Another Bucket List goal achieved…

Seven years ago, I encountered a retired pastor, licensed to perform marriages as a Justice of the Peace, whom performed the nuptials for my husband and I in an beautiful ceremony.  I was very pleased with the ceremony, including the beautiful poem the Justice of the Peace offered in lieu of a religious blessing at the end of the ceremony. He had a very dignified manner in conducting the ceremony.  We probably don’t remember much about the actual blessing and vows because we were both so nervous and excited. I do remember the ‘warm-fuzzy’ feeling I got afterwards thinking about what a wonderful business to be in!

So I pursued the possibility of being a wedding officiant.  Unfortunately, I encountered multiple doors that wouldn’t open. I didn’t understand how best to get those doors opened.  The government put obstacles in my way that I kept stumbling across in my attempts to bring joy to other couples for their own marriages and wedding vows.  I was told  the city of Virginia Beach only allowed five Justice of the Peace wedding officiants and after writing a letter to plea for permission, I was turned down, the judge noting that only five were allowed and that one would have to die or give up their place to add another one.  I was sad that the city government put this obstacle in my way, and basically gave up because I figured if that was the case with the city in which I lived, it would also be the case with other cities.  I wasn’t a member of a church, so couldn’t use any ordination factors to obtain ministry status to perform as a wedding officiant under a religious umbrella.

Speed forward.  I met an amazing woman about a year ago, and I didn’t initially get to know her well over the last year.  I recently was an award honoree at the Hampton Roads Women in Business for 2013, and Ivory Morgan-Burton and another good friend, Cynthia Gossman, as well as my husband, James M. Stallings (USN Hon. Ret.) attended to support me in the celebration.  I knew Ivory owned a business called Storybook Events (wedding, corporate, party, and event planning), and performed weddings as an officiant.  I asked her during the awards ceremony reception, “Just out of curiosity – I know you are a wedding officiant – how did you get to be one?  It’s always been on my wish list …”

Her face lit up, and she started talking, and my curiosity question ended up being the answer to both our prayers.  She was a pastor and CEO of a charity organization that assists abused women.  Because she is a pastor of the “Holiness to the Lord Ministries,” she can legally assist those who wish to be ordained within her charity/church to become wedding officiants.  She is getting so busy with her events planning,* floral decorating, and other tasks during major events, including weddings, she was having a hard time officiating for some couples taking the vows, and has had to decline a few weddings as officiant when dates coincide.

Within the last month, I received the required and appropriate job-related training and instruction (with more to come!). Advance to this week, with the appropriate and legal paperwork, we walked into Norfolk City Hall and marched up to the city clerk’s counter and within 30 minutes, I had a certification in hand to perform marriages for any legally licensed (state) couple in Virginia.  This was not only a goal reached for me – something I have been trying to accomplish for seven years – it was the answer for my business associate in expanding her business services to a growing clientele.

The moral to the story is – while you may have many goals in mind for your life, don’t let others destroy your wishes by putting obstacles in your way.  While one door may close, another may open, and it will be at the right time, the right place, the right situation, and the most appropriate point in your life.  Talk to the right people, ask questions, keep on plugging away, and get the answers, if not direct, then alternatives to those goals, to see if you can at least get in the back or side door, if not the front door.

I am looking forward to joining many happy couples in their first step for committing to each other for the rest of their lives.  I am looking forward to sharing the commitment and love within my own marriage; to mentor and guide others down the same path of passion and destiny.  In addition, as a bonus, I am able to help the ministry that focuses on assisting women in need who have been emotionally, physically, and otherwise abused by supporting the cause via good deeds and actions.

There is much to learn and training to achieve to ensure I ‘get it right,’ say the right things, and learn to deal with nervous, excited couples and family members.  I can’t wait to get started!  Thank you Ivory Morgan-Burton for helping me make a dream come true!

More about Ivory Morgan-Burton:

*Ivory Morgan-Burton is the Pastor of the “Holiness to the Lord Ministries” non-profit charity, and owns ‘Storybook Events,’ a wedding, floral, and events planning business that caters to newlyweds, corporate events, unique and special parties. She also provides services of wedding officiant to couples wishing to be married in the state of Virginia and North Carolina. She  provides floral displays for rent or purchase to business environments and venues.
Her work is internationally recognized, and is now featured in a book published in January of 2014, as well as being well-known in the Hampton Roads, VA area for her stunning floral displays and decorations at corporate and bridal events.  She has multiple associates ranging from professional photographers, caterers, event venues, etc, to enable your event to be covered from start to finish in the most stunning and remarkable presentation with the most imaginative and creative results.

Call Ivory Morgan-Burton of Storybook Events today at: (757) 625-4321 to plan your next event!

Recommended sources and links:

www.StorybookEvents.net

https://www.facebook.com/AFulfilledWish

https://www.facebook.com/storybookeventsnorfolk