Get A Marriage License | HeartLight Weddings

How to Obtain a NC Marriage License visit: http://usmarriagelaws.com   for in-depth information on acquiring your NC marriage license.   Register of Deeds – Vital Records / Marriages 60 Court Plaza Room 110 Asheville, NC 28801-3563 (828) 250-4300 North Carolina Marriage Laws (Effective 10-1-2001) Marriage license and certificates of marriage can be purchased in this office. […]

How to Obtain a Louisiana Wedding License Getting married in New Orleans is easy and can be done as a weekend elopement or before a cruise leaving from New Orleans. It was possible in New Orleans to get a marriage license and be married on the same day if certain requirements are met and the […]

Free Wedding Spots | HeartLight Weddings

There are many gorgeous venues in the Asheville area. If you are planning a small wedding or elopement, there are a number of locations in nature that provide a beautiful setting for you and a few witnesses. Botanical Gardens, Asheville NC A rustic bridge over the bubbling stream makes a beautiful backdrop for a wedding,ceremony.    […]

Wedding Resources | HeartLight Weddings

“I was incredibly impressed with the level of assistance Rev. Hannah offered. She always answered my email questions quickly and was willing to meet up with us whenever we needed her. She even showed us the perfect spot for our ceremony! Rev. Hannah provided us with several different options for our ceremony script from which […]

  Bridging time and space, these links bring you to those who can help you find everything you need for your wedding ceremony. In Asheville NC WEDDING MUSIC Tom Johanson, a professional musician for over 4o years provides acoustic and/or electric guitar music for your ceremony, cocktail hour and reception. Tom offers original guitar compositions […]

For those who want their wedding to be an adventure to remember, Rev. Amber Desmond, an ordained minister, avid hiker and adventurer,offers her services to couples who dream of a wedding in their own private paradise. Familiar with the trails, waterfalls and scenic vistas of the area, Rev. Amber will lead you to an agreed […]

From Rev. Hannah Desmond The summer months are filled with weddings. I have been traveling around the western NC area quite a lot.  My husband, Rev Tom Johanson also performs ceremonies so I am sometimes traveling alone as he will have a wedding to perform in the opposite direction. My book is finished and up […]

SPECIAL PRICES FOR ELOPEMENTS, ONE TO FIVE DAYS IN ADVANCE When a romantic weekend turns into a marriage proposal, HeartLight Wedding officiants provide a beautiful and meaningful ceremony. There are discounted fees for  short notice weddings and wedding planned a few days in advance.  The fee includes witnesses, if needed, the ceremony and filing of […]

 Winter Weddings, Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest & Halloween Weddings! The winter months are Rev. Hannah’s favorite time to be in New Orleans. The mild winter and early spring are perfect for an elopement ceremony in the French Quarter,  a simple wedding under the Oaks in the park, a garden wedding or an elaborate Plantation wedding. […]

There are many gorgeous venues in the Asheville area. If you are planning a small wedding or elopement, there are a number of locations in nature that provide a beautiful setting for you and a few witnesses. Botanical Gardens, Asheville NC A rustic bridge over the bubbling stream makes a beautiful backdrop for a wedding,ceremony.    […]

How to Obtain a NC Marriage License visit: http://usmarriagelaws.com   for in-depth information on acquiring your NC marriage license.   Register of Deeds – Vital Records / Marriages 60 Court Plaza Room 110 Asheville, NC 28801-3563 (828) 250-4300 North Carolina Marriage Laws (Effective 10-1-2001) Marriage license and certificates of marriage can be purchased in this office. […]

Excerpt from THE WEDDING JOURNEY, A Guide to Your Ceremony, Personal Vows and Joyful Marriage Part 1, The Components of the Ceremony Page 3 Your wedding is the foundation of your marriage. The most important component of the ceremony is the exchange of your marriage vows. The second most important part is the decree of […]

An excerpt from  THE WEDDING JOURNEY, by Rev. Hannah Desmond Tips for Writing Your Personal Wedding Vows Here are a few suggestions to help you get started. No one can tell you exactly how to write your vows. They must come from your heart. I have included suggestions for preparing yourself to create the vows […]

New Orleans Wedding information

Posted by Heart Light Weddings on Sunday, June 16, 2013

The winter months are Rev. Hannah’s favorite time to be in New Orleans. The mild winter and early spring are perfect for an elopement ceremony in the French Quarter,  a simple wedding under the Oaks in the park, a garden wedding or an elaborate Plantation wedding.

Jazz Fest weddings!  World class music and food and the biggest party on the planet, a perfect venue for fun loving couples to say “I DO”.  Rev. Hannah is available both weekends of Jazz Fest to perform your ceremony at the fair grounds.  Rev. Hannah provides the waver for the 3 day waiting period. You can buy your marriage license and get married the same day with Rev. Hannah as your officiant.

MARDI GRAS WEDDINGS!  Get married at the largest street party in the world. Rev. Hannah can suggest great spots for a Mardi Gras day wedding or a wedding during the Mardi Gras season. The waver for the 3 day waiting period is supplied by Rev. Hannah. You can buy your marriage license and get married the same day with Rev. Hannah as your officiant. 828-242-8621

HALLOWEEN WEDDINGS: Halloween rivals Mardi Gras for fun, costuming and a gigantic street party in New Orleans. Rev. Hannah knows every nook and cranny of the French Quarter and Fabourg Marigny. She can suggest wonderful, spooky places to say your “I Do’s”  The waver for the 3 day waiting period is supplied by Rev. Hannah. You can buy your marriage license and get married the same day with Rev. Hannah as your officiant.    828-242-8621

Posted by Heart Light Weddings on Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Heartlight Weddings Specials | HeartLight Weddings

SPECIAL PRICES FOR ELOPEMENTS, ONE TO FIVE DAYS IN ADVANCE When a romantic weekend turns into a marriage proposal, HeartLight Wedding officiants provide a beautiful and meaningful ceremony. There are discounted fees for  short notice weddings and wedding planned a few days in advance.  The fee includes witnesses, if needed, the ceremony and filing of […]

 Winter Weddings, Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest & Halloween Weddings! The winter months are Rev. Hannah’s favorite time to be in New Orleans. The mild winter and early spring are perfect for an elopement ceremony in the French Quarter,  a simple wedding under the Oaks in the park, a garden wedding or an elaborate Plantation wedding. […]

ELOPING IS EASY WITH A HEARTLIGHT OFFICIANT! : HeartLight…

Posted by Hannah Desmond on Tuesday, October 1, 2013

When a romantic weekend turns into a marriage proposal, HeartLight Wedding officiants provide a beautiful and meaningful ceremony. There are discounted fees for  short notice weddings and wedding planned a few days in advance.  The fee includes witnesses, if needed, the ceremony and filing of the license. We provide elopement ceremonies in Asheville NC and New Orleans, LA We are ready to perform your ceremony! 828-242-8621

Free Asheville Wedding Locations – Asheville Wedding Ceremonies

Posted by Heart Light Weddings on Wednesday, May 29, 2013

There are many gorgeous venues in the Asheville area. If you are planning a small wedding or elopement, there are a number of locations in nature that provide a beautiful setting for you and a few witnesses.

Botanical Gardens, Asheville NC

A rustic bridge over the bubbling stream makes a beautiful backdrop for a wedding, ceremony.    There is also  a gazebo on the grounds which can be rented through the botanical gardens.

Waterfall Weddings in North Carolina

Within a 40 mile radius of Asheville there are at least 30 waterfalls. I suggest a wedding at one that is easily accessible.

Waterfall Weddings in North Carolina

This gentle fall looks like a bridal veil. It is the perfect setting to exchange vows and celebrate a sacred union.

Mountain Weddings in North Carolina

A short ride on the Blue Ridge Parkway brings you to enchanted Vistas.

The Bird Sanctuary Wedding in Asheville NC

A large tree with a great curving trunk, offers a dramatic backdrop for a small wedding.

Bird Sanctuary Next to Beaver Damn Lake

There are two decks within the Bird Sanctuary which overlook beautiful Beaver Damn Lake. These spots are great for an elopement wedding or a ceremony with only a few guests.

Deck Overlooking Beaver Damn Lake

Another deck next to the lake within the bird sanctuary. A great spot for a private wedding.

Bird Sanctuary in Asheville NC

This beautiful structure spans a marsh area filled with cat tails, water plants and, of course, birds. This space is dramatic but it is part of the path through the Bird Sanctuary so you may have a few extra onlookers for

HEARTLIGHT WEDDING OFFICIANTS – REV. HANNAH DESMOND, ASHEVILLE –…

REV. HANNAH DESMOND

            Asheville, Western NC, Charlotte, Gatlinburg and Greenville SC.

Founder of HeartLight Weddings, Rev. Hannah Desmond was ordained a non-denominational minister at St. John’s College in Springfield LA in 1991. She offers her services year round. 

Reverend Hannah makes her home in Asheville NC but travels throughout the surrounding area performing wedding ceremonies. She offers spiritually inclusive, non-traditional, and non-denominational weddings, commitment ceremonies, hand-fasting rituals and vow renewal services.

Rev. Hannah Desmond created Heart Light Weddings in order to offer open-hearted and open-minded wedding ceremonies with many options for those interested in forming a loving comitted union. 

She is dedicated to assisting you and creating a meaningful, uplifting and life affirming experience for you on your wedding day.

The  peaceful,calm, professional presence she embodies allows you to relax, knowing your  ceremony will be created with joy and performed with dignity.

HeartLight Weddings assures your wedding day will be the sacred ceremony you wish it to be, filled with love and the sharing of your deepest feelings in a manner that suits your relationship, personalities and life style.   

Rev. Hannah is honored to be part of your wedding day.  She can be contacted at 504-255-7531 

Follow on Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/heartlghtweddings  She is  glad to answer questions, see your wedding photos and love to hear what you have to say.

heartlightwedding Celebrants Asheville NC and New Orleans, LA

The summer months are filled with weddings. I have been traveling around the western NC area quite a lot. Now that my husband, Rev Tom Johanson is also performing ceremonies, I am sometimes traveling alone as he will have a wedding to perform in the opposite direction.  My youngest daughter has recently returned to NC so I am hoping she will step in and be my driving companion and take pictures for my wedding portfolio. 

My book is finished and at the publishers. I finally have time to catch up with filing, advertising and other business related efforts. I like to keep a file of each wedding I perform with a copy of the marriage license,  the ceremony, the check and a photo of the bride and groom.  I have quite a bit of work to do to catch up on these files.

Summer time has been outdoor wedding time and I have performed a lot of ceremonies. The biggest problem with summer weddings has not been the chance of rain but the HEAT. If you are planning an outdoor summer wedding it is a good idea to have the ceremony in the late afternoon or early evening.  A hand fan on each chair provides guests with some relief.  Please do not seat your guests in the sun. I have been to several weddings where there is a pavilion or large gazebo and for some reason, the guests are seated outside of the shaded area and out in the hot sun. I look out at a sea of sweaty faces hoping for a short ceremony.  For the outdoor reception provide large fans that keep the air moving.  Most outdoor weddings I have attended have  buckets filled with ice and bottled water, an excellent idea to keep your guests hydrated. Summer weddings are beautiful, the brides wear filmy gowns and the grooms are often in white linen suits, flowers are bountiful as are bees and, lately, I have seen hummingbirds fluttering around the flowers at the weddings.   Scheduling a late afternoon outdoor wedding,Taking time to provide hand fans, large electric fans, cold water and seating in the shade makes for a beautiful and enjoyable outdoor summer wedding. 

heartlightwedding Celebrants Asheville NC and New Orleans, LA

 New Orleans Wedding License

  Getting married in New Orleans is easy and can be done as a weekend elopement or before a cruise leaving from New Orleans. It was possible in New Orleans to get a marriage license and be married on the same day if certain requirements are met and the license obtained during weekday office hours. Office days and hours are posted by the various Clerks that issue a license and they need to be contacted for those hours and days. The closest office to the French Quarter is the recently opened office at 1450 Poydras St, Bensin Towers next to the Superdome. Common St. Downtown New Orleans, phone (504) 593-5100, (map) and the Algiers Court House, 225 Morgan St, Algiers, LA 70114, (504)368-4099. Brides and Grooms are responsible for obtaining the marriage license from the State of Louisiana  before the wedding ceremony. Either person may obtain the license from the State Office of Vital Records or other Parish Clerks of Court Offices in the New Orleans area.  The state provides information over the web at this page: Fact Sheet For New Orleans Marriage License 

NOTICE Vital Records Central Office will offer walk-in services at Benson Tower, 1450 Poydras St, Suite 400, New Orleans, LA beginning on Monday, February 28, 2011. Vital Records services at the Jefferson Parish Health Unit – Metairie will not be available after Friday, February 25, 2011. The Orleans Parish Marriage Office will move from 1010 Common Street to Benson Tower, 1450 Poydras St, Suite 407, New Orleans, LA beginning on Monday, February 28, 2011. Effective Monday, February 28, 2011 the Vital Records Customer Serivce Call Center can be reached at 504-593-5100 .

  A State Marriage License is good in any city.  Identification is required along with authentic copies of birth certificates and any divorce judgments. In some cities there is a three-day waiting period from the time the license is issued, it can be waived by a judge. In New Orleans a Minister can also waive the waiting period for non-residents if good reasons exist. No medical tests are necessary. The license is good for 30 days. You must present the license to the person doing the ceremony in advance as it requires the minister to complete some portions in black ink and he must mail it back to the issuing office. You will get a complimentary certificate and instructions on how to order a certified one after the original is recorded. You must order a certified copy from the Office you obtained the License. They provide a form to order a certified copy or you can print that form from the State’s web page linked above.  A ceremony must be conducted before 2 adult witnesses  who also sign the certificates. The cost of the license is  just under $30.00 paid to the State. For further information on marriage licenses contact any of the Clerk’s offices below.

Certified Copy Of Marriage Certificate after the Marriage

  After your wedding the state copy of the license is mailed by the officiant to the office that issued the license. That office processes the license and provides a certified copy. You should order a certified copy at the time you get the license. The State indicates it takes 30 to 40 days for them to process after the ceremony. If you do not get a certified copy after ordering it you should contact the office that issued you the license. There is additional information on ordering a copy at the State page with instructions and forms located here: http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov/offices/page.asp?id=252&detail=7758

Changing Your Name After A New Orleans Wedding

  It is a tradition in western cultures that a bride takes the last name of the husband, it is not a requirement to do so. You need to order several certified copies of your marriage certificate from the office you received your license. Usually this is done when you apply for your marriage license by prepaying for certified copies to be mailed to you.

1. A new drivers license should be obtained by going to your local motor vehicle office with a certified copy of the marriage certificate. That office will help you get a new license with the marriage name. They may charge a fee so you should call before going to get particulars. You may also need to change your auto title and auto insurance.

2. A new Social Security Card should be obtained by getting the necessary forms off the web at: http://www.ssa.gov/online/ss-5.html. You can mail the form in or go in person to your local office but you need a certified copy of your marriage license to present to them. You can telephone them for details.

4. You will also need to change your name with banks, credit card companies, landlords, and any other agency that has your name on record. Generally by getting the first 3 done the rest are easier as some agencies will accept the new drivers license as proof of you new name.

5. Be sure the IRS, Voter Registration, your insurance agent, and CPA also knows of the name change so that they make the necessary charges to their records too.