Michael and Victoria got married!

And I had the delightful honor of officiating at their wedding, held yesterday at David Girard Vineyards in Placerville.

This fun couple came from San Francisco, where Michael owns a club in the Mission District. Victoria has incredible attention to detail. No wonder. She and I share the same birthday; we Taurus Babes are organized! She was a delight to work with, and Michael was charming and kept us smiling!

They purposely chose not to have their wedding in The City, as the weather might be too cold.
Obviously, that wasn't a problem in Placerville yesterday!

Although the guests were not accustomed to the heat, Michael and Victoria were prepared to offer respite. The guests each received a square fan, on one side of which was the program and on the other, a hand-drawn picture of "Aunt Vicky" and "Uncle Mikey" getting married, with all the guests crying tears of joy. Suh-weet!

Chilled bottles of water, another thoughtful touch, also helped keep the guests cool. And they were obviously happy to celebrate this couple's nuptials! I suspect that a fun party occurred after the "I do's" were done! I'm eager to see their photos; I know their photographer, Christina Diane (from San Francisco) got some great ones!

A delightful couple, a beautiful wedding, and a great beginning to their many years of marriage.

Congratulations, Michael and Victoria!

Pretty things ... and changes coming.

I've been pretty lax about posting on my blog ... as you've probably noticed.

I'll soon be doing my wedding blogging through a different program (WordPress.org; shhhh, don't tell Blogger.) Supposed to be better for my marketing efforts, etc. So far, I haven't figured it out -- but I have a great webmaster who will help me. Thanks bunches, RJ from The SiteBarn!

So this blog is going to change a bit. Instead of focusing on wedding-related topics, I'm going to write about whatever I'm interested in at the time. Which, of course, means I'll be posting a lot more photos!

I hope my pics will inspire, surprise, and amuse. Not necessarily in that order!

Today's post and photos:

My sweetheart has taken up quilting. He's very creative, and can look at a quilt (or, even, a photo of a quilt) and figure out how to reproduce it. I am so impressed!

So yesterday, when we went to the State Fair, we naturally headed for the shopping area (to look at sewing machines) and then to the California Creative Arts building to look at the prize-winning quilts.

W-O-W!! Here is a sampling of the beautiful handiwork ....

Quality of Life

Take a look at this beautiful quilt!

(I spy Carrieanna in the photo; do you see her, standing on the right?)

The quilt is being raffled off in Monterey on Saturday, September 19, 2009, during the Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life ("MSQLP") Walk-n-Roll Walkathon.

All proceeds go to MSQLP, which has been a true blessing in our lives.

And Carrieanna has blessed many others there, with her candor as well as her positive outlook: "Anything is Possible."

As I say, we are truly blessed ....

Thank you, Vicki and friends ("The Flying Needles") for sharing your quilting talent and showing your love!

And if YOU are feelin' like a winner, I have raffle tickets to sell. Wouldn't you LOVE to own this quilt?!

With gratitude,
Rev. Jeri

You are kidding ... aren't you?

A recent conversation I had with another wedding vendor (and I'll call him "Vendor" to preserve his anonymity):

Vendor: Hey, I'm going to perform the ceremony for my best friend!

RJM: Wow! That's great! (Big smile!)

Vendor: Yeah, it's going to be a blast! I'm planning to wear a tuxedo -- just the shirt and jacket. No pants, just my underwear.

RJM: (Surprised silence.)

Vendor: Either that, or I'm going to wear a bear's head, or ... (he mentioned another outrageous costume; I forget what it was).

RJM: You're kidding, right? (Smaller smile.)

Vendor: Oh, no! He's my best friend, and it's going to be a huge party!

RJM: (Little smile; what could I say?)

Okay, maybe I'm old-fashioned.
Maybe I'm conservative.
Maybe I'm just thinking of my own comfort zone.
Maybe I'm wondering what the Bride thinks of this idea -- or if she even knows.
Maybe I'm thinking of the wedding photos, and how this guy is going to stand out in ALL the ceremony pictures.

Or ... maybe I'm thinking of the importance of the wedding ceremony, and wondering why anyone would want to turn it into a comedy routine, rather than a strong foundation upon which the couple will build their marriage.

Humor in a wedding ceremony? ABSOLUTELY! (IF it's appropriate for the couple, that is.)

Am I a stuffy person? Um, no. (At least I don't think so!) I like to have fun, and I've been called the "Irreverent Reverend" more than once. And I like that! ;)

But a bear's head? Or half a tuxedo? I don't think so.

(And I hope someone tells the Bride. Somehow, I think she would want to know.)

Rev. Jeri

At last ...

It's been a long time since I've posted. Much has happened -- lots of good things! -- and I'll be sharing ...

Here's one of the two best things: I got to spend the Fourth of July weekend with all three of my children, and my granddaughter! Yup, it was the first time in nearly 6 years that we have all been together.

The occasion? Family reunion, this year in Springville, Utah. We had thunderclouds, a little rain, mosquitoes, long (and rather eventful) drives -- and a great time!

Courage campaign

You may have already seen this video. And if you've read my blog, you know how I feel about same sex marriages.

Let's not only sign this petition, let us also hold in our own hearts the belief that love will prevail, regardless of sexual orientation (or color, or age, or health or wealth or anything else).

On behalf of Amy and Deborah (together over 12 years), Pierre and Bob (over 17 years), Robyn and Sam (nearly 20 years), and Lenaea and Michelle, Sarah and Lou, Lori and Mary, Leon and Carlos, and all the other couples whose love knows no boundaries, thank you.

Blessings,
Rev. Jeri

My book has arrived!

I am so excited to announce that I'm a published author! I've written a wedding book, "Celebration Ceremonies, The Perfect Words for Your Wedding Day!" and it just arrived yesterday.

Now, before you head over to Border's to purchase multiple copies (!!), I must confess that it's really more of a marketing tool than something you'd want to curl up with and read before a toasty fire. Unless, of course, you love looking at wedding photos -- most of which include me! -- and pondering ceremony ideas.

In the past when I've met with couples -- that no-cost, no-obligation, no-pressure first meeting -- I would bring my black binder which includes parts of the ceremony, samples of what I might wear, and a few pages of "kudos" from happy couples.

However, after putting together a life-story book in honor of my boyfriend's birthday last year, I decided to create a book about weddings. I used an online bookmaking program, Blurb.com, and I HIGHLY recommend it. It was so much fun, easy to use, and the finished product looks great! (In my humble opinion, of course. LOL!)

So, thank you for letting me brag on myself! (And if you're a Sacramento couple, looking for a wedding officiant, give me a call. If we meet, I'll let you look at my book!)

Blessings,
Rev. Jeri
www.RevJeriMurphy.com