Creativity!!

I belong to the Sacramento Chapter of a wonderful organization called NACE (National Association of Catering Executives).

What is "NACE," and why would an officiant belong to a catering association, you ask?

I think NACE's Mission Statement says it best: "To provide catering and event professionals superior education, networking & resources to enhance career success and deliver excellence to clients!" And the Sacramento NACE Chapter is composed of professionals in the wedding industry. The best of the best. My favorite people to work with and, once a month, to wine and dine with!

Each monthly meeting features the talents of local wedding professionals: Creative invitations, a wonderful meal in a beautiful location, stunning floral decor, fantastic lighting, photographers and videographers subtly capturing the moments, music to set the tone, and DJ/MC's to keep us entertained.

And, of course, good conversation and an opportunity to get to better know my wedding friends: Their families, their interests, their inspiration, their fun!

Tuesday's NACE meeting was held in the Timbercreek Ballroom at Sun City Roseville , hosted by Jenny Giallanza. Jenny is known for her attention to detail, and she did not disappoint us on Tuesday.

The highlight of the evening was the Second Annual Tabletop Competition, wherein some very talented NACE members create imaginative tabletops which include unique centerpieces, place cards and menus, beautiful linens and tableware, et cetera, to show off their creative flair.

The tables are judged on their creativity, uniqueness and functionality. Outside judges -- NACE members from other chapters; other special invited guests -- as well as the local membership, vote for their favorite. This year's first place winner, Catriona Arcularius of Arcularius Events won for the second year in a row! (My photo doesn't do her table justice; check out the Sacramento NACE website for great photos by Andrea's Images Photography and Siegel's Portrait Design.)

Providing the musical ambiance, and maintaining the flow of activities, were DJs and Entertainment Coordinators Randy and Dina Gonzales of Supernatural Soundz. This husband-and-wife team has been in the wedding and event entertainment business for over 15 years. Although I have worked with them in the past -- and we'll be together again for Natalie and Chris's wedding in June! -- I got to know them a little better when I sat with them at the NACE dinner in March. They are not only excellent in their profession, they are also wonderful, sincere, caring people personally.

At Tuesday's meeting, Randy and Dina impressed me with their quiet manner of keeping the events flowing without being intrusive. I know they can ROCK THE JOINT at other events, but for the NACE meeting it was more appropriate to keep us informed about "what's going to happen next," play great music, and add a little humor and personality to the program without "taking over." It wasn't "all about them," and therefore it was "all about everyone."

Dina and Randy, I'm looking forward to hanging out with you more and more -- and soon!

(And to all the tabletop competitors: W-O-W!! And Congratulations!)

RJM

I vow to bring you happiness, and I will treasure you as my companion.

The love story of Wendy and Jason began three yeas ago, when they met through a friend. That initial spark of attraction grew quickly, and after their first date they were practically inseparable.

And on a warm and sunny Sunday, at the beautiful Croatian American Cultural Center, they were joined in marriage!

Wendy and Jason included Jason’s 2-year old son, Logan, in the wedding by asking him to carry the ring pillow. Logan was accompanied by his older friend, Jordan, as well as the sweet (and shy) flower girl, Theagan. As is often the case, these three stole the show as they carefully walked down the aisle, stopping at the bottom of the steps with a “what now?” expression before running up and standing next to our handsome (and slightly nervous) groom!

Of course, all eyes were quickly turned toward the beautiful bride, Wendy, who entered with her father. Wendy’s parents and stepfather, along with Jason’s mother, all said “We do” when asked “Who presents this woman to be married to this man?” And with that loving send-off, Jason and Wendy stood before their dearest family and friends to say their vows, exchange rings, and begin their married life as husband and wife.

“I vow to bring you happiness, and I will treasure you as my companion.”

Congratulations, Wendy and Jason! (Married April 18, 2010.)

Photographer: Gino Creglia Photography
DJ and MC: Mitch Perez of Showtime DJ Entertainment
Videographer: Eric and Steve of Acti-Video Productions

Got Invitations?

Linda Walker, from Creme de la Creme Paperie and Jenn Hugunin from No Ordinary Day have combined their companies to offer The Most FABULOUS Invitations!

Now brides can choose from beautiful custom-designed as well as catalog invitations. There is an invitation to fit every style and budget, and all can be viewed at the Creme de la Creme Paperie studio in Citrus Heights.

Linda and Jenn are creative professionals specializing in invitations, favors and wedding accessories. As Linda says, "We at Creme de la Creme Paperie can fill every need our brides require, from Save The Date cards to Thank You notes, and everything in between. Our team consists of graphic designers, favor specialists, calligraphers and consultants."

Linda also has a line of hand-painted gift bags, cards and table, wall and chair letters.

The hand-painted letters give a unique look to home decor or can be used as an accent on the couple's cake or gift table.

Every bride wants to make her wedding her own, and Linda and Jenn actively search for unique items to give her day that special touch!

"We pride ourselves in excellent service and exceptional results. We love what we do, and our brides know that we are available for them throughout their planning stages."

By Appointment Only (916-996-4020), visit Linda or Jenn at the Creme de la Creme Paperie studio, located at 7625 Sunrise Blvd., Suite 211, Citrus Heights, CA.

(Photo of Linda from the recent Enchanted Bridal Shoppe open house and fashion show.)

Rev. Jeri

The Calligraphy Girl!

Who would have thought that good penmanship and a love of art in grade school would lead to a business many years later?

Lara Kiniris, The Calligraphy Girl, has been doing hand calligraphy for over 20 years.

She uses beautiful hand lettering to address wedding invitations, create specialty signs, place cards, menus, poetry, and so much more. All work is done by hand, and she doesn't charge extra for rush orders.

A stay-at-home mom, Lara does her work at night, allowing her to spend quality time with her two children, Peter (age 4) and Katie (age 2). (She says she never tires of the silly things that her 4-year-old says!)

As part of the wedding industry, Lara is grateful to work closely with many wonderful people. Among her favorites is Linda Walker, owner and designer for Creme de la Creme Paperie.

For samples of Lara's work, as well as pricing and other details, Lara can be reached by phone at (916) 769-9585 or by email at lara@calligraphygirl.com.

Or visit her website: www.calligraphygirl.com

Rev. Jeri

Be a light unto the world

You can be the inspiration.
Indeed, you must be.

I must?

Who else is there?
How can I begin?

Be a light unto the world, and hurt it not. Seek to build, not to destroy.
Bring My people home.

How?

By your shining example. See only Godliness. Speak only in truthfulness. Act only in love.
Live the Law of Love now and forevermore. Give everything, require nothing.
Avoid the mundane.
Do not accept the unacceptable.
Teach all who seek to learn of Me.
Make every moment of your life an outpouring of love.
Use every moment to think the highest thought, say the highest word, do the highest deed. In this, glorify your Holy Self, and thus, too, glorify Me.
Bring peace to the Earth by bringing peace to all those whose lives you touch.
Be peace.
Feel and express in every moment your Divine Connection with the All, and with every person, place and thing.
Embrace every circumstance, own every fault, share every joy, contemplate every mystery, walk in every man's shoes, forgive every offense (including your own), heal every heart, honor every person's truth, adore every person's God, protect every person's rights, preserve every person's dignity, promote every person's interests, provide every person's needs, presume every person's holiness, present every person's greatest gifts, produce every person's blessing, and pronounce every person's future secure in the assured love of God.
Be a living, breathing example of the Highest Truth that resides within you.
Speak humbly of yourself, lest someone mistake your Highest Truth for a boast.
Speak softly, lest someone think you are merely calling for attention.
Speak gently, that all might know of Love.
Speak openly, lest anyone think you have something to hide.
Speak candidly, so you cannot be mistaken.
Speak often, so that your word may truly go forth.
Speak respectfully, that no one be dishonored.
Speak lovingly, that every syllable may heal.
Speak of Me with every utterance.
Make of your life a gift. Remember always, you are the gift!
Be a gift to everyone who enters your life, and to everyone whose life you enter. Be careful not to enter another's life if you cannot be a gift.
(You can always be a gift, because you always are the gift -- yet sometimes you don't let yourself know that.)
When someone enters your life unexpectedly, look for the gift that person has come to receive from you.

What an extraordinary way of putting it.

Why else do you think a person has come to you?
I tell you this: every person who has ever come to you has come to receive a gift from you. In so doing, he gives a gift to you - the gift of your experiencing and fulfilling Who You Are.

When you see this simple truth, when you understand it, you see the greatest truth of all:

I HAVE SENT YOU
NOTHING BUT ANGELS.

(From "Conversations with God" Book 2, by Neale Donald Walsch; pgs. 175-176)

Enchantment and Dreams!

This past weekend (Feb. 27th & 28th), I had the opportunity to hang out with some wedding colleagues, as well as meeting some couples who are planning their 2010 and 2011 weddings.

On Saturday I enjoyed the Grand Opening and Fashion Show presented by Enchanted Bridal Shoppe in Fair Oaks. Situated in the Quail Pointe Shopping Center (corner of Madison & Sunrise), Enchanted Bridal is owned by the Baker family. Jeff and Sandy Baker run the business, their daughter Jennifer (formerly of Lake Natoma Inn) is the Director of Sales, and other family members add their expertise to the business.

My booth was situated next to that of Adagio Weddings & Events, and I "caught up" on local wedding news from Adagio's owner, Katy Baker. I also took at peek at some of the beautiful invitations created by Linda Walker, owner of Creme de la Creme Paperie (Citrus Heights).

Sweet Cakes by Rebecca gave out samples of their delicious (and beautiful) cakes, Joan of Beautiful by Nature Florist had a gorgeous display of flowers, and Carmita Restaurant offered dolmas and other Mediterranean taste treats. (Vegan food; yay! And they're located in the Quail Pointe Shopping Center. I'll be back!)

Phill of Sheffield Multimedia captured the fun and fashion (and shared a funny story!) The fun photo booth was courtesy of Chris Terry of Encore Photo Booths. Debbie Brown Photography was the official photographer; Debbie is also mother to three of the beautiful "brides" in the fashion show. Gorgeous young ladies, and they looked stunning in the wedding gowns. Watch out, Debbie!

And kudos to Carlene Herrera, also formerly of Lake Natoma Inn, for her wonderful coordination of this event!

Those are just a few of the wedding professionals who participated in Enchanted Bridal Shoppe's grand opening celebration. Thanks again, Jennifer, for inviting me to your party!

And then, on Sunday, I was part of the Dream team, as I participated in The Dream Wedding Show!

Sunday was a beautiful, sunny day, and the Exposition Center at Cal Expo was filled with brides and grooms, parents, and bff's all eager to see what the local wedding professionals had to offer.

There were too many exhibitors to name in this blog. All I can say is most of THE BEST in Sacramento were there.

My booth was perfectly situated. On one side was Jensen Wedding Videos -- always a classy booth, and Mike seems to attract the very best clients!

And on the other side was Chocolate Fountains of Sacramento. I loved watching people's eyes light up when they came around the corner and saw the chocolate fountain. Jim would ask, "Would you like a sample?" and almost without exception the response was "Oh, why not?!"
And when they bit into the chocolate-covered cream puff, their dreamy-eyed look told me it was dee-licious!

My lovely assistant, Carrieanna, handed out flyers listing helpful questions to ask when choosing an officiant. (And periodically she volunteered her services in "quality control and tasting" for the chocolate fountain!)

A busy, productive, FUN weekend for this Reverend!

RJM

Where there is love, there is life

Last Saturday, at the Old Sugar Mill in Clarksburg, Meena and Bret combined their cultures, their families, and their lives in a beautiful ceremony of marriage.

Meena, a fiscal analyst for the State of California, met her beloved, Bret, when his company was hired to do some work for her department. She told me that when they first spoke on the phone, she knew he was someone special. He says that when they met in person, her beautiful smile immediately caught his attention. And thus, their love story began, growing into the love that brought them to Clarksburg on February 20th to be joined in marriage.

Meena included her Hindu heritage in many ways. She and her mother met many times with Gloria and Kerry of Howe It's Done Catering, cooking and sampling to ensure that the food for the reception would include authentic Indian dishes.

The bride and her attendants wore traditional Indian wedding attire; their red and ivory saris brought color and passion to the celebration, enhanced by the beautiful bouquets and floral arrangements created by Meena's sister, Savita.

Bret and Meena's children and grandchildren were important participants in the ceremony. Bret's son, Eric, was also his best man, while one-year-old grandson, Conner, nearly stole the show as he ran up the aisle with enthusiasm to give Bret the ring pillow!

Bret's daughters, Sarah and Emily, each presented readings. And Meena's son, Keaton, escorted his mother down the aisle, and later performed a violin solo (Ode to Joy) in tribute to his mother and new father.

Along with the traditional vows and exchange of rings, Bret and Meena performed the Rite of Sacred Fire and Seven Steps, wherein they affirmed their love and declared their union in this traditional Hindu ritual.

The ceremony and reception were flawlessly coordinated by Katy Baker of Adagio Weddings and Events, with Jasmine Renee Photography capturing all the unique beauty of this beautiful couple's celebration.

Congratulations, Meena and Bret! May you be blessed with many, many years of living and loving together!

Rev. Jeri