Press Release! Uniquely, I Do recieve’s WeddingWire Award!

Posted on January 23, 2012 by admin

{Richland,WA} – January 23, 2012 – WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding Marketplace, is excited to announce Uniquely, I Do has been selected to receive the prestigious WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2012 for the Officiant Category!

The esteemed annual awards program recognizes the top local wedding vendors from the WeddingWire Network who demonstrate excellence in quality, service, responsiveness and professionalism within the wedding industry. While many industry awards are selected by the organization, Uniquely, I Do was selected based on its stellar reviews from past newlywed clients.

Uniquely, I Do is recognized as part of the top five percent of wedding professionals in the WeddingWire local vendor community, comprised of over 200,000 wedding professionals throughout the United States and Canada. The Bride’s Choice Award recognizes the best local wedding vendors across 20 service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers, based on their overall professional achievements throughout the past year.

“WeddingWire is thrilled to honor the success of the top-rated wedding professionals within the WeddingWire Community,” said Timothy Chi, CEO, WeddingWire. “Since the launch of the Bride’s Choice Awards™ program four years ago, thousands of outstanding wedding professionals have been recognized by the bridal community for their supreme service and dedication to the wedding industry. It is with great pleasure that we congratulate Uniquely%2c I Do for their continued professionalism and commitment to enriching the wedding planning experience for engaged couples.”

We are happy to announce that Uniquely%2c I Do is one of the very best Officiants within the WeddingWire Network, which includes leading wedding planning sites WeddingWire, Project Wedding, Brides.com, Martha Stewart Weddings, and Weddingbee. We would like to thank our past clients for taking the time to review our business on WeddingWire. Thanks to their positive feedback we were able to receive the WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ for 2012.

For more information, please visit our WeddingWire Storefront today at http://www.weddingwire.com/biz/uniquely-do-richland/98170406d92d60e1.html.

To learn more about the Bride’s Choice Awards™, please visit www.WeddingWire.com.

About WeddingWire, Inc.
WeddingWire™, the nation’s leading marketplace serving the $70 billion wedding industry, is the only online wedding planning resource designed to empower both engaged couples and wedding professionals. For engaged couples, WeddingWire offers the ability to search, compare and book over 200,000 reviewed wedding vendors, from wedding venues to wedding photographers. WeddingWire also offers a comprehensive suite of online planning tools for weddings, including wedding websites and wedding checklists, all at no charge. For wedding professionals, WeddingWire is the only all-in-one marketing platform for businesses online and on-the-go. WeddingWire offers one simple solution to build a professional network, improve search visibility, manage social media and reach mobile consumers. Businesses that advertise with WeddingWire appear on WeddingWire.com, ProjectWedding.com and other leading sites, including MarthaStewartWeddings.com (NYSE: MSO), Brides.com and Weddingbee.com.
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Get Married for Free and A Spot in the Record Books

Posted on November 3, 2011 by admin

Get Married for Free and A Spot in the Record Books.

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A Trip Down The Aisle by Rev. Stacey K. Miles

Posted on October 7, 2011 by admin

August 2011 e-Newsletter

A Trip Down The Aisle

by Rev. Stacey K. Miles


I am a wedding officiant. I stand front and center and have watched over a hundred brides walking down the aisle toward her groom.

Or, rather, try to walk down the aisle.

It can be painful. Not unlike a train wreck, I find myself riveted to watch the less than graceful journeys down the aisle.  I’m not alone; gasps and murmurs escape guest’s mouths, despite their attempt to appear they did not notice a bride’s flounder, trip, or tangle.

I often wonder if this is the true reason a bride’s father walks her down the aisle- to keep her upright.

A little pre-planning for your trip down the aisle will help, well, prevent a trip down the aisle. They work for bridesmaids, too!

In love with glittery high heels or red stilettos?
Forgo the potential ankle twisters, and feet busters for a cootsie pair of ballet slippers for the ceremony. You’ll be comfortable and sure-footed. Slip on your knock out, heartthrob shoes for pictures and the garter toss after you’re a Mrs.

Hem your dress.
Take the shoes you will be wearing when you get your dress hemmed so your seamstress can ensure you won’t be stepping on the front of your dress when you walk. Give it a test walk after the hemming, a good walk, not a few steps.

Does your dress have a large train?
Add Pages to your wedding party to lift and carry your train down the aisle. This will
prevent the heavy train from pulling the front of your dress, distorting the fit of the bodice and flow, and catching on pews, chairs, canes, etc. as you make your way down the aisle.

Say no to paper aisle runners.
I have yet to encounter one single paper aisle runner that did not bunch, tangle feet
or blow away, no matter the creative attempts to anchor them down with tape,
rocks or spikes. Rent an aisle runner, or check ebay, I’ve found them for sale
online for around $100.00

Walking down a grass aisle?
Revisit the first tip to prevent a trips, and add on the sinkage effect. Thin heels will sink into soft grass, and while the venue may appreciate your help in aerating their lawn,
it’s hard to look composed while pulling plugs of grass and dirt out with each step. Can’t live without heels? Check out acrylic discs that fit over the bottom of your heel, such as Penny Heels, they prevent sinkage and mud and grass stains from ruining your shoes.

Not being ‘given away’?
Consider an escort anyway. Have a brother or friend help you down the aisle so
you can keep your chin up and a smile on your face and not worry about any obstacles or dangers before you. I’ve seen too many brides staring at the floor for her entire processional.

Have a pre-ceremony glass of wine to steady the nerves?
It should be a no-brainer, but keep the alcohol light, not only so you don’t
stagger down the aisle and embarrass yourself, but your officiant may not allow
you to engage in a legally binding contract if you’re intoxicated!

***
Take is nice a slow down the aisle, if you do have a little trip or incident, right yourself, smile and continue onward, it probably won’t be the only little mishap that will happen on your wedding day, and will make for a good laugh later on.

Uniquely, I Do Tr-cities favorite wedding officiants.

www.uniquely-i-do.com

The Perfect Officiant for Your Wedding Ceremony!

Upcoming Events

*Come meet Uniquely, I Do’s wonderful officiants at the Three Rivers Bridal Show, October 16, 2011 and enter to win some fabulous
prizes!

*FREE WEDDING CEREMONY 11-11-11 Uniquely, I Do is looking for 164+ couples to get married on 11-11-11 in an attempt to break the World Record for most couples married in a single location in a 24 hour period! Each couple gets a free mini-ceremony, 1 hour reception, free cupcake and more! Visit www.uniquely-i-do.com/worldrecord.htm for details!

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Are You The Pastor?

Posted on September 7, 2011 by admin

Are You The Pastor?
By Rev. Stacey K. Miles


I am a wedding officiant
and I love my job. However; people often ask what I am. “Are you a photographer? A wedding planner?” they inquire.


One of my first
weddings, a family elder leaned toward me, eagle eyed my black clothing, service book and asked, “Are you the pastor?” I replied, “Yes, I am the wedding officiant.” He considered me a few moments, reconciling in his mind the duties he figured I came to perform, and then boomed to all in
the room, “The Pastor is here! The Pastor is here!”


His statement sums up what I am… almost.


A wedding officiant is a person authorized to perform a wedding ceremony. An officiant may be an ordained minister/pastor/rabbi/etc., a tribal leader, a current/retired judge or notary. Regulations on who may perform a marriage ceremony vary by state; some states allow self-solemnization or common law marriage.


Last summer, I had a well behaved young man of 8 or 9 years of age for a ring bearer. For the hour long rehearsal, he listened to everything I said, stood where I
instructed, walked when prompted. The day of the wedding his shoes were polished,  tux crisp and ring pillow on his palm like a fancy server, despite having a half hour before ceremony time. As I gathered the wedding party, bride, groom, mothers and fathers, and finally ring bearer, he looked up at me with large brown eyes and said, “Now I get who you are, you’re going to do the marrying. I thought only guys did that.”


Like this boy, many people expect the wedding official to be male, and visualize a man dressed in a black robe or suit. This idea comes from hundreds, thousands of years, when most leaders were male. Lucky for me, times have changed.


Newly termed wedding officiants (sometimes called life celebrants) have largely taken the place of ‘traditional’ officials, especially for weddings held outside of a church or court room. Today’s officiants do much more than simply preside over a ceremony with a standard script.  Most new officiants are warm, creative, responsive and caring. And awesome public speakers. They are not merely doing a service in conjuncture with their church or role with an institution. Many wedding officiants offer on-denominational, spiritual or civil services, filling a growing need as belief systems, family
dynamics and old traditions are replaced. And many are female.


So this is how I answer the question, ‘What are you?’

“I am a female ordained minister who sought ordination through a non-denominational church for the sole purpose of having authority to legally marry couples.”


I spend hours creating ceremonies, meeting with couples, attending rehearsals… in short, working hard to create a perfect, memorable ceremony, which I will deliver with the very best wishes for the couple’s future as man and wife. And I love my job.



Uniquely, I Do Tr-cities favorite wedding officiants.~Reverend Stacey K. Miles

(aka-the perfect wedding officiant for your ceremony)

Upcoming Events

Come meet Uniquely, I Do’s wonderful officiants at the
Three Rivers Bridal Show, October 16, 2011 and enter to win some fabulous
prizes!

Now scheduling free consultations for 2012 weddings! Email

stacey@uniquely-i-do.com or call/text 509-948-6974


Join Bride 2 Bride, a local bride support group!

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FAMILY UNITY CANDLE LIGHTING CEREMONY

Posted on September 1, 2011 by admin

The Perfect Wedding Ceremony Ideas


FAMILY UNITY CANDLE LIGHTING CEREMONY

Sample Wording


“Groom and bride, you have chosen to affirm your love
by the lighting of a unity candle. I would
like the groom and bride’s mothers to now each
light a candle, representing their individual
families.

It is said, ‘From every human being there
rises a light that reaches straight to heaven.
And when two souls are destined for each other
and find each other, their streams of light
flow together and a single, brighter light
goes forth from their united being.’ (by Baal
Shem Tov)

Bride and groom, if you will please take your
family’s candle and together light the center
candle symbolizing the unity of your hearts
and families, and repeat after me,

From this day forth,
my soul flows with your soul.

I have found in you the one to light my days

and warm my nights.

You are my love for all my life.”

View this ceremony addition and many more at www.uniquely-i-do.com!

Adore this unity set? Click here to purchase it at our wedstore!

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Creating a Memorable Recessional by Rev. Stacey K. Miles

Posted on September 1, 2011 by admin

Creating a Memorable Recessional
by Rev. Stacey K. Miles

Photo of Kelli & Trevor, a Uniquely, I Do couple

Don’t worry if you’re wondering what a recessional
is, I answer this question for my couples all the
time. (I don’t expect you to be an expert with all
things weddings, after all, most people only get married once.)

The recessional is the bride and groom’s exit,
followed by the wedding party, after the officiant
pronounced you husband and wife and the kiss
commenced.

I personally enjoy a fun, unique recessional; it
sets the tone for the reception, and the start of
your future as husband and wife. Many couples who
are hesitant to break ‘tradition’ for the wedding
ceremony find a unique recessional a perfect
solution to incorporating their personalities into
their special day. (Those who opt for a unique
ceremony from start to ‘I Do’ get a special permit
from this officiant to really-really-really have fun
with their recessional!)

Another bonus to creating a memorable recessional…
imagine the cheers, smiles and laughter from your
guests as you surprise them with a grand finale to
your wedding ceremony! You’re guests will remember
your ceremony for years to come.

Here are some fun ideas for your recessional.

  • Forget Cannon in D and other sleeper songs, select
    an upbeat song that will have guests singing and
    tapping along!

  • Hop on your new hubby’s back for a piggy back ride
    down the aisle. Alternately, have your strong
    hubby lift you in his arms and carry you down the
    aisle.

  • Cruise down the aisle on a rented tandem bicycle.
    Horseback, tractor, mopeds, Harleys and vintage
    cars are other fun options. Think wide aisle.



  • Put
    your groomsmen to work! Have them pull the bride
    and groom out in a decorated rickshaw.

  • Choreograph a dance routine to your favorite upbeat song, or have everyone free style down the
    aisle. Have bridesmaids and groomsmen encourage
    guests from the seats to dance down the aisle as
    well.

  • Skip or run down the aisle.
  • Plant friends armed with faux rifles, plastic
    swords, light sabers, or skateboards on the aisle
    seats and have them stand and raise their weapon
    for a salute for bride and groom to walk under.

  • Show everyone how bright your future is going to
    be, after the kiss, pull your your shade and
    coolly slip them on. The wedding party can follow
    suit.

  • Everyone loves a hand jive. Starting with bride and groom,
    have each pair in the wedding party come up with
    their own hand jive to do before starting down the
    aisle. A creative handshake or high five is fun,
    too.

  • Release a pair of doves.
  • Strike a pose. Work it, bride and groom, work it!
    Have everyone strike an outlandish model pose
    before going down the catwalk-er- aisle.
  • Roll the credits. Have your officiant or dj
    introduce the bride and groom before their ext in
    a theatrical voice, saying something unique and
    special about each one, then follow with the
    wedding party.


  • Party time! Have the groom & his men all strip off
    their jacket and ties, the bride and her maids
    unpin their hair and slip off their shoes—think
    Kevin Bacon cool in Footloose as you strut down
    the aisle!

  • Star
    wars, anime or gamer fanatics? Go for it! Slip on
    your helmet, crusader cape, pixie ears, steam punk
    glasses or eye masks and the bride and groom can
    make their get away! Secret super heroes? Have the
    grooms rip open their formal wear to show their
    inner Superman t-shirts!

  • Movie moments. Think Dirty Dancing, Grease,
    Glee and the like for inspiration.



  • Remember, your wedding should be a reflection of the
    your personalities and the future you are building.
    Adding in fun ceremony elements to express this will
    make lasting impressions. Forcing your groom, bride
    or wedding party to participate in what one person
    thinks would be awesome could result in arguments
    and awkward moments.



Caution and warnings: Many of the ideas assume your
wedding is outdoors. Please use common sense and
check with ordinances-rules-etc. at your specific
venue before enacting. Please use common sense
safety and practice, practice, practice. Brides,
always check the appropriateness of your dress
length before attempting.


Uniquely, I Do Tr-cities favorite wedding officiants.


www.uniquely-i-do.com

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June 2011 Newsletter

Posted on June 22, 2011 by admin

June 2011


Dear B&Gs,
Wedding planning is an exciting and stressful time. I created this newsletter to provide my couples helpful tips, resources and information to get you through to your big day. Even if you are not using my officiant services for your ceremony, I hope you find these newsletters useful!
~Stacey

Summer Wedding Survival Tips

by Rev. Stacey K. Miles



Summer is the most popular time of year for weddings, and potentially, the most dangerous. Without proper planning, your wedding may be remembered for the fainting spells and ailments, not the beauty of the ceremony or fabulous decorations. Avoid ceremony troubles with these quick and simple tips to keep everyone well, including guests, at your wedding:


Make it clear the ceremony and/or reception will be
held outside.
Print it on the invitation, post it on your Wedsite
and remind guests as they RSVP. Guests expecting an
air conditioned venue will swelter if they don’t
know to wear appropriate attire. Think of your
bridesmaids and groomsmen when selecting attire;
chose fabrics that will keep them cool and
comfortable.


Provide options for relief.
Order pretty colored fans, or turn your wedding
program into a fan, your guests will appreciate the
gesture! Search online for tons of great templates,
or have them professionally printed. Paper umbrellas
are adorable, affordable, and offer shade for
bridesmaids or special guests. Pop up a shade tent
to the side of general seating for elders, and very
young children, who are especially vulnerable to the
heat. Install misters and or fans.

Emergency Kit.

Prepare an emergency kit, or make sure your venue has one available for use. Stock it with Benadryl for bee stings, insect bite relief, non-aspirin pain reliever, band aids, and other first aid essentials.

Keep hydrated.
You don’t want to faint at the alter, or have a
guest fall ill from dehydration. Keep a water bottle with you all day and drink plenty. For guests, offer water stations or chilled bottled waters pre-ceremony, during the ceremony & throughout the reception. For fun and flair, add colorful & yummy garnishes to match your motif, fresh raspberries and lemon, watermelon and mint. If you are a DIY bride, get your bridesmaids together and make personalized labels for water bottles. As the day progresses, have servers remind guests to enjoy their champagne and cocktails in moderation and to visit the water stations often.

Sun block!
Eastern Washington and Oregon is known for
blistering heat waves. You don’t want to leave for
your honeymoon in sunburn pain, so slave on the
sunscreen and pass it around your wedding party.
When applying makeup, use a good SPF moisturizer and
products that are non-greasy.

Deodorant, deodorant, deodorant.
Don’t skimp, get the best antiperspirant and
deodorant, and give it a try on a hot day before
your big day to ensure it gets the job done. Don’t
forget to carry along sweat and oil absorbing sheets
for your face. Worried about a notoriously smelly
groomsmen? Deodorant tucked into a groomsmen’s gift
bag should give a subtle hint.

Rest.
Take time to retreat to a shady area, or
air-conditioned room. This is your big day, full of
excitement and activity, the added heat will zap
your energy and strength.

Order these gorgeous fans for your guests!


They’ll love the wedding memento and the heat
relief!

Available in pretty colors!


About Uniquely, I Do

A non-denominational ordained minister, Stacey embraces the uniqueness of your love that belongs only to you and your chosen life partner.  From elopements to elegant wedding ceremonies, Stacey will officiate your wedding (perform your marriage ceremony) with your
love, your dreams, your beliefs and styles as her guide.

Please visit www.uniquely-i-do.com for ceremony packages and to receive a free quote and consultation.
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Wedding Showcase, June 4th, 2011 Red Lion, Kennewick, WA

Posted on June 2, 2011 by admin

I’ll see you there!

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Kate & William’s Wedding Ceremony Wording

Posted on May 3, 2011 by admin

Thinking you want a royal wedding ceremony? Here is the wording to Kate & William’s wedding:

Solemnization of Marriage conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury

Archbishop to Prince William: William Arthur Philip Louis, wilt thou have this woman to thy wedded wife, to live together according to God’s law in the holy estate of matrimony?

Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honour and keep her, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?

He answers: I will.

Archbishop to Catherine: Catherine Elizabeth, wilt thou have this man to thy wedded husband, to live together according to God’s law in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou love him, comfort him, honour and keep him, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?

She answers: I will.

The Archbishop continues: Who giveth this woman to be married to this man?

The Archbishop receives Catherine from her father’s hand. Taking Catherine’s right hand, Prince William says after the Archbishop: I, William Arthur Philip Louis, take thee, Catherine Elizabeth to my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse: for richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health; to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God’s holy law; and thereto I give thee my troth.

They loose hands. Catherine, taking Prince William by his right hand, says after the Archbishop: I, Catherine Elizabeth, take thee, William Arthur Philip Louis, to my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse: for richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health; to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God’s holy law; and thereto I give thee my troth.

They loose hands. The Archbishop blesses the ring: Bless, O Lord, this ring, and grant that he who gives it and she who shall wear it may remain faithful to each other, and abide in thy peace and favour, and live together in love until their lives’ end. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prince William takes the ring and places it upon the fourth finger of Catherine’s left hand. Prince William says after the Archbishop: With this ring I thee wed; with my body I thee honour; and all my worldly goods with thee I share: in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.


The congregation remains standing as the couple kneels. The Archbishop says: Let us pray.

O Eternal God, Creator and Preserver of all mankind, giver of all spiritual grace, the author of everlasting life: send thy blessing upon these thy servants, this man and this woman, whom we bless in thy name; that, living faithfully together, they may surely perform and keep the vow and covenant betwixt them made, whereof this ring given and received is a token and pledge; and may ever remain in perfect love and peace together, and live according to thy laws; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Archbishop joins their right hands together and says: Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder.

The Archbishop addresses the congregation: Forasmuch as William and Catherine have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have given and pledged their troth either to other, and have declared the same by giving and receiving of a ring, and by joining of hands; I pronounce that they be man and wife together, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

The Archbishop blesses the couple: God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost, bless, preserve, and keep you; the Lord mercifully with his favour look upon you; and so fill you with all spiritual benediction and grace, that ye may so live together in this life, that in the world to come ye may have life everlasting. Amen.

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Newly Wed? Update your name with Social Security before you file your taxes.

Posted on January 4, 2011 by admin

Update Your Name Before You File

If took your spouse’s last name (yes, men can opt to take their wife’s last name!), you need to get an updated Social Security card so it reflects your new last name.

It is recommended you get a new SS card before you file your income taxes so there is no delay in processing (and getting your refund!).

Unsure how to change your name? Visit http://ssa-custhelp.ssa.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/315

Posted in Marriage and Taxes, Oh My! | Leave a comment