Cynthia Gregory - Wedding Officiant

On Memorial Day, i remember and honor R B Gregory. My father's brother went down with all aboard the USS Jarvis in the Pacific.
The Japanese, mistaking Jarvis for an escaping cruiser, dispatched 31 planes from Rabaulto search out and destroy her. Once discovered, the badly damaged destroyer was no match for bombers raking the ship with bullets and torpedoes. According to Japanese records, Jarvis "split and sank" at 1300 on 9 August 1942. None of her 233 remaining crew survived.

My grandmother did not find out her son;'s fate until after the war as the whole crew was listed as MIA until the Japanese records were found.

Jarvis received three battle stars for World War II service.

Why money makes everyone so anxious

By Jancee Dunn
If you share expenses with someone, exchange “money stories.”

A 2021 survey by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants found that financial decisions are a significant source of conflict for nearly three-quarters of couples who are married or living together. Unsurprisingly, tax time can bring up all that tension, said Kristy Archuleta, a professor in financial planning at the University of Georgia.

Financial beliefs, emotions and behaviors are often rooted in the experiences we have in our families, said Marsha Barnes, a certified financial therapist in Charlotte, N.C. Knowing how your partner formed their money values can build empathy and understanding when your perspectives differ, Dr. Archuleta said, which can make filing taxes — and having conversations about money all year long — a little less adversarial.

Dr. McCoy suggested that you and your partner share your “money stories” with each other in detail. “You can ask questions like: Who paid the bills in your family? What early money memory gives you the most shame and the most pride? What did your parents do with money that you would never do yourself?”

These are “powerful conversations” that you’ve probably never had with your partner, she said.

Valentine's Day is coming up and SF City Hall will be doing extra ceremonies. I'll be there from 2 to 4 PM
Book now. http://sfgov.org/countyclerk/marriage

April Fool’s day did not go by at City Hall without a prank. The bride pulled a lovely ring box out of her bag and opened it exposing a tiny figure mooning the groom! Everyone busted up!

First wedding of 2022! Congrats
Joselyn and Marco!

Yesterday’s wedding at City Hall was special. No only a lovely couple but two other couples were guests whom I had married in the past few years. Between the two couple I met their three children. So sweet and cute! So much joy being a part of loving families!

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/04/fashion/weddings/wedding-insurance-101.html Something to think about in these times of illnesses, fires and other possible things that could cause you expense and heartbreak.

Wedding Insurance 101 Want to protect yourself in the event of a wedding mishap, severe weather conditions or a vendor incident? Here’s what to consider before getting wedding insurance.

Second good deed(if you don’t count volunteering at City Hall). A couple didn’t have a witness do
I stayed after my shift and acted as their witness/photographer. Fun the watch another Commissoner do his stuff

Good deed for the day. Providing bandaids for a bride whose shoes were rubbing blisters on her heels

Here's a useful article for my couples.

Tips on writing Thank You notes from the New York Times.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/29/fashion/weddings/dos-and-donts-of-thank-you-notes.html

Dos and Don’ts of Thank-You Notes Etiquette experts and professional card writers offer advice for making the process easier and even go a little faster.

Lovely way to remember someone who can't be with you on your wedding day. Everyone wore pick butterfly pins for their niece who had passed away recently.

So cool to see Adriene while officiating her friend’s wedding at City Hall today.

Working my volunteer shift at City Hall today and just after I pronounced the couple married their friends placed white silk scarves around all our necks. A Tibetan blessing custom I was told. One can never have too many blessings. I love all the wonderful coupes from all over the world!

Personal best today! 22 weddings in 3 hours and 45 minutes at City Hall. I was filling in both before and after my regular volunteer shift. Extra fun was two older couples, four same s*x couples, one brother-sister double wedding (each separately one after the other) then one couple with the witnesses a couple I had married 10 years ago! My feet are tired but my heart is filled with joy!

Crazy day at City Hall between a loud noontime concert making it hard to be heard, a couple showing up at 1 pm for their 11:30 am appointment and a lost couple that were not on the 2nd floor for their ceremony. Fortunately the clerks had the bride’s cell # so we’re able to track them down. On the bright side they were all beautiful couples and I had 3 same s*x female couples today... getting ready for Pride maybe?

Tied my record today with 18 weddings at City Hall. The last one was the sweetest and I made my Recommended Daily Requirement of hugs.

I love marrying couples from the UK when there is bound to be beautiful hats at the gathering.

Cynthia Gregory - Wedding Officiant updated their business hours.

Friday was crazy at City Hall....many beautiful couples. One couple could not find their rings and were franticly searching though bags and purses. As time is an issue for marriages though the county clerk's office we used the bride's engagement ring and borrowed a ring from one of the witnesses for the groom. Hopefully the rings turn up back at home or in an unsearched bag.

When the groom has brain cancer I am in tears too. Love is strong!

In spite of the rain and grey days I've seen many sunny faces on my couples. Their joy is so contagious.

This is why I do this. Arrived at City Hall this morning to a beautiful thank you note, wedding photos and a part of the brides bouquet. She had made the bouquet herself honoring her mom and brother, both deceased with their favorite flowers and butterflies. What a blessing to do this work and bring more light and happiness into the world.

These photos of a recent wedding were taken by Olivia Smartt Photography. She captured the spirit and humor so beautifully. www.oliviasmartt.com

Lovely couple this quiet Monday morning. Much happiness to Vanessa and Chase

Sweetest couple yesterday. The wedding guests were all in elegant black and the music was provided by Lara on harp to add to the classy feel.
https://www.gigmasters.com/harp/lara-garner

Today was ring fiasco day at City Hall. First when I asked the groom who had the rings he called over his 4 year old son who opened the box. I saw the ring fall to the floor but dad did not an freaked seeing the empty box. I retrieved the ring and the ceremony went on. Then later before another ceremony when I asked who would be holding the rings the bride and groom panicked as they realized his brother was not there. Texts and calls ensued. The bride was literally in a sweat and kept apologizing for holding me up and saying we can do the ceremony without the rings. I calmed her and finally the brother comes running up the grand staircase at which point the mother of the bride pulled the ring box out of her purse. Being Korean she had not understood what all the fluster was about.

Ten couples happily hitched today at City Hall and now I'm off to a rehearsal for tomorrow's wedding at the Stable Cafe.

Such a fun and creative couple. They had made their own wedding rings and asked me to tell the story of forging them during the ceremony. Then everyone there blessed the rings and promised to support them in their marriage. what a powerful moment.

Today was a first. As I’m walking down a hallway at City Hall in my black robe a fellow asked if I was a nun or priest? No.... Judge then? No...I’m a wedding officiant. Oh! Guess I look pretty authoritative.

Took an extra shift today at City Hall and it was so joy filled. My heart is overflowing from all the love I was part of.

Friday the 13th at City Hall and I married 13 wonderful and unique couples. The indoor air quality was the only downer. I wore my mask while checking in couples and would take it off briefly to perform the ceremonies.

I had on bride of less than 5 feet in heels who married a guy over 6 feet. I had on groom in tears whose bride was wiping his face so lovingly. A cute couple in fifties attire, polka dots and pin stripes. The best man had attached the rings to his key chain then couldn't get it open. We laughed and giggled a bit over that.

I love doing this work....so much joy!

LoicPhoto.com just shared some wonderful photos from a City Hall wedding last week. Beautiful new family.

Sweetest Korean couple today. They made flowers for me too. And asked if I was learning Korean as I pronounced their names right...my trick was to have them send me a name sound file so I could practice.

Cynthia Gregory - Wedding Officiant updated their information in their About section.

Fun day at City Hall today. Lots of happy couples and one who had a sweet work around for their rings not being ready yet.

What a day at City Hall! With the bay bridge incident there were many anxious couples and late ones as well. But what fun, 3 same s*x couples to day. I always come to work here with a smile on y face. Love the love!

Wonderful le***an couple today from Manchester UK. Loved their wedding bouquet

Flower pup at a City Hall wedding yesterday. She was perfectly behaved for the procesdional