Arizona Wedding Ceremony Packages
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Arizona Wedding Ceremony Packages

My Yosmite Sam Gene



No one probably reads this, but it is theraputic to write.

Was recently at a five-diamond resort with a couple that lives near Stonehenge in England. This was the fifth visit to the landmark hotel by one of their relatives, and they were delighted that the bride and groom elected to be married there. Oh, it was hot!

When we walked to the ceremony site, there was no one from the hotel in sight. The family discovered that the chairs were set in total sunshine, so everyone grabbed a chair and set them up in the shade. However, the chairs were spotted with bird feces, and not too recent. One chair was filthy, and my hand was just as filthy as I tried to wipe it off... one of the Dads had to put a handkerchief down to protect his pants. I'm not kidding, this is five diamonds.

Some of you know that when I have a small wedding, I sometimes officiate the ceremony from behind the guests so everyone can enjoy the bride & groom's expressions. Sure enough, just as I had the couple turn and face each other, two guests walked right into the picture and stood there behind the bride & groom, pathetically gawking. I tried waving them away but they wanted some attention. No wonder foreigners hate Americans.

No sooner did Mr. & Mrs. Lookey Loo walk out of the photos, one of the hotel staff came driving by with the noisest street sweeper ever heard. In fact, no one could hear me so I actually excused myself and walked over to the hotel employee, desperately gesturing "cut" with my thumb across my throat. I got close enough for him to hear me and I asked him to wait 10 minutes until we finished.

The street sweeper nodded and throttled down as I walked back to the ceremony. Two seconds later he revved it up, dust blowing everywhere and we waited five or so minutes for him to finish sweeping the area. Really!

The hotel could have had clean chairs, ice water, someone to divert foot traffic and proper training of the employees regarding respect. The hotel could have had staff in place to help create an unforgettable ambiance for this once-in-a-lifetime moment. Instead, evertime this couple hears a street sweeper, they're going to think of this hotel... five diamonds worth.

John Nesbit wrote in 1980 in the book, Megatreands, "No organization can rise above it's leadership." Don't you want to know what hotel treated this precious family so indifferently? I want to tell everyone the catering director and general manager names so they can be scolded. Yosemite Sam runs through my veins for such neglect. I'll just keep my mouth shut.

 

Posted by Phil Waring at 6/30/2009 9:38 AM | Add Comment

PAY ONLY WHAT YOU THINK IT'S WORTH


I could not believe the first time I heard the guarantee advertised by Omaha Steaks. "Satisfaction guaranteed or your money back." I thought, "How could anyone do that?"

Surely people would take advantage and get their money back by demanding a refund for perfectly fine meat. But the meat warranty continues today and with uncertain courage, the same guarantee has been adopted by Arizona Ministers. If a couple is unhappy with anything I say or do, I will give them their money back.

Interestingly, in my 32 years of leading weddings, no one has ever asked for their money back. I have given three couples all or part of what they paid me because I wasn't happy about something, but I have never been 'taken advantage of' because I offer guaranteed quality.

Nothing gives confidence like an iron-clad, money-back, satisfaction guaranteed warrantee. Hampton Inn will refund your money if you are unhappy. That proclamation of quality assurance gives consumers confidence that this business wants to keep doing business by doing things right.

Now, a new challenge to demonstrate quality has been introduced in the valley. The Wrigley Mansion Club has been offering meals on their lunch menu priced: pay what you think it's worth.

As with the meat warranty, when I read this I shook my head and asked, "How could any business survive letting the customer determine the value?" Surely someone will leave two cents for a $7.50 club sandwich!

You don't see The Wrigley Mansion Club, annual dues $10, on the black list of distressed, foreclosing, or for sale hotels, resorts, golf courses and restaurants in Arizona. In fact, The Wrigley Mansion Club seems to be doing pretty well in-spite of the customers determining the price of lunch.

I have to admit, I am challenged. Can I step-up to letting a couple decide the value of their marriage officiant?

Does the average bride and groom know that I have a mortgage, health insurance, car costs and all the expenses they have? Would they just tip me $10 when I have invested thousands of dollars in marketing and advertising so they could find me in the first place? Are people that cheap and insensitive?

I am willing to trust people.

July 18, a couple can get married by me, at Chapel Bellavista, with up to 30 guests and pay what they think it was worth. We'll have the chapel ice cold, the cactus garden groomed and lots of chilled sweet water from our well. The bridal suite and the bell tower will be theirs. The entire day is available for this two-hour wedding package.

Is there a florist that will provide flowers for whatever our couple thinks they are worth? Let me know NOW.

Is there a invitation shop that will print invitations for whatever our couple thinks they are worth? Let me know NOW.

Is there a musician or music group that would perform for whatever our couple thinks they are worth? Let me know NOW.

Is there a photographer that will spend two hours, provide photos and get paid whatever our couple thinks they are worth? Let me know NOW.

Is there a video company that will shoot, edit and give a DVD for whatever our couple thinks it's worth? Let me know NOW.

Don't know if anyone will join me, but I am going to offer this wedding to any couple for whatever they think it's worth! Will anyone do their reception for what the couple thinks it's worth? Let me know NOW.

Posted by Phil Waring at 6/9/2009 7:21 AM | Add Comment

Ceremony of the Golden Cords

The Golden Cord Ceremony usually takes place after the exchange of rings in the wedding ceremony.

"Today I have a gift for you, three beautiful golden cords. They represent the three most important entities here today, you two and God who made you and brought you together. King Solomon wrote that "a cord of three strands is not easily broken."

"One of the great things about rope, is that when you tie it in a knot, the knot becomes the strongest part of the rope. You know I came here to tie the knot... (minister grins as he ties three cords into a knot, and then asks the bride and groom to hold each side of the cords).

"Pull this knot tight! The knot I tied here today is like you marriage... strong, tight and we all hope eternal. Remember, if you pull too hard, wriggle it around, put it in a place of constant friction or pick at it, it might get loose or actually come undone.

"Keep that knot someplace visible in your home so you can be reminded of the strength of this glorious wedding day. Your hearts are now tied together in devotion and trust, with the strength and love of three."

(Groom is asked to place the knotted ropes into his pocket as the ceremony continues).

Copyright © 2009 Phillip Waring all rights reserved.

Posted by Phil Waring at 1/2/2009 8:52 AM | Add Comment

Sense of Humor



Years ago I officiated a wedding ceremony in Mesa. At the time, this was "the" place to be married in The East Valley. They offered gorgeous gardens, splahing fountains and Arizona's Favorite Minister.

There were about 40 people present when everyone came to their feet to welcome the bride. She walked down the aisle eight months pregnant in a taupe mini dress! (Similar to Britney Spears' above, but my bride's dress was much tighter and shorter).

When asked, "Who brings this woman to be married to this man?" her father answered, "Well, I'm her Pa and that there's her Ma, and all of us down at the trailer court brung her." No one could get their breath for five minutes.

Posted by Phil Waring at 8/21/2008 3:02 AM | Add Comment

Our Marriage License Service


Every couple has to personally obtain a marriage license in Arizona. Pay any county $98.50, raise you right hand, swear you are not cousins and the license is yours. That fee provides you with a certified copy of the officially recorded marriage license stub (required to change the bride's name at Social Security & Department of Motor Vehicles).

Some county employees do not like to make change. A marriage license without ordering a certified copy is $72 even. Later, in order to legally change your name, you have to write or call to order your certified copy, and pay $26.50 more for the certificate. That's $98.50! Pay it at the same time and you'll get the certified copy in the mail in six to eight weeks.

State Law mandates that Officiants are responsible for recording the marriage license stub after the ceremony. Most counties provide a pre-addressed envelope for it to be mailed.

For decades I have been hand delivering the local Maricopa County marriage license stubs. Why transfer the responsibility from the State, to the County and then to the Federal Post Office? 

Marriage license stubs from other counties are mailed in with receipt verification requested. We have never lost a single one!

Judy from the U.K. called me the other day and said she needed a certified copy of her license stub from her 2001 wedding. She had waited years to update her passport with her new name! 

When she called Maricopa County, they said they did not have any record of her or her husband's names. In a panic, she called me and kindly asked if I had actually recorded the license stub. 

This has happened many times before and I am delighted to help. After I made two 31 mile trips to the Maricopa County recorders office and back, it was as if they were never married. There were no computer or paper records with their names on them anywhere. I couldn't bear to tell this couple such news!

So, I called Pima County. Pinal County. Coconino County. When I called Yavapai County they said, "Sure we have it. It was recorded here in Prescott in 2001." Mission Accomplished.

Another couple was whisking into Scottsdale to elope from Chicago. On Monday before the Saturday wedding they called to say they had failed to obtain an Arizona marriage license and that they discovered their plane was arriving after the county office closed on Friday.

Mohave County Marriage License Clerks rock. They are the only Arizona County that will accommodate a couple by providing a marriage license by mail . I called them to explain the problem and we came up with a solution.

Through the magic of the internet, overnight mail and my willingness to drive to Kingman, Arizona to pick up the couple's marriage license, Mojave County would let me have it on Thursday! 

On the way home I called Gwen and told her, "Mission Accomplished" and that I was surely going to see a glorious thunderstorm on my way home. It was August and the monsoon was looming. Headed south on I-17 I was pummeled with softball size hail. No good deed goes unpunished! It's all a part of our service.


Posted by Phil Waring at 8/21/2008 2:08 AM | Add Comment

Arrogance - Disease of the Heart



I arrived at the Metro Center area hotel early and saw that the DJ had already set-up. He had nice equipment in both the reception room and the indoor ceremony room.

The DJ came into the ceremony room and saw me speaking with the groom. He came over to us, introduced himself and asked if I was the minister or officiant. Everything seemed normal up to this point.

He immediately said that he was contracted to mic the minister, but since the ceremony was moved indoors, the minister "didn't need the extra equipment." 

I didn't say a word, but I knew any other DJ would have had a hand-held mic ready for the officiant. Usually, the DJ allows the minister make such a decision, based on his vocal strength.

After the groom excused himself, the DJ and I started to discuss the ceremony. He described the procession, which was completely out of normal etiquette order. I brought this to his attention and he mentioned that this was "how it was rehearsed" and it "didn't matter" what was right. 

He then added, "I do hundreds of these a year, just like this. Is this your first wedding?"

He then told me that he officiates weddings all the time... a Reverend DJ! Since anyone can be ordained on the internet, I have met realtor ministers, carpenter ministers, State Employee Ministers, and others just pretending to be real ministers of God.

He assumed, because this was a budget wedding, that this family was unsophisticated and uncaring about credibility. 

He could not have been more wrong. Every family deserves professional leadership whenever they pay money for services, even if it is provided at a discount. Call me when you need a DJ referral!



Posted by Phil Waring at 8/9/2008 6:16 PM | Add Comment

Amazing Sunset


This amazing sunset was captured by George Burnette at Chapel Bellavista. They were in the parking lot and this shot was taken facing east, so you can imagine the entire sky!

Posted by Phil Waring at 8/6/2008 10:55 AM | View Comments (1) | Add Comment

The Most Beautiful Wedding



Every bride dreams of her beautiful wedding and the very moment her groom sees her in the ceremony aisle. It is that moment and more. It’s not one vision or moment that makes the wedding beautiful, but a combination of thoughts, sights sounds and scents.

Consider all the elements. The time of your ceremony may be morning or sunset, inside or out, perfect weather, nice-fitting dress, gorgeous location, and the darling flower girl. Your 90-minute massage, manicured nails, coiffed hair & professional make up have made you stress-free and you are glowing.

Some believe the most expensive elements must be the finest. Going overboard to create a beautiful wedding is common.  Beautiful flowers, beautiful favors, beautiful seat covers, beautiful photos, and beautiful bridesmaids dresses make for, well, a beautiful, and sometimes costly wedding.

What makes a beautifulwedding, truly beautiful? It’s your relationship.

This isn’t just the bride’s day; it’s the bride and groom’s day. The most important thing on your beautiful wedding day is what you two have cooking! Your relationship is truly the “beauty” that will enable you “let go” of a stressful wedding planning season and remember that nothing has to ruin it. This is why people are coming to your wedding.

Webster says beautiful is “having qualities that delight the senses, especially the sense of sight.” If you lay eyes on, that is, meet and greet just twice a day for 50 years, that’s going to be 36,500 beautiful encounters with the one you truly love.

It’s about making eye contact in the ceremony aisle for the first time, and the rest of your life, knowing what your heart feels is real beauty.

Photo by Arizona Wedding Studio

Posted by Phil Waring at 8/6/2008 10:21 AM | View Comments (1) | Add Comment

I Have Resigned from The Wedding Chronicle



Over ten years ago I made a late night trip to a pharmacy to fill a prescription. On the way out the door my eye was drawn to the free papers & magazines rack. On the bottom shelf was the inaugural issue of The Wedding Chronicle (TWC).

The next day I called the publisher, Julia Patrick, and told her of my desire to write for a wedding publication. Since that day, I have been passionately writing a bimonthly column for couples in TWC. It has been an amazing decade, but we really need to start a thread on the value of print advertising.

Yesterday I resigned from TWC because they added a 'non-religious minister' column. Is that not an oxymoron? You decide. (The June issue - he was not in the paper).

While it is legal to become an internet-minister here and a not in other places, there is no reason to mislead couples by promoting such a mockery of the ministry. Most people want a minister to lead their wedding ceremony, not a wedding vendor.

I could not allow Arizona Ministers to be equated to the virtue of any non-religious minister. I hope Arizona will  reject these pretend ministers.

I decided it was time for me to move on and take my writing mission to another outlet. About.com has welcomed my articles as well as The University of Houston, West Valley Weddings and other outstanding publications around the country.

The current publishers, have been more than great to me and I wish them all the success and happiness their paper & friendship have brought me. 

Posted by Phil Waring at 8/6/2008 7:29 AM | Add Comment

Subsequent Walk Down the Aisle


When one has suffered the loss of a spouse or endured the hassle of a divorce, the words “I will never get married again” are usually spoken. Death and divorce are painful experiences that truly never want to be experienced again. Avoiding a subsequent marriage is the obvious way to prevent this pain from happening.

Now, reality check. There are millions of subsequent marriages that sneak-up on people making them say things like “I wasn’t looking for anyone” or “how could I resist this love?” Maybe this is happening to you right now!

If you are planning your second marriage or have been living like Elizabeth Taylor with multiple partners for the past fifty years, congratulations on your decision to be married...again!

While most religious faiths consider divorce and/or remarriage a category of sin, each faith does have a formula for forgiveness and relieving any long-term guilt. Some religions have devised financial punishment to get rid of the guilt and others make it as simple as asking one’s higher power to forgive and it is done. Everyone wants their marriage to last forever, but all marriages end in death or divorce and everyone has the opportunity to move on to another special relationship.

Another marriage is especially nice to plan if you had your mother’s dream wedding the first time. Most mothers start planning their daughter’s wedding the day she is born. It will be bigger and better than what was thrust upon her by her mother. Generations of girls have their dream wedding the second time.

Here’s an eye-opener on etiquette. If your father “gave you away” at your first wedding, doesn’t your ex-husband need to ”give you away” this time? Please laugh now! 

In reality, a subsequent marriage, after some maturing, is usually more meaningful than the first.  One knows what works and what doesn’t. Negative baggage from previous relationships (even with caretaker parents) can be left behind as every day brings a new beginning to this special relationship.

If the first spouse turned out to be a real jerk, remember, you chose to marry this person and share some of the responsibility for the choice. Don’t repeat history by tolerating this same kind of behavior in another person. By all means, change the things you can...you can only change yourself and your choices. And no, it was not your fault he turned out to be a jerk!

If children are involved, be careful. Do not let them get lost in the relationship. Establish a proper relationship between the child and the new spouse. Whoever invented step-parenting did not take into account that every child has only two parents. Two parents were the original design and the only design that works. 

New partners can be best friends with the children, but unless adopted, will never be a parent. By communicating that early in the relationship it will prevent a child from pointing a finger and screaming, “You’re not my parent!” Reply simply, “No I am not, but I am your mother’s husband (or father’s wife) and we have rules in our house.

Most succeeding weddings are paid for by the bride and groom. Here’s a chance to go “all out” or get married on the cheap. 

If you are considering getting married on “the cheap,” consider what statement this is making. “We don’t have enough money to do it right,” or, “the wedding doesn’t mean very much to us,” could be excuses for rushing a relationship that has not grown to a responsible level.

The wedding industry wants you to go all out. The wedding industry in Arizona really knows how to put on a lavish and socially fulfilling wedding. With Arizona’s reputation for great venues, fabulous entertainers and talented designers, this is the right state for any number of walks down the aisle.

If you have found a new love and everything is right, go for it! If you said, “I’ll never get married again” and are actually getting married again, you are among millions of people that truly believe in marriage. Marriage is sacred. Marriage is honorable. Marriage is great when you marry the right person. 

Photo by A New Concept in Wedding Photography

Posted by Phil Waring at 4/12/2008 6:46 AM | Add Comment
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