Stress Free
Questions & Answers!
Below are some of our most frequently asked questions. We have tried to answer them as completely as possible. You will find a common theme in many of the answers to these questions, that is: It's YOUR wedding, and Stress Free Weddings is here to make it happen YOUR way with a minimum of fuss. If you have wedding-related questions that are not answered here, please let us know and we'll do our best to answer them for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the ceremony?
Our wedding ceremonies usually last about twenty minutes. However, they can be shortened (vows only, or vows and rings only), or lengthened (readings, music, family interactions) as you wish.
Can relatives and friends be part of our ceremony?
Yes, they can. You may have a friend or relative who wishes to play a musical instrument, or someone who wishes to recite poetry or read scripture or a paragraph from a book that has particular meaning to you. Also, this is an active way of incorporating parents or grandparents into your ceremony, should you wish to do so.
What is the best time for our ceremony?
You can have your ceremony at any time of day or night. Some want sunset ceremonies (check for daylight savings time), some at noon, some early in the morning or late at night. Your ceremony time is up to you, but you may want to consider friends and relatives who don’t plan on staying over, or who may have a drive ahead of them.
What time should our ceremony be so that we can have sunset pictures taken?
It’s a good idea to check your favorite weather resource to find out what time sunset will be on your wedding date. Forty-five minutes to an hour before sunset is usually a good time for beginning your ceremony.
Can our ceremony be on the beach or must we use a hotel at the beach?
Your ceremony can be on the beach at almost any beach (except some resident controlled beaches). Usually, you do not need permission of the town or city to use the beach--you just need to show up. Some hotels will allow you to use their building as a backdrop even if you are not staying there. Also, some will allow you to use their gazebos or footbridges.
What about swimmers and fishermen? Will we have any privacy at the beach?
In general, you will have privacy. Most beach goers and fishermen will keep their distance so that you can have an intimate space for your wedding. Many times at the end of your ceremony, they will give you a round of applause!
What about having our celebration and reception in the same place, such as a condo, a clubhouse, or at a country club?
This can be a good idea especially if you wish to have less transportation difficulties. If there needs to be setup time between the ceremony and the reception, you could have drinks on a nearby patio or by a fountain, while you and the wedding party finishes your pictures. Then everyone can come inside and find their seats at the tables. If your space doesn’t allow your guests to circulate outside, or if the weather is inclement, your guests can sit at the tables for both the ceremony and the reception.
What about inclement weather?
If you are having your ceremony on the beach, you will need a “Plan B” in case of rain or wind. You can usually work this out with the hotel’s or country club’s catering department, or we can arrange your “Plan B” for you.
What if we want to add a sand ceremony, or a family tree, or a hand ceremony, or stones, or a wedding candle -- can we?
Yes. You can personalize or customize your ceremony in many different ways. Dr. LePage or one of his associates will discuss this with you as you work on your preparations.
How long ahead should we engage Stress Free Weddings to ensure that we can have the date and time we want?
At Stress Free Weddings we book only up to seventy-five weddings a year. If you wish a date that is on a holiday, or a holiday weekend, please book early. When we agree on a date and time, a $100.00 non-refundable deposit will guarantee your reservation. However, don't hesitate to ask if we're available to perform a small wedding for you "this weekend" or "a week from Tuesday", we just might be!
Will it ever be that we agree for Dr. LePage to do our ceremony and he cannot be present on our date?
Rarely will this be a problem. However, Dr. LePage can fall victim to illness, hurricanes or other unforeseen circumstances that could keep him from performing your ceremony. In that unlikely event, he will secure another officiant and he or someone from his staff will get in touch with you so that you will know that your ceremony will be all that you wish it to be, and that your wishes will be honored.
What do we need to know about the marriage license?
A license can be obtained from any Florida County Courthouse at anytime before your ceremony. There is a three-day waiting period from the time you receive it, and it must be used within 60 days. If both bride and groom reside out of state and wish to marry in Florida, there is no three-day waiting period. Cost of the license is about $100.
If one or both were married before, do we need a copy of the divorce decree(s)?
Yes, if your marriage is within thirty days of your divorce. Otherwise, no documents are needed, only the date on which your divorce was granted.
Do we need witnesses and must they sign the marriage license, and if so, when do they sign it?
You do not need witnesses to your Florida wedding and witnesses signatures are not necessary in Florida, but witnesses may sign your license as a gesture of support, or as a personal record of their involvement in your wedding. They can do this immediately after the ceremony.
How do we deal with children, particularly those who may not want to be still for half an hour?
Children should always be welcome at a wedding unless the time is very late, or a nap time has been omitted. But if children are just having a bad day, have someone in attendance sit in the back with them, making sand castles, or consider having one of the younger guests take the children for a short stroll. If youngsters can have a favorite toy or blanket with them, this can be a big help. Teaching children how to behave and be present at the wedding can be the best approach. Of course, if children misbehave during the ceremony, someone has to remove them and take a walk with them. Don’t let your ceremony be taken over by an unruly or poorly parented child!
If you expect that small children could be an issue during your wedding, it is a good idea to make that a part of your planning. If you have no family or friends who are willing to be taken away from your wedding ceremony to tend to the children, we can make arrangements for professional child care to ensure that your ceremony is a pleasant one.
Can we write and recite our own vows?
Yes, you can and we encourage you to do so. Vows can be a reflection of your relationship and can stem from values you hold and values you would like to share with your relatives and friends. At Stress Free Weddings, we will help you to craft vows that are meaningful for you, vows that express your inner qualities and uniqueness. Of course, you can use the time-honored traditional vows that have served generations of brides and grooms.
Will we have to memorize our vows or have them written on cards?
No, you do not have to memorize your vows. At Stress Free Weddings, we will take care of presenting your vows to you during the ceremony. Dr. LePage will speak your vows a line at a time and you will repeat what you hear.
Can we write our own ring blessing?
Yes, you can. We will go over the purpose of the rings and share with you different ring celebrations used over the years. From all of this, you can craft your own ceremony, or we can do it for you.
Must we have rings?
No, the giving and receiving of rings is not a requirement. However, most couples do have them because they are a living symbol of your being married.
Can we create a banner to use as a backdrop, or hang on the side of a wedding arch?
Yes, you can. And after your wedding, the banner can become a wonderful wall hanging in your home.
Can we have musicians or a DJ play music during our ceremony?
Yes, you can. Many couples wish to have entrance music and a recessional. Some have their favorite music played softly behind their vow and ring recitation, and behind a family unity ceremony.
Should we have printed programs for our wedding?
You may wish to do this, but many couples do not. However, with a program your guests have something they can share with their friends, and they may have a first wedding picture of you as you begin your wedded life. In place of a program, a couple may wish to order small pictures that they send to their friends and relatives at a special time, such as Christmas or Chanukah, or birthdays, or the couple’s first anniversary.
Must we have music, prayers, or scripture readings in our ceremony?
No, your ceremony can be as simple and unencumbered as you want it to be. If you do choose to have such things, they should reflect something that is important to the couple, and something that enhances their ceremony.
Can we have an all-religious ceremony?
Yes, you can. Your ceremony can be crafted from the traditions of Christian (Catholic and Protestant), Jewish, Native American, Hindu, Buddhist, Bahai, Quaker or any of the other religions of the world. If you desire to combine traditions from two or more different religions, we can help you do that, as well.
How much will a Stress Free Wedding cost?
Basic wedding ceremony fees begin at $575.00. Out of area fees, transportation, and other services are extra. We will work with you to provide the services that you desire within your budget. All fees include consultation, guidance, and professional advice.