WEDDING: At Heisler Park Gazebo in Laguna Beach

CONGRATULATIONS: Yu & Wi!

Short and sweet. The wedding was, that is...

This couple was married in the GAZEBO at HEISLER PARK in Laguna Beach. The reception was later held in a private room inside the Loft Restaurant at the MONTAGE resort.

It was another fantastic experience, and i am so glad to have met this couple. It was such an honour to be included on their special day!

WEDDINGS: "Perfect" Wedding Vows?

i feel vows don't need to be perfect.

Marriage/wedding vows DO need, however, to show your intentions, express your feelings, and convey your love toward your partner. That can be a lot of pressure.

There is an e-book on the market from "The Wedding Goddess" with all kinds of vow-writing ideas, but i suggest an easier way to write your own vows is:

1. Ask your officiant for some examples of vows
2. Research online - there are HUNDREDS of websites with vow examples...for free!
3. Borrow and adapt parts you like to make it your own

If you absolutely must write your vows from scratch, write them from your heart. Remember to use your own voice: if you are an informal, friendly person, DO NOT write something that is stern and stiff! You do not want to make your promise of love and trust sound like it's coming from a complete stranger. And, your partner will appreciate it, too.

WEDDINGS: Attending an Orthodox Jewish Wedding

According to the writer, a traditional Jewish wedding is full of meaningful rituals, symbolizing the beauty of the relationship of husband and wife, as well as their obligations to each other and to the Jewish people. The wedding day is considered the happiest and holiest day in the lives of the bride and groom!

Courtesy of The Redlands Daily Facts.

WEDDING: "A Caucasian's Traditional Chinese Wedding"

Throughout the ceremony, the bride was marveled at her new husband's inquiries about the different traditional Chinese customs that he kept observing. While removing the palanquin, Steven spotted a saddle and a fire pit in front of him. After a brief hesitation, he asked, "What are these for?" The master of ceremony explained that the saddle symbolized peace as it has the same pronunciation in Chinese as "peace," while the fire pit is to burn bad luck away and brings a bright future.

Courtesy of The Epoch Times

WEDDINGS: Valentine's Day Weddings in Orange County

The courthouse opened early and closed late on this, the busiest day of the year for wedding ceremonies. About 150 couples said their vows and exchanged their rings in civil ceremonies led by one of the county’s deputy commissioners of marriages.

Courtesy of the OC Register.

NEWS: CA Courts to Hear About Same-Sex Marriage on 4 March 08

A hearing has been scheduled by the California Supreme Court for March 4 .

In its chambers in San Francisco, the court will hear a consolidation of four lawsuits by same-sex couples and the city of San Francisco who are challenging the ban on same-sex marriage, as well as two countersuits by private organizations defending the law.

Courtesy of the San Francisco Guardian.

CONGRATULATIONS: Co and Bri!

Celebrant venus, the lovely bride CoDe and her handsome new husband BriRe. What a couple!

They were married on 28 Sep. 2007.

WEDDING: Untraditional Ideas

Throw your assumptions about what a wedding ceremony “should” be like right out the window. What do you want to say to one another on this most important day?

• Write your own vows and say exactly how you feel.
• Quote your favorite poet on the subject of love, or include a verse from a meaningful song for the two of you.
• Ask family members to read or play music during the ceremony.
• Light a special candle to commemorate loved ones who have passed away.
• Use your favorite music for the processional instead of classical standards.

When you remember that there really are no rules to follow when planning your own untraditional wedding, the possibilities for creativity are truly endless.

Courtesy of Lifescript.com

WEDDING: 8/8/08 or August 8, 2008

The Triple 8 combination—080808—will not be coming around for another century, and it is believed that it will bring even more luck than usual in some cultures.

According to a newspaper website, the Chinese believe it important to select a date that is favorable and auspicious for special events such as weddings to increase success in life. Getting married on such well-chosen dates will bring more positive energy to bless and empower the event and help to start off the couple on their journey of marriage.

To the Chinese, eight is the most fortuitous of numbers—coveted for addresses, phone and bank account numbers—because it is associated with wealth, prosperity and good fortune.

The Chinese government itself believes so much in the auspiciousness of the date that it will open the Summer Olympic Games in Beijing on Aug. 8, 2008 at 08:08:08 in the evening.

FUNERAL: Samoan Traditions

Samoan Ifoga

"In the Samoan tradition, an ifoga is a ritualized formal apology where those seeking forgiveness humble themselves before the person or family that was hurt. An ifoga can take days. Those seeking forgiveness may have to wait in the hot sun or through the rainy night and there is no guarantee that the apology will be accepted. There is no guarantee there won't be retaliation on the spot.

"If the matter is very serious, the high chief from the village of the accused would perform the ifoga.

"It is a very humbling gesture on the part of those asking for mercy. An envelope of money collected from among the community is offered as part of the ifoga, as well as an 'ie toga, a fine mat, considered the most significant and sincere part of the ifoga ritual."

Courtesy of the Honolulu Advertiser.