Caribbean Themed Wedding - Your Tropical Wedding On The Beach

Dreaming of a picture perfect Caribbean themed wedding - your tropical wedding on the beach with endless blue sky and the warm Caribbean sun reflecting brilliantly as it set in the distance and pristine, crystal-clear water gently bathing the powdery white sandy beach nearby. Then I have just the place for your Caribbean wedding - A wedding on the beach in the Bahamas.

I really should have said “places for you” - because the Bahamas has more beaches than all the other countries in the Caribbean combined. Offering you an abundant choice of locations for your dream wedding on the beach.

While I am passionate about the islands of Andros and New Providence (Nassau), you can choose a beach on any of the 700 islands and cays of the Bahamas, that stretches across more than 100,000 square miles of the Atlantic Ocean. Starting just off the south eastern coast of Florida and extending along the coast of Cuba to Haiti. Making the Bahamas not only the gateway to the Caribbean but to Caribbean wedding as well.

And having your wedding on the beach allows you to incorporate so much more of yourself in the wedding ceremony. Thereby creating such a memorable experience for your guest that they will be talking about your Caribbean wedding for a lifetime.

Not only will you create a great experience for guest but also for you. You see your wedding ceremony is one of the most memorable romantic experience you can both have and by deciding to have it on a beach in a tropical paradise like the Bahamas will add to this romance. And it will also give you a reason each year to travel - to recreate the magic of that romantic experience.

I know you maybe thinking that this is only a dream but you will be surprised at how easily you can make your Caribbean themed wedding a realty. So Stop dreaming and start planning your Caribbean themed wedding on the beach in the Bahamas.

Glenn S. Ferguson is your Bahamas Wedding Officiant at Wedding Bahamas Style - Helping You To Create Your Memorable Bahamas Wedding. Just email any question you may have to nuptialpreacha@gmail.com or glennsferguson@gmail.com

British Colonial Hilton Nassau's Wedding Tip Of The Week

It is always great to get good advice so here is a tip from the folks at one of the premier Caribbean wedding location - British Colonial Hilton Nassau and I am  sure you guest it - its located in beautiful Nassau, Bahamas.  And it's  from their "Wedding Tip of the Week" featured on Facebook.

Take some time to brainstorm and jot down some initial wedding ideas and themes that you want. Don't be afraid to let your imagination run wild at this point.

One thing that will help tie everything together throughout the planning process is to decide on your wedding colors, this will be influenced by the time of year. A spring garden wedding might inspire green tones while, a winter wedding silver or gold.

Selecting a color or two that you feel really speaks to you will also help you out with choosing flowers, décor, etc...... 

Courtesy of British Colonial Hilton Nassau

And while not mentioned the Hilton is an ideal location for your Caribbean destination wedding on the beach were your choice of colours are almost endless.

Our Bahamas Wedding Planner would be happy to help you with any questions you may have about having your wedding in the Bahamas. Just email glenn@bahamas-destination-wedding.com or call us at 1-242-327-2453. 

Caribbean Themed Wedding - Music for Your Caribbean Themed Wedding Ceremony

It is a question I get all the time and I am sure if you are planning to have your Caribbean themed wedding on the beach you may have the same question. “Do I need music for my beach wedding ceremony?”

And the answer is not as simple as you may think and usually as varied as the persons you ask.

Some persons feel that music will just distract from the natural charm that is created by the various sounds of nature - the wind blowing, the ocean waves cascading onto the beach and rocks, the singing of the birds and the blending of other surrounding noises. As these sounds are a part of what makes a tropical wedding on the beach romantic.

Others feel that the music will be overwhelmed by the surrounding noises. So having music would be pointless. Yet others feel that this can be overcome with the use of an amplifier and playing soft music through the amplifier would be great.

As you can see from the answers it really comes down to your personal preference and you can be as traditional or eclectic as you like.

Having officiated at wedding ceremony on the beach, I can assure you that I have seen and heard it all. Weddings with music and wedding ceremonies without music. And weddings with the guest singing or ringing bells while the bride and groom walk down the aisle.

However, I feel that your desire to have music or not  at your Caribbean themed wedding depends on the length, size and style of your ceremony and the involvement of your guest. If you are planning on a larger, more formal ceremony then music would be expected. While smaller and informal ceremonies allows you more freedom.

While I like having traditional sounds of stringed music from a harp, violin or a guitar, there is nothing like the energy and aura at a Caribbean themed wedding as having a Caribbean Steel pan playing while your guest are being seated and during your processional and recessional.

The Steel pan although traditionally tied to the Carnival celebrations in Trinidad is played across the Caribbean and there are a variety of pans, playing a range of tones. Making the steel pan a versatile rhythm drum and the ideal instrument for providing the music for your Caribbean themed beach wedding.

And now I invite you to leave your comments for Glenn S. Ferguson your Bahamas Wedding Officiant  and Bahamas Wedding Planner at Wedding Bahamas Style. Or email any question you may have to nuptialpreacha@gmail.com or glennsferguson@gmail.com

Bahamas Wedding Requirements - How To Get A Marriage License In The Bahamas

Couples from around the world are finding out that there is no place like the Bahamas for a  dream destination wedding.  As it provides just the perfect blend of sand - sun - sea and natural scenic beauty for any style wedding ceremony desired.

And with the required Bahamian marriage license your marriage in the Bahamas is legally recognized anywhere you happen to reside in the world. So here is how to met the Bahamas wedding requirements to get your marriage license in the Bahamas.

1. Get your passport and travel to the Bahamas. You can enter the Bahamas without a passport but you may not be able to get back home. So be sure that you don’t leave without it.
2. Satisfy the Bahamas’ residency requirement of 24 hours before applying for your marriage license. And both of you must be in the Bahamas for this period of time and at the time of application. This is easily done by providing a copy of your immigration card if arriving by air and a letter from your ship captain if by sea.
3. Provide satisfactory proof that you are who you say you are. A photograph identification issued by your country of residence like a passport or driver license is usually sufficient.  
4. Provide satisfactory proof that you qualify for marriage. To get married in the Bahamas you must be at least age 18 and either single, divorced or widowed. And you must have the appropriate official document to prove your status. If you are single then an “affidavit” by a notary public  or other person authorized to administer oaths in the Bahamas certifying this is acceptable.  United Kingdom and Canada applicants may bring affidavits from their respective countries. And U.S. residence can get an affidavit at the American Embassy in Nassau.
5. Visit the Registrar General office located in the Apsley House - #75 Frederick Street, Nassau any business day between 9:30am and 4:00pm and make your application. Remember both of you must be present in order to make the application and you must have all your required documents and photograph identification.
6. Pay the Government's required marriage license fees of $100.00.
7. Pick up your marriage license the following day. Once issued your marriage license is valid for three month.

Now that you have met the Bahamas wedding requirements, there is no question who will be the wedding officiant at your wedding ceremony in the Bahamas. 

Glenn S. Ferguson, your Bahamas Wedding Officiant at Wedding Bahamas Style - Helping You To Create Your Memorable Bahamas Wedding. Just call 1-242-327-2453 or email nuptialpreacha@gmail.com or glennsferguson@gmail.com

Bahamas Wedding - An Elegant Wedding Bahamas Style Non Religious Wedding Ceremony

As a Bahamas wedding minister here is an elegant non religious wedding ceremony I had the pleasure of being celebrant wedding officiant at recently that was written by the bride and groom to celebrate their special day.

And their day was a gorgeous one matched only by the elegant dress worn by the bride. With the sun shining brilliantly from the blue sky over head on the pristine ocean water as it cascade on the white powdery beach nearby.

Processional

[Groom and best men standing at the front with me, while the bride, proceeded by her
bridesmaids and maid of honor, walk to join us]

Opening Remarks

On behalf of Groom and Bride, I welcome you and thank you all for gathering here on this beautiful day to witness their marriage ceremony. The fact that you all have traveled such a great distance to be here today is a testament to the amazing amount of love and support they have. Many of you have given them much happiness, love, warmth, and guidance through the various stages of their lives. They would like to sincerely thank you all for being here to celebrate their big day.

A special and respectful acknowledgment must also be made to those friends and family members who were unable to attend, or have passed on, but whose spirit remains alive and strong in all our hearts. 



I have also been asked by Groom and Bride to thank their parents for the wonderful lives they have given them, for the hard work and guidance they have provided, for their everlasting love, support, and encouragement. It is from them that they have learned the true meaning of love, friendship and family.



Ceremony

For Groom and Bride marriage is an affirmation of life, an undying commitment, a spiritual, emotional, and intellectual bond between two people. It is created from the purest of friendship, respect and love. The institution of marriage is not entered into lightly, because it symbolizes commitment on every level. Together you will continue to meet the challenges and obstacles of life head on. 



Marriage is an adventure in the most intimate of human relationships. It is the mutual commitment of two people sincerely in love who share the same dreams about life. But more than that, it is the intimate sharing of two lives. It is a sharing that does not diminish but enhances the individuality of each partner.



The marriage between Groom and Bride does not mark the beginning of a new relationship; rather, it is an acknowledgment and celebration, of a relationship that has been flourishing since they met.



For Groom and Bride, love is the longing two people feel for one another. It is the need to share, in body and spirit, the warmth, serenity and peace two people can give to one another. A simple touch, a hand held at a time of uncertainty. This is what it means to be intimately human. It is the intention behind the kiss that says, “ Despite the vastness of this earth, despite the chaotic details that make up our lives, despite the hundreds of people we will meet in our travels, you are mine and I am yours forever.”

VOWS



Your wedding rings represent the unconditional love that you have for one another and are a symbol of the vows that you will make today. ____, take this ring, put it on ___'s finger and repeat after me:



I, __________, take you, ____________, to be my wife/husband, my partner in life and my one true love.

I will cherish our friendship and love you today, tomorrow, and forever.

I will trust you and respect you, I will laugh with you and cry with you.

I will love you faithfully and unconditionally through the best and the worst, the difficult and the easy.

Whatever may come, I promise I will always be there for you.

Declaration of consent

“____________ (groom), will you have this woman to be your wedded wife, to live together in the estate of matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, and, forsaking all others, keep yourself only for her so long as you both shall live?”

Groom responds: “I Will”

And, ____________ (bride), will you have this man to be your wedded husband, to live together in the estate of matrimony? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, and, forsaking all others, keep yourself only for him so long as you both shall live?”

Bride responds: “I Will”

Closing:

We who are present today, hope that the inspiration of this moment will never be forgotten. May all your days and years to come be filled with vision, joy and passion.

May the love you now share continue to grow, and may the happiness you bring to each other be a continuing part of your life together.

May you continue to laugh often and enjoy each other every day, steadfast in hope and confidence, believing in yourself and believing in each other.

May your love be a sanctuary and a source from which you draw strength to live your lives with enthusiasm and imagination.

May the people you touch in your lifetime know how much you love and care for one another and may you love one another forever.



With friends and family, you (groom), and you (bride), have openly pledged yourselves to one another in love and faithfulness, It is my privilege, by the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, to pronounce you husband and wife.

You may now kiss the groom!

Bahamas Wedding Requirements - What You Should Know About Making Your Wedding In The Bahamas Legal.

You have set your mind on having your dream wedding in the Bahamas and looking forward to welcoming your guest to this island paradise just off the coast of Florida - and thinking about the party after the ceremony.

But hold up. Are you sure that the person you have selected as your wedding officiant can legally marry you in the Bahamas?

When it comes to getting married in the Bahama, you have got to have the right person as your wedding officiant to make it legal.

According to Bahamas wedding requirements,  Ship captains, ordained religious ministers, Justice of the Peace, Notary public or even your own pastor can not legally marry you in the Bahamas.

In the Bahamas weddings can only be performed by persons who have been duly licensed and recognized as Marriage Officers by the Bahamas Government.

With the exception being the Registrar, Magistrates or local family Island Administrators. Who by virtue of the office they hold can act as wedding officiants. 


So the first question you need to ask of the person that you are considering to officiate at your wedding is “Are you a Licensed Marriage Officer?” As this is the one designation of persons licensed and credentialed to legally marry you in the Bahamas based on Bahamas wedding requirements.

And the position of Marriage Officer is that of a public servant and as such is required to professionally perform their duties with integrity, complete efficiency and accuracy.
At the end of the marriage ceremony, your wedding officiant is required to complete and sign four documents:-

1. Two copies of the Marriage Register, which is given to each of you.
2. One Marriage Duplicate Register, which he is required to submit to the Registrar General’s office as soon as possible. And
3. The Marriage Officer’s Register Book for his own record keeping. ( The signature of the bride and groom and two witnesses must also be on these four documents. And the witnesses may also be required to print their names for legibility.)
4. After the wedding ceremony the a copy of the Marriage Duplicate Register is submitted to the Registrar General's Office for the issuance of a certified Marriage Certificate. This usually take about 2 working days and cost $20.00 per certified copy.
5.  Once the Certified Marriage Certificate is received then it time for the final step in the process - getting an Apostille! And you get this from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs located East Hill Street. The Apostille take 3 working days and cost $10.00 per copy.

I can hear you asking "what is an Apostille?"  Well an Apostille is a certificate that allows country that are party to the Hague Conference - Apostille Convention (your country of residence) to authenticate the origin of a public document (e.g., a birth, marriage or death certificate, a judgment, an extract of a register or a notarial attestation).

Simply put an Apostille is the Bahamas' way of telling your government and the world that you were married in the Bahamas.

And of cause you know that another Bahamas weddings requirements for your wedding ceremony to happen is that you need to get a marriage license and you can only apply for your marriage license, 24 hours after your arrival in the Bahamas.

Glenn Ferguson is your Bahamas Wedding Planner & Officiant at Weddings Bahamas Style - Helping You To Create Your Memorable Bahamas Wedding. Just call 1-242-327-2453 or email nuptialpreacha@gmail.com or glennsferguson@gmail.com

Wedding Vows - How to Write Your Own Wedding Vows

As a wedding officiant,  I help persons of different faiths and varied life experiences in personalizing the wedding ceremony that is right for their special day - and whether your choice is formal and traditional or contemporary and casual, your wedding vows makes the day memorable not only for you but for your guest as well.

And while you get to choose from a variety of wedding vows incorporating your own traditions and preferences, more and more couples are opting to write their own wedding vows.

So if that is your desire here are some tips for you on writing your own wedding vows.

The first bit of advice to you is that while you want your wedding vows to be meaningful you also want to be as concise as possible. By keeping your vows concise you avoid overloading it with redundant and meaningless word which detracts from your intention and overwhelm your guest.  A short ceremony is always better and I promise, you will get lots of complements from your guest.

Secondly, be sure to allow your wedding officiant or minister to review and edit your vows. It will certainly help with the quality and completeness of the vows.

Let your feeling show.  Your wedding ceremony is the time to let your feeling show as you are declaring to the world your love for each other. So do not be afraid to express your feeling in your wedding vows. The good thing is that you can say anything that you want to say that is fitting for your relationship and wedding ceremony as long as you both agree to be married somewhere in the wedding vows.

Review what other have done. We all need some inspiration so feel free to look at what other couples have done and you will be surprised by how closely your feeling relates to others . You can also get lots of insights from wedding poems and songs.
              
Finally, while you can chose to write your wedding vows together or apart. I recommend that you do it together as it will give you an added opportunity to bond so get together.  And be sure to have plenty of facial napkins as I promise you, there will be lots of emotions!

Glenn S. Ferguson is your Bahamas Wedding Planner & Bahamas Wedding Officiant at Wedding Bahamas Style - Helping You To Create Your Memorable Bahamas Wedding. Just call 1-242-327-2453 or email nuptialpreacha@gmail.com or glennsferguson@gmail.com

A Unity Sand Wedding Ceremony - Bahamas Wedding Style

I am finding myself officiating at more Unity Sand Wedding Ceremonies as they are becoming quite popular not only for its keepsake and decorative result but also because they are much more practical for the outdoors where candles can be affected by nature.

And if a Unity Sand Wedding Ceremony is what you have planned for your special day then the Bahamas is just the place for you - as there is an abundance of sand!

The ceremony can take a few forms. You can either use three decorative glass vase, placing one color of sand into one vase and a second color into another vase to represent the Bride and Groom.

During the service the Groom pours a portion of his sand into the third keepsake vessel. The Bride then pours a portion of her sand in on top of the Groom’s in the third vase. To conclude, the Bride and the Groom jointly pour the remaining sand in each of their respective vase into the keepsake vessels. Thereby commingling the colors of their sand into a creative demonstration of two becoming one.

Or you can simply choose to pour your sand into the wind to represent the coming together of your lives.

And in the Bahamas you can get your two colors without having to use any coloring dye as there is naturally both pink and powdery white sand.

And if you need some ideas for your ceremony here are two Unity Sand Wedding Ceremony that your Wedding Bahamas Style Wedding Officiant recommends.

Sample Wedding Bahamas Style Unity Sand Ceremony - 1

WEDDING OFFICIANT: - “Today, this relationship is symbolized through the pouring of these two individual containers of sand one, representing you BRIDE and all that you were, all that you are, and all that you will ever be, and the other representing you, GROOM, and all that you were and all that you are, and all that you will ever be. As these two containers of sand are poured into the third container, the individual containers of sand will no longer exist, but will be joined together as one. Just as these grains of sand can never be separated and poured again into the individual containers, so will your marriage be.”

Sample Wedding Bahamas Style Unity Sand Ceremony - 2

WEDDING OFFICIANT: - “Please note this empty glass. Glass, itself, is made from sand and the sands of time have come together, melting into one piece to make this vessel. The sands of time should remind us all of our eternal love and our mortality. Today BRIDE and GROOM have chosen to represent their love to each other in a special sand ceremony. Please BRIDE and GROOM, take your separate glass of sand and alternate the pouring of sand into this joining vessel and united, repeat after me: You are my love for eternity. I blend with you. My heart is like these grains of sands, merging with yours. I am yours. You are mine. We are together forever like the sand, like the wind. We are one.”

Your Bahamas Wedding Officiant at Wedding Bahamas Style - Helping You To Create Your Memorable Bahamas Wedding. Just call 1-242-327-2453 or email nuptialpreacha@gmail.com or glennsferguson@gmail.com

Thinking About Getting Married On A Beach In The Bahamas?

I am sure you know that there is nothing like a wedding ceremony on a beach in the Bahamas - It is simply heavenly!

And very romantic with pink or pure white powdery sand in your toes, relaxing crystal-clear turquoise waves rolling onto the shore nearby and your senses tingled by the pristine, unspoiled panoramic view of the beach making your beach wedding ceremony breathtaking.

I just love officiating at a beach wedding ceremony and if you need help choosing a beach I can recommend just the one to give you that heaven on earth feeling.

As the 700 Islands of the Bahamas stretching across some 100,000 square miles of the Atlantic ocean is home to some of the best and most pristine beaches in the world. And getting there is so easy as it is only 50 miles off the coast of Florida. So if your beach wedding ideas consist of only you and your quest footprint in the sand - you are sure to find a secluded beach that is right for you.

Just know that your wedding officiant - the nuptial preacha is waiting to help you create your memorable wedding on one of these breathtaking beach in the Bahamas. Just call 1-242-327-2453 or email nuptialpreacha@gmail.com or glennsferguson@gmail.com

Bahamas Wedding Officiant

Here at Weddings Bahamas Style we can perform your wedding ceremony at anytime or place you desire, whether in formal wear at a hotel or flip flops on one of the countless pristine beaches across the 700 islands of the Bahamas.

And while your ceremony may be conducted in a half hour giving you and your guest time to really enjoy the reception and the beauty of the islands. The time I spend helping you prepare for your very special day - meeting, coordinating, responding to e-mails and phone calls far exceeds what your family and guests see on your day!

And I promise that while I maybe the least expensive of all your wedding expenses, the role I perform at your ceremony is one of the most important of your entire day and I will perform it professionally. 

Which is why it is so important to have the perfect wedding officiant and choosing the person to whom you will entrust the single, most significant and memorable event of your life is probably the most important decision you have to make (next to choosing the person you will marry) in planning your wedding. 

And why the wedding officiant at wedding Bahamas style is the perfect officiant for your wedding. Allow us to serve you and experience the joy of us creating your memorable wedding experience.

Congratulation and looking forward to seeing you in the Bahamas!

Bahamas Wedding Requirements - You Need A Certified Bahamas Wedding officiant

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! My name is Glenn Ferguson and I’m a Licensed Marriage Officer (Wedding Officiant) of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas.  And Bahamas wedding requirements requires that all weddings be performed by a licensed marriage officer.

For over ten years, as a wedding officiant I have been helping persons of different faiths and varied life experiences with one of the very special moment of their lives - getting married. We will work together to personalize the wedding ceremony that is right for you, from formal and traditional, to contemporary and casual.

You also get to choose from a variety of wedding vows or even write your own vows. Incorporating your own traditions and preferences. And you can have your ceremony performed on the beach, secluded island, at a garden or church.

So whatever your preference, I am your flexible wedding officiant and Bahamas wedding consultant.

And ready to help you make your wedding experience in the Bahamas a memorable one so please contact me to so we can get started on planning your special day!

Email me today at nuptialpreacha@gmail.com or glennsferguson@gmail.com. Tel: 1-242-327-2453 or 1-242-327-0853.
  
Glenn S. Ferguson is your Bahamas Wedding Officiant at Wedding Bahamas Style - Helping You To Create Your Memorable Bahamas Wedding. Just email any question you may have to nuptialpreacha@gmail.com or glennsferguson@gmail.com

Bahamas FREE Companion Airfare Program

FREE Companion Airfare

Plan your getaway to Nassau Paradise Island and take advantage of some of the best deals in years. And, if you book by May 10, your companion’s airfare is free.

The Details:

• Package must be booked by May 10, 2010
• Travel must be completed by December 22, 2010
• Air transportation must be purchased as part of a package which includes a minimum 4-night stay (double occupancy) at a participating hotel listed below
• Limit ONE free companion airfare offer per room
• Not valid for Business or First Class tickets
• This offer is not valid with any other air credit promotions or discounts
• Not valid for group bookings

 Check of Bahamas FREE Companion Airfare program Details