What W4W is about
The Plan:
Last year our project, Weddings for Warriors (WFW), was conceived as a way of saying a heartfelt “Thank You” to active duty military personnel in the Savannah and Lowcountry area from every branch of the service, Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard and Reserve Units.
The Goal:
In 2009 we wanted to offer as many free individual wedding ceremonies for active duty military personnel as possible on Veterans Day, Wednesday, November 11, 2009. In 2012 it will be held Wednesday January 18.
Because of our unique talents and experience via our industry-related businesses, we, in the Savannah Wedding Tourism Council (SWTC), wanted to use that to do something for our military personnel.
Savannah and the Greater Savannah Area and the South Carolina Lowcountry are host to a number of bases and our communities are blessed with the presence of these amazing warriors and their families.
Especially because we are in a time of war, and these brave individuals are willing to give their all for the protection of our nation and our way of life, we want to give something back in some small way.
Two Levels
The plan had two levels that we were working on,. These are described below. We are blessed with an all volunteer military. Therefore, everything from the SWTC and the greater Savannah Area and Low Country area participants was provided on a volunteer basis. The extent of the volunteerism determined how much of the plan became a reality. Almost all were fulfilled.
SWTC members were the driving force behind this endeavor. You may learn about us at our website at www.WeddingTourismCouncil.com . While we hope each participating volunteer business, those who are associated with either the wedding, tourism or hospitality industries, will consider joining the group, we happily accepted volunteers who are non-members. Many fell under this latter category. Volunteers and businesses provided help, products and services from all Southern Seaboard states: Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida.
Following are the ideas and plans we used for Level I and Level II of the Weddings for Warriors Plans by the SWTC.
Weddings for Warriors – Level I
The first Level of the plan was to provide a wedding or vow renewal ceremony for each couple. These were not a mass ceremony where 30 or 40 couples line up and say vows simultaneously. We wanted each couple to have their own, private, though simple and brief, ceremony. This was accomplished.
How did we find the couples and what did they do to participate?
Working through various avenues, we notified the military community about the opportunity.
1. Through military offices, chaplains, and publications in the area.
2. Using the local Savannah News Media (print, radio, television) via press releases and PSA’s,
Several radio and TV stations help out with this all three local stations participated in coverage of the event. A media partnership was undertaken with WJCL/Fox28 for stories and announcements.
3. We had a cut-off date for signing up, 9/15/09. Almost all were filled before the date, but with drop-offs and deployed participants, the forty-five total winnowed down to forty.
4. Each couple must register. We created a page where they couples registered online. They also were able to call and book at 912-656-6541.
5. The day of the event, the couples, through the groom, registered at a the Railroad Roundhouse Museum.
How were the ceremonies done?
1. We had several stations. Each station was an officiant or minister and two photographers.
2. The first couple came before the officiant. Photographer A shot a few photos during the ceremony. Once the ceremony was done, the couple left with Photographer A to have a few portraits made.
3. A second couple then stepped up to the officiant, where Photographer B stepped in. All was repeated.
4. When the second couple left with Photographer B for portraits, Couple #3 stepped up and Photographer A returned to repeat the sequence with Couple #3. This with variation went on until all couples scheduled for this station had participated in their ceremonies.
Marriage licenses?
1. Each couple was responsible to obtain their own wedding license, if not in the vow renewal category, from their home county or from the Chatham County Probate Court on Montgomery Avenue, Savannah.
2. At each station, there was an assistant for each officiant. The assistant took the marriage license (if applicable) and carefully completed the required information - wedding date, wedding location, officiant’s title, address & phone number - so that when the ceremony was over, all the officiant had to do was sign it. The assistant held on to the completed licenses and all was turned into the County Probate Court if the license if from Chatham County.
3. Following each wedding ceremony the officiant signed the marriage license and give their copy to the couple.
Did we limit the number of couples?
It is the consensus of those of us who have begun initial planning stages that this first time (yes…we think this could become an annual event) it was wise to limit the number of couples.
How many? This depended on the number of volunteers who stepped forward during the final weeks. We had enough ministers and photographers to set all stations required. We had 36 couples participate on Veterans Day with three prior, due to early deployment, and one after. The final total was 40 couples. The number of their guests in the ceremony area varied from one or two to about twenty-five.
We were able to complete ALL ceremonies within two hours. Forty couples, for instance, and allowed thirty minutes per couple with varying ministers at each station. Each station provided a location for four weddings in one hour.
We had a sufficient number of volunteers to provide ten officiants with locations divided between twenty photographers, to provide all forty couples in two hours.
Why Limit to two Hours?
We were fortunate enough to offer a reception at Level II - cake & punch & champagne & dancing reception for all the couples. We wanted a minimum of waiting between ceremonies and the reception.
Requirements and questions that needed to be worked out on Level I?
1. Security was mandatory in City Squares. With the rain we only needed one of the five originally required. We were not able to get Savannah area police officers to volunteer due to a city ordinance requiring paid off-duty police participation. This is the only required payment for any of the services provided.
2. Recruiting a sufficient number of officiants, assistants and photographers to volunteer. We’re off to a good start with even though we haven’t published a call to participate other than brief mentions on Facebook.
3. We needed a sufficient number of volunteer florists to provide ideas for the best way to present each bride with a small, but pretty bouquet…and possibly how to have an arch or “altar” at each station. Again, the rain eliminated the latter scenario.
4. Could we help couples of different faiths to have an appropriate ceremony? For instance, in this diocese the Catholic church does not permit outdoor ceremonies. Can we enlist a Catholic Church somewhere downtown to allow ceremonies? We found that this was not a problem since the only Catholic couple did not require marriage in the Church. We talk with Rabbi Belzer here in Savannah, about having Jewish Ceremonies available? None were, but the Rabbi participated in non-denominational ceremonies. Monterey Square where Congregation Mickve Israel‘s temple is located provided an excellent rain backup.
5. Photography. Photographers provided each couple with a CD of approximately thirty images that were presented to most couples on the riverboat. Only two or three couples did not receive theirs at that time
Weddings for Warriors - Level II
A reception for the couples.
Goal:
To offer a gathering at the end of the ceremonies where all couples and guests go to for a group celebration. Numbers of guests for the bride and groom were to be determined. As the rain fell the reception moved to the riverboat where, unfortunately due to Coast Guard regulations, families could not attend without a paid ticket.
Ideas were:
We wanted, at a minimum, to have cake & punch & sparkling beverage for each.
We needed to solicit volunteer restaurants and caterers who offered finger foods at River Street Inn before the reception.
Time Frame:
Ceremonies from 3 PM to 5PM. Reception from 6 PM to 9 PM.
The mass “First Dance” started the event with dancing for all during the evening. Music was provided by live group and two DJ’s.
We had offers from Coastal Heritage Society the use of the Round House Railroad Museum, Old Fort Jackson, and Battlefield Park. We also used The Mackey House for the "rehearsal" meeting the night before. Trolley transportation for couples was provided by Swept Away, Grayline Savannah Tour Company. Family transport was provided by a trolley from Old Savannah Tours.
Procedures
Registration of couples took place at the RR Roundhouse Museum.
Couples were transported to the locations by Swept Away/Grayline
The reception at The Mackey House. The location is secure and prevented the likelihood of “crashers” since controlled Entry and Exit is more available there.
How do volunteer businesses and individuals benefit?
First, they benefit from the thanks they receive from the military couples and their families. It is possible that the event will generate local coverage and, if properly promoted, has an excellent chance of generating national news coverage. This could inspire other communities around the country to initiate similar programs for military families in their areas.
We printed a program for the event that thanked vendors and contributors. Participants are listed on the SWTC website as well as in the online magazine story and accompanying listings of vendors and volunteers at, AATRWeddings.com.
All couples who registered are listed in the program.
Miscellaneous
We needed prominent name tags that state: “Weddings for Warriors – Volunteer Staff” with company names and logos. This was partially achieved, but due to constant changes near deadline some were not available for volunteers.
Please remember:
WE WELCOME YOUR IDEAS, INPUT and CRITIQUE. Please don’t be afraid to offer ideas and thoughts.
For more information call:
Becky Byous
Executive Director
912-656-6541 Email
or
James Byous
Media and Logistics Coordinator
912-656-6539
The Savannah Wedding Tourism Council, Inc.
is a grassroots projedt to assist active duty US Military members in a one-day event providing free wedding ceremonies.
The Weddings for Warriors Project is scheduled to take place on
Veterans Day
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Contact our members or sign up here.
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2012
They Serve Us -- We Serve Them
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News for 2012
The Plan:
Last year our project, Weddings for Warriors (W4W), was conceived as a way of saying a heartfelt “Thank You” to active duty military personnel in the Savannah and Lowcountry area from every branch of the service, Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard and Reserve Units.
