Small and Meaningful Weddings in Southern California ARE Possible...

...But don't forget the offficiant!  Whether having a service that is spiritual or not religious is important to you, or you are planning a ceremony at the park, at the beach, at a concert, amusement park, home or in your backyard...be sure to reflect YOUR personality, beliefs and lifestyle.

Contact A NON-DENOMINATIONAL CEREMONY and see how an experienced, affordable officiant and certified Celebrant can help you to plan a small meaningful wedding, today. 

Photo by Carolee Beckham

If you are:

•  Planning a DIY (do-it-yourself) or a no-frills wedding  AND/OR
•  Eloping with just the two of you present AND/OR
•  Seeking an intimate ceremony with only a few friends and/or family AND/OR
•  On a budget

 It IS possible to be married your way! 
Your geek, DIY, indie, tech, offbeat, alternative, second marriage, Asian, African American, multicultural, interfaith, lgbt, same sex, secular, non-religious, theme, romantic, informal wedding needs a professional wedding officiant/ minister / reverend / clergy / Celebrant!  Available for your ceremony in Los Angeles, Orange County, Palm Springs, Ventura, Big Bear/Lake Arrowhead, San Bernardino, Inland Empire and greater Southern California.

IDEAS: Madlibs Wedding Advice Serves as a Creative Guestbook!

Retumbld from Geek Wedding's Tumblr.

If you and your partner are geeks about anything, there is usually a way to incorporate that side of your selves into your wedding (or funeral or any other ceremony!).  Music snobs (like me) will be very careful about the selection of music used during the ceremony, and after.  They will often use albums to identify tables or give away CDs as favours.  i love foodies too, because they will (obviously) incorporate something delicious into the menu or hors d'oeuvres, for example. 

The point is, don't settle for less, and reflect who YOU are.  Each aspect of your special day should, and CAN show a little bit of yourselves!

Please contact A NON-DENOMINATIONAL CEREMONY : Certified Celebrant and ordained officiant for your indie wedding, DIY wedding, offbeat, anti-wedding, geek wedding, non-religious wedding, Asian wedding, destination, secular, multicultural, interfaith, surprise, civil, simple, traditional or spiritual ceremony.

NEWS: Urban Outfitters to start a WEDDING Brand/Line??!

Matrimony = weddings = money, according to URBAN OUTFITTERS apparently, who this week announced their intent to create a brand aimed at weddings.

Who's next, Old Navy? 

The clothing chain (U.O., not O.N.) plans to feature heirloom gowns, lingerie, decor and accessories for the to-be-wed set, and they expect to launch the new brand in time for Valentine's Day 2011.

The dress above is from FREE PEOPLE.COM.  Click here to see Urban Outfitters' blog post of a WEDDING DRESS CAKE.

The company, which includes TERRAIN, freepeople.com and the higher-end ANTHROPOLOGIE stores, exceeded expectations in the retail sales world last year, and they seem to be doing it again this year.  For more information, please see these articles from the PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, NEW YORK Magazine and STYLELIST.COM.

FREE TICKETS to Joie of Weddings Bridal Show this Sunday

CALIFORNIA WEDDING WAVE is offering free tickets to the Joie of Weddings bridal show this weekend, taking place at the Hotel Maya in Long Beach this Sunday 14 March 2010 from 11am to 3pm.

Ceremony Magazine will be there, as will we, A NON-DENOMINATIONAL CEREMONY.

For more info, please click my previous post.

ELEMENTS: Ouija Board Save-the-Date Announcements!

Check out these fantastic Save-the-Date announcements, created for an upcoming October wedding!  Thanks to SO YOU'RE ENGAYGED for sharing the how-to's of this DIY masterpiece!

EVENTS: Joie of Weddings (with Ceremony Magazine) in Long Beach!

Attention, all Southern California to-be-weds! Come meet A NON-DENOMINATIONAL CEREMONY on Sunday, 14 March 2010, 11am to 3pm, as the Joie de Vivre hotel chain presents its JOIE OF WEDDINGS bridal faire at the Hotel Maya in Long Beach, CA.


We will be exhibiting alongside 75 other Southern California wedding vendors.  Two fashion shows, small bites and an estimated $25,000 in giveaways are also planned.  This cool opportunity was provided to us by our friends at Ceremony Magazine.

As you plan for your upcoming wedding, don't forget the officiant!  Come check out a special bridal show discount for officiant services, available on this day only.

Tickets purchased in advance on Eventbrite are only $10 per person or two for $15 . Tickets can also be purchased at the door for $15, cash only.  Hotel Maya is located at 700 Queensway Drive, Long Beach, CA 90802, adjacent to the Queen Mary and Carnival Cruise Line terminal and within minutes of downtown Long Beach, the Long Beach Convention Center, and the Aquarium of the Pacific.

GIVING BACK: Wish Upon A Wedding!

In January 2010 a group of wedding and business entrepreneurs founded America’s FIRST nonprofit wedding wish granting organization.  The purpose of WISH UPON A WEDDING is to produce weddings and civil union ceremonies at destinations across the United States for individuals facing terminal illness, regardless of sexual orientation.

Wish Upon a Wedding already has twenty chapters nationwide in cities such as New York, Atlanta, Chicago, Seattle, Houston and many others  The chapters are headed by some of the industry’s most renowned leaders, including Kevin Covey here in Southern California.  Local branches will be open soon in Colorado, Arizona, Portland, Miami, St. Louis, Ohio and Nevada.

To qualify for Wedding Wishes, applicants must be unmarried, legal citizens of the United States, over the age of 18, who have been diagnosed with less than three years to live.

There are three wedding types a couple may apply for: URGENT (Up to 10 guests, in hospital or at bedside); BOUTIQUE (up to 25 guests, in home town of applicant); ROMANTIC (Up to 50 guests, at any WUW destination).  Couples may simply apply online. 

SPECIAL NOTE TO WEDDING VENDORS:  Wish Granters are needed in all locations. Please apply online today to start helping us make Wedding Wishes come true!  

Follow them on the Twitt'r: @wishuponwedding

Below: WUW's first couple, Florence and Micahle! 

NEWS: First Openly LGBT Assemblymember is new Speaker!

Another barrier for the LGBT community was shattered as Assemblymember John A. Pérez became the state’s first openly gay Speaker yesterday. 

"Like Harvey Milk, Speaker Pérez is more proof that being LGBT does not preclude a person from achieving greatness or making the world a better place for others, " said a statement from Equality California (EQCA).  The statement went on to say they look forward to working with Speaker Pérez as they push forward with an aggressive legislative agenda to propel California closer to full LGBT equality. They also look forward to working with him to ensure that the state has a budget that protects the critical health and human service needs of ALL people, especially those most in need.

WEDDING: Officiant for Outdoor Ceremony at L.A. Arboretum in Arcadia, CA

Congratulations, Anna and Sang, married 11 February 2010!

Amongst the peacocks, green grounds and winter rose garden at the Los Angeles Arboretum, this couple had an intimate ceremony with just family.  i was fortunate to have been found by the bride at the last minute...a week before the wedding.

Photography was by LISA TOP and RODD LINDSTROM (of Albertson Wedding Chapel?).  They were a very cool team to work with.  i hope to get some photos up soon.