Promises and Vows

The wedding ceremonies I write usually include "promises" and "vows." Periodically I've been asked to explain the difference; I've given a sufficient response.

However, I found the following explanation in Caroline Myss' book, "Entering the Castle" and I really like it.

She's talking to her 13-year old niece, Rachel, who asked about the difference between promises and vows.

Caroline says, " ... promises are agreements that [you] as a person make between [yourself] and [your] friends and family. They are agreements of honor. When you break a promise, the part of you that lets you known you've broken your word is called your conscience.

"Unlike a promise ... a vow is an agreement that your soul makes with God. You make a vow when you are ready to make a commitment to live your life a certain way. Even in cases where you make a vow to another person, you are also making an agreement with God, so a vow is sacred and therefore has cosmic consequences that promises do not. Vows are so powerful ... that most people can live up to the demands of only one or two vows at the most over the course of their entire lives. When and if the time came for [Rachel] to make a vow, she would have to make certain that her soul was in complete agreement with all that the vows would require of her."

(Photo by Bakari, Lifetime Photography)

Rev. Jeri

Field trip to Loomis

Today I went on a field trip!

Joined by two favorite wedding girlfriends, Diana Miller of Diana Miller Photography and Anna Hernandez of Whitebird Ceremonial Dove Releases, I visited The Flower Farm Inn, a delightful B&B in Loomis.

We had lunch at the little cafe, then strolled the grounds enjoying the whimsical garden sculptures, the plants -- those currently in bloom and others still hibernating -- and the Gypsy Chicks!

We're planning a return trip in March, when more of the flowers are bloomin'.

Care to meet us there?

Rev. Jeri

New Year's Resolution - 2010

"Spread love everywhere you go: first of all in your own house. Give love to your children, to your wife or husband, to a next door neighbor... Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier.

Be the living expression of God's kindness; kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile, kindness in your warm greeting."

-- Mother Teresa

Falling In Love is Like Owning a Dog

For lovers and others who love dogs:

FALLING IN LOVE IS LIKE OWNING A DOG
(an epithalamion by Taylor Mali)

First of all, it's a big responsibility,
especially in a city like New York.
So think long and hard before deciding on love.
On the other hand, love gives you a sense of security:
when you're walking down the street late at night
and you have a leash on love
ain't no one going to mess with you.
Because crooks and muggers think love is unpredictable.
Who knows what love could do in its own defense?

On cold winter nights, love is warm.
It lies between you and lives and breathes
and makes funny noises.
Love wakes you up all hours of the night with its needs.
It needs to be fed so it will grow and stay healthy.

Love doesn't like being left alone for long.
But come home and love is always happy to see you.
It may break a few things accidentally in its passion for life,
but you can never be mad at love for long.

Is love good all the time? No! No!
Love can be bad. Bad, love, bad! Very bad love.

Love makes messes.
Love leaves you little surprises here and there.
Love needs lots of cleaning up after.
Sometimes you just want to get love fixed.
Sometimes you want to roll up a piece of newspaper
and swat love on the nose,
not so much to cause pain,
just to let love know Don't you ever do that again!

Sometimes love just wants to go for a nice long walk.
Because love loves exercise.
It runs you around the block and leaves you panting.
It pulls you in several different directions at once,
or winds around and around you
until you're all wound up and can't move.

But love makes you meet people wherever you go.
People who have nothing in common but love
stop and talk to each other on the street.

Throw things away and love will bring them back,
again, and again, and again.
But most of all, love needs love, lots of it.
And in return, love loves you and never stops.

Shelton's Cakes and Bella Bloom Flowers

Jonathan and Emmile were married this evening inside the beautiful Vizcaya Pavilion in midtown Sacramento. They wisely chose to move their ceremony inside; it was 40 degrees at their 6:00 p.m. start time. (Whoa! Thank you for that wise decision!)

An intimate feeling was created by luminaries, which lined the aisle and stood on the floor behind the wedding party and bridal couple. The lights were dimmed, and twinkle lights and candelabras added to the ambiance.

The 20-minute ceremony was magical, and included the love story of Jonathan and Emmile, a reading by their sister-in-law (newly wed to the best man, Jonathan's brother), personal vows, and a lovely gift of roses to their mothers.

The ceremony concluded with the African American tradition of jumping the broom, using a walis (Filipino broom) to combine their two cultures. As they symbolically left the past and stepped into married life, the guests wished them well with an enthusiastic cry of "Jump!"

Their wedding cake was beautiful, created by Shelton's Wedding Cakes and dressed by Vicki and crew from Bella Bloom Flowers. Here are a couple of photos, taken by their delighted officiant (me!)

Congratulations to the newlyweds, Jonathan and Emmile Brack!

Blessings,
Rev. Jeri

Granite Bay Golf Club -- A Wedding Venue to LOVE!

I've performed a number of weddings at Granite Bay Golf Club. It's a beautiful venue and Heidi and her staff are very attentive. I'm always so delighted to be there.

Last night, I had the pleasure of being part of a Bridal Open House held in the clubhouse. I met many engaged couples, as well as some of their parents, who will be celebrating their wedding there.

I also got to spend a few hours with some friends, all delightful wedding professionals. To name a few:

Lara Kiniris, The Calligraphy Girl. She's the one to see for your invitations, envelopes, place cards, certificates -- and lots more!

Lora Ward, from A Day To Remember. I think the wedding coordinator has the hardest job in this business, but Lora always delivers a Fabulous event. And she has a great sense of humor!

Mimi and Company dressed the tables and chair covers. WOW!

Cathy Brooks, from Visual Impact Design, provided stunning centerpieces, flowers, candles, glassware -- all incredibly beautiful!

John Shelton, of Shelton's Wedding Cake Designs, brought samples of some of his cakes. Delicious to the eye and the taste buds!

Speaking of delicious temptations, Jim Tenney and his Chocolate Fountains of Sacramento had many visitors. Who could resist chocolate-dipped fresh pineapple, strawberries, and other goodies?! Not I!

April Schmitt, of All About Honeymoons, had some enticing information about warm destinations for honeymooning. And parents were interested in a post-wedding get-away!

Chris Terry, Encore Photo Booths, let us have a little fun! (And he very cleverly included a great pic of him and his beautiful fiance, Shannon, on the printout. Congrats, you two!)

Jeff Sharpe of Sharpe Photographers, and Mike Jensen, Jensen Wedding Videos, each had some of their amazing work on display. Two of the nicest guys in this business.

(Thank you, Jeff, for the photo for this blog. And thank you, Mike, for bringing your DVD player and screen so couples could "see me in action!")

Celeste from Larkspur Landing (where your guests will want to stay after the wedding), Jennifer from JFlops ("Fabulously Fun Flip Flops"), Todd with CTS Limos, and Definitions Beauty were also part of the open house.

A big Thank You to Heidi Robinson, of Granite Bay G.C., for coordinating such a great event! I look forward to performing many weddings in Granite Bay in 2010 and 2011!

Rev. Jeri

Ten weeks later ...

It's been a long time since my last post. And for good reason.

Ten weeks ago, my sweetheart, partner and love, Richard Hess, died. Suddenly. There are no words to adequately convey the emotional journey I have traveled since that time.

What I do want to say, today, is this:

I ALWAYS knew Rich loved me, and I honestly believe he knew how much I loved him. We expressed our feelings daily, in word and action. Even when we did not see eye-to-eye, we always knew our love was strong. And we worked -- individually and together -- to keep it that way.

Our time together was far too short (in my opinion -- but, then, I'm not God). I am so grateful for the time we did have, the memories we shared, and the love that continues. If I could do it all over again, I would not change a thing.

Why do I write about my loss? Because I hope that anyone who reads these words will be inspired to LOVE FULLY. True love is ABSOLUTELY worth the risk of pain or loss.

Hey, Sailor. I love you. Thank you for being such an amazing part of my life.
JT