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Kira and Tim - San Diego Botanic Garden
Kira and Tim - San Diego Botanic Garden wedding
Posted: 8/20/2011
Last July I received an inquiry through my website for a wedding this past June. Actually, it initially was for a May date in Temecula, but soon became a June date at a beautiful spot, the San Diego Botanic Garden. They let me know that they come from an interfaith background (Jewish and Lutheran), but neither is religious at all. And they knew they wanted some sense of ceremony, but didn't know where to start.
When we got together to meet, I quickly realized that Kira, the bride, is a photographer, and therefore an industry colleague I just hadn't yet met. No greater compliment than when someone in the industry chooses you, I don?t think, as they have often seen many of the choices out there!
Naturally, we talked about what they wanted and didn't want from their ceremony. They didn't want it to be long, nor religious. They were not going to have a bridal party (other than little nieces and a nephew for flower girls and ring bearer). We talked about maybe involving the mothers somehow, or at least to include a family blessing of some sort, as family was important to them. We discussed ways we would bring in some Jewish traditions without being religious, like a chuppah (as the venue has a great arch to use), wine, and breaking the glass. We even talked about names, and agreed that Tim would be Timothy in the formal portions of the ceremony and Tim in the stories portion, since that?s what he is to her.
So, what did we create together?
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Michele and Jake - Scripps Seaside Forum
Michele and Jake - Scripps Seaside Forum - Handfasting ceremony
Posted: 7/10/2011
Last November I received an inquiry on my website from Michele about their May wedding - at one of my favorite new venues (Scripps Seaside Forum), and with one of my favorite wedding planners (Amy Vargas of First Comes Love). We made plans to get together to chat, but it would just be the two of us, as Jake was currently deployed overseas with the military. I let her know that since the rest of the ceremony creation process is via email, after the first meeting, I knew that wouldn't be a problem at all - and about 10% of my couples have one person deployed during this process, so I'm used to it. We get to know each other so well through the creation process, via email, that we still want to greet each other with hugs when we first meet right before the ceremony!
We talked about how they are very goofy together, are very lovey-dovey, and had been together since high school. They wanted to write their own vows, and did not want something traditional and that they may have seen before, like a sand ceremony or a unity candle lighting. No problem - I have lots of other ideas that others won't have seen! We also talked about how the two of them were not religious, but there might be some expectations from her Mom's side of the family. We also talked about the unusual fact that Jake would be taking her last name, instead of the other way around, and how we would handle that during the ceremony (such as in the introduction of the new couple at the end).
So, what did we create together?
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Shira and Gregg - The Thursday Club
Shira and Gregg - The Thursday Club - San Diego Wedding
Posted: 5/16/2011
Last October, I received an inquiry through my website from a couple for their February 2011 wedding. We got together soon after and chatted about what they wanted from their ceremony (and didn't want - just as important for me to know!). I could tell immediately that they were such a fun and loving couple, who just really enjoyed each other - and felt so incredibly lucky to have found each other! Luckily for me, her Mom was helping with some research and came across me online!
They were looking for something entertaining, not boring. They were spiritual, rather than religious, and their families weren't expecting anything from that perspective. They wanted to do their own vows, and read them. They loved the idea of the stories about them and their relationship. They wanted to involve the wedding party somehow. They wanted to acknowledge their families, and the great examples they both have of long-term relationships. And they wanted to break the glass, to acknowledge the Jewish heritage on her side (and because it's fun to do!). They also really enjoyed being unique and making the wedding their own - she has a "Man of Honor" and he had a "Best Woman." I loved it!
So, what did we create together?
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Yvette and Sean - Bristol Hotel
Yvette and Sean - Bristol Hotel - San Diego wedding
Posted: 5/15/2011
So, last August I received an email from Yvette about their October wedding. She let me know that they were a young, untraditional couple, looking for a personalized unique ceremony, maybe combining traditions from both of their backgrounds. Perfect! Exactly the kind of ceremony I love doing!
They were based in Orange County, while I live all the way through San Diego County, close to downtown San Diego (in North Park), so we made plans to meet in Oceanside. I loved them the moment I met them - their energy and love for each other was so clear, and contagious! When we chatted, they emphasized the desire for something unique and that fit them. They were looking for simplistic beauty, and to celebrate their different heritages. They also let me know that they were not very religious, but that "God should be there," so we talked about ways to do that. They also wanted a unity candle, with their mothers involved, and to maybe have one of the Grandpas do a reading. We also talked about other traditions they could include, as well as whether we should ask a question of her father after she came down the aisle with him, and discussed those options.
So, what did we end up creating?
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Terra and Craig - Rancho Valencia
Terra and Craig - Rancho Valencia Wedding
Posted: 3/6/2011
Last April, I met Terra and Craig at the Bridal Bazaar in Del Mar, and then they sent me an inquiry through my website a few weeks later - for their August wedding. As Terra put it, "my cousin forced me to go [to the Bridal Bazaar] and meeting you was the best thing there!" Since we only usually get a few minutes, at best, to chat at the Bridal Bazaar, we knew we wanted to sit down soon to really talk about their wedding.
When we met, they let me know that they were very emotional about their relationship, so didn't see themselves able to actually speak during the wedding, and were very grateful to have found each other. It was not a first marriage for either of them, and that really led to such gratitude for finding this perfect match for them! The focus was to be "fun, family, and friends" and we talked about ways to incorporate others. They also were very liberal politically, and were not religious-focused at all. If anything, it would be more Buddhist and spiritual, not traditionally religious.
From the first time I met them, I knew that I was going to enjoy working with them ? and to helping them celebrating their fun and loving relationship!
So, what did we create together?
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Lisa and Matt - Mr. A's
Posted: 2/27/2011
This past Monday I receive an email asking if I would do a blessing for a couple celebrating their 10th anniversary. They were going to be having a special dinner at Mr A's that Friday night (yes, four days later), and wanted to know if I could join them for a blessing - and it would only be the two of them. Well, I am always up for helping a great couple celebrate their relationship! But how to do this? I had done renewal of vows ceremonies, in front of their friends and family, and I had done elopement weddings, where it was just me and the couple, and maybe a photographer to capture it, but I'd never done what I began to refer to as a elopement renewal of vows!
So, what did that look like?
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Kristin and Wes - La Jolla Cove Suites
Kristin and Wes - La Jolla Cove Suites
Posted: 1/25/2011
Last February I received an inquiry through my website about a June wedding at the La Jolla Cove Suites. The couple was based in Chicago, so we set up a time to chat on the phone about their ceremony. (**Note, I usually offer with my out-of-town couples to Skype, if they prefer, so we can see each other, or phone - whichever they prefer.**)
They let me know that neither one was religious. And that they were looking for something casual but professional. They knew that it would be a fun crowd, of their friends and families, so they wanted it to be enjoyable.
They also were planning on arriving in to San Diego on the Wednesday before the Saturday wedding, so I filled them in on the process for getting the marriage license, as there would be plenty of time for them to do it then. We also made plans to get together for a brief in-person chat after their license appointment, just so we could meet in person before the wedding day itself.
So, what did we create together?
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2011 Pick - The Knot Best of Weddings!
2011 Pick - The Knot Best of Weddings!
Posted: 1/22/2011
I am so very excited to announce that Ceremonies by Bethel has been rated by local brides and couples and voted The Knot Best of Weddings 2011 Pick!
It is such a huge honor, and I am so grateful to my couples who take the time to write reviews for me on The Knot (and elsewhere)! And most of all, I am so grateful for their making me a part of their wedding, their celebration, their marriage...
2011 is going to be an amazing year! -
Happy New Year!
Posted: 1/1/2011
Since the New Year is always a great time to both look back and look ahead, I thought I'd take the opportunity to do just that...
Look back:
2010 was a great year for me personally, and for the building of Ceremonies by Bethel. Those who have gotten to know me in one way or another, or who have read the "About Bethel" section of my website, know that I came to officiating weddings from an unusual way, with a business and Wall Street background. But they also know that I come to this with a real passion for connecting cool couples in a unique way. While I began officiating weddings in 2006, it was mostly for friends and family, and those who heard I did it, until I launched this business full-time in May of 2009. Since that was late in the year for many 2009 weddings, I only officiated 12 weddings that year. This past year, though, was a different story, with 72 ceremonies. Mostly weddings, along with a sweet baby blessing for twins, a renewal of vows for a same sex couple, and a house blessing as well. And, oh yeah, a celebration of life, too, for my beloved Grammy. Boy, she always loved hearing about my weddings and my great couples!
Word spread about me and what I offer, and brought me not only wonderful couples from throughout San Diego, but also terrific couples from elsewhere! In 2010 I married couples from Milwaukee, Chicago, Memphis, New York, the Bay Area, Texas, and London, in addition to a bunch from Los Angeles, Orange, and Riverside Counties.
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Kim and Dom - Bayview Restaurant, MCRD
Kim and Dom - Bayview Restaurant, MCRD
Posted: 12/31/2010
I will never forget how I met this couple! I was meeting with another couple in a Starbucks in January about their July wedding, and after we were done, when I was in line to buy my favorite soy chai for the drive home, I was approached by a guy asking if I was a wedding officiant, and could he have my card. They sent me a note a few days later to set up a meeting!
They let me know that they wanted a non-religious wedding, but might want to include traditions from both their backgrounds (Jewish and Catholic). They wanted it to be relatively quick (and liked it when I talked about my norm of about 20 minutes). And about them and their relationship. We talked about different ways that we could do that, to satisfy both families, and still be true to them. We also talked about some other traditions that we could include, which weren?t religious in any way.
So, what did we create together?
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Sylvia and Dave - La Jolla Cove Suites
Sylvia and Dave - La Jolla Cove Suites
Posted: 12/19/2010
Last October I received a note from an officiant colleague of mine passing on an inquiry on a date she was already booked. It was for April at the La Jolla Cove Suites - a venue I enjoy. When the three of us got together to talk, it turns out that Sylvia had also been told about me by Sweet Cheeks bakery, so clearly it was meant to be! And Dave and I quickly bonded as baseball fans - especially with him a fan of my childhood team, the Boston Red Sox...
Sylvia grew up in a religious family, but Dave did not. The two of them now see themselves as more spiritual than religious. Both sets of parents are still married - something unusual that should be celebrated! They wanted there to be some chuckles and laughter, without being cheesy. And Sylvia said that she was shy, so would prefer for her vows to be some sort of "repeat after me" vows rather than reading her own. No problem! They also filed me in on something really fun - the whole bridal party was going to be in flip-flops, so they said I should too. Okay!
So, what did we create together?
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Marcia and Jeff - San Diego Botanic Garden
Marcia and Jeff - San Diego Botanic
Posted: 12/17/2010
At the end of May, I received an inquiry on my website for an August Sunday wedding from a couple who had met me at the April Bridal Bazaar at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Before we met, we also exchanged a bunch of emails, with Marcia filling me in on their situation, as well as of their families, how they met, and even a blog post that Jeffrey has written when he lost his first wife to cancer. So, I had an amazing sense of who they were ? and how special it would be to work with them ? before we even met!
At the meeting, they let me know that the wedding was going to be small and intimate, that they were both spiritual but not religious, that they wanted to include her kids somehow, and that music was very important to them, so maybe there would be some lyrics involved somehow. Awesome!
So, what did we create together?
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Siham and Jonathon - Coronado Beach
Siham and Jonathon - Coronado Beach
Posted: 12/16/2010
Back in February, I received an email from a bride asking about my availability for her June wedding - and letting me know that she has been referred to me by her wedding planner, Erin Melton. I so enjoy Erin, so I definitely was looking forward to meeting this couple! And I know it would be a calm, organized, fun wedding with Erin involved, which I very much appreciate and am fond of!
So, we met at the Starbucks near their place, in La Mesa, and talked about what they wanted from their ceremony. Three things quickly became clear: 1) they wanted nothing religious (which is clearly not a problem with me); 2) they wanted simple; and 3) neither had life-long fantasies that has to be met, nor really any expectations at all. Those all worked for me!
It was going to be only 15 guests, and on the public beach in Coronado, near the Hotel Del. Her family is Indian, while his is not, but no one was looking for us to include any particular cultural traditions in the ceremony, or any religious traditions, for that matter.
So, what did we create together?
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Shane and Brad - Wilson Creek Winery, Temecula
Shane and Brad - Wilson Creek Winery, Temecula
Posted: 12/9/2010
Back in May, I get a call from the wonderful Jennifer Molloy of Amore Events, about a couple she is working with for October in Temecula. She told me that once she heard about the fun interfaith situation, she definitely thought of me. The bride's family is traditional Christian (and her stepdad is a minister), the groom's family are New York Jews, and the couple themselves are atheists. I love it!
Now, they are in the Los Angeles area, I'm in San Diego, and they are getting married in Temecula. Where to meet? Originally they were heading down here for other meetings, so we were set up to meet in Solana Beach then, but that fell through. Well, by chance, a week later, I was going to be heading up to the racetrack in Fontana to cheer on my husband as he races his car. So, we met up in Ontario on a Sunday morning for coffee and our first chat. I totally loved this warm, fun couple from the start!
First, we had to figure out ways to satisfy both families, and not make them feel uncomfortable with anything we were doing. But most importantly, we had to stay true to this couple and their beliefs, as that's who we were there celebrating! So, when we met, we chatted about all sorts of ideas and things we could do. I loved the relieved look on Shane's face, in particular, as she realized that we could actually make this happen in a way that worked for all. They booked me on the spot!
So, what did we end up creating together?
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Lindsay and Luke - Scripps Seaside Forum
Lindsay and Luke - Scripps Seaside Forum
Posted: 11/26/2010
This was such a fun and beautifully done wedding. First of all, because they are a fun couple, together for 10 years already, who clearly just enjoy each other and being together - and with friends and families who also just enjoy life. And secondly, because they brought together a great team of wedding professionals to execute well on their special day. I loved working with these folks!
I was introduced to this couple through Rachel Welland of Bliss Events, their fantastic wedding planner. When she's involved, I know it will be great! Since they live in the Bay Area, the first meeting was via phone. I found out that they wanted something relatively short (they agreed with my norm of 20 minutes), not religious (and had no family expectations of religious content or feel), and that it would be casual attire, with the guys in khakis, linen shirts, and flip flops. Fun!
About four weeks before their wedding...
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