Tessa & Dustin! The Columbus Athenaeum

Here we are in downtown Columbus, Ohio, on a beautiful day. We could use more days like this now. As the wedding officiant for Tessa & Dustin, I had a marvelous time celebrating with them on their big day. Their ceremony took place inside The Columbus Athenaeum, which offers the advantage of photographs in the city. The Renaissance Hotel is very close to The Athenaeum, so a shot like this one (above) becomes possible. Pretty cool, huh?

In this shot I am privileged to pose for a moment with this lovely couple. Tessa & Dustin look very happy and I am so glad for them!

Lastly, Tessa & Dustin share a kiss to celebrate their new union as husband and wife. Tessa & Dustin I wish you many years of God's Best and all the blessings of love and marriage together for all your years!

The photographs in this entry are courtesy of Red Gallery Photography and the fine work of Clay Justice and Lisa Hernandez. They are not only outstanding artists but very kind people as well. I encourage a visit to their website by following the link provided or give them a call at 614-794-1113.

Lauren & Darin - Our Lady of Victory

Here we go at Our Lady of Victory Reception Hall in Columbus, Ohio, (technically it's in Marble Cliff). As the wedding officiant for Lauren & Darin, I believe I was one of the very few to solemnize a wedding there without being a priest. Life's circumstances can be interesting at times, but I certainly loved celebrating with this beautiful couple on their special day!

Below, Lauren is repeating her vows which read in part, "I give you this ring as as sign of my promise". It was very sweet.  

A happy moment below..."it is my honor and privilege to now pronounce you husband and wife! You may kiss the bride!".

A joyous day and great weather too! Here is the lovely bride with her happy groom. Darin seems very satisfied at this moment. Lauren and Darin, I enjoyed my time with you and wish you many happy years together!

Another very sweet shot of this beautiful couple.

You may find this hard to believe but the professional photographer who took these images requested to remain completely anonymous. He was kind enough to share them with us, but he does not want to work in the wedding industry as he is active in another field. We are grateful to him and would have listed his contact info if it were not for his request.  

This next shot is really classy. The sun's rays coming through with the styled architecture and the way this couple is looking at each other along with Darin holding her dress. Very cool.

Thanks for reading my blog!

Mike and Andrea - Whetstone Park of Roses!

Here we are at the Whetstone Park of Roses Shelter House, in Columbus Ohio, where I joined Andrea and Mike for their celebration as their wedding officiant. They had a fantastic ceremony, filled with fun and technology! As self-declared IT geeks, they read their personal vows from their smart phones! It was great! They have two of the sweetest girls, Eris and Aaliyah. In top photo see lower right corner where one of their daughters looks on with wonder!

Andrea & Mike I wish you all the best in your years together!

Photographs are courtesy of Cassidy Dawn photography.

Her contact info listed here! Link to site: Cassidy Dawn. Her phone: 740-703-6495

Her email: cassidy@cassidydawn.com

Maurice & Elisa! The River Club at Confluence Park!

Here we are at the River Club at Confluence Park, and in the background, a gorgeous view of Downtown Columbus, Ohio! I had the pleasure of serving as the wedding officiant for Maurice and Elisa.

It was a beautiful day, and many of their friends and family came to share in their special day. I had a lot of fun -and as you can see on Elisa's face, she is enjoying their celebration. And just look at the incredible train on her dress! Their sweet daughter, Isabella, is on grandma's lap up front.

Wishing you, Maurice and Elisa, a great marriage as as you continue on your life's journey together!

Photographs in this entry are courtesy of Benjamin Todd photography. You can contact Benjamin at 614-274-1458. His email is contact@benjamintoddphotography.com.



Lei & Jeff's Ceremony

Enjoy some of Lei & Jeff's Ceremony at the Blackwell in Columbus Ohio. I had the honor of serving as their wedding officiant!

Video courtesy of Nathan Nazeck at Prodigy Video. 

Brand New Venue - Grand Oaks in Grove City, Ohio!

The weather in Columbus Ohio is cold and icy right now in early February. As a wedding officiant, I have the pleasure of serving brides and grooms at many venues. As a reminder that our current wintry weather will not last, it was sunny and warmer on the day I visited. Grand Oaks Event and Business Center in Grove City is a brand new wedding venue that I feel sure you will love. 

New Wedding Venue - Grand Oaks Event and Business Center in Grove City

Below is Randy Mosher, co-owner of this gorgeous facility. He and his wife, Peggy Mosher, built this center from the ground up. They were able to fulfill their dream and fill it with personal touches and amenities that make the overall experience pleasant and memorable. Let's have a look at some details. If you were to ask Randy and Peggy "What makes your center unique and special?" - here is their response:

Wow, where do we start? We often hear from different clients that come through our facility some version of “Oh, my gosh, there's just no place like this anywhere in Columbus/Central Ohio!”, and we also hear a lot of “Wow, you guys have just thought of EVERYTHING! Why didn't anyone else think to do all this??”

We love hearing those sentiments, and of course that was our goal: to offer you more.

• For starters, our Ballroom seats approx. 350 people (depending on seating arrangement) and our patio is actually bigger than the Ballroom.
• Our fenced in lawn is about the same size as our entire building (over 12,000 sq. ft.). Talk about a place for a fabulous outdoor event!
• If you're having a ceremony, you can have it and the reception all here, and we offer a variety of ceremony sites. For instance, there's the gazebo on the lawn (with paved walkway, wired for sound & electricity); the patio (sized perfectly to hold a tent if desired, with built-in fireplace, fountain, & 3-hole putting green); the Ballroom (with an aisle similar to a large church, built-in stage, plenty of ceiling hook-points for optional lights or draping); or the Gallery (with beautiful black granite fireplace, crystal chandelier, and a great view of the lawn beyond).
• Our Ballroom does not have any columns to block your guests' view, opens directly onto the patio, and has truly the latest and best in audio/visual technology.
• We like to offer you options, so our dance floor and all four bars are portable. You can put them wherever you want, even outside.
• We have plenty of parking spaces and your guests park free
• We have 11 hotels nearby (within a mile) and are close to all major highways.
• And our women's restroom has not only one, but two crystal chandeliers!

Owner, Randy Mosher with Damian King, Wedding Officiant at Grand Oaks Event and Business Center in Grove City

This chandelier is beautiful enough in this photograph. But it is truly amazing in person. Here are a couple more photos.

Ladies Restroom Chandelier at Grand Oaks Event and Business Center

Grand Oaks Grand Ballroom Ceiling, Multi-Layered for Enhanced Visual and Acoustic Effects

Main Sign for Grand Oaks Event and Business Center in Grove City Ohio

Call Randy or Peggy Mosher, or their event manager, Cori Rapp at 614-539-0199. You can visit their website by following the link provided here. Randy's, Peggy's and Cori's email addresses are respectively, randy@grandoaksevents.com, peggy@grandoaksevents.com, and cori@grandoaksevents.com. United Marriage Services LLC and Grand Oaks Event and Business Center are members of the Wedding Professionals of Columbus, Jamie Rapavy, president.

All photos in this entry are courtesy of Open Prism Photography and the work of photographer, Rebekah King. You can visit her website by following the link provided. Rebekah's phone number is 614-653-9082.

Thanks for visiting my website and reading my blog!

Tiara & Miguel - Tall Timbers in Reynoldsburg, Ohio

Columbus Ohio, Wedding Officiant Damian King at Tall TimbersThe air is filled with dignity and joy as we make our entrance. Columbus, Ohio has many wedding venues. Tiara and Miguel asked me to be their wedding officiant and chose Tall Timbers Banquet and Conference Center in Reynoldsburg to celebrate their big day. I had the honor of conducting the very first outdoor ceremony at Tall Timbers as wedding minister for this great couple.

Tall Timbers Wedding - Damian King Wedding Officiant - Tiara and Miguel's Kiss

I love the laced effect on Tiara's train in this shot. You will also notice some small bags with sand or gravel tied in laced fabric to keep the runner from blowing in the wind. Nice call! I have seen some runners twist and blow around in the wind. Finding a way to secure them always is a good idea.

"You may kiss the bride!"   I think they heard me!

On to the next photo...

I like this next shot where I ceremonially sign their Marriage Certificate. You can see how beautiful Tiara's dress is, and the fantastic color-scheme she selected. Notice how well her bouquet matches Miguel's boutonniere? I truly enjoy these moments with the bride and groom. These moments are very special and memorable, not just for them, but for me as well. Tiara & Miguel, I was happy to be your wedding minister and I wish you many blessed and beautiful days as you enjoy your future together!

Columbus Ohio Wedding Officiant Damian King Signs Tiara and Miguel's Marriage Certificate All photographs in this entry are courtesy of the fine creative work of Victor Huang of Victor Huang Photography. You can reach Victor by visiting his website at the link provided or by calling 614-403-6104. Victor's email is contact@victorhuangphotography.com. Thanks for reading my blog entry. Have a great day!

Pam & Rick at Franklin Park Conservatory

Franklin Park Conservatory Wedding - Damian King and RickHaving a wedding at Franklin Park Conservatory in Columbus, Ohio is always such a great experience. After Pam and Rick asked me to be their wedding officiant I had the pleasure of celebrating their union in the Palm House. The Palm House may be hot, but it is still a cool place to tie the knot!

I apologize for the lame humor, but I couldn't resist. Besides, Pam and Rick were a lot of fun to celebrate with! There were many smiles, some jokes, and a great deal of fun and joy as this couple became husband and wife. In this picture to the left, Rick and I are waiting peacefully for Pam who can be seen in the foreground during her bridal walk.

Their ceremony is now underway as I adjust my glasses.

Franklin Park Conservatory Wedding - Damian King with Pam and Rick

Something funny is now said. I can't remember if it was me, Pam or Rick who said it, but we were all enjoying the moment.

Franklin Park Conservatory Wedding - Damian King with Pam and Rick 2Pam and Rick exchange vows. Let's be sure the ring is secure.

Franklin Park Conservatory Wedding - Damian King with Pam and Rick 3Sweet feelings arise. I just love their expressions.

Franklin Park Conservatory Wedding - Damian King, OfficiantNow, their sand ceremony with their children's involvement. How cool is that?

Sand Ceremony at Franklin Park Conservatory - Damian King OfficiantPam and Rick now Husband and Wife - Franklin Park Conservatory 

Pam and Rick are excited to be husband and wife!

Pam says, "Let's Kiss" - Wedding at Franklin Park Conservatory

Come here my love, let's kiss!

Pam and Rick Kiss - Wedding at Franklin Park Conservatory

Although spontaneous, Rick agrees. Pam and Rick in Palm House, Columbus Ohio at Franklin Park Conservatory

Rick's smile tells it all. Pam and Rick in Palm House, Columbus Ohio at Franklin Park Conservatory 2

Tearful joy and sheer contentment!

Pam and Rick, thanks for asking me to be a part of this awesome day! May you enjoy all your days together and may they be filled with much love, joy, and zest for life!

All photographs in this entry are courtesy of Open Prism Photography and the artistic work of Rebekah King. Rebekah can be contacted by calling 614-653-9082. You can also visit her website by following the link provided.

Violinist, Connie Anderson, filled the air with beautiful music. Connie can be reached by calling 614-746-0393.      Her email is CAnderson43212@aol.com.

Shiela & Chris Celebrate Their Love at Darby House

Shiela and Chris at Darby HouseThis is a photo of Shiela & Chris, now husband and wife. I had the honor of being their wedding officiant and we had a lot of fun on a warm day this past September in Columbus, Ohio. More specifically, we were at Darby House in Galloway.

I am going to allow these following shots to tell their own story. It has been said that "a picture is worth a thousand words". These next photos help to confirm the truth in this phrase.

Shiela & Chris, may all of your days together be rich and blessed!

Kelli Harris of Kelli Harris Photography is the lady whose fine work helped to capture these moments. You can reach Kelli at 614-429-0784 and by email at kachickabiddy1@yahoo.com. Cameron Mitchell Restaurants provides the fine food at Darby House and is a member of Wedding Professionals of Columbus.

I hope you have had fun reading my blog entry. Thanks and enjoy the rest of your day!

Lauren & Jeremy - Wedding at Mirror Lake!

Here we are at Mirror Lake on the campus of Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio! Lauren & Jeremy asked me to be their wedding officiant and I had a great time with this bride and groom and their families. I like the fact that you can see the jet fountain in the background on this beautiful day to have a wedding. This photograph was taken by a family member and you may notice a little bit of a color theme in this shot. Scarlet and gray.  Go Bucks!

Days of Joy - Callie & Nick in Wapakoneta

Isn't this an amazing image of Callie & Nick? As a wedding officiant, my home base is Columbus Ohio, but I do travel when I am able to. We were at SoSerene in Wapakoneta Ohio to celebrate this incredible day in their lives.

In this next photograph, Nick waits with anticipation for his lovely bride.

Callie and Nick you are now husband and wife!

Why shouldn't you celebrate?

I did not want to complete this entry without this beautiful and touching image below.

Callie & Nick, may all your days be beautiful and blessed! All photographs in this entry are courtesy of Sara Horne of Sara Beth Photography. You can view more of Sara's great work at the link provided. Sara's phone number is 937-423-1727 and her email is sarabethphotography@live.com.

Thanks for reading my blog. Have a wonderful day!

I'll Love You Forever

A rarely captured moment - I love this photograph! One of the many joys of being a wedding officiant in Columbus Ohio, is seeing the love between a husband and wife and it continues to amaze me. Here, Andy and Maggie are on the campus of The Ohio State University sharing the love that has grown between them. There were so many wonderful images of their special day, that I am likely to share them on this blog in small numbers!

Kevin Keefer is the photographer behind this image. You can contact Kevin by following the link to Kevin Keefer Photography or calling 614-787-4743. Kevin is not only a great photographer, but a really nice person to work with who will help to make your day very memorable. His email is kevin@kkeefer.com. You can also read Andy & Maggie's review of Kevin's work by following this link at Weddingwire.

Aaron & Lai Shan - Beautiful Wedding, Wonderful Couple.

Aaron and Lai Shan were married in Columbus Ohio (technically Dublin) and they asked me to be their wedding officiant. Photos were taken by family and friends. Here we are in one of the rooms at Embassy Suites Hotel on upper Metro Place. As their wedding minister, I had the honor of helping with their vows. It's time for their ring exchange here and we were having some fun. They have a great sense of humor and they really enjoy joking with each other often ...Maybe I was whispering to Lai Shan that if Aaron tried to run for the exit door, I would be sure to block him!

I love keeping things light during the ceremony and this seems to help brides and grooms loosen up after all their hours preparing and waiting. Besides, my belief is that a wedding ceremony should be joyful - a time of celebration!

As I presented Aaron and Lai Shan as Mr. and Mrs. their guests applauded with joy and happiness!

I love the lighting and water in this photograph. Aaron and Lai Shan, thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of this monumental time in your lives!

May all your days together be richly blessed, and filled with happiness!

To read comments by Aaron and Lai Shan follow these links: Weddingwire.com, Onewed.com.

A Darby House Wedding - Lindsey & Logan

Lindsey & Logan were a wonderful couple and I truly enjoyed celebrating their union as their wedding officiant. Of all the venues in the Columbus, Ohio area they chose Darby House in Galloway Ohio, and it no wonder why. The grounds are incredible, the service is awesome, and the food is delicious. I love performing ceremonies for couples as their wedding minister here because it is consistently a positive experience. You can read more about Darby House by following this link to Weddingwire.com. I love having fun at the wedding ceremonies I perform and I am so glad that Lindsey and Logan were having a great time too!

What a sweet photo. I really like this one a lot. The expressions of the bride and groom are so unrehearsed and natural and together with the horse and carriage and lush green surroundings, in my opinion this image is amazing.

Together on the horse-drawn carriage, content, and sharing the beginning of the rest of their lives. Lindsey and Logan may all your days together be filled with love, joy, and blessings!

All photographs in this entry are courtesy of the fine work of Ely Brothers Photography. You can contact Caleb and Levi Ely by following the link provided. You can also call Caleb or Levi at 614-557-1496. You can email Caleb at caleb@elybrothers.com.

Trista Hill was their harpist. She can be seen in an earlier post with a picture.

Thanks for reading my blog!     Have a great day!

If You Want It to Last

Marriage is a wonderful and glorious estate to achieve. I perform many weddings here in Columbus, Ohio and, as a wedding officiant and marriage coach, I believe it is among the highest of all human conditions and elevates a man and a woman to a greater place than if they were alone. Romantic love between a man and woman leading to the committed love of marriage is truly amazing. Nothing will affect your life more than your own marriage if entered into seriously. But marriage gets hard. You have seen it. So often it starts out in a way that appears to be easy, but then....reality sets in. Knowledge and self-education can help you keep it together.

I have a statement that I like to use during the Marriage FoundationsTM classes we offer for those who want their marriage to last for life. It is simply, "You will sacrifice major portions of yourself FOR your marriage; OR you will sacrifice your marriage". There is no middle ground. It is the blending of two unique lives and both must contribute to make the marriage survive and thrive. Often, it is not easy but the rewards are profound and lifelong.

Fun at Ohio Stadium!

Groomsmen-groom-bride-bridesmaids. This is Columbus Ohio and as a wedding officiant in this town there is no getting away from the love of the Ohio State Buckeyes! As a wedding minister I perform many ceremonies on the grounds of this University. This year 2 were on the field where the Bucks play their game, and where they beat the team from up north. In this photo, Andy & Maggie enjoy some time just having fun with their bridal party. They were married at two places on the same day at Ohio State. More about their humorous and fun wedding in a later entry!

This photograph is courtesy of Kevin Keefer of Kevin Keefer Photography. I really love the work Kevin does and there will be more beautiful images he captured soon to come. You can contact him by following the link provided. You call also call 614-787-4743, or email Kevin at kevin@kkeefer.com.

Sand Ceremony at Franklin Park Conservatory

Being a wedding officiant in Columbus, Ohio allows me to experience many "special" ceremonies that couples, and sometimes families, include. For Pam & Rick the sand flows at Franklin Park Conservatory in a symphony of colors as this blended family combines their sand into one vase. As their wedding minister I had fun officiating this part of their ceremony. Here the height of the sand is at the inscribed letters.

Now the sand moves above the letters.

 

A few final grains poured by one serious participant. If you look closely you can actually see the last bit of sand between vases.

Now the finished product! Doesn't it look great?

Maybe you are wondering where to obtain various colors of sand if you were to use this ceremony for your wedding. You can conduct a Google search for sand ceremony kits and you will find companies like Sandsational Sparkle that sell many colors and styles. Enjoy!

All images in this entry are courtesy of Open Prism Photography and photographer, Rebekah King. You can call Rebekah at 614-653-9082.

Harpist, Trista Hill at Darby House

As a wedding officiant in Columbus, Ohio, I often have the chance to experience the work of other professionals in the wedding industry. Here is a photo of Trista Hill playing at the Darby House in Galloway, Ohio. I was the wedding minister for Lindsey & Logan during a mid-summer ceremony, (photos to come in another entry). She played beautifully and her music added a magical atmosphere to Lindsey & Logan's outdoor experience.

The song for Lindsey's bridal walk was "Somewhere Over The Rainbow", played with incredible style and grace. To contact Trista and to hear samples of her fine work follow this link, or call her at 740-363-5544. Her email address is trista@tristahill.com.

This photograph courtesy of Ely Brothers Photography. Caleb & Levi Ely can be contacted by visiting their website (link provided) or by calling 614-557-1496. They are both great to work with. You can also email Caleb at caleb@elybrothers.com.

Jaime & Janae - Cheers Chalet, Lancaster OH

Here is a bride and groom I will not soon forget. As a wedding officiant in Columbus Ohio (sometimes called a wedding minister), I have the privilege of getting to know so many wonderful couples. Jaime and his lovely bride, Janae, were married at Cheers Chalet in Lancaster, Ohio.

                                            Jaime and Janae were kind enough to share some photographs with me so that you can share a bit of their day by reading my blog. 

Jaime and Janae share their first kiss as husband and wife! What a special moment. Here is a portion of their ceremony before they kiss, said with much celebration: "Jaime and Janae, now that you have exchanged your vows on this beautiful day of celebration and joy, and along with you family, friends, and honored guests wishing you many long years of happiness, prosperity and love. It is my honor and privilege to now pronounce you husband and wife! You may kiss the bride!" 

 

The happy couple surrounded by bubbles and love!

Here is another great shot as husband and wife.

I love the look of contentment on Janae's face and joy on Jaime's as they bask in the glow of married love filling the air. Jaime & Janae, may all your days be filled with abundant blessings from this day forward!

Turning Conflict into Dialogue Part 2 of 2

As a marriage coach and wedding officiant in Columbus Ohio, it is my aim to not only officiate for couples on their wedding day, but to strengthen marriages for life as well. This is part 2 of 2 of an earlier entry.

It takes two to tango.

Both must be willing to discuss matters even though communication styles most likely differ in significant ways. You need to talk and communicate in marriage regularly and consistently and abide by the “rules” of healthy dialogue.

An argument can lead to dialogue, but if it does not then it usually involves blame, shame and proving who is right and who is wrong. It is a win/lose scenario where somebody wins and the other party loses, and in marriage since the goal should be to discover ways to strengthen your relationship nobody wins if somebody is out to win. The one who “wins” may feel good and validated as a person in the short run, but lose intimacy with the other in the long run. This is very dangerous to your marriage.

When you find yourself arguing about something pose the question, “Can we dialogue about this instead?” Better yet, when there is a point of potential contention that is important to you to discuss, ask your marriage partner, “Can we get together to dialogue about something?” and then schedule a definite time to talk. Schedule it immediately if possible; not “whenever”.

Healthy dialogue builds a relationship and says to your marriage partner, “I respect and love you.”  By making dialogue the primary way to communicate in your relationship you will build a stronger, happier, healthier marriage…even when your conflicting ideas and disagreements still exist. Over time as you continue to practice the respect dialogue brings, many of your disagreements will get worked out.

Practice healthy dialogue for the future of your marriage and your relationship.