As we wedding officiants have found, anything can happen at a wedding. Sometimes it is funny, sometimes it is frustrating but it is almost always unpredictable and memorable. Whether it is a couple who decides to consummate their marriage vows before I depart their private elopement ceremony or a bride’s sister who gives a peep ...Click Here to Read More...
Be Prepared
Simply Bridal has some great tips for your wedding ceremony day so you and your bridesmaids and groomsmen will not be caught unprepared at your wedding ceremony. Some of their suggestions, like water, are very appropriate for summer weddings and outdoor marriage ceremonies, especially if you are getting married in Southern California during the summer. Ironically, one of their suggestions, alcohol, often causes the need for some of the others (eye drops, painkillers, spot remover, breath mints). Most do not apply if a couple has opted for marriage in the nude which I have encountered a few times as a wedding officiant. ...Click Here to Read More...
Confidential Marriage License vs Public Marriage License
I’d like to clarify some misconceptions about a Confidential Marriage License vs. a Public Marriage License. Many people I talk to think that the Confidential Marriage License is not a valid license, but that is not the case. The only thing that a Confidential Marriage License does it protect your marriage license information rom public view. ...Click Here to Read More...
Fun Family Small Wedding in the San Fernando Valley
Yesterday I had the honor to issue the marriage license and to be the wedding officiant at the family only small wedding ceremony of beautiful Datchanee and her groom, Jim. Their ceremony was in their front yard on an absolutely beautiful day in late February. I love Southern California weddings! ...Click Here to Read More...
Officiant: What Is It And How Do You Pronounce It?
An officiant is one of the number of individuals who can legally perform a marriage ceremony for a wedding couple. The legal term for the performing of a marriage ceremony is “solemnization”. Thus, an officiant can “solemnize”your marriage. ...Click Here to Read More...
Sunset Weddings on the Beach
Although we Southern California natives sometimes take it for granted, there are few images more beautiful than the multi-colored horizon as the sun sets over the Pacific Ocean. Stunning vistas present themselves whether the sun sets directly into the ocean or creates a panorama of orange and red hues as it falls into and illuminates the clouds over the sea. ...Click Here to Read More...
Valentine’s Day Wedding – Officiant in Malibu
P and W (I issued a confidential marriage license for their private wedding ceremony) were married on beautiful Point Dume Beach in Malibu just before sunset. Before we arrived an unknown stranger, perhaps another wedding couple, left a a beautiful heart made of flower petals. To top it all off, a couple of dolphins played in the ocean behind me as they exchanged their vows. ...Click Here to Read More...
Wedding Etiquette from a Wedding Officiant Who Has Seen Everything
Being a wedding officiant in Los Angeles for many years I have seen it all, and I mean ALL. At a recent wedding where I was the wedding officiant, the groom and I were standing at the altar as the wedding procession began. We were told by the “sound guy” that the microphone was turned ...Click Here to Read More...
Hugh Hefner Wedding Officiant at the Playboy Mansion
On New Years Eve I had honor to be the wedding officiant for Hugh Hefner and his beautiful bride, Crystal Harris, at the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles. What a blast that was. Crystal was beautiful in her light pink wedding dress and Hef, uncharacteristically, wore a tuxedo instead of his silk pajamas. It was nice ...Click Here to Read More...
Los Angeles Beach Weddings Rules and Permits in Los Angeles County
Many people who have a beach wedding in Los Angeles County forget that the beach is a public place (aside from Malibu’s private beaches) and governed by Los Angeles County rules, as well as the individual city rules. It’s important to know what the beach wedding rules are in order to have an outdoor wedding on the beach in Southern California ...Click Here to Read More...
Wedding Dogs
It is a great wedding idea for many couples to include their children in their wedding ceremonies. But for dog lovers, their “children” are their dogs. And so, of course, this kind of wedding couple will tend to include them in the wedding. I’ve officiating many weddings where the wedding dogs are either a best man, a greeter, a ring bearer or just plain hanging out. It’s very sweet and humorous to see a dog in a tuxedo. ...Click Here to Read More...
Wedding Tips to Beat the Summer Heat
It’s that time of year here in Southern California when the temperatures are very high and yet, the most popular time for weddings is summer. The temperature has reached in the hundreds which can be incredibly uncomfortable for many wedding guests (I should know as I wear a suit and tie when I am a wedding minister). Here are some summer wedding tips to help your wedding guests beat the heat: ...Click Here to Read More...
Wedding Flowers and Rose Petals
Brides and grooms or their wedding coordinators often have specific plans to decorate the wedding venue. Often those plans include an array of flowers and a sprinkling of flower petals on the bridal path and around the altar. ...Click Here to Read More...
Unity Wedding Ceremonies
Many bridal couples choose to include a symbolic unity ceremony on their wedding day. Whether you prefer a unity candle ceremony or a unity sand ceremony, the sentiment is the same. Both wedding ceremonies offer a symbolic way to celebrate the joining of the groom and the bride into new and inseparable marital community. ...Click Here to Read More...
Destination Weddings in Los Angeles
I love talking with people from other countries as I get to learn so much about the world. Since international couples typically do not know a lot about Southern California I am happy to suggest unique and fun wedding locations in various parts of Los Angeles for their ceremonies that fit the wedding couple. ...Click Here to Read More...
Officiants for Southern California Beach Weddings
There is nothing more quintessentially Southern Californian than a beach wedding. Miles and miles of beautiful California coastline and consistently great weather make it an easy choice to get married with your feet in the sand and the waves lapping at the shore. ...Click Here to Read More...
Getting Married in Los Angeles: Weddings with a View
Getting married in Los Angeles is filled with many great choices. Palos Verdes offers some of the most beautiful panoramic views of any place in Southern California. And the amazing view from La Venta Inn in Palos Verdes Estates is one of the most dramatic. ...Click Here to Read More...
Wedding Cupcakes for Beach Weddings
At a recent Malibu wedding that would have been a beach wedding had the weather behaved, the bride and groom, a couple of beach lovers, took a whimsical approach and made wedding cupcakes for their guests. This is a wedding cake trend that is lots of fun and very casual. I love the nicknames that they chose for the wedding cupcakes. Here’s to a long and happy life for “Gidget” and “Moondoggie”. ...Click Here to Read More...
Unusual Wedding Locations in Los Angeles
Los Angeles has almost an unlimited number of fun and unusual wedding locations that I often go to officiate interesting weddings. ...Click Here to Read More...
Last Minute Wedding
Usha and Jason chose a perfect day to be married in a last minute wedding by the fountain at the beautiful Pasadena City Hall the other day with a few wedding guests. ...Click Here to Read More...
Quickie Weddings
I had the pleasure a while back of being the wedding minister for Ken and Elaine who took the term “Quickie Wedding” seriously. ...Click Here to Read More...
Beach Weddings in Los Angeles, A Casual Affair
Here’s a twist to beach weddings in Los Angeles I hope you’ll enjoy as much as I did officiating it. Jamie and Christian know how to start off on the right foot. I was their wedding officiant for a 7am wedding ceremony last Saturday morning before they ran a 5K race in Long Beach. ...Click Here to Read More...
What is a Confidential Marriage License in California?
From my many years of experience as an attorney, a specialized notary, a wedding officiant and a married man, I highly recommend a California confidential marriage license. Why? Well, there are many reasons, and mainly it’s about privacy. In today’s world of identity theft and telemarketing, I strongly recommend it. It will protect your personal information and that of your parents. Yes, it’s true. ...Click Here to Read More...
The Wedding Laws California
Hopefully this wedding info will help set many couples straight about California wedding laws. Just give me a call and I can make it all very easy for you. ...Click Here to Read More...
Twitter and Facebook for Weddings
Please feel free to click on the links below to add yourself to my social media. I would love to stay connected as I will be discussing great ideas for weddings and wedding vendors I meet. You can also post your wedding photos on my Facebook page. And, if you are having a Los Angeles ...Click Here to Read More...