REVIEW: A book about Southern hospitality and funerals

Here is how Pat Williams of the Conroe Courier in Montgomery County, Texas begins her review of BEING DEAD IS NO EXCUSE: The Official Southern Ladies Guide to Hosting the Perfect Funeral by Gayden Metcalf & Charlotte Hays:

"The first rule of funeral behavior for the women of the South, especially those near the Mississippi Delta, is that everyone must look good – both the dead and the survivors. The second rule deals with the amounts and types of food brought to the home following the service."

The remainder sounds like the book is an interesting read, filled with discussion, humour and history about the foods (and drinks!) and traditions of funeral-hosting in the South.

WEDDING: At Muckenthaler Mansion in Fullerton, CA

CONGRATULATIONS, Jenna and Tyler!!!

Sometimes, Mother Nature has a fantastic way of giving gifts. The couple, who planned their outdoor wedding months ago, were faced this week with the possibility of showers, especially after a week of sporadic rainfall... But, after much good energy and positive thinking toward hopes of a sunny day, we were fortunate to have it turn out to be a lovely California afternoon. The dirt beneath the grass was a bit mushy, but not muddy, and the ceremony was a complete success.

Tyler and Jenna are a testament to the term, "go with the flow". They are one of the most easygoing, unstressed couples i have had the pleasure to officiate for! Their lovely, intimate wedding took place with about 60 guests in the lovely grass area of Muckenthaler Cultural Centre. The venue's fantastic staff was led by the unflappable Rick. You are assured to receive the best service in his extremely capable hands.

Many thanks also to Duane, catering director and Muckenthaler events coordinator extraordinaire!

VALENTINE'S DAY Weddings 2009

Dear Engaged Couple,
There is still time to plan for your special Valentine's Day wedding ceremony or vow renewal! And this year, Valentine's Day falls on a Saturday...

At any time, if you plan to be married, you must obtain a marriage license from the Clerk-Recorder's office near you. A public marriage license requires at least one witness over the age of 18 in addition to an officiant/minister/clergy person. A confidential marriage license only requires an officiant/minister/clergy person.

If you have any questions, please contact me! i would love to provide you with more information. i am currently booking ceremonies and i am available to create and perform your wedding.

And, even if you do not plan to be married, you can still celebrate your love and declare your commitment to each other in a vow renewal or commitment/life union ceremony.

Thank you,
v
http://www.ceremonyceremony.com/
celebrantvenusPLEASE DELETE [AT] gmail.com

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Schedule a free no-obligation meeting with A NON-DENOMINATIONAL CEREMONY for an experienced and qualified officiant who will create and perform your wedding ceremony, your way, today! All faiths, backgrounds, cultures, lifestyles, tastes and preferences honored. Spiritual, traditional, simple or non-religious OK.

NEWS: Obtain a marriage license in NORTH Orange County!

Good news for those of you, who reside in Brea, Buena Park, Stanton, La Habra and especially Fullerton!

The Orange County Clerk-Recorder will officially open their North County Branch Office on Tuesday, 17 February 2009. Amongst handling many other functions, you will now be able to pick up your marriage license without having to go all the way down to the Old Courthouse in Santa Ana.

Schedule a free no-obligation meeting with A NON-DENOMINATIONAL CEREMONY for an experienced and qualified officiant who will create and perform your wedding ceremony, your way, today! All faiths, backgrounds, cultures, lifestyles, tastes and preferences honored. Spiritual, traditional, simple or non-religious OK.

Here is a map of all Southern California locations to obtain a marriage license. Please click on the map and drag to see other areas that are not visible:

View Larger Map

There was already another alternate location in Laguna Hills to serve South Orange County. Check the OC Clerk-Recorder for more information.

WEDDING: At Seven Degrees in Laguna Beach, CA

Congratulations, Jeanie and Eric!

This ceremony took place at one of my favourite venues in Orange County: SEVEN DEGREES.
Any time a proposal story is unusual and fun, it can be included in the text and told as part of the ceremony:

"The proposal was an interesting experience. Jeanie and Eric had been together for over three years, when they decided to take a trip to Hong Kong for Jeanie’s birthday. Prior to this, they had discussed the issue of marriage, but never really went into detail about it.

In Hong Kong, they eventually ended up in a jewelry store as part of a city tour. A
sales associate began showing them rings, and dropping hints to Eric about how
he should be looking for one. Eric appeared uninterested. Jeanie, being the beautiful emotional person she is, left the store in tears, feeling hurt and thinking Eric didn't want to ever consider marriage. Meanwhile, Eric chased Jeanie around the streets of Hong Kong, and then they finally returned to the hotel. As Jeanie sobbed about how Eric didn't want to marry her, he pulled out a ring from his suitcase and said, “I was going to wait until your birthday tomorrow to ask you, but now that you're going to be like this, I guess I'll ask you now.” He had already asked Jeanie’s mother for
permission, and so he got down on one knee and proposed!"

The bride wore a beautiful antique lace dress, and there were seven bridesmaids and seven groomsmen. The groom is the guitar player in the local band PLASTIC PILL. Appropriately enough, the groom cake was in the shape of a sunburst Les Paul guitar! The Seven Degrees staff was first-rate, led by wedding director/coordinator Alyssa (Alissa?). Photography by Nicole Caldwell.

WEDDING: Beach Ceremony in Malibu, CA on New Year's Eve!

CONGRATULATIONS: Mandy and Aaron!

This couple, with about a dozen family and friends, drove all the way from Santa Clarita to be married on the beach at the ocean. i liked these two right away when we first met because of the playful way they interacted with each other, and the obvious way Aaron cared for Mandy, through his actions and simply the way he looks at her. And, the love they share just took over effortlessly, as the following excerpt from their ceremony shows:

"Once they became romantically involved, a unique and beautiful aspect of their
relationship was that there wasn’t really any more 'yours' or 'mine'. They knew they had found each other, and so, many things were a given and simply fell into place."

What a great way to welcome the New Year! Please see PHOTOS.

NEWS: Attorney General Jerry Brown Decides to Oppose Prop. 8 in Court

According to the San Francisco Chronicle:

"...It is highly unusual for an attorney general to use the weight of his office to try to invalidate a voter-approved initiative. But Brown's 111-page filing with the California Supreme Court makes a compelling case that the measure's attempt to deprive same-sex couples of the right to marry conflicts with the state Constitution's underlying guarantees of individual liberty , which are ingrained in its very first sentences.

"My job is to see that the laws of the state are uniformly and adequately enforced, and that includes Article I of the Constitution," Brown said in a phone interview. As he noted, there is precedent for a state attorney general arguing against a voter-approved initiative that attempts to undercut civil rights: Proposition 14, passed by
voters in 1964, would have wiped out a fair-housing law. It was ultimately overturned in court."

VIDEO: Balloon Marriage Proposal Goes Horribly Wrong

Whether this is really a lighthearted joke on video, or an unfortunate mishap, it's worth watching. Many thanks to Chris Easter at the MAN REGISTRY for this one!

Gamer/Geek Wedding Possiblities?

For the tech-ishly inclined reception, bachelor/ette party, etc. etc...introducing...THE GAME SQUAD.

So, i was driving up the 5 freeway in South County today, and i drove up and passed this monstrous truck pulling a huge winnebago-ish trailer. It was decorated as if it was a giant Best Buy advertisement for video games...and if you know me, you know how much i loathe commercials, especially commercials on wheels. But NO! It turns out Game Squad is a private company, where they bring what looks like this ginormous LAN party to you! Check out their website, and in the meantime, i'm going to try and contact them and bring more details, such as...

• How much does it cost? For what period of time?
• What kind of gear are they running? Is it all battery powered?
• What kind of network? i'd love to take a peek inside the inner workings...
• They look like mostly RPG, but they must have driving and first person shooter games, and stuff like Rockband...?
• Who's behind this awesome idea?

And thus i wish they had more info on their site. And i wish they had photos of, um, adults playing in the trailer...although, i suppose most of us already have a similar setup in our own homes? And my last wish was that they had better SEO...it was kinda hard finding them online.

What a cool idea. Why didn't they have this when WE got married, 15 years ago!!??

WEDDING: Home Ceremony in Irvine, CA

CONGRATULATIONS: Liz and Jeff!!!

This team in life and love (they're both microbiologists!) were wed in front of Liz' children, her African Grey named Pepper and her cockatiel Buster, and Jeff's children, his orchids! (see in background on left)

Oh, yes, Liz' other son, his fiancé and their children were also present! ;-P

Where else do you feel more at home, than at own your home!?? Simple civil ceremonies do NOT have to take place at the courthouse. At home, you can invite your closest loved ones while not leaving your pets or animals behind.

Many thanks again, to Brian and his crew at FPS PRODUCTIONS for another incredible, professional video AND photography job.