re in this for the long haul!

3. I Got Your Back Even If I’m Scared.

As we rode ATV’s to our next destination on the itinerary, I held on tight to my husband. We were flying over dirt hills and dodging trees in the Yucatán jungle. I grew up riding 4-wheelers and go-carts with my family so I wasn’t scared. It was just the whole riding versus driving thing that makes you a little apprehensive. I wasn’t in control! When we arrived at the Zip Lining tower, the anxiety that I’d left in my matron life, had arrived with me. As we climbed the stairway to heaven, Alex was behind me. I kept turning back asking him if he were scared. He’d say “no, we’ll be fine.” Let me just tell you, this was no ordinary zip line. I’d done those at various leadership workshops. This was a few steps closer to God. No matter how shaken we were, we held each other down! It’s relaxing to know that we have each other’s backs even if we’re scared.

3. I Got Your Back Even If I’m Scared.

As we rode ATV’s to our next destination on the itinerary, I held on tight to my husband. We were flying over dirt hills and dodging trees in the Yucatán jungle. I grew up riding 4-wheelers and go-carts with my family so I wasn’t scared. It was just the whole riding versus driving thing that makes you a little apprehensive. I wasn’t in control! When we arrived at the Zip Lining tower, the anxiety that I’d left in my matron life, had arrived with me. As we climbed the stairway to heaven, Alex was behind me. I kept turning back asking him if he were scared. He’d say “no, we’ll be fine.” Let me just tell you, this was no ordinary zip line. I’d done those at various leadership workshops. This was a few steps closer to God. No matter how shaken we were, we held each other down! It’s relaxing to know that we have each other’s backs even if we’re scared.

4. Being Independent Isn’t As Important.

Seven years. For seven years, I’ve literally grown up with my husband. We’ve learned how to pretty much do everything together. We’re still growing up together. While on our honeymoon, I got a little sick. Our plans of having an intimate dinner by the beach turned to trips back and forth to the bathroom. Alex was fine with this. While I whaling about what if I don’t get better, he was chilling, assuring me that it was probably something I ate and just needed to rest. I used to call my mom for this assurance. Now, he’s my confidant. In sickness and in health, we’re doing this!

5. We’re Gonna Fight This Out.

We’d scheduled a photo shoot on the beach that I was all too excited about. I had washed and straightened my weave, took an hour on my makeup and carefully prepped my outfit for the night! I was ready. Coming from a picture-taking-family, that’s what we do. Alex not so much. He was dragging to the session. At the end, I exploded and told him he was ruining my memory. The argument concluded with me storming off towards the beach at Dusk, him sending me a message via Snapchat (no cell phone service in Mexico). We met up at the bar, talked it out and kissed the night away. Couples fight. People love. People live. And we survive.

I encourage honeymoons. I don’t care where you go. A local bed and breakfast, a staycation, a trip abroad and more are sure to present some bonding moments that you will need on this journey of marriage. And if you’ve already honeymooned, perhaps it’s time to go again!

Read the full article here www.huffingtonpost.com

 

Planning a wedding is hard work. Consider using some of these apps to help you plan your ceremony at Old Church Wedding Chapel -Wedding Apps to Help You 

Planning a wedding is hard work, or so I assume. The closest I’ve ever been to wedding planning is watching Bride Wars and Made of Honor and I don’t think that counts. What I did learn from these movies, however, is that it can be a stressful time for the couple as they decide on every aspect of the event. From the gift registry to the seating chart, you will need some help in keeping track of progress and expenses, making sure you don’t miss anything. There are different journals you can use but what if you could have it all in your phone? Now there are wedding apps that help you organize everything you need so that 1. You have everything handy and 2. You don’t forget anything. If you’re in the middle of planning your big day, download some of these apps to get you started.

BG Bridal Gallery

Find inspiration for your big day with BG Bridal Gallery. Once you have your ideas in place, you can meet with one of their experts who will help you plan your wedding. Through the app you can also find venues, photographers, makeup artists, and flower services just to name a few. Kimi Juan has been using this app, making sure everything is in place while she travels.

Mint

Sticking to your budget can be difficult whether you’re planning an extravagant or an intimate wedding. There are a lot of expenses to consider so keep track of everything with Mint. You can segregate your budget into categories and it will alert you if you’re running out of funds and exceed your limit (hopefully it doesn’t come to that).

Veri

Hashtags being used on wedding photos make posts from the night viewable to anyone who was there. However, you can still miss moments taken by your guests if they forget to use the hashtag or typing errors occur. You can use Veri to create an album with all the pictures taken by your guests. They can share photos in real time and they are saved in the app. Once your wedding is done, sharing is stopped and you have a complete photo album.

WeddingHappy Wedding Planner

There are many tasks involved in planning your wedding like fixing the seating chart, booking a venue, tasting cake, and much more. Keeping track of all these things can be stressful so keep a to-do list tracker. WeddingHappy Wedding Planner also syncs with your contacts and phone calendar for overall efficiency.

Pantone Studio

Following the theme of your wedding, you have to decide the color palette that will be used. The color scheme that you choose will inspire the decoration, invites, bridesmaids’ dresses, etc. To help you pick the perfect hues and keep track that the one is being used, download Pantone Studio.

 

Read the full article preen.inquirer.net

Thinking about which flowers to use for your ceremony at our Wedding Chapel?  Here are some seasonal flowers to think about with their traditional meanings

Planning your wedding? In-season flowers rooted in symbolic meaning

There is no rule that if you are having a fall or winter wedding that you can only use fall and winter flowers for your décor. However, staying in season with your flowers is generally an easier path to take than the alternative.

It’s cheaper to obtain in-season perennials, and the overall quality of the plant is usually better when they haven’t had to travel far or be cultivated outside of their natural time period. Below are some fall and winter flowers that have a representative value aside from their aesthetic value.

Fall

Chrysanthemums (Mums)

The Chrysanthemum is also referred to as the “Queen of Fall Flowers,” and known to bloom in many colors. International flower delivery site, ftd.com, mentions that, though chrysanthemums have several different meanings depending on the culture and time period, the origins date back to Chinese culture where they were a symbol of joy and positivity.

Goldenrod

Though not widely known in the United States for its remedying properties—many associate it with allergies — flowerinfo.org mentions that other cultures recognize goldenrod for its medicinal properties that help alleviate high blood pressure and inflammation. The Goldenrod can be utilized in times when encouragement is needed, as it stands for good luck, hopefulness, and foresight.

Purple Aster

Asters, says ftd.com, relate to enchantment. The species was believed to drive away evil. However, they are also related to love and patience, which could be considered the two pavers of a healthy marriage. The purple aster variety made this list because it starts to bloom around late summer or early fall.

Sedum

The sedum, or stonecrop, ranges in color from neutral and soft pinks to electric purples and yellows. It may come as a surprise that a blossom with such bright colors can be associated with tranquility, as noted by languageofflowers.com and powerofflowers.com, but who couldn’t use a little serenity on their wedding day?

Winter

Winter Pansy

Winter pansies mainly come in the options of blue, yellow, or white. Don’t let the name fool you, these flowers can withstand being frozen in the winter, which is not a quality many other breeds can boast. Flowermeaning.com associates the pansy with notions of whimsy, free thinking and creativity.

Sweet Alyssum

As cool-season and low maintenance bloomer, Alyssum’s Greek meaning is very characteristic of its laid-back nature. Alyssum translates roughly to “sweetness of the soul” or “worth beyond beauty” and lifeisagarden.za.com acknowledges Alyssum for promoting emotional balance and lack of rage.

Camellia

In the United States, the camellia represents southern beauty, as it is the state flower of Alabama.

In China, it represents eternal love. Ftd.com says that the Chinese meaning emanates from the relationship of the camellia’s petals and calyx. When the camellia dies, the calyx falls away with the petals, unlike other perennials where the calyx stays intact.

Snowdrops

With white petals that face the ground, flowermeaning.com notes snowdrops suggest rebirth, hope, and purity.

Unsurprisingly, snowdrops are only available in white and work well with the theme of a frosty winter wonderland wedding.

 

Read the entire article here  portcitydaily.com

 

At Old Church Chapel, we are aware of many of these regrets couples have.  Our Wedding Chapel could be your perfect “no regrets” wedding venue.

The Biggest Wedding Regrets Couples Have

Weddings are supposed to be a time when a couple declares their commitment to each other and to their friends and family. The ceremony is meant to be a beautiful celebration of love. However, things don’t always go according to plan. Sometimes a wedding ends up not going as envisioned, leaving the bride and groom full of regret.

A survey by David’s Bridal found 24% of brides wish they had asked people giving speeches to keep it short, and roughly 14% wanted to tell at least one guest to back away from the bar. In yet another wedding survey, nearly 40% of brides said they had regrets about their hair and makeup, and 21% said they would have picked an entirely different wedding party (yikes!).

If you made a wedding mistake you wish you could take back, you’re not alone. Here are the biggest wedding regrets couples have.

We wish we would have eaten

After all the taste tests and money spent on catering, some couples completely forget to eat the day of their wedding. As CafeMom user Brenda recalled, “We would have actually eaten our catered dinner! We were so busy taking pictures, listening to speeches from family/friends, and visiting with guests that our first meal out as a married couple was at 1 a.m. after our wedding at Denny’s! We were starving!”

We blew our budget

The excitement of planning a wedding can cause you to spend money on some crazy things. One Mama Mia user admits she was more focused on how the event looked than on saving money. “To be honest, I didn’t set a budget, which was really mistake number one. This led to blowing the budget that was later agreed upon between my parents and I. We went way over because of all the shiny things, and the prettier, more special wedding dresses that were, of course, more expensive.”

I put myself under unnecessary stress

Stress is often an unavoidable part of getting ready for your big day. However, there are ways to manage it. One bride told Brides magazine that she regrets letting the stress overwhelm her and cast a dark shadow on her big day. “What I regret is spending so much time worrying about little details — the seating plan, the music, the bridesmaids’ dresses… In the end, all the stress I put myself through leading up to the big day was avoidable. Your wedding is perfect regardless of whether certain details don’t work out the way you planned.”

I didn’t give my dad a hug or kiss as he gave me away

Your parents are an important part of your day., so it only makes sense to ensure they know how much you appreciate them. Caitlin Krebs told Wedding Wire that she wishes she did more to let her father know how much she cared.

If you were to ever meet my dad, he would be wearing a blue button-up shirt, khaki shorts, and tennis shoes. Never in my 23 years have I ever seen him wear a suit and tie. As we walked down the aisle, we made every step last until he gave me away. He got so choked up that he sat down in a hurry. I didn’t get the chance to give him a hug or kiss. Thank goodness, my mom had a handkerchief waiting for him!

I wish people would have put their cellphones away

There’s a time and a place to use your cell phone — and a wedding ceremony is neither the time nor the place. Here’s what Reddit user Alex Godden had to say:

I wish I had asked the officiant to tell people to put their cell phones away. We have so many lovely shots of the ceremony, but in each one there are people in the background holding up cell phones, so you can’t see their faces. One of my friends even “helpfully” decided to video the whole thing, and so every single shot of her has a phone in front of her face. I feel really sad and a little offended that she was focused on that instead of listening to the ceremony and paying attention to our vows.

I wish we had been less formal

A formal wedding doesn’t work for everyone. Ashley W. told Darren Brown Photography she felt she would have been more comfortable if the ceremony was more relaxed.

I think the one thing I would go back and change is that our parents wanted more of a formal, large wedding and we would have preferred something smaller and less formal. We initially were going to rent a few chalets somewhere and just have a catered BBQ kind-of-thing. But our parents wanted us to invite the world and offered to pay for the whole dinner, as they knew we didn’t want to have crazy costs. So, it was a hard deal to turn down…but I wish we had kept it a little more informal.

We had too many wedding guests

Many couples feel pressured to invite the whole town when it’s time to say “I do.” But it’s best to only invite the people who have had a significant impact on you. One bride told The Knot she found this out the hard way. “I regret letting the wedding become bigger than we originally wanted it. While I loved our entire wedding day, I always felt we didn’t give enough face time to all our guests.”

Read the full article here www.cheatsheet.com

We have installed a sound system as part of our renovation and restoration of Old Church Chapel.  You provide your own music, nobody is limited to the choices we have on hand – it’s one of the benefits of having your wedding ceremony at our Wedding Chapel.

When you imagine walking down the aisle into the arms of the love of your life, what music do you hear playing? No doubt about it, every bride daydreams about the wedding processional songs she might choose for the moment her parents, bridal party, and finally she herself will walk down the aisle. It’s no wonder why; wedding march songs set the tone for the entire ceremony. Here are 115 wedding processional songs in every genre, including traditional, contemporary, country, Disney inspired, movie inspired, and instrumental.

115 Wedding Processional Songs

Traditional Wedding Processional Songs

1. “Canon in D,” by Johann Pachelbel

2. “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring,” by Johann Sebastian Bach

3. “Ave Maria,” by Franz Schubert

4. “Clair de Lune,” by Claude Debussy

5. “Arioso,” by Johann Sebastian Bach

6. “Fur Elise,” by Ludwig Van Beethoven

7. “Spring,” by Antonio Vivaldi

8. “Ode to Joy,” by Ludwig Van Beethoven

9. “Here Comes the Bride (Bridal Chorus),” by Richard Wagner

10. “Trumpet Voluntary (Prince of Denmark’s March),” by Jeremiah Clarke

12. “Solomon, HWV 67: The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba,” by Georg Friedrich Handel

12. “Solomon, HWV 67: The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba,” by Georg Friedrich Handel

13. “Appalachian Spring Suite,” by Aaron Copland

14. “Thais Meditation,” by Jules Massenet

15. “Love Theme from Romeo and Juliet,” by Nino Rota

16. “Music for the Royal Fireworks, HWV 351,” by Georg Friedrich Handel

17. “Butterfly Waltz,” by Brian Crain

18. “Trumpet Tune in D Major,” by Henry Purcell

19. “Gymnopédie No.1,” by Erik Satie

20. “Prelude-Largo,” by Georg Friedrich Handel

Contemporary Wedding Processional Songs

21. “Say You Won’t Let Go,” by Boyce Avenue

“I’m so in love with you and I hope you know darling your love is more than worth its weight in gold. We’ve come so far my dear, look how we’ve grown and I wanna stay with you until we’re gray and old. Just say you won’t let go. Just say you won’t let go. I wanna live with you even when we’re ghosts ’cause you were always there for me when I needed you most.”

22. “Higher Love,” by James Vincent McMorrow

“I could light the night up with my soul on fire. I could make the sun shine from pure desire. Let me feel that love come over me, let me feel how strong it could be. Bring me a higher love.”

23. “Hymn for the Weekend,” by Coldplay

“Oh, angel sent from up above, you know you make my world light up. When I was down, when I was hurt, you came to lift me up. Life is a drink and love’s a drug, oh now I think I must be miles up. When I was a river dried up you came to rain a flood and said drink from me, drink from me, when I was so thirsty. Pour on a symphony, now I just can’t get enough. Put your wings on me.”

24. “I Choose You,” by Sara Bareilles

“But then you found me and everything changed and I believe in something again. My whole heart will be yours forever. This is a beautiful start to a lifelong love letter. Tell the world that we finally got it all right. I choose you. I will become yours and you will become mine. I choose you. I choose you.”

25. “Fallin’ for You,” by Colbie Caillat

“I’ve been spending all my time just thinking about ya. I don’t know what to do, I think I’m fallin’ for you. I’ve been waiting all my life and now I found ya. I don’t know what to do, I think I’m fallin’ for you. I’m fallin’ for you. As I’m standing here and you hold my hand, pull me towards you and we start to dance. All around us I see nobody. Here in silence it’s just you and me.”

26. “Endless Love,” by Luther Vandross and Mariah Carey

“My love, there’s only you in my life, the only thing that’s right. My first love, you’re every breath I take. You’re every step I make and I want to share all my love with you, no one else will do. And your eyes they tell me how much you care. Oh, yes, you’ll always be my endless love.”

27. “Wonderful Tonight,” by Eric Clapton

“I feel wonderful because I see the love light in your eyes and the wonder of it all is that you just don’t realize how much I love you.”

28. “Where Are You Going,” by Dave Matthews Band

“Where are you going, where do you go? Are you looking for answers to questions under the stars. Well if along the way you are grown weary you can rest with me until a brighter day when you’re okay. I am no superman, I have no answers for you. I am no hero, and that’s for sure, but I know one thing, that where you are, is where I belong. I do know where you go is where I want to be.”

29. “How Does a Moment Last Forever,” by Céline Dion

“How does a moment last forever? How can a story never die? It is love we must hold onto never easy, but we try. Sometimes our happiness is captured. Somehow, our time and place stand still. Love lives on inside our hearts and always will.”

30. “Beautiful Day,” by U2

“It’s a beautiful day, don’t let it get away. It’s a beautiful day. Touch me, take me to that other place. Teach me, I know I’m not a hopeless case.”

31. “I Love You,” by Sarah McLachlan

“I have a smile stretched from ear to ear to see you walking down the road. We meet at the lights. I stare for a while. The world around us disappears. Just you and me on my island of hope.”

32. “All You Need is Love,” by the Beatles

“All you need is love. All you need is love. All you need is love, love. Love is all you need.”

33. “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles),” by Sleeping at Last

“When I wake up, well, I know I’m gonna be, I’m gonna be the man who wakes up next to you. When I go out, yeah, I know I’m gonna be, I’m gonna be the man who goes along with you. If I get drunk, well, I know I’m gonna be, I’m gonna be the man who gets drunk next to you. And if I haver, hey, I know I’m gonna be, I’m gonna be the man who’s havering to you. But I would walk five hundred miles and I would walk five hundred more just to be the man who walked a thousand miles to fall down at your door.”

34. “There Will Be Time,” by Baaba Maal featuring Mumford and Sons

“There is a time, a time to love, a time to sing, a time to shine. A time to leave, a time to stay. There is a time, a time to cry, a time to love, a time to live. There is a time, a time to sing, a time to love. And in the cold light, I live to love and adore you. It’s all that I am, it’s all that I have. In the cold light, I live, I only live for you. It’s all that I am, it’s all that I have. Why do I keep falling?”

35. “Good Life,” by OneRepublic

“There is a time, a time to love, a time to sing, a time to shine. A time to leave, a time to stay. There is a time, a time to cry, a time to love, a time to live. There is a time, a time to sing, a time to love. And in the cold light, I live to love and adore you. It’s all that I am, it’s all that I have. In the cold light, I live, I only live for you. It’s all that I am, it’s all that I have. Why do I keep falling?”

36. “The Power of Love,” by Celine Dion

“I’m your lady and you are my man. Whenever you reach for me I’ll do all that I can. Lost is how I’m feeling lying in your arms. When the world outside’s too much to take that all ends when I’m with you. Even though there may be times it seems I’m far away never wonder where I am ’cause I am always by your side.”

37. “Lucky,” by Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat

“They don’t know how long it takes waiting for a love like this. Every time we say goodbye I wish we had one more kiss. I’ll wait for you, I promise you I will. I’m lucky I’m in love with my best friend, lucky to have been where I have been, lucky to be coming home again.”

“I feel it in my soul. The stars were burning so bright. The sun was out ’til midnight. I say we lose control. This is gonna be the best day of my life.”

39. “Better Together,” by Us the Duo

“Love is the answer, at least for most of the questions in my heart, like why are we here? And where do we go? And how come it’s so hard? It’s not always easy and sometimes life can be deceiving, I’ll tell you one thing, it’s always better when we’re together.”

40. “Hanging by a Moment,” by Lifehouse

“Forgetting all I’m lacking, completely incomplete, I’ll take your invitation, you take all of me. Now I’m falling even more in love with you, letting go of all I’ve held onto. I’m standing here until you make me move, I’m hanging by a moment here with you. I’m livin’ for the only thing I know, I’m running here and I’m not quite sure where to go. And I don’t know what I’m diving into, just hanging by a moment here with you.”

Country Wedding Processional Songs

41. “Amazed,” by Lonestar

“Every time our eyes meet this feeling inside me is almost more than I can take. Baby, when you touch me I can feel how much you love me and it just blows me away. I’ve never been this close to anyone or anything, I can hear your thoughts, I can see your dreams. I don’t know how you do what you do. I’m so in love with you. It just keeps getting better. I want to spend the rest of my life with you by my side, forever and ever—every little thing that you do, baby, I’m amazed by you.”

42. “In Case You Didn’t Know,” by Brett Young

“In case you didn’t know baby I’m crazy ’bout you and I would be lying if I said that I could live this life without you. Even though I don’t tell you all the time you had my heart a long, long time ago. In case you didn’t know you’ve got all of me, I belong to you. Yeah you’re my everything.”

43. “When I Say I Do,” by Clint Black and Lisa Hartman Black

“There must be a God, I believe it’s true, ’cause I can see His love when I look at you. And He must have a plan for this crazy life ’cause He brought you here and placed you by my side. And I have never been so sure of anything before, like I am in this moment here with you. And now, for better or for worse, so much more than only words and I pray every day will be the proof that I mean what I say when I say I do.”

44. “I Run to You,” by Lady Antebellum

45. “First Love Song,” by Luke Bryan

“This is my first love song, first time I felt the words, first time I sang along. Whenever it comes on, I just think of you. And everything you do. You’re my one, my from now on. My first love song. Baby I’m not who I was. You gave me your love and it woke me up, made me more aware of somethin’ deep inside, something that I have, a life I wanna share.”

46. “To Make You Feel My Love,” by Garth Brooks

“When the rain is blowing in your face and the whole world is on your case, I could offer you a warm embrace to make you feel my love.”

47. “God Gave Me You,” by Blake Shelton

“God gave me you for the ups and downs. God gave me you for the days of doubt and for when I think I’ve lost my way there are no words here left to say, it’s true. God gave me you.”

48. “I Do,” by Jessie James Decker

“We’ll always be together, I promise you this. You found me in the darkest night. You’re my angel, you saved my life. I can’t believe we’re standing here. What’s mine is yours, and yours is mine. I love you till the end of time. I wanna spend forever with you. I do.”

“I’m gonna be here for you from now on, this you know somehow. You’ve been stretched to the limits but it’s alright now. And I’m gonna make you a promise—if there’s life after this I’m gonna be there to meet you with a warm, wet kiss.”

50. “Me and You,” by Kenny Chesney

“Like a perfect scene from a movie screen where every dream comes true, suited perfectly for eternity: me and you. Every day, I need you even more, at the nighttime too. There’s no way I could ever let you go, even if I wanted to.”

51. “Cowboy Take Me Away,” by Dixie Chicks

“I said, cowboy take me away, fly this girl as high as you can into the wild blue. Set me free, oh, I pray, closer to heaven above and closer to you—closer to you.”

52. “I Do (Cherish You),” by Mark Wills

“All I am, all I’ll be, everything in this world, all that I’ll ever need is in your eyes, shining at me. When you smile I can feel all my passion unfolding. Your hand brushes mine and a thousand sensations seduce me ’cause I, I do, cherish you for the rest of my life. You don’t have to think twice.”

53. “Forever and Ever, Amen,” by Randy Travis

“Oh, baby, I’m gonna love you forever, forever and ever, amen. As long as old men sit and talk about the weather, as long as old women sit and talk about old men. If you wonder how long I’ll be faithful I’ll be happy to tell you again—I’m gonna love you forever and ever, forever and ever, amen.”

54. “When You Say Nothing at All,” by Alison Kraus and Union Station

“It’s amazing how you can speak right to my heart. Without saying a word, you can light up the dark. Try as I may I could never explain what I hear when you don’t say a thing. The smile on your face lets me know that you need me. There’s a truth in your eyes saying you’ll never leave me. The touch of your hand says you’ll catch me if wherever I fall. You say it best when you say nothing at all.”

55. “From This Moment,” by Shania Twain

“From this moment life has begun, from this moment you are the one. Right beside you is where I belong from this moment on. From this moment, I have been blessed. I live only, for your happiness and for your love, I give my last breath.”

56. “Makin’ Plans,” by Miranda Lambert

“If I wasn’t by your side I’d never be satisfied. Nothin’ would feel just right if I wasn’t by your side. ‘Cause I’m not easy to understand but you know me like the back of your hand. I’m your girl and you’re my man and we’re makin’ plans. We can go on and on, won’t ever feel too long. I’ll always call you home and we’ll go on and on.”

57. “A Love That Will Never Grow Old,” by Emmylou Harris

“I know a love that will never grow old. When you wake up the world may have changed but trust in me, I’ll never falter or fail. Just the smile in your eyes, it can light up the night, and your laughter’s like wind in my sails.”

58. “Walk Through This World With Me,” by George Jones

“Walk through this world with me, go where I go. Share all my dreams with me. I need you so. In life we search and some of us find. I’ve looked for you a long, long time and now that I’ve found you new horizons I see. Come take my hand and walk through this world with me.”

59. “Always,” by Patsy Cline

“I’ll be loving you, always. With a love that’s true, always. When the things you plan need a helping hand I will understand, always.”

60. “Breathe,” by Faith Hill

“All my thoughts just seem to settle on the breeze when I’m lying wrapped up in your arms. The whole world just fades away. The only thing I hear is the beating of your heart. ‘Cause I can feel you breathe, it’s washing over me and suddenly I’m melting into you. There’s nothing left to prove. Baby, all we need is just to be caught up in the touch, slow and steady rush. Baby, isn’t that the way that love’s supposed to be. I can feel you breathe, just breathe.”

Instrumental Wedding Processional Songs

61. “Wonderwall,” by Guitar Tribute Players

62. “More Than Words,” by Orinoco Haven

63. “Thinking Out Loud,” by the Guitar Dreamers

64. “A Sky Full of Stars,” by the Piano Guys

65. “Take Me to Church,” by Simply Three

66. “I’m Yours,” by the Vitamin String Quartet

67. “Get Lucky,” by the Vitamin String Quartet

68. “Uptown Funk,” by the Vitamin String Quartet

69. “Here Comes the Sun,” by Fred Benedetti

70. “Viva La Vida,” by 2Cellos

71. “Fields of Gold,” by 2Cellos

72. “A Day Without Rain,” by Enya

73. “All of Me,” by Daniel Jang

74. “Beethoven’s 5 Secrets,” by the Piano Guys

75. “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” by Trio Comodo

76. “I’m Yours,” by Stringspace Orchestra

77. “Stand By Me,” by Stringspace Orchestra

78. “Clocks,” by 2Cellos and Lang Lang

79. “Hymne,” by the O’Neill Brothers

80. “Pachelbel Meets U2,” by Jon Schmidt

Disney-Inspired Wedding Processional Songs

81. “Beauty and the Beast,” from Beauty and the Beast

“Tale as old as time, true as it can be. Barely even friends, then somebody bends. Unexpectedly, just a little change, small to say the least. Both a little scared, neither one prepared, beauty and the beast.”

82. “When You Wish Upon a Star,” from Pinocchio

“When you wish upon a star makes no difference who you are, anything your heart desires will come to you.”

83. “Can You Feel the Love Tonight,” from The Lion King

“And can you feel the love tonight? It is where we are. It’s enough for this wide-eyed wanderer that we got this far and can you feel the love tonight?”

84. “A Whole New World,” from Aladdin

“A whole new world, a new fantastic point of view. No one to tell us no or where to go or say we’re only dreaming. A whole new world, a dazzling place I never knew, but when I’m way up here it’s crystal clear that now I’m in a whole new world with you.”

85. “So This Is Love,” from Cinderella

“So this is love, so this is love, so this is what makes life divine. I’m all aglow and now I know the key to all heaven is mine. My heart has wings and I can fly. I’ll touch every star in the key. So this is the miracle that I’ve been dreaming of.”

86. “A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes,” from Cinderella

“A dream is a wish your heart makes when you’re fast asleep. In dreams you lose your heartaches, whatever you wish for, you keep. Have faith in your dreams and someday your rainbow will come smiling through. No matter how your heart is grieving if you keep on believing the dream that you wish will come true.”

87. “Ten Minutes Ago,” from Cinderella

“Ten minutes ago I saw you, I looked up when you came through the door. My head started reeling, you gave me the feeling the room had no ceiling or floor. Ten minutes ago I met you and we murmured our how-do-you-do’s. I wanted to ring out the bells and fling out my arms and to sing out the news.”

88. “You’ve Got a Friend in Me,” from Toy Story

“You’ve got a friend in me. You’ve got troubles, and I’ve got ’em too. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you. We stick together and can see it through ’cause you’ve got a friend in me.”

89. “Some Day My Prince Will Come,” from Snow White

“Some day my prince will come. Some day we’ll meet again, and away to his castle we’ll go to be happy forever I know. Some day when spring is here we’ll find our love anew and the birds will sing and wedding bells will ring. Some day when my dreams come true.”

90. “Kiss the Girl,” from The Little Mermaid

“There you see her, sitting there across the way. She don’t got a lot to say but there’s something about her and you don’t know why but you’re dying to try, you wanna kiss girl. Yes, you want her, look at her, you know you do. It’s possible she wants you, too, there’s one way to ask her. It don’t take a word, not a single word: Go on and kiss the girl.”

91. “Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World,” from 50 First Dates

92. *”City of Stars,” from La La Land

“A look in somebody’s eyes to light up the skies to open the world and send it reeling. A voice that says, I’ll be here and you’ll be alright. I don’t care if I know just where I will go ’cause all that I need is this crazy feeling, a rat-tat-tat on my heart, think I want it to stay.”

93. “A Thousand Years,” from Twilight

“Time stands still, beauty in all she is. I will be brave. I will not let anything, take away what’s standing in front of me. Every breath, every hour has come to this, one step closer. I have died every day, waiting for you. Darling, don’t be afraid, I have loved you for a thousand years. I’ll love you for a thousand more.”

94. “All I Ask of You,” from Phantom of the Opera

“No more talk of darkness, forget these wide-eyed fears. I’m here, nothing can harm you, my words will warm and calm you. Let me be your freedom, let daylight dry your tears. I’m here, with you, beside you, to guard you and to guide you. Say you love me every waking moment, turn my head with talk of summertime. Say you need me with you now and always. Promise me that all you say is true, that’s all I ask of you.”

95. “Kissing You,” from Romeo & Juliet

“‘Cause I’m kissing you, oh, I’m kissing you. Touch me deep, pure and true, gift to me forever. ‘Cause I’m kissing you, oh I’m kissing you.”

96. “Everlasting Love,” from The Parent Trap

“Loving you is some kind of wonderful because you showed me just how much you care. You’ve given me the thrill of a lifetime and made me believe you’ve got more thrills to spare, oh! This will be an everlasting love.”

97. “Some Enchanted Evening,” from South Pacific

“Some enchanted evening, someone may be laughing. You may hear her laughing across a crowded room and night after night, as strange as it seems the sound of her laughter will sing in your dreams. Who can explain it, who can tell you why,fools give you reasons, wise men never try.”

98. “I Wanna Grow Old With You,” from The Wedding Singer

“I’ll get your medicine when your tummy aches, build you a fire if the furnace breaks. Oh it could be so nice, growing old with you. I’ll miss you, kiss you, give you my coat when you are cold. Need you, feed you, even let ya hold the remote control.”

99. “One Hand, One Heart,” from West Side Story

“Make of our hands one hand, make of our hearts one heart. Make of our vows one last vow: only death will part us now.”

100. “Because You Loved Me,” from Up Close and Personal

“For all those times you stood by me, for all the truth that you made me see, for all the joy you brought to my life, for all the wrong that you made right. For every dream you made come true, for all the love I found in you, I’ll be forever thankful baby. You’re the one who held me up, never let me fall. You’re the one who saw me through, through it all. You were my strength when I was weak. You were my voice when I couldn’t speak. You were my eyes when I couldn’t see. You saw the best there was in me, lifted me up when I couldn’t reach. You gave me faith ’cause you believed. I’m everything I am because you loved me.”

101. “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life,” from Dirty Dancing

“I’ve been waiting for so long now I finally found someone to stand me. This could be love because I’ve had the time of my life, no I never felt this way before. I swear it’s the truth and I owe it all you to you.”

102. “My Girl,” from Father of the Bride

“I’ve got sunshine on a cloudy day. When it’s cold outside I’ve got the month of May. Well I guess you’d say ‘what can make me feel this way?’ My girl, talkin’ ’bout my girl.”

“Moon river, wider than a mile, I’m crossing you in style someday. You dream maker, you heart breaker: Wherever you’re going I’m going your way. Two drifters off to see the world, there’s such a lot of world to see. We’re after the same rainbow’s end, waiting round the bend, my huckleberry friend, moon river and me.”

104. “Anyone Else But You,” from Juno

“You’re a part-time lover and a full-time friend. The monkey on your back is the latest trend. I don’t see what anyone can see in anyone else but you. I kiss you on the brain in the shadow of the train. I kiss you all starry eyed, my body’s swinging from side to side. I don’t see what anyone can see in anyone else but you.”

105. “Take My Breath Away,” from Top Gun

Watching I keep waiting still anticipating love, never hesitating to become the fated ones. Turning and returning to some secret place to hide. Watching in slow motion as you turn to me and say ‘take my breath away.'”

Movie Scores to Walk Down the Aisle To

108. “He’s a Pirate,” from Pirates of The Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

109. “The Lake,” from The Notebook

110. “Stars and Butterflies,” from Pride and Prejudice

113. “The Lord of the Rings Trilogy,” from The Lord of the Rings

114. “Maestro,” from The Holiday

Real Brides on What Wedding Processional Songs They Chose and Why

Akvile and Zane DeFazio: “Love’s Carvings”

Newly married couple Akvile and Zane DeFazio chose “Lover’s Carvings” by Bibio. “The song was sentimental to us and resembled our relationship. In addition, the song splits into two: During the first part, we had our wedding party walk down the aisle, and then after the brief pause and shift in tempo in the song, my dad and I began the wedding march down the aisle,” said Akvile.

Jessie and Brandon Roos: “I Love You Always Forever”

“Everything about my wedding was traditional, except for my processional song. I chose ‘I Love You, Always Forever’ by Donna Lewis because when I heard it on the radio in the midst of planning the wedding, I envisioned myself walking down the aisle to it. I still get goose bumps every time I hear it,” says Jessie.

Dee Dee and John Haury: “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring”

Dee Dee Haury chose a traditional song to walk down the aisle to: “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring.” “Just listen to it. It’s beautiful, timeless, and classical. I had such a beautiful wedding, marriage, and life covenant with an exceptional man. I was blessed and thankful daily, and I knew our love was a divine gift from God,” says Dee Dee.

Reynaley Buenaventura and Josh Madrigal: “Never Stop”

“I chose SafetySuit’s ‘Never Stop (Wedding Version).’ The song is a vow to never stop doing the simple things that made you fall in love with the person you’re marrying. No matter the rough patches and no matter how old we get, we’ll never stop continuing to fall in love with each other,” says Reynaley.

 

Read the entire article at www.brides.com

So you planned the perfect Wedding Ceremony at Old Church Wedding Chapel, now the reception…..

Who Gives Speeches at the Wedding Reception?

Before you get to the dancing, there’s a big wedding tradition you won’t want to miss: the toasts! If they’re done well, they can be one of the most memorable and cherished parts of the reception, so make sure to carve out time for them when you’re arranging the evening’s timeline. Not sure how much time to allow or who to tap to give a speech? We’re here to break down the toast basics.

Successful wedding toasts are all about proper planning. While impromptu speeches can be sweet, you won’t want to keep your guests away from the dance floor for too long, so leave the open mic at the rehearsal dinner and begin by designating exactly who you want to have speak at your reception. The key speakers are your parents, the maid of honor, the best man, and the two of you. Here’s how to break down who gives speeches at weddings.

Whoever is hosting the event should speak first, and should take the microphone as soon as guests have found their seats. This first toast is most often made by the parents (or father) of the bride, and should combine both a toast to the happy couple and a welcome message to the guests. If you would like the parents of the groom to speak, they should do so following the parents of the bride. For same-sex weddings, it’s up to the couple to decide whose parent’s should kick off the evening.

If you are inviting someone to bless the meal, do so immediately after the welcome toasts, but before dinner is served.

The Best Man and Maid of Honor’s Toasts

The best man usually speaks toward the end of dinner—while guests are still seated but after entrées have been served. This way there are no interruptions from waitstaff clearing or serving, but guests are still paying attention. If you aren’t having a seated dinner, wait until the servers have settled from making the rounds of passed hors d’oeuvres or until you see that everyone has gotten something to munch on from the buffet table or food truck.

The Newlyweds’ Toast

Of course, the two of you should take the mic to thank your parents and your guests for celebrating with you! You can speak right after your maid of honor and best man, or wait to make a speech once you’ve gotten up to cut the cake.

Key Tips

While you can’t ensure that every toast will be totally memorable, there are a few steps you can take to help it all run smoothly. First, give your speakers some advance notice. A few months before the wedding, invite them to say something. This will give them plenty of time to jot down their ideas and perfect what they’re going to say. Second, provide a time limit! The sweet spot for a toast is three to five minutes—enough time to share a story and a sweet sentiment, but not so long that guests lose interest. Finally, let each person know when they’ll be speaking. This way they can make sure to be ready when their time comes, and maybe hold off on that extra glass of wine until after they’ve made their remarks.

Read the entire article at www.brides.com

Wedding Chapels such as Old Church Chapel are becoming tremendously popular for wedding ceremonies.  Apparently Honeymoon Trends are changing also.  Here is an interesting article.

Honeymoon trends changing idea of traditional trip

With the demands of planning a wedding, what often comes next can be overlooked or seem overwhelming to plan. But booking a honeymoon can be an important part of the wedding planning process and ensure some much-needed relaxation following the big day.

“It’s a very special time,” says Lisa Deal of Deal Travel and Cruises LLC in Savannah, Missouri. “We want it to be as stress-free as possible.”

An average of 1.4 million couples nationwide takes a honeymoon each year, including 99 percent of couples who have a “traditional wedding,” according to trip planning resource Trip Savvy.

The trip is booked, on average, four months before the wedding, at an average cost of $4,466. Popular destinations include Hawaii, Florida, Mexico and the Bahamas.

“For sure, the Caribbean and Mexico are popular for all-inclusive’s,” Deal says. “We do a little bit of cruising, and we do Hawaii. That is a big one.”

In her experience, trips start at around $2,800 and average approximately $3,500 per couple, Deal says. During 30 years in the business, she has seen a large increase in all-inclusive trips.

“A lot of times, couples are young and so they might have a limited income. They are maybe watching that budget,” Deal says. “They don’t want a huge bill when they are leaving the resort. The all-inclusive covers the booze, beverages, and food. They really like that.”

Deal recommends beginning the travel plans about 11 months in advance, although some flights might not be available until later. Utilizing a travel service can help reduce stress and work and open up additional discounts, perks, and services, she says.

“The internet is a good way to do a little bit of research as far as maybe what kind of resort they want,” Deal says.

While looking online for ideas is a great way to start, Deal suggests using a travel agent to make the final plans.

“We are going to be looking out for your best interest,” Deal says. “We are going to do a lot of things behind the scenes that a computer isn’t going to do for you. We have a relationship between us and the tour companies. You are just getting someone to work for you and have your back.”

Off-the-beaten path honeymoon ideas include road trips, a small mini-moon after the wedding followed by a larger honeymoon several months later, a river cruise, an eco-tourism honeymoon and a volunteer honeymoon to help give back.

Ultimately, it’s up to what the couple wants.

 

Read the full article at  www.newspressnow.com

At Old Church Chapel, we are often asked how to incorporate the memory of a loved one into a wedding ceremony held at our Wedding Chapel. Here are 10 great ideas.

Here is a great article that discusses some options:

10 beautiful ways to remember lost loved ones on your wedding day

The loss of a loved one can feel all the more tough on special occasions, a wedding day being one event where the thoughts of a friend or relative who has passed are all the more amplified.

While there are of course no words or actions to make up for the absence of a parent, family member or friend on such a monumental occasion, there are ways of honoring their memories which can help couples and guests to enjoy the day while also taking time to reflect.

1. Display their photo(s) on a table with your wedding guest book

The way most couples choose to remember lost loved ones on their wedding day is usually with a display of framed photographs on a table where guests can come to reflect as they enter the ceremony or reception venue. It’s a nice idea to pop the photos beside the guest book so that guests can see them as they add their best wishes to the couple with the memories of their loved ones in mind.

2. Save a seat at your ceremony

A beautiful idea for the ceremony is to reserve a place where your loved one would have been seated. A large framed photo along with an item that would remind people of them is a nice way to feel them there without having to say anything.

3. Carry a photo locket on your bouquet or button hole, cufflinks or shoes

Brides and grooms in the past have come up with some amazing ways to hold their dearest near them on their big day, whether through the addition of a gorgeous photo locket on a bouquet or a photo pocket watch on a suit. Some brides who had lost their father before their wedding have pinned tiny photo lockets to the back of their shoes as a way to ‘walk’ down the aisle with their dad on the day.

4. Wear a piece of their jewelry

Wearing something that belonged to a loved one, or incorporating some of their jewelry or clothing into a wedding outfit is a wonderful way to keep their memory alive on the big day. Wearing a ring or a watch, or having a piece of their wedding dress incorporated into the bride’s gown, are all wonderful ways to carry a loved one with you as you enjoy the celebrations.

5. Make a toast with their favorite tipple

No doubt your lost loved ones will be mentioned in the wedding speeches, but if it’s possible, a toast to their memories using their favorite tipple is a lovely way to allow everyone a moment to consider someone who has passed. Remember it doesn’t have to be alcohol! A glass of cidona, orange, hot water and lemon or whatever beverage you most associate with your loved one will go down equally well!

6. Serve their signature dish as part of the wedding meal

Even the worst cooks among us have a signature dish, and while you maybe don’t want to serve beans on toast as your main for your fancy wedding celebrations, finding a way to incorporate the dish your loved one is most famous for can be a fun way to honor their memory. Think of your canapés as a way to include something a bit different ie ‘Chicken skewers with Dad’s famous bread sauce’, ‘Mam’s crowd-pleasing pigs in blankets’ or serve up ‘Nan’s comforting Christmas trifle’ as part of your dessert.

7. Light a candle in their memory

Keep a candle burning from the ceremony to the night in memory of your loved ones, surrounded by photos of them where guests can come to reflect throughout the celebrations.

8. Hold a ‘special’ dance in their honor

Not having someone there for specific traditions can be very difficult, and many people who have lost a father will know the idea of not having a father-daughter dance is a tough one to accept. Holding a special dance in honor of a lost loved one can be a lovely way to honor their memory after the traditional first dance if you choose to have one, and how you go about it is all up to you. Pop on their favorite showband hit and get everyone jiving on the floor or ask a friend or relative or siblings to stand in for somebody for a slow dance.

9. Donate to their favorite charity in lieu of favors – If your loved one had a special charity they liked to donate to, you can incorporate this into your day by donating to the charity. Many people opt to do this for charities in lieu of traditional favors, and some of the bigger Irish charities can supplier cards to display informing guests of the couple’s wishes.

10. Take a moment out

Simply taking a designated moment in the morning or evening to think about the people who should have been there could help to get through the day and celebrate with them in mind. Take a moment to yourself away from guests to reflect in your own personal way, whether that’s saying a few words, thinking quietly, writing, drawing or however else you like to remember your lost loved one.

 

Read the entire article here www.independent.ie

Here is an interesting article from Brides.com about Jasmine and how to use this wonderful flower in your wedding ceremony.

 

Flower of the Week: Jasmine

 

Seasonality:

Although there are hundreds of varieties throughout the world, the common jasmine is widely available in the U.S. from late spring to early fall.

Most jasmine has a trailing, vine-like quality, which makes it well suited to loose, romantic bouquets and centerpieces.

Shelf life:

Jasmine foliage and flowers are quite delicate and prone to drying out in the heat. Keep cut pieces in water as long as possible and spritz occasionally with a spray bottle to freshen up.

Colors:

The buds of common jasmine are pale pink (the flower closes at night time), and the flowers themselves are white.

Price: $$-$$$

Common jasmine is relatively inexpensive, but it can sometimes be tricky to find large pieces that are cut. One option is to buy a larger plant and trim the vine from there (or if it’s in the height of the season, find it growing wild).

It works well with:

Jasmine pairs nicely with other romantic late spring and summer blooms like peonies, garden roses, and ranunculi. Because the vine can be a bit cumbersome in large quantities, it’s best to keep jasmine as a smaller accent in a bouquet or as a very simple, trailing centerpiece.

Read the entire article at www.brides.com