HAPPY VOW RENEWAL: Loren and Crystal!

The second ceremony of the weekend was in honour of Loren and Crystal's fifth wedding anniversary. The couple chose to renew their vows in a small ceremony that included two friends, on a beautiful hill overlooking Malibu, CA's ocean.

An excerpt from their vow renewal ceremony:

"The word “renew” has slightly different definitions that are all applicable to Loren and Crystal. One definition of renew is ‘to arrange for the extension of’. After five years, Crystal and Loren certainly desire to continue their marriage for five more, ten more, even fifty more years!

"Renew may be defined as ‘To regain the physical or mental vigor of; to restore, revive or replenish’. We seek to renew Crystal and Loren’s wedding vows because they have both worked very hard to overcome difficult challenges in their relationship, and as a result, they both have a better understanding of themselves and of each other.

"Renew can also mean ‘To take up again; to resume or reestablish’.

"Finally, another definition of renew is ‘To repeat so as to reaffirm’. "

(COPYRIGHT VKS 2008)

i feel vow renewals are so important, simply because of a couple's history and experiences together, upon which the vows are renewed.

For more information on vow renewal ceremonies, please contact me through my website, A NON-DENOMINATIONAL CEREMONY.

Wedding in Palm Springs, at a mid-century estate

CONGRATULATIONS: F and K!

What a fantastic weekend it was, with not just one, but TWO last-minute ceremonies!

First off, F and K were wed in the most fabulous Palm Springs home, ever. i already had the privilege of performing another ceremony at this very special location. Only close family and friends attended this lovely, intimate ceremony. Although the wind was blowing hard in the 110 degree desert heat, the wedding was the coolest affair!

The reception consisted of a fantastic surf and turf dinner, catered by JORDAN'S CREATIVE CATERING. Photography provided by the fabulous MAYA MYERS, and her partner Kacia. More photos coming soon!

UPDATE: Same-Sex Marriage in CA

Recent developments have made me hopeful to wed gay/lesbian/GLBT/same-sex couples in a personalised, custom-written ceremony!

As an officiant and certified Celebrant authorized to solemnize marriages in the state of California, please contact me if you are in need of someone to perform your wedding. i honor all faiths, backgrounds, beliefs, preferences and cultures. Not religious, non-religious, spiritual, interfaith, traditional or unusual ceremonies are all OK. My website is A Non-Denominational Ceremony.

On to the latest:

Unless directed otherwise through further court action, Los Angeles County will begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples on Tuesday, June 17, 2008. For more information, the county has printed this flyer with the basic information you will need .

Also, here's an NPR story from the other day:
Same-Sex Ruling Drives Wedding Business in California

BOOK: 8 Simple Rules for Marrying My Daughter

i didn't know the TV show '8 Simple Rules' was actually based on a book written by an actual man, W. BRUCE CAMERON. well, now this man's daughter is getting married, and he wants to tell you about what is going on in his head as the big day approaches. he's a funny guy, but i can tell he's being serious deep down...

Wedding in Lakewood, in the backyard of a home

CONGRATULATIONS: ScoWi and CaGu!

i had the honor and privilege of marrying SuperMex Restaurants' Director of Operations and his lovely wife in a fantastic home wedding ceremony!

one of the highlights of the ceremony was at the end, when his groomsman Mike broke out into an impromptu performance of James Brown's "I Feel Good" with the wedding band!

hopefully, i will have photos soon of this very special day.

POETRY: I Love You - Paul Eluard

I LOVE YOU by PAUL ÉLUARD

I love you for all the women I haven’t known

I love you for all the times in which I haven’t lived

For the scent of the wide open spaces and the smell of hot bread

For the melting snow and for the first flowers

For the innocent animals which haven’t been frightened by man

I love you to loveI love you for all the women I don’t love

Who reflects me if not you yourself-I see myself so little

Without you I see nothing but an empty space

Between those other times and today

There have been all those deaths that I have crossed on straw

I have not been able to break through the wall of my mirror

I’ve had to learn life word by word

How one forgets

I love you for all the wisdom, which is not mine

For health

I love you against everything which is only illusion

For that immortal heart over which I have no power

You think that you are doubt but you’re just reason

You are the powerful sun that rushes to my head

When I am sure of myself

NEWS: Late-life wedding

Two 95 year-olds were married recently in Camarillo, CA, proving love knows no bounds, defined by age or any other convention.

Read this article from the Los Angeles Times titled "Late-life wedding in Camarillo offers proof: Love knows no age".

RITUALS: Mead, the ancient beverage

MEAD, sometimes called honey wine, is a fermented beverage made with honey. The most basic mead is made with a simple combination of honey, yeast and water.

According to Fermentarium.com, mead may possibly be the world's oldest alcoholic beverage. It was a very popular drink throughout history and was used in religious gatherings. Some pagan rituals used mead in their ceremonies, and Ethiopian meads are used in funeral rituals.

An old European tradition gave newlyweds a month’s supply of mead. Some say this is where the word “honeymoon” came from. However, linguists do not often support this claim.

There are online recipes for mead, and websites where you can buy mead. Some specialty supermarkets and liquor stores may carry it. There are also online mead enthusiasts.

WEDDING: in Elysian Park, Los Angeles CA

CONGRATULATIONS: Sheryl and Danny!

Another fantastic couple, and another beautiful wedding ceremony...this time, it was at a venue i have never performed at before: the GRACE E. SIMONS LODGE in Elysian Park.

The couple incorporated a sand ceremony in front of about 100 of their friends and family.

CONGRATULATIONS: Helen and Steve! (Laguna Beach)

It was an honour to perform a marriage ceremony for these two wonderful people! The bride's sister and groom's mother served as witnessness and wedding party. Although ominous grey clouds loomed inland on this day, the coast was absolutely clear and perfect. The sun shined upon the couple as they exchanged self-composed vows against a beautiful ocean background.

The couple concluded their ceremony with this lovely couplet:

"Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind,
And therefore is winged Cupid painted blind."

---from A Midsummer Night's Dream, William Shakespeare

Laguna Beach is often chosen by couples as the site for their wedding. Of all the beach weddings i have performed, 90% of them have been in Laguna Beach! There are blocks of oceanside and sidewalks for small informal or intimate ceremonies, and you can reserve HEISLER PARK* or the gazebo* next to Las Brisas Restaurant, off of Cliff Drive, or the beach itself, for larger groups.

Please see the Laguna Beach city website for information about these fantastic venues!

* Links are for photos only, thanks to radified.com