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OCTOBER 2003

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Wedding Planning in Gainesville

The day is just as you imagined it would be, the sun is streaming through the trees and a light haze enhances the beams. A cooling breeze billows your veil, everyone is smiling as they are on their way to the wonderful party that you’ve planned...something missing? Ah yes ... THE WEDDING! Amazing the number of women who not only book their reception site before the wedding site, but actually have the entire party mapped out before any consideration is given to the reason for the festivities. During peak season, several of these brides have had to scramble for a wedding site, worse, they’ve had to explain to their pastor, priest, rabbi, or other officiant why they must have the specific date in question... because so many vendors have already received deposits reserving their services for the party. It is very easy to get carried away with planning the day of your dreams, not the marriage of your dreams. The key here is to plan your wedding first, then the reception.

The single most important event on your wedding day is the sharing of vows that take you from two independent persons and bond you into a single entity. Sounds kind of alien, but from a secular point of view, such as that of the State of Florida, that’s about it. Marriage allows you to utilize insurance together, be official guardians for your children without added paperwork and other such legal responsibilities. The basic wedding vows used in the courthouse reflect this posture, granting you the permission of the state of Florida to legally function as a single unit for some purposes. Please remember that the vows you take are legally binding and should be carefully considered before you speak them, and sign your name affirming your spoken word. The wonderful people in the Alachua County Courthouse perform a simple ceremony fulfilling this purpose. They do allow some decoration to be brought in, so you needn’t think of the courthouse as a no frills option.

Though this may be enough for some, most couples desire to share more than the legal side of the coin, and use vows to reflect their feelings and desire to form a new family. The basic wedding ceremony is usually only 15 to 30 minutes long. When other components are added, such as music, readings, communion, breaking of a glass, document signing, burning of incense etc. then the ceremony can take up to an hour or more. If you decide to write your own vows, whether in addition to those traditionally used in the ceremony, or to replace those, most of these have common elements. Promises include loving and honoring one another, upholding their partner through adversity, cherishing one another, being faithful (conjugally and otherwise), sharing life with joy, welcoming children, and others.

Whether you marry in a church, a garden, a temple or a lavishly decorated banquet room is a matter of religious preference, budget, size of guest list, time of year, and personal style. If you have a church home (sub synagogue or other house of worship if needed), then you may be most comfortable in this site with your pastor/priest/ rabbi/or other officiant. If you don’t have a church home, many churches will rent their facilities for weddings (and receptions). Be sure to check the list of materials that can be provided by the church, such as candelabra, stands for floral arrangements, kneeling benches, etc. Also be aware of the types of decoration that are, and are not, allowed by the churches. Be prepared to yield to seasonal activities, particularly around Christmas, Easter, Passover, Ramadan, and other holy days. If you can fit into the holiday schedule, most churches are decorated beautifully at those times, necessitating fewer decorations for the wedding.

Most clergy will request that the couple have some pre-nuptial counseling. Don’t be shocked, a minimum of four hours of premarital counseling is also suggested by Alachua County Clerk of the Court. In fact, you can obtain a discount ($32.50) off of the marriage license fee ($88.50) if you provide proof of counseling by a counselor registered with the Alachua County Clerk of the Court. Please note that many clergy have not registered with the Clerk of the Court. If you have additional questions about waiting period, required reading of family law booklet, registered counselors, etc. please call the Alachua County Clerk of the Court at (352) 374-3623 or go online at www.alachuaclerk.org.

Looking for a site outside the church, or just outside in general? You might try:


• Kanapaha Botanical Gardens, 4700 SW 58th Drive, 352-372-4981
• Thomas Center Historic Cultural Site, 302 NE 6th Ave., 352-334-5064
• Morningside Nature Center, 352-334-2170
• Boulware Springs (historic waterworks and springs), 352-334-2170
• The Gainesville Women’s Club, 352-376-3901
• The Gainesville Garden Club, 352-331-0426
• Sweetwater Branch Inn, Bed and Breakfast, 352-373-6760
• Magnolia Plantation, Bed and Breakfast, 352-375-6653
• Gainesville Golf and Country Club, 352-372-1458
• Haile Plantation Golf and Country Club, 352-335-055
• Ironwood Golf Course, 352-334-3120
• Meadowbrook Golf Club, 352-332-0577
• Plantation Oaks Golf and Country Club, 386-462-4655 (local call from Gainesville)
• Paramount Hotel and Resort on Biven’s Arm Lake, 352-377-4000
• Matheson Museum, 352-378-2280
• Greenery Square c/o Prange’s Florist, 352-335-0100
• The Herlong Mansion, Micanopy, 352-466-3322

This list is by no means exhaustive, please forgive the author if a site was overlooked, and let us know what we missed, as we will add it to our next installment! The sites listed are all beautiful, some have rain back up and some do not. Rain can be a major issue from June through November, the hurricane season. The temperature is an issue through the drier winters. Basically, the weather in Florida is quite changeable and weather related back up is recommended throughout the year. The clubs, hotels, botanical gardens, and bed and breakfasts will generally have some interior space where the wedding can take place in the event of inclement weather. These will likely need to be reserved along with the outdoor space, and, in most cases, at an additional charge.

Indoor spaces include the hotels, local golf and country clubs, bed and breakfasts, women’s and garden clubs, museums, Matheson Historical Museum, The Thomas Center, Thelma Bolton Center, and of course the Baughman Meditation Center. The wonderful people who will reserve these spaces for weddings and other events are very knowledgeable of their facilities, and are happy to assist you in determining you actual needs.

In November, we cover reception sites and catering!

If you have questions or comments, please contact Joan Prange c/o Gainesville Today or at 335-0100.