Marriage Behind a Mask” Pt 2Audio Podcast Recorded at Starbucks Five ForksGreenville, South Carolina on October 20, 2020With Coronavirus still raging, those who produce multiple-attendee events have had to change up their way of doing business. You see in major sports, people viewing the game in virtual ‘stands’.  While people are in their living room watching the game (or wherever else they may be), if the price is paid, you have the opportunity to see them at the game.Concerts?  Not safe, so you’ll see many vocal artists performing from a ‘safe’ location with their ticket-holders paying the price to see the exclusive event.But how do you get married? Without family and friends being present?  Can they be present, and HOW?Here in South Carolina, early within the onset of rules and regulations regarding group events, those in the Wedding Industry were given the Green Light to continue to hold wedding gatherings. But we had to proceed with caution during these times.  How do you not look like the bad guy for continuing to hold ceremonies where there is a large group presence.I remember having to tell couples that I married in Downtown Greenville, although your family is present, they still must all remain six feet apart from one another.No hugs, no handshakes, no pats on the back.What do you do with your children?  Will they keep a mask on?  Many questions loomed for us.And they continue to loom for us, as the death toll gets larger.While I am a Notary Public and many states are moving toward the Online Notarization Process, there are Wedding Officiants that are moving toward the Virtual side of Weddings, marrying couples wherever they are (ceremony-wise) over the Internet.But will this become OUR new normal?  We’re not through with Coronavirus yet, and the end of this pandemic does not seem near. Will we be stopped of doing what we do for larger wedding parties because of this?  There are so many questions that still loom.I have also noticed that the more prepared your business is, the easier it is to battle through pandemics like this one.If your Wedding Industry business was set up to handle business with ‘no contact’, you fare far better than those that deal in paper.By ‘no contact’, I speak of website contact, email correspondence and receiving electronic forms of payment online; when I speak of dealing in paper, this is in reference to negotiating with hand-written letters, contracts,  receiving cash, issuing paper invoices and meeting people in person to make your contact more personable.Have you seen a pattern for your Wedding Industry business because of the pandemic? Has your Wedding Industry business grown, has there been a lull?  If there is a lull, you may need to make some adjustments to better pattern our world’s current situation.Questions, Comments?  Leave them below.

Today is Friday, October 16, 2020 and I’m excited because not only has the weekend begun, but because it also NATIONAL BOSS DAY!I like this day in particular because it reminds me of just how far I’ve come in my Wedding Officiant and Notary businesses.  I also like today because it gives me the platform to feature colleagues of mine who are ALSO Bosses.Being a Boss doesn’t always mean you have people working under you, but the sign of a Boss is someone who is able to work WITH others, alongside them.You cannot carry the torch of Boss putting people down, treating those you have position over like peasants, or talking down to them, but, treating them in their human capacity, just as you are human.A true Boss can delegate duties, set priorities and manage others without being condescending, overbearing or a threat.Let’s change the connotation of what people think about bosses and have a fruitful, productive Boss’s Day.Your Marriage Notary,Sonita M. Leak







This post is dedicated to the memory of Jo-Ann Davenport, may her soul Rest in Peace.

**CAUTION: Steamy Renaissance Alert!**Say Congratulations to Al & Kim Rogers, married on October 10, 2020 in Downtown Greenville, South Carolina…..The couple was prepared; as announced in the daily forecast, rain was present, but that did NOT count our Wedding couple out. What do you do when it rains? Why, you bring an umbrella and DO WHAT IT DO!











#wedding #weddingofficiant #weddingdress #weddingday #weddinginspiration #weddingphotography #weddings #weddingphotographer  #weddingphoto #weddingparty #weddingplanning #weddinggown #weddinghair #weddingseason #weddingstyle #weddingflowers #weddingring #weddingdetails #weddingtime #weddinggift #weddingblog #weddingfun #weddingphotos #greenvillesc #yeahTHATgreenville

You can invite anyone you want to your ceremony with the LoveCast Live Streaming Option through Weddings by Sonita.Many of you have asked how the Lovecast Wedding Livestream option works. This is an explanation and visual tour.——————————————————————–The very first LoveCast Live Stream features Rene and Laurie Lopez who were married with family from Texas looking on. Watch their LoveCast video below:











Testimonial from the couple:



“It was lovely, we sent [the feed recording after the live] to everyone and everyone just cried, it was beautifully done. Thank you so much for everything.”– Laurie and Rene



Laurie and Rene Lopez were married via Live Stream August 1, 2020



To book your Live Stream Ceremony today, visit the Weddings by Sonita Online Booking Page Here.Owner, Sonita M. LeakThe Marriage Notary ?

Introducing Craig and Ashley MackenzieThe pair were married at Bonjour Crêpe located at 20 S. Main Street, Greenville, South CarolinaLive. Laugh. Love.Congratulations!



August 22, 2020The scene: Early Afternoon at Bonjour Crêpe located in the heart of Downtown Greenville, South Carolina.Those present: Craig Mackenzie and the former Ashley Fentzlaff, family traveling from the State of New York and the State of Florida.(continued below…)







Wonderful times for wonderful people. Craig and Ashley were married surrounded by their family, some friends and even some live-streamed onlookers at 1 o’ clock in the Afternoon.Shortly after becoming one, Craig, Ashley, the family members and friends present enjoyed a delectable meal served by the Chef and Waitstaff.(continued below…)



Bonjour Crêpe Owner, Mayra Gallo



Thanks to the wonderful staff at Bonjour Crêpe, the magnificent meal preparation and courteous service, the Mackenzies had a storybook ceremony.The Mackenzies plan on making a 1-year Anniversary visit to the restaurant.(continued below…)



Click Here – Smoked salmon, mango chutney & lemon cream cheese on Instagram @bonjourcrepegvl



Bonjour Crêpe is located at 20 S. Main Street, Greenville, SC 29601.Due to the current environment, you may call Bonjour Crêpe at 864.509.1090 for hours of operation. Reservations are NOW available.To add Bonjour Crêpe on Social Media, you can visit its Social Media pages:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bonjourcrepegvlInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/bonjourcrepegvl

Comfortable Setting ✔️Good Food ✔️Fairly Private ✔️Memories for Time to Come ✔️



Introducing the Marriage with a Meal with LoveCast Option for your nuptials at Bonjour Crêpe in Downtown, Greenville, South Carolina. Located at 20 South Main Street in the heart of the city, experience an essence of France by getting married at this jewel and create your magical marriage moment.The LoveCast option allows for you to have your marriage live streamed to your family members and friends, whether they are local, across the country or situated out there anywhere in the world!?Click Here to begin your crêpe-style journey

Anniversary things are in order to Michele and Stanley who were married in Columbia, South Carolina on this 17th day of July in 2016.



Michele & Stanley ~ July 17, 2016



Travel to Columbia was traffic-intense, but it was worth the time for these two who were married in African style. Surrounded by many friends and family members, the pair were married in a beautiful back-deck ceremony.Again, Happy Anniversary Stanley and Michele, and may your love for each other continue to grow!Your Marriage Notary,Sonita M. Leak

Isaac and Jessica joined together in Holy Matrimony on the 11th day of July in 2015. Let’s celebrate them in love on their Wedding Anniversary today.



With a beautiful nuptials ceremony in Tindal Park, Greenville, South Carolina, their love was sealed with his wedding band and a tattooed ring for the bride, of course placed WELL in advance of their ceremony. Again… Happy Anniversary, Isaac and Jessica!



Ceremony performed by The Marriage Notary Sonita M. Leak.

This past few months, multiple couples have inquired about how to apply for their marriage license.Due to the current Coronavirus pandemic and changes to administrative processes, please follow the link below to find out the requirements for obtaining your marriage license and certified copies thereof through Greenville County.CLICK HERE or Copy and Paste the url below to begin the process.https://www.greenvillecounty.org/Probate/MarriageLicense.aspx

Congratulations to the Helms! Devan & D’nazia were married in Downtown Greenville, South Carolina. Photography courtesy of Kimmy Cruz of Kimberly Cruz Photography. Photos of their nuptials below.

The World, the Weddings Industry and our Way of Life has changed… FOREVER.



As a Wedding and Marriage Officiant, I get to see couples at one of their optimal points in life. Now, with COVID-19, there has been a shift. The entire world is learning how to re-adjust; not just in business, but in also in hygiene, values and morals.

 
Ioannis and Terri were married at the Hyatt Regency of Downtown Greenville, South Carolina on the evening of Sunday, February 23, 2020.
February 24, 2020 – “A couple called me at 6:34pm on last night and inquired about getting married today. Given their schedule and the weather, we weighed several options. My suggestion, “Why don’t you get married tonight?”I want to thank Wedding Woman Brenda M. Owen for the referral, but also the AWESOME Shana Pyburn of Piece of Py Photography for being available last minute for what turned out to be A FABULOUS Flash Wedding Ceremony between Ioannis and his lovely Bride Terri.”







Say Congratulations to the couple in the comments below. ?



#wedding #weddingdress #weddingday #weddingphotography #weddings #weddingphotographer #weddinginspiration #weddingphoto #weddingparty #weddingplanning #weddinggown #weddinghair #weddingseason #weddingstyle #weddingflowers #weddingring #weddingdetails #weddingtime #weddinggift #weddingblog #weddingfun #weddingphotos #greenvillesc #yeahTHATgreenville #hyattregency







Sonita M. LeakNational Notary of the YearSpecial Honoree for 2019www.weddingsbysonita.comwww.greenvillenotary.com864.214.6447

Tia Hensley says: “Let’s take a breather in between Bridal Shows and busy event season and get together! This event is open to ALL wedding and event professionals. This will take place Wednesday February 26th from 6-9pm at our studio at 600 Laurens Rd Suite C Greenville, SC 29607 (Right near Willy Taco). We will have light bites, drinks, music, FREE head shots, and a time to just be together and support each other. We want to celebrate each other and say thank you for what you do all year long.”



We could not do what we do without each other. ♥ #BetterTogether



Complete Weddings + Events of Greenville played an integral part in the nuptials of my June 23, 2018 couple, Valencia and Demetrius Graves.You’re planning your wedding and you start to dig into the process. A few weeks in, you find yourself in a deeper hole than you thought with the planning process. You find yourself needing photography and want a photo booth at the venue you’ve selected. Uh oh, you forgot that you needed music and a quasi-MC.Well, Complete Weddings + Events can take care of your need for you.Are you a photographer or DJ affiliated with Complete Weddings + Events? Reach out to me for any couples you have in search for an officiant for their day of.You can check out Complete Wedding + Event Greenville’s Facebook Business Page by CLICKING HERE.

Are you planning your Special Day?  Take the ease off of finding a Wedding Officiant, book with me today.  With an easily navigable website and seamless integration for contact and booking, you can’t go wrong!
I conduct the initial consultation either by phone or in-person and create a ceremony that fits your personal style. 
Need to change details within your ceremony?  Definitely no Officiant-Zilla here, I realize that your Special Day belongs to you.  No ceremony is cookie-cutter, your Wedding Officiant shouldn’t be either.Call or text to 864.214.6447, contact me by email to greenvillenotary@gmail.com or on the Contact Tab of my Weddings website HERE.
Thank you for your Time and Consideration,
 












Your Marriage Notary
Sonita M. Leak


OwnerNational Notary of the YearSpecial Honoree for 2019www.weddingsbysonita.comwww.greenvillenotary.com Call or Text: 864.214.6447

“Happy 19th Wedding Anniversary to an amazing couple. I love watching their fitness adventures on Social Media. I’m honored to have been able to watch everything that’s in their lives today blossom. I am so glad I got the chance to ‘hook them up’ over 20 years ago!”Truly inspiring is the story of my good friend Lelia (formerly Lee) and Jamison Murcelo.This couple is near and dear to my heart for many reasons. One?I met Lelia when we both attended York Middle School and we were very close, good friends. Our parents were stationed at Langley Air Force Base, and it was in Bethel Manor where we did reside.Upon returning to Virginia after years of being away due to my Mother’s future deployments, it was a blessing to have come back to old stomping grounds to be welcomed by friends I’d grown up with during the Bethel Manor years.By chance, Lelia and I again connected when we converged upon the same telemarketing firm in the late 90’s.Guess who also worked there? Mr. Jamison Murcelo. We all, at this telemarketing firm, were like family.I saw the connection almost right away. They had eyes for each other, but not just eyes, good conversation and a deep appreciation for one another.Their love blossomed and even after I’d moved away, yet again, I found out through Lelia that they’d taken an even bigger step and were later married.









Not only have Lelia, Jamison and I kept contact through Facebook and other methods of Social Media, I’ve watched their children Jayla and Bianca grow and also the second reason why I think this couple is dear to my heart.



Their transformation.



Over the years of marriage, Lelia and Jamison have seen their weight ups and downs for sure. It’s when they got comfortable that the weight started to overtake the two.



In recent years, I’ve seen the transformation, in health and overall wealth of these two to take care of their home life, family as can be witnessed in the photos below. First the BEFORE pics.









The following are photos of the transformation process for these two, the AFTER.











Lelia and Jamison, with 19 years of marriage and having raised two beautiful children and with your tough transformation, I’m blessed to say that I helped you become one!Sonita M. Leak