Ceremonies By Bethel

Hello, wedding industry colleagues and friends!

Today – March 1st – is the last day to vote for the final round in California Wedding Day’s Best of 2024, and I am honored to be one of the three finalists in the Officiant Category in San Diego County. Plus, since this final round only allows for votes coming from those who are in the industry, and I’ve been hearing that there are lots of people who hadn’t yet even heard about this, I wanted to get the word out a little bit more.

So, if you have just a moment, I would love and greatly appreciate your vote and support!

The link here - https://californiaweddingday.com/CWD-Best-of-2024-Round-2 - leads you to the landing page, as you can take the time – if you so choose – to vote for your favorites in multiple of the different locations. I’m only on the San Diego ballot, but there are lots of fantastic folks on other counties’/regions’ ballots, as well.

Here’s to an even better year of weddings ahead for us all!

Today is the FINAL DAY to vote in the 2nd and last round for wedding vendors for ! Only wedding industry folks can vote in these finals. So, colleagues and industry friends, can you please take just a moment to vote for me for BEST OFFICIANT in the San Diego ballot? Thank you!! Link in my story or in my bio.

HELP!! Please take a moment today or tomorrow to nominate me for California Wedding Day’s Best of 2024 in the Officiant category (of course!), as this first round closes on Friday, Jan 26th. This is the only way for me to be on the 2nd round ballot, so I need your help! You can use the link in my bio and can only complete one ballot per email address or this link and then choose San Diego County. https://californiaweddingday.com/CWD-Best-of-2024-Voting
THANK YOU!!

NOTE that Temecula has its own ballot this year 🥳, so the many rock stars in Temecula & Palm Springs don’t need to be nominated in SD County anymore in order to be included.

Past Couples and Wedding Industry Colleagues, can you please take a few minutes to write a review for me? This not only helps future couples find me and choose to reach out, when they hear in your words what it was like to work together, it also helps me to qualify for awards from and ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​And if you've already written one and posted it in one place, can I please ask for you to share it somewhere else, too?

The most important place is Google, of course, for SEO purposes, as many couples search for their vendors that way - plus, I have the fewest there as I didn't start asking for those until 2019 (yeah, right before our wedding world imploded!). Yes, not only can couples leave reviews on Google, but colleagues absolutely can as well!

Then both The Knot and WeddingWire are important for couples using those platforms to research vendors, plus there is a minimum number needed to qualify for the annual awards (and I still need a few on WeddingWire by 12/31 to qualify this year!). So, I'd so appreciate it if my couples could also review me on these platforms.

THANK YOU!!!

When my couple’s adorable girls want a selfie with me too, after seeing me do one with their parents, and they want to be sure that little brother is in on it, too, I’m so in!! And after watching Dad’s funny faces with me, big sis wanted to do her own too. 😂. Swipe for those adorable faces and for this beautiful family with their gorgeous attire shipped here from Lagos and made specifically for them! {📷: just my iPhone}

coordination: (elena)
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MAY THE 4TH BE WITH YOU! When you use a lightsaber handle for your bouquets, it naturally leads to "fights" with the wedding party! And this Star Wars loving couple even found a light-saber-handled knife for their cake cutting, too!
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awesome couple: rachel + andrew
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I cannot even tell you how special and sweet it is for me to get to celebrate my own couples again - and the family they’ve built together since, too! Jenny and Joe (and their adorable daughter), celebrated 10 years of marriage on their local Del Mar beach, just down the way from where their larger wedding was at this time a decade ago, when we were joined by (Collin) - and they even went out to dinner afterward at , where their reception had been 10 years ago, too. and

HANDFASTING: There are multiple ways that a handfasting can be done, but I believe that "tying the knot" has to be done by my couple. We can all cheer them on and help - whether that means that the ribbons or cords are wrapped around their arms or hands by me or by important family members. But the final step - the actual tying of the knot - needs to be done by the two people who will continue to nurture their relationship and connection through the years and decades to come, I think. And, yes, the resulting knot is usually perfectly imperfect and messy, just as any genuine relationship is. Plus it can be made up of meaningful colors, patterns, or textures, too. 📷 ​​​​​​​​​------------------------​​​​​​​​​awesome couple: alissa + maria
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LAUGHTER! It is usually one of the top things my couples tell me that they are hoping for from their ceremony - laughter and it feeling light-hearted. Why? Because laughter and being light-hearted together is such a part of their relationship, and therefore, having a ceremony like that would be so genuine to them. So, I love when I get to scroll through their gorgeous wedding pictures and see that they are truly laughing in the ceremony (and it's a real bonus when I'm laughing right along with them!). Especially knowing just how much fun these two have together! 📷 Sara France | Wedding Photographer]
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awesome couple: bridget + michael
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photographer: Sara France | Wedding Photographer]
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PADRES IN ATLANTA! Since I needed to be here in ATL this week for a great day of education and connection for officiants hosted by , we came a few days early to play. And when I saw that my were going to be in town, we had to get tickets. And what seats these are!!! Scroll for the perspective - 2nd row behind the Padres dugout. A decent amount of brown and gold here!! And my husband is a rock star - 2 games in 10 days with me. 😘😂

Opening Day 2023 for my San Diego !! This is our year and I am so excited to see it start!

PLAYING with and playing up what makes a venue different and special... I love how the rich wood inside the dining room of the Lomas Santa Fe Country Club gets to be a fitting part of the holiday and greenery look that Laurel and Brandon created for their night-time and indoor ceremony at the end of the holiday season, rather than trying to fight it or cover it up. 📷 ​​​​​​​​​------------------------​​​​​​​​​awesome couple: laurel + brandon

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THE CELEBRATION THEY WANTED! While we know that circumstances over the past 3 years have caused many plans to change, helping Erika and Jamie to finally get the celebration they wanted, as they couldn’t wait to be surrounded by their community (and it was gorgeous and fun to boot, thanks to their rock star pro team!), was such a pleasure and honor! {📷 just my iPhone}
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planner/designer: (rachel)
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photographer: .collective_
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RAIN…. We're not used to rain and wind requiring activation of a Plan B very often here in San Diego, but this winter is certainly reminding us of that reality (as I listen to the rain on our roof...). The addition of umbrellas and the couple’s smart decision to hire a pro wedding planner and a solid pro team - and flexibility as a couple, of course - means you still end up with lots of great pictures and a joy-filled beautiful celebration, even if different from how you imagined it. And nothing was stopping Janessa & James’ grins that day! 😍 📷 Clove & Kin ]
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awesome couple: janessa + james

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venue: scripps seaside forum
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UPSIDE DOWN! When the bride is a florist and is also one of the sweetest humans, you have amazing floral friends who join in to help you create magic with flowers at your wedding, including this upside-down flower garden! PS this is the bride and groom’s venue, too, dressed up perfectly for them! 📷
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awesome couple: sara + eddie
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dj: .entertainment
caterer: + late night tacos by taqueria el paisa mex
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coffee: .coffee.company
rentals:
photobooth:
make-up:
lashes
hair extensions
spray tan
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alterations: .eyesdesigns
tux:

WEDDING PROS! It’s now the final round for California Wedding Day’s awards and this time only those in the industry can vote. So, colleagues and friends, I would be so honored if you’d vote for me and help me win for the 2nd year! The voting is by county. And the deadline is this Friday the 10th.

So, here's the link for San Diego County (ME!!!): https://forms.gle/KwStg82LKLUKirgG9
And here's the link getting you to the main page to vote for pros in other counties too: https://californiaweddingday.com/vote-now-best-2023
Thank you!!

YAY!! I’m a finalist!! It’s time to vote again, as it’s now the final round and they are down to just 4 of us!! This time only wedding industry folks can vote, and here’s where you can do so! Thank you!!

https://forms.gle/KwStg82LKLUKirgG9

If you want to vote for pros in other counties, here’s where you can find them all: https://californiaweddingday.com/vote-now-best-2023

RELIEF & JOY! When you are experiencing incredibly unusual weather - especially in a place that rarely needs to implement a Plan B (hint hint San Diego) - having a team of experienced and reliable wedding pros are worth their weight in gold. Well, when I knew that the awesome Janessa & James were in the hands of (Amy & Lindsay) + + amongst others (below), I knew that they would be well taken care of and that their wedding would still be amazing, even if more indoors than planned. That’s the relief part for me. And then feeling all of the incredible joy and laughter and excitement that surrounded them in those ceremony moments, that brings me so much joy. And a bonus is when they choose a fun way to label their reception tables - in this case, locations from video games that are significant to them {swipe to see two of them}! {pics: just my iPhone}

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Such an honor and a joy! When couples choose to elope with me, rather than the easier (and, honestly, less expensive) method of just doing so at the county when they get their license, I know that they are choosing to celebrate their relationship and to mark the start of their marriage in a personal and sweet way. Getting to so with and for Hanayo & Riley yesterday - especially with big life changes including moves and a deployment ahead - at the gorgeous fig tree in Balboa Park and with just a friend joining us as the witness, was so sweet and moving for me! Here’s to a lifetime of greatness ahead for these two!

Last year, I was incredibly honored to win Best Officiant for San Diego County. It’s that time again!! So, I would greatly appreciate your vote this year! The form will take you county by county, and you only need to answer as many categories and in whatever counties you want. The link is in my Stories. Thank you!!!

It’s my birthday!! So we are doing what we most love to do, exploring a nature area, in search of wildlife, and having new adventures. In today’s adventure, checking out the Salton Sea - a first time there for us - during a quick little escape to Palm Springs.

Getting to celebrate the super sweet and adorable Heather & Sam at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park - one of the most unique spots to have a wedding (and one of my favorites too) - in such an intimate celebration at the Woodshed venue at Walkabout Australia, was such an honor and a joy! And I got to do with with the wife and husband (planner & photographer) team too, so there’s a bonus selfie at the end. 😉 {📷 just my iPhone}
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dj: unity sounds – drew miller
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Getting to celebrate the loving and really connected Josselyn & Cynthia at one of my favorite spots on the coast - in an elopement with just one set of parents and a friend to take pictures plus a *gorgeous* pup you must swipe to see - was such a joy. And I’m still smiling thinking about it! With a wine blending and a handfasting, they’ll have mementos and a new tradition to last a lifetime, too.

Curious about trends for 2023? How about these to check out!

23 Top Party & Wedding Trends for 2023 - PartySlate You’re in right place for 2023 wedding trends and party predictions. See popular palettes, themes, and more to wow your guests.

SHALL WE DO IT AGAIN? I have to say, when part of my couple's engagement story includes not really getting a "Yes" or other real answer OR - in this case - her teasing him that he never actually got on one knee to ask, I just might ask the groom if he wants to surprise her mid-ceremony by going down on one knee and asking again. 😉 The chorus of awwws and laughter and applause is such a wonderful embrace of them, too. ❤️ Courtney & Matt, wishing you two a very Happy Anniversary!​​​​​​​​
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awesome couple: courtney + matt​​​​​​​​
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So much fun and an incredible honor getting to help Miriam & Sean launch their marriage with a team of fantastic pros at a gorgeous venue - and with both meaningful (lazo & arrras ritual) and fun (his/her candy favor choices) touches, too! {📷 just my iPhone pics}
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I realized that I hadn’t shared any sunset pictures in my feed in a while. So, if you’re wondering what I mean about our views and sky, here’s a piece of it. I sure love me some San Diego winter skies! (I haven’t used that hashtag in forever either!)

Getting to celebrate the awesome Courtney & Aly in an intimate celebration at the iconic (look at the winter light down in the oak trees ceremony site!!) with Avalon of + Alex of + the team at + gorgeous florals by was beyond a joy! The community that surrounded Courtney & Aly were so obviously their cheerleaders - laughing and choking up right along with us - and that made my heart sing!

6 YEARS and 2 KIDS later, this is what the joy of finally being married looks like! Allyanna & Kevin were so excited to finally have this moment, and it all came together for them to make it so! {📷 just my iPhone}
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LAUGH together always! When your pictures with your wedding party and with each other are filled with so much laughter, as all of these images are, you know that you're enjoying your day fully, exactly as you should. Hire the right team of wedding pros, trust them to do their thing of delivering on your vision and hopes, and then you can actually truly enjoy your day, as Iryna & Kai here clearly are! 📷
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awesome couple: iryna + kai

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team:
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venue: scripps seaside forum
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dessert: edelweiss bakery
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hair + make-up: .pretty.parlor
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