Five Things to Know About Will & Kate's Wedding Officiant

Sure, the eyes of the world will be trained on a certain prince and his fiancée in Westminster Abbey on April 29.

But they won't be the only ones to see in the wedding ceremony of the century. Meet the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams, who will officiate on the big day.
Read more

Are Mariah Carey & Nick Cannon Having Twins?

Ever since Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon confirmed their pregnancy news, the world has been wondering: Is it a boy or a girl? Maybe even multiples?

Read more

Cyber Monday Wedding Planning

Why shouldn't brides be able to enjoy the sales of Cyber Monday for their wedding planning?

In celebration, enjoy 20% OFF* your wedding ceremony package, if you place your deposit on Monday, November 29, 2010.

Use the promo CM10 to get your savings. Visit our website to select your wedding package or give us a call (310) 668-1608.

*20% OFF discount given to wedding ceremony package only - travel cost not included in discount. Wedding deposit must be received on Monday, November 29, 2010 to receive discount.

Beyond Black and White

You would think that in 2010, our world would have learned to be more loving and tolerant of diversity; of people loving those outside their race, but I find that is not always true. Being in love and being loved, is a wonderful experience.

I have had the wonderful experience of marrying numerous couples of various beliefs, and ethnic backgrounds. It is always interesting to hear how they present their facts; are they thinking that I would turn them away? No, I welcome you.

In reading the various blogs that lead me to other blogs across the internet, I stumbled upon a very interesting posting. I share with you only a portion. Please take a moment to visit her blog to read the rest.


My Story: Jumping the Broom with a White Boy
–Christelyn D. Karazin

Excerpt from Swirling: How to Date, Mate and Relate Mixing Race, Culture and Creed, to be released February 2011.

Marriage is for white people.

It’s hard to say what I felt exactly when I read that Washington Post editorial a few years ago—offended, outed, but mostly just sad. But finally, someone in the media had exposed the furtive secret, the dirty laundry. Despite the fact that my own parents had been married for 45 years, I learned early that marriage for whites and blacks was distinctly different—if it happened with blacks at all. In my pubescent, wide-eyed youth, I remember, hands clasped against one cheek, sighing my dreams of love, marriage, mutual understanding and cooperation to some friend or relative only for them to scoff...

Are You A Helicopter Parent?

Quiz: Are You a Helicopter Parent?

Helicopter Parenting describes parents who hover over their children and become too involved in their lives, including interfering in college or career decisions later in life. Are you headed in this direction with your child? Take our quiz to find out if you're hovering too much already.

View >>

Four In 10 Say Marriage Is Becoming Obsolete

A study by the Pew Research Center, in association with Time magazine, highlights rapidly changing notions of the American family. And the Census Bureau, too, is planning to incorporate broader definitions of family when measuring poverty, a shift caused partly by recent jumps in unmarried couples living together.

About 29 percent of children under 18 now live with a parent or parents who are unwed or no longer married, a fivefold increase from 1960, according to the Pew report being released Thursday. Broken down further, about 15 percent have parents who are divorced or separated and 14 percent who were never married. Within those two groups, a sizable chunk — 6 percent — have parents who are live-in couples who opted to raise kids together without getting married.

Indeed, about 39 percent of Americans said marriage was becoming obsolete. And that sentiment follows U.S. census data released in September that showed marriages hit an all-time low of 52 percent for adults 18 and over.

When asked what constitutes a family, the vast majority of Americans agree that a married couple, with or without children, fits that description. But four of five surveyed pointed also to an unmarried, opposite-sex couple with children or a single parent. Three of 5 people said a same-sex couple with children was a family.

To read this article in its entirety visit ABC News.

Don't Come Any Closer...

Finding happiness...Finding love...finding "the one"...this great quest is drummed into our collective heads from the time we are very young. The quest alone can kill you - or at least make you reevaluate your world on an almost daily basis. But, for purposes of today's diatribe, let's jump to the point where you've found the person you want to spend the rest of your life with.

Congratulations! Mazel Tov! Feliz...well, my Spanish is a bit rusty. . .


Like MichaelNYC story? Continue to read this funny (yet true) story : Read Story

Blessings All Around and New Life Pastoral Counseling Helping Bridal Couples to Succeed

Helping you plan your life together from "I Do" to Forever.

Blessings All Around, one of Long Beach’s leading sites for mobile wedding ceremony planning and Officiant services, just announced that Blessings All Around is teaming up with New Life Pastoral Counseling for premarital counseling services to wedding couples. New Life Pastoral Counseling provides integrated counseling services for numerous counseling needs.

New Life Pastoral Counseling, one of the most modern integrated pastoral counseling locations in Long Beach, CA, helps couples were they are. The programs used recognize each couple at their spiritual level. From quality of service to overall level of professionalism, the high level of service that bridal couples expect from Blessings All Around and other wedding vendors, can be found at New Life Pastoral Counseling.

“Blessings All Around, is so excited to work with New Life Pastoral Counseling. So many couples wish to start their marriage with all the right tools. They don’t want to become another divorce statistic. Premarital Counseling, can give them that great start.” said Lisa Johnson, Assistant to Rev. Chester.

Blessings All Around will continue to provide the same high quality mobile Officiant services within the Los Angeles County and Orange County areas. Blessings All Around can be found across the WeddingWire network, which includes WeddingWire, Martha Stewart Weddings, Project Wedding and Weddingbee.

For more information, please visit the Blessings All Around or New Life Pastoral Counseling websites.

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About
Rev. Angela Butts Chester, is a pioneer in the field of family destiny fulfillment. As a Pastoral Counselor, she blends a motivational spirit with a love for helping others, into a system that shows families how to keep the happiness, love, prosperity and abundance within the household.

Following in her family’s footsteps, she became an ordained minister in 2005. Starting a family ministry was a must for Rev. Chester, thus Blessings All Around was born. This blessing ministry not only focuses on marrying couples, but various ceremonies that form bonds and traditions; ways to keep the family together.

Rev. Chester has taken her expertise to the Internet. As the host of I Do Radio, she discusses wedding issues to assist engaged couples with ceremony dos-and-don'ts and wedding vendor issues.

As the author of Before You Tie The Knot - A Premarital Counseling Workbook For The DIY Couple, Angela Chester Ministries, focuses on keeping you on track and faith focused.

Wedding Ceremony Alternative

Many brides are looking for an alternative to the expensive wedding with all the fluff. Some brides, want the fluff (and have dreamed of it since she was 5 years old), but just don’t have the budget. Blessings All Around, has a solution.

The Just for Two package offered by Blessings All Around, is a wonderful way to celebrate your union. This private wedding provides all you the alternative of not getting married at the County Clerk’s office.

Add a “special touch” to your wedding, to personalize it. Choose from sand ceremony, unity candle, holy communion, bread & wine ceremony and the rose ceremony as additional items to add that special pizzazz to your day.

Just for Two Package $100

Great for the eloping couple or those wishing to have a private ceremony. Travel limited to Downtown Long Beach only.

3 Signs of a Bridezilla

Planning your wedding need not turn you into the wicked witch of the west. Learning to designate tasks to others will help you in keeping the stress down and the arguments to a minimal. If you are being told by members of your bridal party that you are becoming "too much" to deal with, maybe you should listen.

It is quite easy to get completely wrapped up in the planning of a wedding, so much so, Bridezilla inevitably emerges as your alter ego. Here are 3 signs that you are turning into the Bridezilla:

1. Mico-Management: Despite having a wedding planner, she is determined to tell every vendor how to do their job down to the last detail. She has paid hundreds or even thousands of dollars to have everything just right, but does not trust that the professionals she's hired will not do the job properly.

2. Ungratefulness: If she is showing signs of being impatient, becoming over bearing and bossy, Bridezilla may be just around the corner. She must remember that her girlfriends and family members don't have to do the tasks they are doing. They are assisting on your special day because they love and care for you.


3. Being Ignored: Are your friends dropping like flies? Are they ignoring your calls and won't return your texts or emails? You have become to much to deal with and they need a break. This is done in an effort to give you a nonverbal warning that you have become a Bridezilla; they just don't want to tell you.

Remember, the professionals that you have hired, are just that - Professionals. They are good in their field and will make your day as you have specified. Your friends and family members are there to help you, not take on your abuse. Be mindful of your attitude and actions at all times. If you are feeling overwhelmed, tell someone. Keep your Bridezilla at bay.

Can You Bless My Dog?

Saturday, October 2nd, I was a part of a wonderful experience. The annual Interfaith Blessing of the Animals in Long Beach in association with Justin Rudd. I just love the community projects and events that Justin hosts (My kids participate in the Saturday beach clean up).

Saturday, I knew that I would enjoy being around all of the animals, but this was more exciting than I had imagined. I've always had a dog or cat in my life growing up, so I was really looking forward to it. Little did I realize that I would leave, just as blessed as the animals had been that day.

I got doggie kisses from a beautiful poodle with red ribbons and a good hand lick from Lola the bull dog. There were so many animals, it's now hard to remember all the names. But I do remember how great I felt during the event. The love the animals had for their owners and the love the owners had for their 2 or 4 legged family members was just great.

I look forward to being a part of this great blessing event, every year that I can.

Interfaith Blessing of the Animals for Household Pets & Some Exotic Animals

Interfaith Blessing of the Animals for Household Pets & Some Exotic Animals
More than 300 animals to be blessed

BRING YOUR PETS

WE WILL BLESS THE PETS, Sat., Oct. 2, 2010 at noon. The Interfaith Blessing of the Animals presented by Haute Dogs and Justin Rudd is free to the public and their pets.

Seniors, families, singles, and children, are encouraged to bring their dogs, cats, birds, lizards, rabbits, pot-bellied pigs, fish, tortoises and turtles and other well-behaved pets. Some exotic pets are being brought from a professional wildlife education organization include Exotic and out-of-the-ordinary guests at this year's Blessing will include:
- Red-tailed Hawk
- Red Tegu
4 7' albino Burmese python - can grow to be the length of a school bus making them the third largest type of snake in the world!
- Bobcat
- Fennec
- Porcupine
- Two-toed Sloth
4 Serval wildcat - Leptailurus serval, is a medium-sized African wild cat under 50 lbs. and is one of the only cats with both spots and stripes and can jump incredibly high to catch its food!
- pig
- chinchilla
4 Monitor lizard - is a scavenger that eats the food lions and other carnivores leave behind. They are also related to the Komodo dragon, the largest and scariest lizard on the planet!
- opossum
- Dumeril Boa
- Horse
- Lamb

WE WILL ALSO HAVE a moment of blessing, silence and vigil at the beginning of the service for pets who are unfortunately involved with sport dog fighting and other inhumane, unethical treatment.

After brief words from each of the faith leaders (listed below), the menagerie of participants will have the opportunity to line up single-file to be blessed by the faith leaders who will be dressed in traditional garb. Olive branches and holy water will be available. Choose one, or get blessed by all of the clergy (listed below).

THE EVENT will last approx. 45 minutes. It's important to recognize and honor the great bond and relationship between pets and their people. The religious leaders will talk or pray briefly on the interconnections among all living beings.

SPONSORS
Justin Rudd's nonprofit 501c3 Community Action Team (C.A.T.), Gazette Newspapers, and Haute Dogs.

ON-SITE VET
Dr. Greg Perrault, Cats & Dogs Animal Hospital in Long Beach.

WeddingWire Goes Mobile

Leading Wedding Technology Company Launches First Mobilized Site

BETHESDA, MD, Sep 29, 2010 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- WeddingWire, the nation's leading wedding technology company, announces the launch of their mobile site, m.WeddingWire.com. As the first mobilized site in the wedding industry, m.WeddingWire.com allows engaged couples to easily plan their wedding while on-the-go. The mobile site provides easy access to more than 100,000 local wedding professionals on WeddingWire, along with hundreds of thousands of wedding reviews.

"Mobile adoption is advancing at an extremely rapid pace and engaged couples expect information to be quickly and readily available on their phones," says Timothy Chi, WeddingWire CEO. "We are excited to create the first mobilized wedding planning site in order to better serve our growing audience of tech-savvy engaged couples. In addition, we are able to provide our community of wedding professionals with a mobilized platform to promote their business."

The introduction of the mobile site is yet another example of WeddingWire's continued commitment to providing the most up-to-date features and tools for their users. The new user-friendly site makes it simple for engaged couples to locate wedding vendors, read reviews, view local events, and find local deals directly from their phones. With this new site, WeddingWire provides quick and easy access to the most important components of planning a modern-day wedding.

To view WeddingWire's mobile site, please visit m.WeddingWire.com using your mobile browser.

Read more at: http://www.weddingwire.com/press-center/press-releases/2010/weddingwire-goes-mobile.html

About WeddingWire, Inc.:

WeddingWire, the nation's leading technology company serving the $70 billion wedding industry, is the only online wedding planning resource designed to empower both engaged couples and wedding professionals. For engaged couples, WeddingWire offers the ability to search, compare and book more than 100,000 local wedding vendors, from wedding venues to wedding photographers to wedding cakes. WeddingWire also offers an online community and a suite of cutting-edge planning tools for weddings, including wedding websites, all at no charge. For wedding professionals, WeddingWire provides free online management tools creating the only market opportunity that gives local businesses control over their clients, reviews, leads and performance. Businesses that join the WeddingWire Network appear on WeddingWire.com and other leading sites, including MarthaStewartWeddings.com /quotes/comstock/13*!mso/quotes/nls/mso (MSO 4.75, +0.02, +0.42%) , ProjectWedding.com and Weddingbee.com (both part of eHarmony), and Celebrations.com (part of the 1-800-Flowers family of brands, (NASDAQ: FLWS)).

The Little Tree Church in Tustin, CA

I had the opportunity to perform a wonderful infant baptism in Tustin this past week. Since I am a mobile officiant, I am able to visit various venues within Southern California. I was given the description “ a little church in the middle of it all”. It was just that. I loved the location so much, I thought that I would share it with you.

The Story of the Little Tree Church:
After we completed the construction of Jamestown Village in 1962, I was in a quandary as to what to do with the oak tree that used to stand at the corner of the barn before the buildings were demolished. Jamestown Village, incidentally, is the site of the old Crawford farm house.

I felt that I should do something special around this oak tree. Flowers? Everybody plants flowers. A tree house? No, kids would get hurt. Then my thoughts drifted back to my childhood in Columbia, Tennessee.

There back about 1912, I used to drive my grandmother, in a horse and buggy, six miles into the country once about every three months to the Hopewell Church that she attended before the Civil War. That gave me the idea, and the solution for the oak tree.

So the little tree church is actually Grandma’s church in miniature. But with the oak tree growing through the middle of it.

It seats eight people, has an organ. The pulpit is made of a large rock elevated on brick up to pulpit height.
The church is often used for weddings. The atmosphere here is more romantic than the large churches offer and the couple doesn’t have that big bill hanging over their heads to spoil the honeymoon.
--- C.T. Gilbreath – about 1970


The tree has since been removed, however, the charm of this little church has not changed. This was the perfect place to hold a baptism.

Need a place to hold your special event or wedding – this is it!

Before You Tie The Knot Premarital Education Webinar

BEFORE YOU TIE THE KNOT, is for the modern couple. This couple wishes to educate themselves in all things pre-marital. Done in a webinar format; We know that that you are extremely busy and we value your time.

When people say “counseling”, they think only of dreaded marriage counseling that is performed when there is an issue to solve and move past. This is premarital education.

Premarital education should be thought of as writing the manual for your married life. Webinar is 2 hours. Done in a Q & A format, there are no right or wrong answers.

Session 1
- Relationships
- Finances
- Home
- Housekeeping

Session 2
- Children & Parenting
- Social Activities
- Red Flag Warnings

Getting married in Los Angeles or Orange County?

Blessings All Around provides Officiant services. After completing session 1 or 2, a 10% discount is given when hired.

Online Ticketing for Before You Tie The Knot Premarital Education Webinar
(Session 1) powered by Eventbrite

How To Choose The Bridal Party

When planning your wedding you want to have helpful people around you. One way to make sure that happens, is to select the right people for each job.

Not sure of the duties for the bridesmaids or groomsmen? Not only will we go over suggested positions but a description of each job.

FREE teleseminar

Event registration for How To Choose The Bridal Party powered by Eventbrite

Just For Two Marriage Planning - Long Beach

JUST FOR TWO is for the couple who wishes to start their marriage on the right foot- fully informed - with a plan.

Just for Two weekend session is offered as a way for you and your fiance(e) to get a true understanding of what topics cause derailments in a relationship. Formatted to help you and your fiance(e) better understand what to expect during your marriage. Think of this session as writing the instruction book for your married life.


During the weekend session, we will discuss the topics mentioned below. Select from 2 different times 11am - 3pm and 4pm - 8pm. Done in a Q & A format, there are no right or wrong answers. Includes all needed materials.

Topics of discussion

- Relationships
- Finances
- Home
- Housekeeping

- Children & Parenting
- Social Activities
- Red Flag Warnings

A certificate of completion will be given at the end of the session.

Getting married in Los Angeles or Orange County? Blessings All Around provides Officiant services.

Event Registration Online for Just For Two Marriage Planning - Long Beach powered by Eventbrite

Women of Wisdom and Understanding

Women of Wisdom and Understanding - your journey towards mutual understanding and better communication in your marriage. Married 5 months, 5 years or 50 years, learning the steps of P-I-L-L-A-R can strengthen the relationship you have with your husband.

Learning to use the steps of P-I-L-L-A-R will help you be the best wife that you can be for your husband, the way your husband needs you to. Men and women are different, but that doesn't mean that our relationship needs to be difficult.

Join us for this great teleseminar. Choose from the following times:

• 11am - 12pm
  
• 1pm - 2pm
• 4pm - 5pm
• 6pm - 7pm
  

You can have the marriage that you've always wanted.

Event management for Women of Wisdom and Understanding powered by Eventbrite

Wedding Ceremony Planning 101

Need to plan your wedding ceremony but don't know where to start? Start here: Wedding Ceremony Planning 101.

Learn the different types of ceremonies available, why the time of day makes a difference, how to select your wedding party members and much more.

Helping you make great decisions!




Attend this workshop to get 10% off your wedding ceremony package! Blessings All Around offers mobile officiant service for Long Beach, the greater Los Angeles area and Orange County.

Online Ticketing for Wedding Ceremony Planning 101 (Long Beach) powered by Eventbrite

Vernon Baker, extraordinary hero dies

By Larry Shaughnessy, CNN Pentagon Producer

July 15, 2010 6:58 p.m. EDT

Vernon Baker, left, here with President Bill Clinton, earned a Medal of Honor for his actions during World War II.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Baker, who received the Medal of Honor more than 50 years after his heroic acts, dies at 90
• He took out several machine gun nests firing on his unit in Italy
• The U.S. government admitted racism was a factor in Medal of Honor decisions
• "I just feel I was a soldier and I did my job," Baker said after the 1997 ceremony

Washington (CNN) -- Vernon Baker earned a Medal of Honor for his actions during World War II. But because of what the U.S. government acknowledges was racism against African-Americans who performed heroically in the war, it took more than 50 years for him to get what he had earned.

Baker, one of only seven African-Americans to receive the nation's highest military honor from World War II, died Tuesday at his home in Idaho, according to his hometown police and coroner's offices.

He passed away after a long battle with cancer. His wife and members of his family were by his side. He was 90 years old.

Baker was orphaned at the age of 4, and was raised first by his grandparents and later at Father Flanagan's Boys Town in Nebraska.

He joined the Army six months before the Pearl Harbor attack and was part of the 92nd Infantry Division, the first unit of "colored" soldiers to see combat in World War II.

He eventually rose to the rank of lieutenant and was leading a platoon against entrenched German machine gun nests near Viareggio, Italy, on April 5, 1945.

His official Medal of Honor citation describes what he did:

"When his company was stopped by the concentration of fire from several machine gun emplacements, he crawled to one position and destroyed it, killing three Germans. Continuing forward, he attacked and enemy observation post and killed two occupants. With the aid of one of his men, Lieutenant Baker attacked two more machine gun nests, killing or wounding the four enemy soldiers occupying these positions. He then covered the evacuation of the wounded personnel of his company by occupying an exposed position and drawing the enemy's fire."

After spending the better part of a day putting his life at risk to lead his unit, Baker was back in action the next evening:

"On the following night Lieutenant Baker voluntarily led a battalion advance through enemy mine fields and heavy fire toward the division objective."

Baker was originally awarded the Army's Distinguished Service Cross for his action. But in the early 1990s, a study was done to find why none of the more than 400 World War II Medal of Honor recipients was black. The study found "a racial disparity in the way Medal of Honor recipients were selected."

Seven African American heroes from World War II were chosen to receive the Medal of Honor from President Bill Clinton. Four of them had died in the war, and two others had died in the time since the war. Only Baker was at the White House to have the iconic star and pale blue ribbon draped around his neck.

During an interview with CNN before the White House ceremony on January 13, 1997, Baker spoke about the racism that delayed recognition of him and his fellow Medal of Honor recipients: "As I look back on it, it really makes me feel sad that we did our job, we fought, but we weren't appreciated"

After the White House ceremony, Baker told CNN, "I still don't feel like a hero. I just feel I was a soldier and I did my job, and I think I was rewarded for it."

Baker is survived by his wife, Heidy, and five children. He is expected to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors.

Michelle Obama to visit Gulf Coast

First lady Michelle Obama

CAPTION

By Alex Wong, Getty Images

July 8, 2010 -- WASHINGTON -- First lady Michelle Obama on Monday will make her first trip to the Gulf Coast since the BP oil spill by visiting Panama City Beach, Fla., aides said today.

She will deliver a speech to area residents after being briefed by officials and local leaders, aides said. The briefing largely will be closed to the press.

"We are excited to have the first lady come," said Gayle Oberst, mayor of the Florida Panhandle community of 13, 453. "Tourism is the lifeblood of our city and county and we are seeing drastic changes in the way people feel about coming to the world's most beautiful beaches if there is a possibility of oil being on the sands." (read more)

First lady Michelle Obama

PHOTOGRAPHY

By Alex Wong, Getty Images

Blessings All Around is WeddingWire Rated for 2010

Press Release

Long Beach, Ca – July 7, 2010 WeddingWire, the nation's leading site for wedding reviews, just announced that Blessings All Around is WeddingWire Rated 2010 for wedding Officiant services. WeddingWire Rated is an annual award program for wedding professionals based on hundreds of thousands of recent wedding reviews.

WeddingWire Rated, the industry's first formalized review program, is the most recognized and trusted brand among engaged couples looking to locate wedding businesses. The award program recognizes wedding professionals across the country, like Blessings All Around, that have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to service.

These reviews have been written by past clients of Blessings All Around, and include detailed ratings and insightful descriptions of the newlyweds' experience. From quality of service to overall level of professionalism, these reviews showcase the high level of service newly engaged couples can expect from Blessings All Around.

"We are excited to unveil WeddingWire Rated, now in its fourth year, as a way to recognize wedding professionals for their commitment to service," said Timothy Chi, WeddingWire's CEO. "WeddingWire Rated allows wedding businesses to clearly differentiate themselves in their market, while providing engaged couples an easy way to find the best services for their wedding."

Blessings All Aaround, would like to thank their past clients for sharing reviews of their weddings on WeddingWire. Reviews for Blessings All Around can be found across the entire WeddingWire Network, which includes WeddingWire, Martha Stewart Weddings, Project Wedding and Weddingbee.

For more information, please visit Blessings All Around on WeddingWire .

Rev. Angela Butts-Chester is a Pastoral Counselor in Long Beach, Ca, with Angela Chester Ministries. She offers Officiant services with Blessings All Around and hosts I Do Radio. Rev. Chester is the author of Before You Tie The Knot –A Premarital Counseling Workbook for the DIY Couple.

About WeddingWire, Inc.
WeddingWire, the nation's leading technology company serving the $70 billion wedding industry, is the only online wedding planning resource designed to empower both engaged couples and wedding professionals. For e ngaged couples, WeddingWire offers the ability to search, compare and book over 100,000 local wedding vendors, from wedding venues to wedding photographers to wedding cakes. WeddingWire also offers an online community and a suite of cutting-edge planning tools for weddings, including wedding websites, all at no charge. For wedding professionals, WeddingWire provides free online management tools creating the only market opportunity that gives local businesses control over their clients, reviews, leads and performance. Businesses that join the WeddingWire Network appear on WeddingWire.com and other leading sites, including MarthaStewartWeddings.com, ProjectWedding.com and Weddingbee.com (both part of eHarmony), and Celebrations.com (part of the 1-800-Flowers family of brands).

Long Beach Museum of Art

I married a wonderful couple on July 4th - Tiffany & Jerry - at the Long Beach Museum of Art on Ocean Blvd., in Long Beach. The view was gorgeous. Deciding to use a rich cocoa-brown for the table drape, everyone had a view of the Pacific Ocean.

Getting married at a museum may not be your first choice, but with a view like this, at least place it on your list. I love being a mobile officiant for this very reason - finding new places to pass on to my bridal couples.

Betty Reckas Cultural Center

Sunday, I married a wonderful couple (Kris & Roosevelt) at the Betty Reckas Cultural Center in Long Beach. Being a mobile officiant, I have the pleasure of traveling to great locations. The Betty Reckas Cultural Center is just that - a great location, tucked away in plan view.

The blue domed roof is very obvious from Pacific Coast Highway, yet you zip right past it. I was glad that Khristina did not. Her mother being Greek Orthodox, this was the perfect location for them. Not using the sanctuary instead opting for the "garden area" for a beautiful summertime wedding.

If you are looking for a great location, try the Betty Reckas Cultural Center in Long Beach.

Photos by Brian Khang. Photo is not of Kris & Roosevelt. Click photo to visit Brian's website.

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Gulf Oil Spill Day of Prayer, Sunday, June 27, 2010

Blessings All Around and Angela Chester Ministries join with Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal for a day of prayer. Gov. Bobby Jindal has called for prayer in Louisiana, for perseverance in coping with the environmental crisis caused by the oil spill in the Gulf. The day of prayer is Sunday, June 27, 2010.

State senators in Louisiana have designated Sunday as a day of prayer aimed at seeking an end to the Gulf of Mexico oil spill disaster. On Wednesday, Louisiana state Sen. Robert Adley won unanimous approval of the resolution, which invites people of all faiths from within the state and around the U.S. to focus on divine intervention to find a solution to the crisis.

“You don’t have to live in Louisiana to understand the pain and anxiety that the families are feeling. Seeing the pictures of the birds covered in oil is heart wrenching. The oil spill affects all of us - East coast, West coast, Gulf coast.”, explained Angela Chester Ministries’ Spokesperson Rev. Angela Butts-Chester.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry also has declared Sunday a day of prayer in his state.

Rev. Angela Butts-Chester is a Pastoral Counselor in Long Beach, Ca, with Angela Chester Ministries. She offers Officiant services with Blessings All Around and hosts I Do Radio. Rev. Chester is the author of Before You Tie The Knot –A Premarital Counseling Workbook for the DIY Couple.

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The Best Man (Understanding Your Wife) teleseminar

The Best Man - your wife could have selected. Why not learn how to best communicate with her? Join us on the path towards mutual understanding and better communication for your marriage. Married 2 years or 20 years, learning the steps of W-I-S-H-E-D can strengthen the relationship you have with your wife.

Learning to use the steps of W-I-S-H-E-D will help you be the best husband that you can be, the way your wife needs you to. Men and women are different, but that doesn't mean your relationship needs to be difficult.

Join us for this great teleseminar.

Event registration for The Best Man (Understanding Your Wife) powered by Eventbrite

Women of Wisdom and Understanding

Women of Wisdom and Understanding - your journey towards mutual understanding and better communication in your marriage. Married 5 months, 5 years or 50 years, learning the steps of P-I-L-L-A-R can strengthen the relationship you have with your husband.

Learning to use the steps of P-I-L-L-A-R will help you be the best wife that you can be for your husband; the way your husband needs you to. Men and women are different, but that doesn't mean that your relationship needs to be difficult.

You can have the marriage that you've always wanted.

Select your date & time: June 24, 2010 @ 11am or 5pm

Creative Save-the-Dates - DIY

Brides are always looking for ways to save money on wedding expenses, without looking like they've cut their budget. Well, save the dates have helped many a bride do just that.

I came across these wonder idea via Martha Stewart weddings. Check it out: Ribbon Reminder - Creative Save-the-Dates - DIY - MarthaStewartWeddings.com

Vera Wang dishes about Jennifer Lopez' wedding gown | OneWed.com

We recently reported on how Vera Wang, wedding dress designer to the stars, will be featuring a line of cheaper gowns at David's Bridal. Still, it looks like the woman isn't completely letting go of her uber-opulent items.

Read more here:
Vera Wang dishes about Jennifer Lopez' wedding gown

Trends in Southern California day spas - latimes.com

It must be confusing to run a spa these days. The recession has prompted cutbacks in spending on luxury goods and services, the demanding Baby Boom generation is still seeking the fountain of youth, and discerning clients are using words such as "wellness" and "eco" as they book their treatments.

And they want the results in less than an hour. Read more...Trends in Southern California day spas - latimes.com

Wedding in La Mirada

Saturday, I preformed a wedding at the La Mirada Golf Course. I've performed several weddings here, so I thought I would mention it to those of you looking for a nice place to hold your wedding and reception.

The view is nice and relaxing; very cool atmosphere - not to hot or shaded. The gazebo made for a nice ceremony. I was able to get the wedding couple, the BM & MoH in the space and not feel crowded for the ring vows & a sand ceremony. Natalie, was the assistant for that wedding - she was very helpful.

"With a terrace overlooking the golf course and a ballroom with beautiful golf course views, La Mirada is the ideal setting for your next event." Take a moment to find out more here.

Wedding Wire and Blessings All Around Make Great Partners

WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding technology company, has just announced that Blessings All Around is officially WeddingWire Rated 2009! WeddingWire created the annual Rated program to honor wedding professionals, like Blessings All Around for their excellence and to help brides and grooms easily find the right wedding professionals to match their needs.

“We are excited to unveil WeddingWire Rated 2009, now in its third year. With hundreds of thousands of reviews, WeddingWire has made it easy for engaged couples to find the nation’s very best wedding professionals,” according to Sonny Ganguly, WeddingWire’s Chief Marketing Officer. “WeddingWire Rated is an excellent way for businesses to showcase their continued success in the wedding industry.”

Blessings All Around has a 5 Star rating, making us eligible to hold the Rated title on the WeddingWire Network. Each review has been written by our former clients and includes detailed ratings and insightful descriptions of their experiences with our services. These reviews not only enhance our credibility, but also help differentiate our business within the WeddingWire Network.

Blessings All Around and Rev. Angela Butts Chester, would like to thank our past brides and grooms for taking the time to review our services on WeddingWire.

If you are a past client of Blessings All Around and have yet to provide us with your feedback, visit the Blessings All Around WeddingWire page and review our services today.