LINKS: Weddings that are NOT the same old, same old!

Don't forget: you don't have to do it the way you're 'supposed to do it'. You can do it the way you want to do it!

Lately, i get so jaded and bored with the usual wedding planning websites (i don't want to give them even more exposure by mentioning them here, but you know which ones i'm talking about!).

And before you call me a hypocrite, i apologise in advance, but yes, i DO advertise in some of them because i have to...for now... Sometimes i loathe the Southern California ceremony market for being competitive, indulgent and obscenely over-the-top.

However, i am SO extremely excited to find more and more untraditional and alternative (for lack of a better term) wedding sites! Possibly the best-known are INDIE BRIDE, OFFBEAT BRIDE and INDIE WEDDING GUIDE. There are many others, including ROCK N ROLL BRIDE and WEDDING SKULLS!

VENUE: Strawberry Farms in Irvine, CA

A colleague at work attended a wedding at Irvine's STRAWBERRY FARMS this weekend. He mentioned how there is a barn onsite (modern, not rustic), where the reception took place after an outdoor ceremony!

i am always on the lookout for unusual wedding venues, and i love to discover places i have never heard of, especially since there are SO MANY unique places in the Los Angeles and Orange County areas.

If you are looking for a modern, individualized approach to the ceremony tradition, please contact A Non-Denominational Ceremony! I am a certified Celebrant and ordained wedding officiant, clergy, reverend or minister serving Southern California.

HISTORY: April Fool's Day (and the Simpsons)

Leave it to good old Lisa Simpson to clue us in to the true origins of April Fool's Day!??

ONLINE: So Many Blogs, So Little Time Part 1

i have recently jumped on the TWITTER bandwagon (please follow me: @celebrantvenus or www.twitter.com/celebrantvenus). However, it has turned me on to some fantastic stuff on the web, including an endless supply of blogs!

Bridetide.com has composed its list of top 100 wedding blogs. There are blogs of every sort, including planning advice, DIY, wedding news, and of course, CAKE WRECKS. Interesting, many of these blogs are featured on aggregator sites like Alltop.com...

ABOUT: A Los Angeles/Orange County Officiant's Philosophy & Approach

So...if you were to make a cloud out of words to describe my clients and my service, here's what it might look like:

[Via Wordle.com]

It is very helpful to seek an officiant you feel comfourtable with and in whom you can trust. Many officiants offer experience and low prices, but how many truly care about who you are and what you are about, and perhaps even share your interests?

There are many things to consider when you are looking for the right officiant. For me, being your officiant and Celebrant means many things... But more than anything, regardless of your background, lifestyle, preferences, culture or beliefs; i would like to create and officiate YOUR ceremony, YOUR way by offering a modern, individualized option or alternative to the ceremony tradition!

AUDIO: The Recession and Weddings

Avoid Wedding Blues When You're Short on Green (via NPR.com)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=102599516

The economy and the recession is possibly the most active topic being written about in journalism right now. Weddings and the economy are no exception.

Book an officiant for your wedding today! Please mention this blog entry for a discount of up to 20%. For more details, please see A NON-DENOMINATIONAL CEREMONY.

INFORMATION: The Business of Marriage

The Business of Marriage: Long Term Planning to Talk About:
This article has some helpful, practical considerations to have after the wedding is over, and even before the wedding begins. PLEASE NOTE, however, the legal aspects only apply to KS state weddings/marriages...

Via Lawrence Journal World & News from Lawrence, Kansas.

COOL: Geek Cakes

Some of my most favourite ceremonies have been for and with geeks! In my search for geek wedding-related sites, i came across some photos of geek cakes.

Bolo 1, originally uploaded by Philipe Gomero.

PHOTOS: Officiating in Anaheim, CA and Malibu, CA

At last! Here is a photo from a very special, very private wedding officiated in September 2008.

Yes, the bride and groom are both wearing mouse ears!



This couple were married in a beach ceremony in the New Year's Eve afternoon on the sand of Malibu.

Notice the waves in the background! The sun had basically set by the time we were done...and smiles were still all around.


Whether you seek a simple yet intimate wedding ceremony, or you plan to be married with all your friends and family present, don't forget the officiant! For more information please see website: A Non-Denominational Ceremony - An Orange County and Los Angeles Officiant.

MUSIC: Sarah McLachlan - Don't Give Up On Us

From time to time, i like to share songs and music with you, especially if it is a piece that would work well in a ceremony. This is one of two new songs from Sarah McLachlan, off her "CLOSER: BEST OF" album. i know a lot of friends and couples who really dig her music! And i like her animal activism...

For more information please see ORANGE COUNTY AND LOS ANGELES WEDDING OFFICIANT: A Non-Denominational Ceremony.

Sarah McLachlan - Don't Give Up On Us
(via Sing365.com lyric site)

Love has taken me for a fool
Gotten out in time to save himself, mmmm.
Shoulda known better,
But I let things slide.
I took you for granted
That you'd always be,
The one for me.
Baby I stopped tryin.

Oh, baby don't give up on us.
I know your heart is full of doubt,
You don't need to be without
These loving arms

I'll hold you through your darkest hour
I'll be using all my power,
So I can reach you.
Oh my love, don't give up on us.

Am I living alone here,
Or have I turned to dust?
It hurts, it hurts to wait for just a little love.
You must… give me a sign love.
Can’t you see me standing here?
Alive and well with all the hope,
You'll be, the one for me.
Baby ill keep trying.

Oh baby don't give up on us
I know your heart is full of doubt
You don't need to be without
These loving arms.

I’ll hold you through your darkest hour.
I'll be using all my power,
So I can reach you.
Oh my love, don't give up on us.

Maybe the way out is here;
It went where it all begins.
We can’t go on, living on a cloud
We'll never find our way home.

Oh, let me reach you, oh my love
Come on let me in.
Oh let me hold you, oh my love
Don't give up on us.
[REPEAT]