WEDDING: Ceremony Overlooking Ocean at Point Dume in Malibu, CA

CONGRATULATIONS: Heather and Kris!!

These two opted for a simple, small ceremony with about a dozen of their family members, complete with their faithful dog Brew. Some weddings take place on the beach, but this one took place on a platform/deck built into the Point Dume landscape. It was a perfect lookout onto the Pacific Ocean, and a perfect place to be married!

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As we were waiting for things to get started, we observed dolphins, sea lions and various water birds at play and at work in the water below. Some ceremonies are a perfect blend of people and setting. This was one of those times!

VOW RENEWAL: Military theme at Calafia Bluff in San Clemente, CA

CONGRATULATIONS: Megan and Shane!!

(And of course, also to their three lovely children, Shayna, Hunter and Travis...)

i had the honour and privilege to officiate the vow renewal ceremony for this special couple. The bride had wanted this ceremony to celebrate their marriage, which, today, is "better than ever" after ten and a half years. The husband, who is on active duty in the United States Marine Corps, wore his alpha blouse /uniform, which is entirely different from the usual dress blues. The ceremony took place high atop a bluff overlooking Calafia Beach, a part of San Clemente State Beach with a small group of family and friends in attendance. Professional photography by MODERN EYE.

WEDDING: At Coco Palms Restaurant in Pomona, CA

CONGRATULATIONS Krystle and Eric!

This weekend's third wedding was at the Coco Palms Restaurant, in a setting complete with waterfalls (and exotic birds in the entryway of the building, but i will restrain myself from complaining about their enclosure...)

The couple chose to include traditions from several different backgrounds and cultures:

• Unity candle - So difficult to keep lit in the very windy outdoor setting!
• Sharing wine - A tradition rich with the symbolism of drinking from the same cup, and as a tribute to abundance and good fortune.
• Breaking of the glass - A symbol of love's fragility, and the irrevocable nature of the vows the couple makes to each other at their wedding.

And, after it was all over, they were driven away in a vintage automobile, driven by a man in a zoot suit!

WEDDING: Outdoor Ceremony at Temescal Canyon Park in Santa Monica, CA

CONGRATULATIONS: Karen and Brian!

This wonderful couple was surrounded by their family and friends in a lovely outdoor setting. They were a wonderful example of love prevailing over all, despite long distances and foreign countries.

In addition to a sand ceremony, the wedding included an Irish blessing, different from the 'typical Irish blessing':

May your mornings bring joy and your evenings bring peace.
May your troubles grow few as your blessings increase.
May the saddest day of your future be no worse than the happiest day of your past.
May your hands be forever clasped in friendship and your hearts joined forever in love.

The ceremony concluded with the breaking of the glass.

The bride is a photographer herself, but in this case photographer Yukiko of Mission Viejo and her assistant Megumi documented the event. Hopefully, i will have images to show later! Many thanks also to Cleon at Allan Video Productions for filming the ceremony, and _________ for providing the lovely flowers...

WEDDING: Courtyard Ceremony at Villa del Sol in Fullerton, CA

CONGRATULATIONS: Heidi and Andy!

This wedding taught me a great deal. i was fortunate and deeply honoured to have been chosen to officiate at the wedding of this couple. The happy occasion was even more significant because of the attendance of the bride's father, who has been ill. It was absolutely incredible to see the amount of love and concern within this group of family and friends. The beautiful bride wore a dark red dress, and the groom a black suit with red and black checkered Vans slip-ons!

We had researched for a family unity ritual, and nothing struck a chord, especially the tired old family medallion tradition or unity candle. Until, that is, the bride decided to use a family ritual of their own. One of the definite highlights of the ceremony was this 'family handshake' which consisted of a four-way hand-jive type of performance, including the bride, the groom and the bride's two children Scarlet and Ozzie. The use of this perfect little series of claps and slaps brought much joy and laughter to the occasion.

Catering and location provided by Villa del Sol.

NEWS: Maine Becomes 5th State to Allow Same-Sex Marriage

As we in California await the decision of the state's Supreme Court, Maine's state legislature approved a bill, which the governor promptly signed. Maine's Governor John Baldacci (D) simply stated:

"I have come to believe that this is a question of fairness and of equal
protection under the law and that a civil union is not equal to civil marriage."

We couldn't agree more!

BTW as the California Supreme Court considers legal arguments for overturning Prop 8, LGBT community centers, in partnership with Equality California and allied organizations throughout the state, are joining together to host a series of Town Hall meetings. The meetings will include updates from Prop 8 legal experts and open discussion on the future of the movement.
THIS Thursday, May 7, 2009 at 7 p.m., a Town Hall meeting will take place in Orange County at Santa Ana College Student Lounge, 1530 W 17th Street, Santa Ana.

WEDDING DESIGN: Library Themes for Those Who Love to Read!

Off the blog of bibliophile SCOTT DOUGLAS are these lovely ideas for a book-centred wedding theme.

Yes, those are crossword puzzles at each place on the table. AND, each table was named after a favourite author! These beautiful detail photos were taken by JACK RODRIGUEZ.

WEDDING: Home Backyard Ceremony in San Juan Capistrano, CA

DoAu & MaBla, originally uploaded by dj venus.

CONGRATULATIONS, Donna and Mark!

The seeds of friendship, and eventual love, were planted back in junior high school, when these kids were FOURTEEN years old!!!

Held at the lovely home of two dear friends, this wedding had everything a wedding officiant could ask for: a conscientious DJ, very friendly and easy-to-work-with photographers, and a couple who are very very much in love...

INFO: Traditional (and Modern) Gifts for Wedding Anniversaries

"What do you give someone for their fifteenth wedding anniversary?" Earlier today, during brunch at the Katella Deli, our friend Jorge asked this question. Back in the day, we used to get those cute mini-calendars at Hallmark listing everything from national holidays to birthstones and even the traditional gifts couples were given or give to each other for their wedding anniversaries.

Times have changed, and so have the traditional gifts. Even Hallmark has changed, as they no longer feature an area on their website that lists such things. (i did find an old cached archive, though...) i enjoy thinking about the many couples who have married in the past, and what they plan for their respective anniversaries...

Below is a list of both traditional and more contemporary takes on the wedding anniversary:

1st Anniversary is paper. The modern take on the 1st anniversary is clocks .
2nd Anniversary is cotton. The modern take on a 2nd anniversary gift is china.
3rd Anniversary is leather. The modern take on the 3rd anniversary is crystal.
4th Anniversary is fruit and flowers. The modern take on the 4th anniversary gift is an appliance!
5th Anniversary is wood. The modern take on the 5th anniversary gift is silverware .
The 10th Anniversary traditional gift is tin or aluminum, with the modern gift of diamonds.
15th Anniversary is crystal. The modern take on the 15th anniversary gift is watches.

Via American Greetings website.

Today is our 15th wedding anniversary. Happy anniversary, honey. i love you!

COOL: Wedding Ring Workshop in San Diego, CA

If you are looking to personalize every aspect of your wedding, why not participate in the creation of your wedding rings? Occasionally, an interesting business pops up on googleAds, and i will actually click on the link to learn more! According to the WEDDING RING WORKSHOP website:

The Wedding Ring Experience was first created in London as the result of a challenge thrown down by our founder, Simon Lewis, in the locker room of his Rugby football team after a game! Knowing of his fine reputation and artistic skill as a jeweler, one of his team-mates asked Simon if he would make the wedding bands for him and his bride. Jokingly, Simon replied “Why don't you make them yourself? I'll show you how.” The rest, as they say - is history.

The nearest location in Southern California is in San Diego.

For a personalized, modern alternative to the ceremony tradition, try A NON-DENOMINATIONAL CEREMONY for a professional, experienced and qualified officiant. We can help you have the ceremony you envision, whether you want something simple or informal; or if you want something involving family members, loved ones, ritual and/or traditions. Follow us on Twitter: CelebrantVenus .