Being a wedding officiant in Charleston, SC, I am asked to explain the many different personalized 
mini-ceremonies couples can place in their ceremony. I want to introduce the rose ceremony to you today! During a beach elopement I held the roses until we were ready to use them. However, it is more traditional to have the mothers hold the roses, and bring them up to give to the bride and groom when directed to do so.
The wording to the Rose ceremony is:
Rose Ceremony
Your gift to each other for your wedding today has been your wedding rings – which shall always be an outward demonstration of your vows of love and respect; and a public showing of your commitment to each other.
You now have what remains the most honorable title which may exist between a man and a woman – the title of “husband” and “wife.” For your first gift as husband and wife, that gift will be a single rose.
In the past, the rose was considered a symbol of love and a single rose always meant only one thing – it meant the words “I love you.” So it is appropriate that for your first gift – as husband and wife – that gift would be a single rose.
Please exchange your first gift as husband and wife. In some ways it seems like you have not done anything at all. Just a moment ago you were holding one small rose – and now you are holding one small rose. In some ways, a marriage ceremony is like this. In some ways, tomorrow is going to seem no different than yesterday. But in fact today, just now, you both have given and received one of the most valuable and precious gifts of life – one I hope you always remember – the gift of true and abiding love within the devotion of marriage.
_________ and _____________, I would ask that where ever you make your home in the future – whether it be a large and elegant home – or a small and graceful one – that you both pick one very special location for roses; so that on each anniversary of this truly wonderful occasion you both may take a rose to that spot both as a recommitment to your marriage – and a recommitment that THIS will be a marriage based upon love.
In every marriage there are times where it is difficult to find the right words. It is easiest to hurt who we most love. It is easiest to be most hurt by who we most love. It might be difficult some time to words to say “I am sorry” or “I forgive you”; “I need you” or “I am hurting”. If this should happen, if you simply can not find these words, leave a rose at that spot which both of you have selected – for that rose than says what matters most of all and should overpower all other things and all other words.
That rose says the words: “I still love you.” The other should accept this rose for the words which cannot be found, and remember the love and hope that you both share today.
__________ and ________, if there is anything you remember of this marriage ceremony, it is that it was love that brought you here today, it is only love which can make it a glorious union, and it is by love which your marriage shall endure.
The Rose Ceremony is a beautiful ceremony that does not cost much, and does not require tables and a lot of space. What do you think of this ceremony? Would you like to add it to your wedding?
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Thank you! Penny Reynolds, Reynolds Treasures
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To shoe or not to shoe… That is the question!
Just Married Flip-Flop
A beach wedding offers more choices when choosing what to put on your feet! There are many styles of sandals, ranging from elegant with rhinestones or flowers, to a more casual “flip-flop”.
I do not recommend heels!! If going over a boardwalk, the heels can get stuck between the
planks. Once over the boardwalk, heels and sand don’t get along. Your heel will sink into the sand, making your walk difficult, not to mention uncomfortable! A flat or wedge style sandal works best!
Now to decide, open toe or closed? The ballet slipper type of shoe can be very comfortable, stylish, and keep the sand off your feet!
There are many styles of sandals that are open and provide more of a beach feel. 
Another consideration is where you want your ceremony on the beach. Do you want it in the soft sand well away from the water? Or does the surprise of a wave splashing your ankles sound more fun?
If you want to be where the water may slash you, you may choose to go barefoot! Naked feet on the beach is totally acceptable and enjoyable!! Feeling the warm sand between your toes with no worries about the sand between shoes and the bottom of your feet is one less concern.
But wait it’s your wedding day!!! You can walk on the beach anytime.
You love the sand between your toes, but want the look of a pretty sandal. You can do 
that as well! It’s called barefoot sandals!! Its jewelry for your feet that resemble a sandal! It is very elegant, often made with Australian Crystal beads, beautiful colored glass or pearls.
My pair pictured below are courteous from Jewels by Jan. My design is called Heavenly Glow. I love the way the sun makes them sparkle.
They are great in the sand, and the water! I was worried that the piece that goes around the second toe, when wet and/or sandy would rub and be uncomfortable, but as a wedding officiant I have worn them and they are very comfortable! 
Check out her website to see the many designs!
Whether you choose to wear shoes, sandals, or barefoot sandals, try them on the beach prior to the ceremony to make sure your selection will work!
For more beach wedding ideas join my beach newsletter email!
Stop by my Facebook page to show some love…
Website open 24/7 for your viewing pleasure…
What beach foot attire do you plan to wear at your wedding? Leave comment below! I would LOVE to hear from you!!
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“Ev’ry heart beats true
‘neath the Red, White and Blue”
-George M. Cohan
“This wasn’t the first time I spent my Sunday afternoon curled up in a chair at Barnes and Noble with a feverish cup of joe and the latest quick grab from the military section and it certainly wouldn’t have been my last…”
Miranda, an avid reader, was in the military history section reading a book when she met Daniel, a sailor just passing through town. They chatted the afternoon away, not knowing what lay in store.
Daniel was stationed in Jacksonville, Florida at the time finishing up training to be an Aviation Electricians Mate. Separated by five long hours on nothing but the Harley Davidson he rode back and forth was no feat for these two. They continued to get to know each other and fell deeper and deeper in love through their short but fun-filled weekend trips, emails, and phone calls.
He visited every other weekend, and soon Miranda’s family grew smitten as well. “I have five siblings, the youngest at age 6, and the four of them took to Daniel like corn on a cob,” she chuckles.
“So it was certainly no surprise when I stumbled into the kitchen announcing my engagement one evening after work. It was the average Friday at work that day. I work at GEICO and simply adore my job interacting with our policyholders all day long, but I was eager to get home as I knew Daniel was on his way from Jacksonville to see me. About ten minutes before I get home my phone started ringing and his handsome little photo danced across the screen. I answered and Daniel began telling me about his long ride up here. He told me he had stopped to rest for a minute but would be back on his way soon and would see me in 15 minutes. I was ecstatic with joy as he blew me kisses over the phone and said he’d see me soon and relieved upon learning that I would get to my house before he did and would have time to run inside and get all “prettied up” before he saw me.”
What Miranda didn’t know was that Daniel was already at her house, sitting in the cul-de-sac on his Harley, dressed up in uniform with her favorite colored tulips wrapped in his arms and the most beautiful Neil Lane ring tucked in his pocket.
“I drove right past him! Can you believe that!? He makes sure to tell people he was sitting under the only lamp post on the street and he’s right, but boy was I in such a rush to get home that I missed him completely! It gets me every time. He called me when I drove past him.. “You ruin all my surprises,” he said with a smile.. Once I finally figured out that I was supposed to be in the cul-de-sac with him, I turned around and made my way back down the driveway.”
Needless to say, Miranda was shocked. She had expected that Thanksgiving to be big because she was introducing her new boyfriend to the whole family, but little did she know, it would be her fiancé that they all ended up meeting.
Miranda’s 14K White Gold 2 Carat Neil Lane Energy Diamond Engagment Ring
Their engagement was bittersweet as Daniel received orders to Japan and reported for duty just two weeks later. That Thanksgiving weekend would be the last time they saw each other for five months. Knowing Daniel would be gone for awhile, Miranda began planning a big wedding to take place in April of 2013 when Daniel returned from Japan. However, the more she missed her sailor, the less enthusiastic she became, and planning a big wedding all alone without Daniel proved too much for the bride.
USS Yorktown in Charleston, South Carolina
The couple then shifted focus to planning the next time Daniel could come home before he deployed. They knew it was coming soon, but were unsure of the date. After careful planning and negotiations, Daniel’s squadron gave him exactly one week of leave (Leave is the term for vacation in the military) beginning April 20th with his return to Japan on the 29th. With this information, they decided to plan an intimate ceremony to take place aboard the USS Yorktown in Charleston, South Carolina.
After viewing the websites of numerous wedding officiants, Miranda felt Reynolds Treasures was the perfect match for her military themed elopement.
“Penny’s photos showed her genuine concern and pleasure with the couples she married. And although the ceremony was going to be short and sweet, I still wanted it very personal. I contacted Penny, and was thrilled when she told me she was available when I had given so short of notice.”
The custom ceremony was to take place on April 24th, 2012 at 4 o’clock in the afternoon. The theme of the ceremony, you ask? Well, it just couldn’t have been anything other than Miranda’s favorite, Red, White and Blue! The ceremony was then created by taking sections from her original ceremony and adding some new pieces to create her very own hand written wedding ceremony.
Penny even assisted Miranda in finding her photographer, Emilie Carol Uphoff at EmilieCarol Photography (www.emiliecarolphotography.com). Emilie’s father and co-photographer is also a Navy veteran and understanding Daniel and Miranda’s situation they offered a substantial military discount.
After much deliberation, planning, and patience on the part of the loving couple, the day of the wedding finally arrived!
The photographer, EmilieCarol and Penny (Reynolds Treasures) arrived early at the site of the wedding, the USS Yorktown, and walked around the ship looking for the perfect location for photos, and the ceremony. Now just about everyone had prayed that the horrible thunderstorms and black clouds that were plaguing Charleston just days before would stay away.
But what’s a wedding without a little drama? Although the rain had cleared and opened the afternoon up to beautifully clear skies, the wind was steadily blowing over 25 mph and gusting up to 40! Eventually even just standing still on the flight deck became a chore. Despite this weather, we were all eager for the event at hand.
But wait, where were the bride and groom? It was getting close to 1630 and the wedding was supposed to start at 1600. EmilieCarol received a text that they were on their way around 1615, but there was still no sign of the two. After waiting patiently in the aggressive weather for just a short while longer, the bride and groom finally arrived! Their arrival brought yet another story to their adventure.
While rushing to get to the USS Yorktown, they were pulled over by an Isle of Palms police officer. He walked up to their vehicle on the passenger’s side and upon noticing Miranda in her dress, and Daniel in his dress blues asked, “Are you going to or coming from?” Daniel responded by informing the cop that they were late to their own wedding. The cop laughed and said, “Well this day just keeps getting better and better doesn’t it?”
Daniel and Miranda, not finding anything very amusing about the situation just looked at him with blank stares. When Daniel asked why they had been pulled over the cop was quick to point out the stop sign that Daniel just happened to roll right through three blocks back. OOPS!
The cop asked for license and registration and quickly wrote up a very special ticket for the bride and groom.
After the story telling we made our way to the flight deck where the ceremony would be performed.
On the flight deck of the USS Yorktown
Walking against the wind!
We decided to stand near a jet fighter plane to ward off the wind, but using the jet as a windbreaker was the best we could do against the howling winds.
This elopement planned by both bride and groom did at first not include his or her parents in attendance as Daniel’s family lived in California and Miranda’s family had their hands tied with two full time jobs and four other children. Much to the couples surprise Miranda’s parents made their way to South Carolina that Tuesday afternoon and even took on the duties of witnesses and ring bearers for their daughter’s wedding.
After a very intimate and personal ceremony, the wedding was COMPLETE!
“Sailor, You May Kiss Your Bride”
The love this couple shares is transparent in their photos.
1 California Boy + 1 Sweet Georgia Peach = 1 Happy Couple
Separated by Duty; United in Love
True to Miranda and Daniel’s adventure quality, their marriage license was left in the car by accident and that was a very long walk, down a very long pier away.
So while Miranda’s parents, Ashley and Chris, went back to the car to get the marriage license, we proceeded to drag the newlyweds all over the ship for photo opportunities!
EmilieCarol had a few “Top Gun” moments as they approached an F-14 Tomcat for a very special and dear photo-op for the bride, whose favorite movie is the feature film starring Tom Cruise, as Maverick!
Neil Lane Jewelry dangling from the nose of an F-14 Tomcat
After making our way along the flight deck and up and down a few ladders, the bride and groom rested momentarily in the Captain’s Bridge.
While resting, Miranda was asked about the tattoo she has on her right shoulder. She informed us that is had only been done just a few weeks prior in honor of her upcoming marriage to Daniel, but nothing is simple with Miranda and Daniel, as she also told us the tattoo was done while her shoulder was severely sunburned! It healed nicely though, don’t you think?
After chatting for a few minutes and talking to tourists passing by, the marriage license was delivered & we could finally make the marriage official.
—–
After signing their marriage license and making it officially official, the couple, along with photographer and parents made their way down to the hangar. While taking more photos, Daniel and Miranda were approached by an older gentleman wearing an orange sweater who introduced himself as Bob Howard, Director of Operations at Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum. 
Patriots Point naval and Maritime Museum is the organization that operates the USS Yorktown and other historic naval monuments in the Charleston Harbor for public visiting and tourism. Mr. Bob Howard informed the couple that just inside the door to their left, the Clemson University Alumni Association was gathered together having their own celebration aboard the USS Yorktown. He then asked the couple to do him the honor of allowing him to introduce them to the Clemson University Alumni. Now, although Miranda and Daniel rooted for a different orange in college football, Mr. Howard made them an offer no one could refuse.
Upon introducing Daniel and Miranda on stage in front of the crowd, the room erupted in applause and there before them, Daniel and Miranda received a standing ovation on their wedding day.
“May I kiss the bride?”
Unfortunately, days do come to an end and although they enjoyed the next few days of their honeymoon exploring Charleston, Daniel’s return to Japan was inevitable and a sad one to say. Daniel will be deploying this summer and will be separated from his new wife for almost ten months before they are able to finally settle down in a home together, but as Miranda will tell you, his absence leaves a void, but his duty in serving this great country, triumphs any distance between them, and she remains proud to be a Navy Wife.
If this story and this couple doesn’t melt your heart, and put a smile on your face, possibly a tear in your eye, you need to visit a doctor! Every time they hit a bump in the road, they land in each others arms, and with a smile on their faces!
“It was both an honor and privilege to support this couple,” said both Penny and Emilie
Penny and her son.
Emilie @EmilieCarol Photography with her clients.
In honor of this very story, the bride featured above has created an organization to provide further support and we need your help to spread the word. Please read below and find out how you can become a member of Operation For The Wives.
Inspired by true love in its purest form, Operation For The Wives would like to reach out to all military wives and have them submit their very own love/wedding/adventure story to be featured on Operation For The Wives blog and Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/ForTheWives
Each week a new wife will be featured telling her story to thousands of others in hopes of supporting and lifting one another. This organization is specifically directed to all military wives past, present and future and was founded with the true essence of honor and respect “For The Wives.”
“As we tell these stories to one another we are renewed with that sense of passion that began our own journey and these stories will not only bring smiles to the faces of everyone who reads them, but will indirectly provide communication and support to the wives of our nation’s military members who serve this country in a way too vast for words.” –A Message from the Founder
Please email OperationForTheWives@ymail.com or visit www.Facebook.com/ForTheWives to find out how you can be the next wife featured on Operation For The Wives.
After reading this story it’s easy for me to ask you to please support our troops, as well as the military wives and their families. These brave men and women sacrifice so much for our freedom. As a veteran, I understand this. As a family member, I have lived through this. My niece returned six months ago from her second tour in Afghanistan and so many others risk their lives every day so that we may lay our head down at night and sleep peacefully knowing we live in a country where happiness is more than a lack of tragedy. So I ask you again… Please take a moment and say a prayer for our troops, stop and thank a member in uniform as you see them pass, or please visit www.tellthemthanks.com where you can Adopt a Service Member.
There are so many ways to provide support to our troops. Many even that don’t cost you anything, but a few moments of your time.
To assist with finding a way to support that suits you and the time you wish to dedicate, please also visit www.troopssupport.com and choose from hundreds of organizations.
Speaking of costing a “cent”, and true to my name, I will donate a penny for every like this featured blog gets to www.operationmom.org
I ask you, I beg you, please click the Like button, share it with your friends and have them do the same. Then click on the “Tell Them Thanks” link above, and send a simple thank you.
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mini-ceremonies couples can place in their ceremony. I want to introduce the rose ceremony to you today! During a beach elopement I held the roses until we were ready to use them. However, it is more traditional to have the mothers hold the roses, and bring them up to give to the bride and groom when directed to do so. 
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