WEDDING: The Villa in Westminster, CA

CONGRATULATIONS: Jennifer and Dean!

Sunday was a nice but warm day for this wedding. It took place with over a hundred guests at the private banquet hall The Villa in Westminster. There were many children, both in the wedding and attending with guests or people in the wedding party. The couple included family vows/children's vows, as a way of including the creation of a family in the ceremony. Here they formalised their desire to commit to their child, Dean Jr., as well as to each other:

"And Jennifer and Dean, do you commit today to continue your support of Dean Jaden as an individual? Do you vow to be there for him in his times of trouble as well as in his times of joy, to rejoice in the love that he has added to your lives, and to strive as you are able to preserve peace in your home?

Dean and Jennifer respond, “We do.”

The venue is an unassuming building along Beach Boulevard, but once you go inside, it is an incredible place, complete with a staircase for the bridal party to descend down. The layout of the ceremony area is a little unusual, and made it slightly difficult for such a large group of guests to maneuver, but in the end, the wedding was lovely! The Villa also contains a full-service bridal salon. Thanks to Natalie and Liz of Lifetime Weddings and Events. Photography by Dai Bac Wedding Center.

WEDDING: Private Home in Sun Valley, CA

CONGRATULATIONS: Anna and Khalid!

Amidst the curvy lanes of La Tuna Canyon Road, this private wedding included bellydancers, delicious Moroccan cuisine, and beautiful tents complete with pillows and hookahs!

The ceremony itself emphasized the couple's relationship. It was simple and to the point, without a great deal of mushiness, since physical affection is not usually displayed in either Bulgarian or Moroccan wedding traditions. The reception blended the bride's Bulgarian and the groom's Moroccan cultures.

(Last-minute!) DJ services were provided by _________ and photography was from _____________.

SAME-SEX DOUBLE WEDDING: Private Home in Glendora, CA

CONGRATULATIONS: John and Robert AND Thom and Dominick!

This intimate double ceremony only included two couples, who have been friends for years and years. Once couple came all the way from the Phoenix, Arizona area to stay and be wed at their friends' home in Glendora, CA.

Each couple signed the other's marriage license as witnesses.

It was such a pleasure working with all these gentlemen, and i am so privileged that they chose me to be to create and perform their marriage ceremonies.

WEDDING: Disneyland Hotel, Rose Court Garden

CONGRATULATIONS: Emily and Jeff!

These two USC-educated dentists were married at the Disneyland Hotel Rose Court Garden. The staff at the hotel offer impeccable service, as you would expect from a 'magical' Disneyland-type of event. The wedding was short, sweet and meaningful. And no horse-drawn carriage!

Many thanks to Kelly and Denise at Disneyland, photographer Mandy Marie of Jim Kennedy Photographers, and DJ service from Mike at _______.

WEDDING: Muckenthaler Mansion in Fullerton

CONGRATULATIONS: Jackee and Joe!

MUCKENTHALER MANSION was a beautiful setting for this wedding. The banquet managers really had their stuff together! The bride's cousin read a poem by John Keats called Ode on a Grecian Urn.











Once again, i had the privilege of working with COLETTE'S CATERING. Photography by the very friendly CHRIS DISET.

NEWS: San Francisco's Gay/Lesbian-Friendly Area a Novelty Worth Sightseeing?

Gawking tourists not welcome in the Castro?!!

Tour buses have been dropping off looky-loo tourist-types in the heart of San Francisco's GLBT neighbourhood, also known as the Castro.

Read the article, courtesy of the San Francisco Guardian.

WEDDING: Rose Garden at Fairmount Park in Riverside, CA

CONGRATULATIONS: Candace and Jaime!

i've been travelling all over this summer for wedding season. This day was no different. Fairmount Park in Riverside has a lovely ROSE GARDEN that can be reserved for special occasions. Afterward, the reception was held at the couple's home.

i met a very cool wedding and special events vendor, who transports and accompanies a vintage photo booth and puts the pictures together into a scrapbook for you! Check out the PHOTOBOOTH SCRAPBOOKS website.

WEDDING: LGBT at home in Malibu, CA

CONGRATULATIONS: Ge. and Ka.!!!

This was an intimate, last-minute wedding at home in beautiful Malibu!

Yes, the ocean is in their backyard...

The ceremony included a touching tribute to a deceased sister, this couple's faithful Dalmatian dog (child, really) and lots of champagne! :)

POETRY: "Love" by Roy Croft

LOVE by ROY CROFT

I love you,

Not only for what you are,

But for what I am

When I am with you.

I love you,

Not only for what

You have made of yourself,

But for what

You are making of me.

I love you

For the part of me

That you bring out;

I love you

For putting your hand

Into my heaped-up heart

And passing over

All the foolish, weak things

That you can’t help

Dimly seeing there,

And for drawing out

Into the light

All the beautiful belongings

That no one else had looked

Quite far enough to find.

I love you because you

Are helping me to make

Of the lumber of my life

Not a tavern

But a temple;

Out of the works

Of my every day

Not a reproach

But a song.

I love you

Because you have done

More than any creed

Could have done

To make me good

And more than any fate

Could have done

To make me happy.

You have done it

Without a touch,

Without a word,

Without a sign.

You have done it

By being yourself.

Perhaps that is what

Being a friend means,

After all.

WEDDING: At Falkner Winery in Temecula, CA

CONGRATULATIONS: Samantha and Shaun!

i have the luck and privilege to marry truly incredibly couples.

These two touched me deeply. Not only are they electronic music lovers and DJs/producers (it's a music genre i have a particular passion for), but they are two really cool, sweet, smart people.

i had never cried while performing a ceremony at a wedding, until this day! The bride's brother recited a poem called "Love" by Roy Croft, and they had a sand ceremony to the song "Fix You" by Coldplay. Beautiful.

The ceremony was held in the heart of Temecula wine country at the lovely FALKNER WINERY. Photography was done by the fabulous CHRISTINA D. MCNEILL, excellent DJ service provided by MYDJS.NET, and food was provided by the venue.