Wednesday, November 2, 2011

WEDDING: Ceremony Officiant at Ace Hotel in Palm Springs



Ace Hotel Wedding Officiant in Palm Springs, CA
Originally uploaded by dj venus on FLICKR.
 Congratulations, Heather and Erica!

The V.O.'s, as the gorgeous couple are known, celebrated in beautiful and classy style at the infamous Ace Hotel in Palm Springs, CA.

Ace Hotel Wedding Officiant in Palm Springs, CA
venus with the happy couple!
 The wedding was attended by a small group of dear friends and family, and took place in the Commune area of the hotel.

The desert chic setting was made complete with a black and white colour theme accented with lemon yellow (and lemonheads and lemonade!), perfect weather and true love.  It was a dream come true!

Photography by LILY RO (not these).

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

VIDEO: TV Host on His Daughter's Wedding Day

"Wallet open, mouth shut." That's how BILL GEIST of CBS News describes his role, for the most part, as he leads us in a taped segment about being the 'Father of the Bride'.
It was broadcast today on the season premiere of CBS Sunday Morning.

Thursday, September 15, 2011

IDEAS: Rainbow Cake Jell-o® Shot !??

Here's another gorgeous entry from one of my favourite Flickr sites, the JELLY SHOT TEST KITCHEN.

These are perfect for an LGBT ceremony or any event. The JSTK shows us just how beautiful gelatin can be. Too bad i'm a vegetarian! :))

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

WEDDING: Los Angeles Arboretum Officiant in Arcadia, CA

Congratulations, Pa. and Jn.!  This couple was married in a rose garden ceremony in front of a few dozen of their closest loved ones.
Arcadia Officiant / Celebrant for Wedding at Los Angeles Arboretum
Arcadia Wedding Officiant

The wedding included a ringwarming and a ceremonial passage through archways, or gates, attended to by four sets of significant people, to mark the couple's transition from single to married life. (Please see the (horribly backlit) photo here. ---->)
a couple's wedding means crossing a threshold, through ceremony!
It was a beautiful, and meaningful, ceremony, especially when the couple crossed the thresholds together.  Hope to have more photos soon!

Saturday, July 2, 2011

VIDEO: Weddings Get an 'I Do Over' on WeTV

i am excited to announce my involvement with an episode of a new WeTV series called I Do Over! i performed the ceremony for Lindsy and Reid in the second episode of the series. Here's a teaser/trailer featuring the show's glamourous yet extremely down-to-earth host and event stylist, Diann Valentine. And please note the officiant at the 1:05 mark... ;-P

The show brings a second chance to couples who were married in less-than-ideal circumstances at their first wedding. This doesn't mean second marriages (although, i think that would be a great idea for another show!); it just means these lucky newlyweds get a 'do over' to have the wedding of their dreams. More details to come!

Monday, June 20, 2011

WEDDING: La Quinta Officiant at CTR Ranch Wedding near Indio and Palm Springs

Palm Springs / La Quinta Officiant & Secular Minister
Celebrant Venus sharing laughs with a fantastic couple!
Congratulations, Dar. and Al.! i had the honour and privilege of officiating (yet another)dream come true for a wedding Celebrant. A private home that sleeps 20 (but probably more) called CTR Ranch was the venue for this incredibly intimate ceremony that would beat any larger wedding in terms of love, friendship, family, celebration and partying!

Food truck Crêpes Bonaparte came out to feed the guests, as well as local hot dog business, the Riverside Hot Dog CompanyFullerton musician Brett Cain provided entertainment.  Photography by Jake Ogle (not image at left).  More details to follow... i promise!

Saturday, June 4, 2011

NEWS: June = (the first) LGBT Heritage Month in Los Angeles!

Thirty years ago, a newly identified cluster of symptoms and illness was first given the term 'Gay Related Immunodeficiency', or GRID, by the Center for Disease Control (CDC).  This first week of June 2011 marks the 30th anniversary of when these disease clusters became recognised as the first cases of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). 

You can listen to a fantastic account of this time in history in two parts - first with a doctor of infectious diseases, and next with a man living since the early 1980s with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV): on Dick Gordon's The Story on APR.
From the mayor's website

Perhaps coincidentally, June is also officially declared as LGBT Pride Month by President Obama's White House and by communities throughout the country.  On Friday, Los Angeles (finally) proclaimed June as LGBT HERITAGE MONTH.
Bill Rosendahl 2011 LGBT Pride Awards
According to the LA Times, Bill Rosendahl was the first openly gay candidate to run and be elected to the City Council in 2005.  On Friday, the Councilman, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck,  along with other city officials, honoured LGBT Angelenos and publicly celebrated the launch of June as LGBT Heritage Month.

The Times went on to say that the "City Council also passed several resolutions on Friday, backing state and federal legislation calling for LGBT equality, including a state bill that would add questions regarding sexual orientation and gender identity to state demographic surveys", but when i tried to authenticate or source this statement, i couldn't find any proof.  (But i did find a very odd and somewhat disturbing comment thread...)

Thursday, June 2, 2011

ELEMENTS: Serving Rainbow Pancakes

Rainbows are everywhere, especially if you put them there...

More people are opting for a small wedding these days...or at least considering the possibility of having one.  But what could be more beautiful than serving these colourful rainbow pancakes at your wedding weekend breakfast or brunch?  
via A Non-Denominational Ceremony's TUMBLR.

Disclaimer:  i am aware of the potential harm various food colourings and dyes may cause...and you should be, too.  Check your ingredients and do your research!  There are lots of 'natural' colouring options out there.

BTW did you know there was a fuss was made in 2010 involving a segment of Christians, their use (misuse?  disuse?) of rainbow baked goods and connection (or lack thereof) to LGBT pride?   Also, here is a source for non-toxic, natural food colouring, plus a recipe for the stack pictured above.

Oh, and check the lovely rainbow wedding dress, pictured at right!

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

ALTERNATIVES: Eco Bouquets Made of Clay, Beads and NOT Flowers


Today's blog is a lazy, link-laden entry, which, admit it, is what you want anyway!  :)

i began researching non-flower bouquets as a true green option over the impermanent, biologically based traditional bunch of plants and flowers brides carry, pass to someone in their wedding party and sometimes throw to some lucky single (read: unmarried) person at the reception.  Anyway, these bouquets are freaking gorgeous.  i hope you agree!

DK DESIGNS
http://dkdesignshawaii.blogspot.com/2010/12/my-last-big-wedding-order-for-2010.html

Clay Bouquet by DK DESIGNS
SEA SHELLS IN BLOOM
http://www.seashellsinbloom.com/bouquets.html

Sea Shell Bouquet by SEA SHELLS IN BLOOM

FFFLOWERS on Etsy
http://www.etsy.com/people/ffflowers?ref=ls_profile


One Kind of Ribbon Bouquet by FFFLOWERS
BURDA STYLE on Etsy
http://www.etsy.com/storque/how-to/burdastyle-how-to-make-your-love-bloom-forever-3379/

Another Ribbon Bouquet by you/BURDA STYLE


LITTLE BIRDIE SECRETS
http://littlebirdiesecrets.blogspot.com/2009/08/make-fabric-flower-and-flower-tutorial.html

Fabric Flowers for Bouquet by LBS
HANDMADE BY ALI (the Bride)'s MOM
http://ruffledblog.com/a-diy-handcrafted-wedding-with-a-bouquet-made-of-ribbons-and-rickrack-by-goodnickels-photography/

Photo by GOOD NICKELS PHOTOGRAPHY


BEAD_FLORA_JEWELS on Etsy
http://www.etsy.com/people/BeadFloraJewels?ref=ls_profile


Custom-Made Bead Bouquet by BEADFLORAJEWELS
more beads
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eMfQoKC-VqE/SaYSMdEu10I/AAAAAAAAA3o/bKc2ojzatdI/s400/Martha+flower+alternatives.jpg

FLOWER COVE
http://craftcove.blogspot.com/2009/11/beaded-flower-bouquet.html

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vZ__bqMW0Ik/SvdMLjgIgpI/AAAAAAAAAYk/GA0Ol2J5iMs/s400/y-286+h.jpg

SUCH PRETTY THINGS
http://suchprettythings.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/02/french-beaded-flowers.html

Antique French Beaded Flowers

Friday, May 20, 2011

READING: Not Poetry, Not Literature, But a Unique, Objective Definition of Marriage

One of the most original and most special readings i have heard in a ceremony is something which was originally written and stated as part of a 2003 decision of the Massachusetts Supreme Court, holding that the Massachusetts Constitution prohibits denying same-sex couples access to the protections, benefits, and obligations of civil marriage.
Ceramic Doves from DJVenus on Flickr
The following definition of marriage was a fantastic thing to include in the ceremony text, and provides something different for those who think poetry is too corny or don't want to use the same old wedding ceremony readings:
"Marriage is a vital social institution. The exclusive commitment of two individuals to each other nurtures love and mutual support. Without question, civil marriage enhances the welfare of the community. It is a social institution of the highest importance. Civil  marriage anchors an ordered society by encouraging stable relationships over transient  ones. Marriage also bestows enormous private and social advantages on those who choose to marry. Civil marriage is at once a deeply personal commitment to another human being and a highly public celebration of the ideals of mutuality, companionship, intimacy, fidelity, and family. It is an association that promotes a way of life, not causes; a harmony in living, not political faiths; a bilateral loyalty, not commercial or social projects.

Because it fulfills yearnings for security, safe haven, and connection that express our common humanity, civil marriage is an esteemed institution and the decision whether and whom to marry is among life’s momentous acts of self-definition. Tangible as well as intangible benefits flow from marriage. The benefits accessible only by way of a marriage license are enormous, touching nearly every aspect of life and death.

It is undoubtedly for these concrete reasons, as well as for its intimately personal significance, that civil marriage has long been termed a civil right."

- by Chief Justice Margaret H. Marshall of the Massachusetts Supreme Court, from Goodridge v. Massachusetts Dept. of Public Health, 440 Mass. 309.

Sunday, May 1, 2011

WEDDING: Indian Wells Wedding Officiant at Miramonte Resort

Tree Strung with Origami Cranes
Tree Strung with Origami Cranes, originally uploaded by dj venus.

Congratulations, Ki and Ke!

The television producers were married in an outdoor ceremony on a gorgeous Palm Springs afternoon.  The couple brought family and friends out to an Indian Wells spa and resort for an informal yet elegant celebration of their marriage.

One of the most striking components of the wedding was the Japanese tradition of one thousand origami, or folded paper, cranes!








The pair, who work in TV production and post-production of television commercials, enlisted their friends and relatives to assist with the folding process.  Dividing up the duty of crane-folding in this way provided a chance for Ki. and Ke. to share the wedding preparation process experience, with the people closest to them.

Many thanks to Shauna, Miramonte Resort's awesome catering director, and musicians Mari & Mike (violin / guitar duo)!

INTERESTING: Weddings Bring Out the Best and Worst...

From the 24/4/2011 edition of Post Secret.
...in people. 

Have you ever heard anyone say, "Planning my wedding has made me realize that my friends suck." ??!

There's nothing like a celebration to bring out one's (true?) colours, whether they're yours, your family's, the world's or your friends!

The photo at right is yet another fantastic contribution to POST SECRETthe ongoing community art project where people mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a homemade postcard.

Friday, April 29, 2011

CELEBRATE: Honouring ALL Those Who Married on 29 April 2011...

...never mind 'the royal wedding'!

Flickr featured a blog entry of gorgeous images from some of the many others married on 29 April 2011:  Congratulations to Syahirah and Faizal, Suzie and Tamri, Walter and Tamra...


the wedding in Hirosaki park, originally uploaded by jsflickr2010.

Congratulations to these couples around York, PA:
The office of Clerk of Orphans' Court Bradley C. Jacobs issued the following marriage licenses for 4/29/2011:
Roberto Soto-Rivera and Maria Roque-Rivera, both of York.
Jesus Cortes-Diaz and Yvette Santo, both of York.
David Walker
, Nanticoke, Md., and Gwyn Wallen, York.
Many couples were wed in Tulsa, OK (click on the April calendar). Pennsylvania TV station WNEP sponsored an "'Un-Royal' Backyard Wedding" promotion for lucky couple Kelly and Kyle.  The Knot website, or rather, their Newport-specific microsite, had the same idea in mind.

Best wishes to everyone else married today!

HISTORY: From Where Did This Celebrant Come From !!?

This weekend, a very special ceremony will be taking place. And NO, i am not talking about the royal wedding!  The important occasion marks the tenth class of the Celebrant Foundation and Institute (CF&I), which will be graduating this Sunday in Jersey City, New Jersey.  Graduation will be held in conjunction with the Collective Wisdom Conference and Workshop, featuring many CF&I alumni.  i wish i could be there!

Back in 2004, the NPR addict i am found herself listening to a story by Scott Simon, about an organisation of secular officiants called Celebrants.  i was struck by the occasion the Celebrants were commemorating: downsizing!  Through ceremony, Celebrants were acknowledging a very real and painful transition many people were facing at the time. i recall how moved i was by the story, and how logical it sounded to me at the time, even though my experience with ritual and ceremony in general had been, so far, quite limited to Brownies/Girl Scouts, math tournament awards, my father's and others' funerals, and various graduations...with a few weddings thrown in, including my own.

When i checked out the Celebrants' North American website, i learned how Celebrancy, which originated in Australia, was now being taught and led in the United States and Canada by a formidable group based in Montclair, New Jersey.  i applied for the Weddings and Couples programme, and thus began my personal journey as a Celebrant.  Today, i am extremely proud and honoured to be a certified Life-Cycle Celebrant® and a CF&I faculty member teaching the very same Weddings and Couples curriculum/course from which i came from!
So congratulations, Celebrant Class of 2011!  :)
More info at the CF&I website
i so wish i could there with you this weekend!

BTW special thanks and recognition to our Tuesday night class - CAT, Cindie, Heather, Nancy, Nanette and Maryrose, who, as of Sunday, are no longer my students, [sniff] but my colleagues!  WOOOOOOOOOOO!

Thursday, April 21, 2011

READING: Different, Funny & Appropriate - Ogden Nash at Your Literary Wedding Ceremony

Tin Wedding Whistle
by Ogden Nash

Though you know it anyhow
Listen to me, darling, now,
Proving what I need not prove
How I know I love you, love.
Near and far, near and far,
I am happy where you are;
Likewise I have never larnt
How to be it where you aren’t.
Far and wide, far and wide,
I can walk with you beside;
Furthermore, I tell you what,
I sit and sulk where you are not.
Visitors remark my frown
Where you’re upstairs and I am down,
Yes, and I’m afraid I pout
When I’m indoors and you are out;
But how contentedly I view
Any room containing you.
In fact I care not where you be,
Just as long as it’s with me.
In all your absences I glimpse
Fire and flood and trolls and imps.
Is your train a minute slothful?
I goad the stationmaster wrothful.
When with friends to bridge you drive
I never know if you’re alive,
And when you linger late in shops
I long to telephone the cops.
Yet how worth the waiting for,
To see you coming through the door.
Somehow, I can be complacent
Never but with you adjacent.
Near and far, near and far,
I am happy where you are;
Likewise I have never larnt
How to be it where you aren’t.
Then grudge me not my fond endeavor,
To hold you in my sight forever;
Let none, not even you, disparage
Such a valid reason for a marriage.


Many thanks to a FANTASTIC couple, Jenn and Rhys, for turning me on to such a truly lovely reading.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

TRADITION: What is a wedding?

A wedding is anything you want it to be!

According to the characters from CSI: Crime Scene Investigation's Kurosawa-esque-ish episode, Rashomama -
GREG: (referring to the reason for eating at a diner)
...It's a tradition.

SARAH: Ah, tradition, like becoming property exchange between your father and your husband.

NICK: That's not what a wedding is.  It's a public declaration of love.

GREG: i'm with Vince Vaughn on this one.  Dozens of single horny women, with access to an open bar and coupling on the mind...

WAITRESS: Weddings are a Rorschach.  Everybody sees what they want to see.  My first five were good!

However you see your wedding, have your ceremony, your way.  For more information, please contact A NON-DENOMINATIONAL CEREMONY - A modern, inclusive officiant for the ceremony tradition.

i am a Certified Life-Cycle Celebrant®, secular minister and civil officiator in Los Angeles and Orange County.  Creating and performing unique, custom-written, bespoke, one of a kind ceremonies and rituals for weddings, engagement, betrothal, commitment, vow renewal, animal or pet, rite of passage, funeral, memorial, celebration of life, baby naming or baby welcoming, new child or adoption, divorce, new job, business, downsizing, new home or any public, private or civic occasion to mark and honour a transition, anniversary, graduation, retirement, ending, change or other milestone.  ALSO: reverend, jp or justice of the peace.

Monday, April 11, 2011

NEWS: You've read her... you've loved her...

Now, let's help her.
Learn how to donate to Dana, also known as the B.A.B., to help tackle medical bills in excess of $18k, as she continues to have medical procedures done related to the autoimmune diseases, Uveitis and Granuloma Annulare.

Dishing for Dana
Donate to the Broke-Ass-Bride!  (And, her broke-ass-husband, too...)

Thursday, March 31, 2011

NEWS: See Blogger / Blogspot in a Different, Dynamic View

Blog enthusiasts, take note of today's Blogger announcement!  According to Google's Buzz page, the new system allows the blog reader/viewer/user to see Blogger blogs through a fresh, new perspective by using AJAX, HTML5 and CSS3 and more. Some cool features and future possibilities are said to include:

  • Allowing more posts to be seen, without reloading or accessing another page: infinite scrolling.
  • Different blogs may benefit from different layouts: dynamic views gives you five ways to be seen.
  • Content can be experienced in increasingly interactive ways.
    AND, perhaps in the most appealing way for my purposes,
  • Images no longer are downloaded at once: load speed increases cos you download images as you view them.
FLIPCARD, MOSAIC, SIDEBAR, TIMESLIDE, and SNAPSHOT are the five new views.  To see what they look like, see A Non-Denominational Ceremony's blog in the 'snapshot view'.  Toward the top right, click on the blue pulldown menu if you want to see any of the other new display types.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

VENUE: Hicksville Ceremony: Joshua Tree Wedding Officiant...

...i would like to be!  ;0]

from kpcc / Robin Davey and Krissie Gregory /
Jason Kandel's flickr slideshow.

A few months back, i heard a Weird L.A. segment on KPCC's Madeleine Brand Show about a "trailer palace" in Joshua Tree, California. It is part hotel, part recording studio, and it's called HICKSVILLE.

Hicksville has nine individual trailers, all with different themes, including The Lux, above, which is named after The Cramps' very own Mr. Lux Interior.  All trailers have air conditioners and heaters, and most rent for $100 per night.  Imagine removing yourselves and your celebration out of an everyday city or suburban setting, into the desert.  Hicksville could be a perfect wedding venue, especially as an alternative to Palm Springs or if you are a rockclimbing or outdoor enthusiast.  It's close to most of Southern California, but it's a destination wedding location. 

Have your ceremony, your way.  If you are looking for an experienced, modern and inclusive wedding ceremony officiator / officiant, please contact A NON-DENOMINATIONAL CEREMONY, serving all of Coachella Valley, San Bernardino County, Desert Cities, Southern California and beyond.

Hear the interview with Hicksville founder/creator Morgan Higby Night.  Ethan Allen is Hickville's in-house producer and engineer.  Plus, see all of KPCC's photos plus these other images online.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

FASHION: Natalie Portman et al Wear Rodarte Dresses


Rodarte Fall 2011 collection, originally uploaded by scpr.kpcc.
This photo is from Rodarte's Fall 2011 collection.

KPCC has a fantastic interview with the two Pasadena-based ladies who are Rodarte: Kate and Laura Mulleavy.

See their website and their prêt-à-porter or ready-to-wear clothing at Opening Ceremony online.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

WEDDING: Officiant for Intimate Westlake Village Inn Ceremony


Congratulations, No. and Jo.!

These two were wed on a patio within the lovely grounds of the Westlake Village Inn.

There was no music, no elabourate choreography. The couple simply exchanged rings and a kiss, surrounded by friends and family. Photography (although not on the left) by JEN of Laurie Bailey Photography.

Monday, February 28, 2011

INTERESTING: Post Secret - Doubts About Marrying Outside of Asian Culture


easier.jpg from Postsecret.com
week of 13 Feb. 2011


What is PostSecret?  It is an ongoing community art project where people mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a postcard.  

The postcard to the right says:

"I'm scared that if I marry a white man, he won't understand the traditions, customs and way of life of my culture.  Marrying an Asian man would be so much easier."


Each Sunday, a new batch of SUNDAY SECRETS are posted on the website.  This week's postcards, posted in honour of Valentine's Day (which was the following Monday), were centered around the basic theme of love and everything that goes with it.

If you need an inclusive, non-judgmental, experienced, trained and qualified officiator, officiant, minister, reverend, Celebrant etc. for your wedding or other ceremony, please contact A NON-DENOMINATIONAL CEREMONY.   Serving Los Angeles, Orange County and most of Southern California including San Gabriel Valley, Hacienda Heights, Roland Heights, Montebello, Rosemead, San Marino, Fullerton, Brea, Westminster, Garden Grove, Fountain Valley, Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, Rancho Palos Verdes, Monterey Park, City of Industry, Walnut, Azusa and beyond.

Saturday, February 26, 2011

WEDDING: Asian Ceremony Officiant at Rose Center in Westminster, CA

This gorgeous couple were married at Westminster Rose Center (Crystal Rose Catering), a hidden gem tucked away amidst the many ceremony venues in central Orange County.

It was a privilege to work with event planner Michelle Groom of Mele Amore. Photos (not above) by Lovisa Han Photography.  Music/DJ by _______ .

Thursday, February 17, 2011

INTERESTING: Post Secret - Dreading (Ex's) Wedding on Facebook


week of 13 Feb. 2011.

 "I am dreading the day i see photos of your wedding on FACEBOOK!"


Sunday, February 13, 2011

WEDDING: Asian Ceremony Officiant for Small Destination Wedding Celebration

Asian Wedding Ceremony Officiant at Palm Springs Area Golf Course
Rancho Las Palmas in Rancho Mirage, CA is one of the many golf courses, resorts and spas that host hundreds of weddings each year in the Palm Springs area. But, did you know a small and intimate wedding ceremony and celebration is still possible, even at a large venue?

A couple from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada brought their loved ones down for a week of golf and sun and a short family-only wedding ceremony.  There was a total of twelve seats in the audience, and the couple stood alone with the officiator / minister / Celebrant.  To symbolise the union of two families in the weddings, the two mothers of the bride and groom blended sand in a unity ritual.

With the help of the resort's attentive catering staff, they took photos on the greens and on a golf cart, and  later ate in a private dining room.  Huge thanks to Darin, catering manager at Rancho Las Palmas, for making this such a wonderful, special occasion!

Please see A NON-DENOMINATIONAL CEREMONY for more information about having your small, simple ceremony with an experienced, affordable, qualified and trained wedding officiant.

Saturday, February 5, 2011

READING: Dr. Seuss' Writing is Ideal for Wedding, Graduation etc.

A couple recently chose Oh! The Places You'll Go! by Dr. Seuss as a perfect non-traditional reading for their wedding, as they set off on their next adventure together.

From Amazon.com

Released in 1990, Oh! The Places You'll Go! was Dr. Seuss' final published book. Its U.S. Library of Congress entry states the book contains "Advice in rhyme for proceeding in life: weathering fear, loneliness and confusion; and being in charge of your actions."  Sounds like an ideal passage to include in any ceremony to mark a transition and inspire people of any age, as they get ready for a new journey or begin a new part of one's life.  The book's text is short and simple enough to read in its entirety.





Oh! The Places You'll Go!
© by Dr. Seuss
Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You’re off to Great Places!
You’re off and away!

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself any direction you choose.
You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go.

You’ll look up and down streets. Look ‘em over with care. About some you will say, “I don’t choose to go there.” With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet, you’re too smart to go down a not-so-good street.

And you may not find any you’ll want to go down. In that case, of course, you’ll head straight out of town. It’s opener there in the wide open air.

Out there things can happen and frequently do to people as brainy and footsy as you.

And when things start to happen, don’t worry. Don’t stew. Just go right along. You’ll start happening too.

Oh! The Places You’ll Go!

You’ll be on your way up!
You’ll be seeing great sights!
You’ll join the high fliers who soar to high heights.

You won’t lag behind, because you’ll have the speed. You’ll pass the whole gang and you’ll soon take the lead. Wherever you fly, you’ll be best of the best. Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.

Except when you don’t.

Because, sometimes, you won’t.

I’m sorry to say so but, sadly, it’s true that Bang-ups and Hang-ups can happen to you.

You can get all hung up in a prickle-ly perch. And your gang will fly on. You’ll be left in a Lurch.

You’ll come down from the Lurch with an unpleasant bump. And the chances are, then, that you’ll be in a Slump.

And when you’re in a Slump, you’re not in for much fun. Un-slumping yourself is not easily done.

You will come to a place where the streets are not marked. Some windows are lighted. But mostly they’re darked. A place you could sprain both your elbow and chin! Do you dare to stay out? Do you dare to go in? How much can you lose? How much can you win?

And if you go in, should you turn left or right…or right-and-three-quarters? Or, maybe, not quite? Or go around back and sneak in from behind? Simple it’s not, I’m afraid you will find, for a mind-maker-upper to make up his mind.

You can get so confused that you’ll start in to race down long wiggled roads at a break-necking pace and grind on for miles across weirdish wild space, headed, I fear, toward a most useless place.

The Waiting Place…for people just waiting.

Waiting for a train to go or a bus to come, or a plane to go or the mail to come, or the rain to go or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow or waiting around for a Yes or No or waiting for their hair to grow. Everyone is just waiting.

Waiting for the fish to bite or waiting for wind to fly a kite or waiting around for Friday night or waiting, perhaps, for their Uncle Jake or a pot to boil, or a Better Break or a string of pearls, or a pair of pants or a wig with curls, or Another Chance. Everyone is just waiting.

No! That’s not for you!
Somehow you’ll escape all that waiting and staying. You’ll find the bright places where Boom Bands are playing. With banner flip-flapping, once more you’ll ride high! Ready for anything under the sky. Ready because you’re that kind of a guy!

Oh, the places you’ll go! There is fun to be done! There are points to be scored. There are games to be won. And the magical things you can do with that ball will make you the winning-est winner of all. Fame! You’ll be famous as famous can be, with the whole wide world watching you win on TV.

Except when they don’t. Because, sometimes, they won’t.

I’m afraid that some times you’ll play lonely games too. Games you can’t win ‘cause you’ll play against you.

All Alone!
Whether you like it or not, Alone will be something you’ll be quite a lot.
And when you’re alone, there’s a very good chance you’ll meet things that scare you right out of your pants. There are some, down the road between hither and yon, that can scare you so much you won’t want to go on.

But on you will go though the weather be foul. On you will go though your enemies prowl. On you will go though the Hakken-Kraks howl. Onward up many a frightening creek, though your arms may get sore and your sneakers may leak. On and on you will hike. And I know you’ll hike far and face up to your problems whatever they are.

You’ll get mixed up, of course, as you already know. You’ll get mixed up with many strange birds as you go. So be sure when you step. Step with care and great tact and remember that Life’s a Great Balancing Act. Just never forget to be dexterous and deft. And never mix up your right foot with your left.

Image above from US Postal Service.
And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and ¾ percent guaranteed.)

Kid, you’ll move mountains!
So…be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray or Mordecai Ale Van Allen O’Shea, you’re off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So…get on your way!

(Copyright © 1990 by Theodor S. Geisel and Audrey S. Geisel.)

Quotations and written excerpts, when read aloud, express a feeling, personality, idea or sentiment when you can't quite come up with the words on your own.  The use of readings, literature, poetry, lyrics, or even words from a favourite movie, tv show, video game or comic book is an easy and eloquent way for adults and children alike to say something during a public celebration or private occasion.  

Celebrate a wedding, marriage, anniversary, vow renewal, new member of the family, baby's birth, adoption or new pet/animal.  Acknowledge graduation, the first day of college, a child's first day of school, reassignment, retirement, divorce or deployment.  Remember someone at a funeral, memorial or interment.  Contact A Non-Denominational Ceremony for more information.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

FUNNY: Life Imitates 30 Rock - NBC Studios as Event Venues (Even for Bar/Bat Mitzvahs!)

Did you notice the scenes on Mrs. Donaghy, when amongst other things, Liz Lemon accidentally marries Jack, and he offers up a room adjacent to the TGS set for public use?

The week before i watched this 30 Rock episode, i happened to pick up a copy of a bar/bat mitzvah guide at the local CeeVeeeSs, and the back cover advertised the studios and sets of NBC Universal as special events venues.  What better place to consider, than an actual television lot to celebrate the Jewish rite of passage...or any occasion?  How very Hollywood/Los Angeles!
Both NBC Universal locations in Studio City, Burbank and New York City have locations to use/hire/rent for special events, whether you are planning a party or a bar/bat mitzvah.  Select from areas called 'Mexican Street' (above), 'Spartacus Street' (below), 'European Street', 'Court of Miracles' and more!  In Manhattan, even the 30 Rock exterior (i'm assuming not the exteriour of the show's set, but the actual 30 Rockefeller address) is available.

Strangely, the exact term "weddings" is nowhere to be found on any website or advert.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

INTERESTING: Post Secret Takes on Marriage, Everyday Ritual and Coping

More from POST SECRET's weekly confessions.


Some people get married for different reasons than others...

To you, is marriage serious?  Sacred?  Impossible?  Overrated?  Safe?  Better than anything you could imagine?  How do YOU view marriage? 






For some, deleting old contacts or even deleting season passes for shows on one's TiVO / dvr is a transitional ritual...

Do YOU do anything to indicate or signify a change in your life, whether it is when a person is no longer with you, or you move to a new home, or you begin a new job, or ???





Some people deal with crisis and/or loss in whatever way they can.  They may alter themselves simply to make a hospital visit, or to enter a social situation.  What are the advantages, and the dangers, of coping?  How can we find more effective, or at least healthier, ways to deal with difficulty, negativity, or discomfourt?

Monday, January 31, 2011

WEDDING: Spiritual Wedding Officiant for Inclusive 1/31/11 Ceremony

CONGRATULATIONS Stephanie and Sean!  This incredible couple was a complete joy to work with, and their ceremony was a Celebrant's dream-come-true!

The ceremony, held at the Santa Ana Doubletree Hotel near Orange County's John Wayne Airport, was full of symbols and traditions of special meaning to the couple, from around the world, and from the entire human spectrum.  The date itself, 1/31/11, held its own significance.

Where do we begin?  First of all, it was very important for the ceremony to acknowledge and honour all the world's faiths, rather than to exclude any of them.  Both Stephanie and Sean are fortunate to have large extended families and close friends who all agreed to participate in the wedding ceremony.  This presented an ideal way to present the readings and passages from the world's religions, spiritual leaders and thinkers: by having loved ones read them.

Sean and Stephanie chose to include the Japanese San San Ku Do sake ritual, with her maid of honour pouring the sake for each cup sipped.  They also had a sand ceremony, where Stephanie's father and uncles (his brothers) each recited one of the seven Hindu Precepts of Marriage as the couple poured their containers of black and white sand into one.

More details to come, as i find more photos of the wedding to share with you!  Ceremony music by JOY VARGO (harp) and JESSICA HADDY (violin).  Photography (not above) by Smith.  Event design by the bride.  Day-of event coordination by Amy at EVERY LITTLE DETAIL.

Sunday, January 30, 2011

NEWS? : And What the Heck is BHLDN?

As you may remember reading here last year, Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie announced plans to launch their bridal line sometime in 2011.  Now, according to company PR, the new wedding fashion line will launch on 14th February 2011, Valentine's Day, and go under the brand BHLDN [Warning: loud unstoppable automatic website music!  Their FB page is much quieter.]. Established and up-and-coming guest designers, with Fleur Wood, Tracy Reese, and Catherine Deane contributing exclusive designs, will be featured as well as BHLDN's own brand designs.  Retail prices will range from $1,000 to $4,000 for gowns, and $200 to $600 for event dresses.

BHLDN is not yet confirmed to stand for, but is believed to represent the word beholden.  (Think a la the vowelless domain names recently: 'flickr.com', 'gdgt.com' etc...)

Also interesting was the following passage found at the bottom of the press release:
"This news release is being made pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Certain matters contained in this release may constitute forward-looking statements. Any one, or all, of the following factors could cause actual financial results to differ materially from those financial results mentioned in the forward-looking statements: the difficulty in predicting and responding to shifts in fashion trends, changes in the level of competitive pricing and promotional activity and other industry factors, overall economic and market conditions and the resultant impact on consumer spending patterns, including any effects of terrorist acts or war, availability of suitable retail space for expansion, timing of store openings, seasonal fluctuations in gross sales, the departure of one or more key senior managers, import risks, including potential disruptions and changes in duties, tariffs and quotas and other risks identified in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update forward-looking statements even if experience or future changes make it clear that actual results may differ materially from any projected results expressed or implied therein."

Saturday, January 29, 2011

WEDDING: Officiant at Richard Nixon Presidential Library & Museum

Congratulations to JY and TL, married in Yorba Linda, CA!

The fun-loving couple didn't shy away from laughs, nor tears, during their ceremony! All three groomsmen bent down and 'low-fived' with the groom three times. Then they both rose up together and saluted each other.

Then during the ceremony, the groom broke down and cried just before the vows...  :)

You CAN be married YOUR way! If you would like to inject some lightheartedness into your wedding or any other ceremony, please contact A Non-Denominational Ceremony, Orange County and Los Angeles officiant.

Friday, January 21, 2011

NEWS: More Private Sale Websites Focus on Wedding Fashion

Other members-only sites are now emphasising the wedding market, following The AISLE NEW YORK's successful launch.  Although the AisleNY is entirely wedding-based, IDEELI just announced they will have a wedding-centric sale coming up on Wednesday, January 26th, 2011 featuring items from Big Day Dresses, Brilliant Diamonds, Beau-Coup Party Favours and others.
Get an invite to ideeli's all things wedding sale!

INTERESTING: Pre-Wedding Passive Aggression...Love, Mom & Dad

Occasionally, we post wedding and funeral (and other ceremony-related) submissions from the POST SECRET website.  Today, check out one of the most-loved posts of 2010 on PASSIVE-AGGRESSIVE NOTES.COM!
There was a check enclosed with the above note, which was written by parents to their daughter and the bride, Katie (although Katie says it was 100% 'the way my Mom is. She signed my Dad’s name too, but it’s from her…just her.').  In case you missed it, the note states:
"...We are sure you will be a beautiful bride.  To help insure our wedding dress investment, please buy some scales of your choosing with this money and weigh yourself once a week..."

Thursday, January 20, 2011

VIDEO: Vow Renewal from Curb Your Enthusiasm

"I promise to love you for all eternity." That's all he had to say...!

Thanks to TotallyWeddings.com for the link!

Thursday, January 13, 2011

NEWS: Officiant / Celebrant / Clergy on 2011 Wedding Professional Hot List - MomentVille

A Non-Denominational Ceremony is Named to the 2011 Wedding Professional Hot List

13 Jan, 2011 - MomentVille.com, one of the world's leading wedding websites, has just announced that A Non-Denominational Ceremony has been selected for the 2011 Wedding Professional Hot List.

The annual Wedding Professional Hot List recognizes excellence within the wedding industry, as determined by reviews from tens of thousands of brides and grooms. A Non-Denomin- ational Ceremony was among the best reviewed vendors in their area in the past year.

"The Wedding Professional Hot List recognizes best-of-class wedding professionals," says Geoff Evason, MomentVille's CEO. "Highlighting the success of the top wedding professionals is an exciting way to spread the word and help newly engaged couples find the right professionals for their own weddings."

A Non-Denominational Ceremony's officiant, Venus Kitagawa-Stojsic, feels "honored for this recognition and grateful to all the couples who allowed me to create and perform their ceremony in a way that reflected their wishes, their selves, and their relationship.  Since every couple is different, every ceremony stands out."


About  A NON-DENOMINATIONAL CEREMONY:
Venus Kitagawa-Stojsic is an experienced and professional Certified Life-Cycle Celebrant® and ordained secular minister serving Los Angeles, Orange County, Malibu, Ojai, Catalina Island, Big Bear, Temecula, Palm Springs and greater Southern CA. Any and ALL beliefs, preferences, tastes and styles welcome: not religious, traditional, interfaith, spiritual, simple or unusual OK! Include loved ones, literature, create rituals, etc. No-obligation meeting, all travel, mic/amp and rehearsal is all included. Contact A Non-Denominational Ceremony for more information: http://www.ceremonyceremony.com/weddings.html .

About MomentVille:
MomentVille.com offers engaged couples and wedding enthusiasts a one stop place for planning and sharing a wedding. Offering personal wedding websites, wedding planning tools, a gorgeous gallery of wedding pictures, a searchable list of reviewed wedding vendors, and lots of helpful and inspiring wedding content, MomentVille helps newlyweds with all aspects of their wedding. For more information contact media@momentville.com.

Try a modern, individualized approach to the ceremony tradition!

Sunday, January 9, 2011

READING: "On Marriage" by Khalil Gibran

On Marriage
Khalil Gibran
You were born together, and together you shall be forevermore.
You shall be together when the white wings of death scatter your days.
Ay, you shall be together even in the silent memory of God.
But let there be spaces in your togetherness,
And let the winds of the heavens dance between you.
Love one another, but make not a bond of love:
Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.
Fill each other’s cup but drink not from one cup.
Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf
Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each one of you be alone,
Even as the strings of a lute are alone though
they quiver with the same music.
Give your hearts, but not into each other’s keeping.
For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts.
And stand together yet not too near together:
For the pillars of the temple stand apart,
And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other’s shadow.

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

EXPLAINER: What is the Meaning of the Word 'Nuptial'?

What is a nuptial?  Or, what are nuptials?

NUPTIAL is a word used to describe or refer to things of, or relating and/or pertaining to, marriage or the marriage ceremony, as in 'nuptial vows' or 'nuptial celebration'.  The word originated in the 15th century and is derived from the word nuptialis (singular form; nuptiae is plural) which is Latin for 'wedding' and nubere which means 'to marry'.  "Nuptial" can also mean something characteristic of mating or relating to the mating season of animals, such as 'nuptial displays of plumage' when peacocks show of their feather arrays.

How do you say it?  "Nuptial" is pronounced with only two syllables: [NUHP-shull], with an ending that sounds like the words "partial" or maybe "official".  You may also have heard it pronounced similar to "actual" or "mutual": [NUHP-choo-uhl] or [NUHP-shoo-uhl] but these are not considered standard pronunciations.

Sources: Merriam-Webster online dictionary and reference.com's online definition.

Other interesting nuptial stuff:
The 17th century classical music composer GEORG MUFFAT wrote the lovely Splendid Nuptiae as the fourth Fasciculi movement from his work, Florilegium Secundum.  Check out the website Societas Via Romana for insight on marriage in ancient Rome.  And this Gregorian Chant passage is performed by the Gregorian Choir of Paris:

Monday, January 3, 2011

TRADITION: College Football's Rose Bowl and Prime Rib = the Beef Bowl?!

American society has so few ties to custom and ritual in this day and age.  That's why it's so interesting to see how sports and athleticism is the one area where tradition is not only expected, but it is also honoured and perpetuated.

An article from the Los Angeles Times wrote about the Beef Bowl, a five decades-long tradition of serving prime rib dinners in a fine dining setting to players of both teams competing in the Rose Bowl (on separate days, of course!). The two teams are invited in to a Los Angeles establishment to communally feast on a prime rib dinner with Yorkshire pudding, potatoes, salad etc.  Inevitably, the event turns into a eating competition each year.  (Here's a tip for you wagerers: supposedly, the team with the most amount of meat consumed is statistically significantly shown to become the winner of the Rose Bowl game...)

Photo by Todd Wawrychuk of ESPN.com


[PLEASE NOTE:  For the record, i have been a vegetarian for over 20 years, and do not personally approve of such overt displays of excess when it comes to something like food and hunger...but i DO enjoy tradition and so i wanted to share this story with you!]