Networking for Wedding Industry Professionals

AWP Members, January 2014

I'm often asked what happens if something happens to you on my wedding day. I respond that as a member of the Association of Wedding Professionals I have a cadre of colleagues that I support and who support me. AWP meets monthly at a different venue and each meeting has a networking element along with an educational component.  Meeting and talking with members allows me to discuss best practices with other officiants and others in the wedding industry. Last night we were at The Loft, 600 F Street, NW. The dinner was catered by R&R Catering, the food was absolutely delicious! And the night's events were captured on film by Jon Fleming Photography, jonflemingphotography@gmail.com. The education element was lead by a CPA who specializes in tax planning for small businesses. Overall, it was a great evening!

The Warmth of Love

It was a bright and sunny although cold and windy Thursday morning October 24, 2013 when we gathered at Meadowlark Regional Park in Vienna for the wedding of Alexis and Jacob. Jacob is from Kenya and arrived in the US on a balmy September day. He never experienced cold weather so he was unprepared for his chilly wedding day. His future brother-in-law loaned him an overcoat, gloves and ski cap yet Jacob was still uncomfortable. But with his brilliant smile and devoted heart, he pledged in his own words his love for Alexis in the presence of family and friends. And Alexis did likewise. Some of the ceremonies highlights: this was the first time I officiated the wedding of clergy for you see Alexis is an ordained UCC minister, Jacob offered a prayer in Swahili to recognize his family & friends, a retired priest who knew the groom from the age of two offered a lovely prayer, a friend of the bride's from elementary school captured the day's activities on film and a proud mother stood with Alexis' boss, Rev. Tim Tutt as God in all His glory watched His children become one!