Special Features / January 2008

Loving the Love Everyday

Sylvia Smith

As a graduate of The Professional Wedding Officiant School, Sylvia Smith, performs wedding ceremonies anywhere, anytime for brides and grooms in West Virginia. Her company called Willow Tree Weddings is a vision of her need to help families.

“I love my job. I love being able to make wedding dreams come true. All the weddings are beautiful and there are no two weddings alike”, she said. “When a couple calls me and says that they are ready to get married, I go right to work to make it happen. The first thing I do is talk with the bride and groom about when they want to get married, where they want to get married, any special arrangements they want, and then I help them write their vows or use the standard vows, whichever the couple chooses.”

There are many different types of services including the Dove Ceremony, Unity Candle, Rose Ceremony, and/or Memorial Service. Sylvia remembers that one couple wanted to do a memorial service for the groom’s son who had been killed in an ATV accident. “The bride and groom wanted a way to remember and share their wedding with his son. Others may include a Memorial service to remember any member of their family or friends,” she said. “One of the prettiest weddings I performed was in front of the water fountain of the State Capitol. The bride and groom were so in love. We did the dove ceremony and rose ceremony, and it was a beautiful day to be outside. One couple called me and wanted to get married right away. I met them in a park and married them at a picnic bench. Another bride had her grandsons give her away. It was very moving to see those young boys proudly escort their grandmother down the aisle. Another couple wanted a country wedding including their reception in their garage decked out “country style.” A young couple called and said they wanted to be married immediately. The bride had just received her military orders and she was shipping out within a few hours. And this October I married a groom from Sweden and a bride from Ohio.” Sylvia continued with a smile in her voice, “On a Saturday morning I got a call from a bride and groom who were both 18 wheeler drivers. They had just dropped off a load in Putnam County and got their marriage license. The bride loved her travels through West Virginia. They went on to Beckley to pick up another load. They dropped off the second load and called me, talking to me as they were coming up the interstate in their 18 wheeler. I gave them directions and when they arrived, I married them both in blue jeans and t-shirts, very much in love.” The last time she heard from the couple they were in Detroit, Michigan but were originally from Texas.
Sylvia says that brides and grooms come in all ages these days. The youngest she has married has been 18 (legal age required to be married in West Virginia) and one couple over 60. So far, Sylvia has not encountered any bridezillas.

To get married in West Virginia, a couple must go to any County Clerk’s office and file for a marriage license which costs $36.00. Those who are divorced must bring a copy of their divorce decree and those who are widowed must bring a copy of the deceased spouse’s death certificate. Both bride and groom must present a photo ID. There are no blood tests required. There is no waiting period. There are not witnesses required. Sylvia said that it usually takes about an hour to get the marriage license and then the couple can call her and be married.

As part of her mission to join the couple, Sylvia helps the bride and groom plan the wedding, if requested. “Some couple’s don’t know what they need or how to have the wedding they envision.” Sylvia helps with the planning of the rehearsal, rehearsal dinner, photography, DJ, caterer, wedding attire, flowers, etc. “I start where the bride and groom want me to and guide them through the entire process. Their wedding can be a large formal affair or a small intimate wedding.” Sylvia also said, “My daughter, Catherine Haupt, is also a Certified Officiant and can perform the ceremony should something happen and I can not. Catherine accompanies me to the weddings and acts as my assistant.”

Sylvia is known as the Traveling Officiant. She is legally licensed to perform wedding ceremonies. She can perform the ceremony in a church, or will meet the couple at the wedding site of their choice. You can tell this woman loves what she does. Her caring and warmth shows through as she helps others start their lives together.

Sylvia E. Smith is the owner of Willow Tree Weddings. You may reach her at 304-382-3671 or 304-562-0615. www.willowtreeweddingceremonies.com.

Send an Email About This Article

 

Copyright © 2001-2009 A Woman's View. All rights reserved.

Top • Home • Subscribe • Advertise • Submit • Distribution • Contact
Support Our Advertisers • Organization Resources • Women Owned Business

Organization Resource List • Women Owned Businesses • Support Our Advertisers

 

Maintained by TEABROOKE
Website Design | SEO | Social Media Consulting

 

Related Sites | XMLSiteMap | Web Portal
Landing Zone SEO - Website | Search | Usability | Results | Goodness