I was honored to perform the wedding of Michael and Paige at Carrie Cerno’s in North Royalton. Thankfully, it was indoors since it was pretty warm that day. This young couple was so excited to celebrate with all their friends and family. Paige looked beautiful in an ivory, brocade gown. Their colors were pink and grey so Michael and his groomsmen were in grey pants and suspenders with pink ties. The hall was decorated in pink sequins everywhere - tablecloths, sashes around the chairs and huge pink sequined drapes where the ceremony was performed. It made for quite a glittery and festive atmosphere. What a a joyous evening I am sure everyone had. Wishing them much love and happiness in their new life together.
Wedding Words of Wisdom - July 22, 2019
I was honored to perform the wedding of Tom and Jeric in the beautiful garden at their home in Cleveland. Tom gardens as a hobby and he had the flower garden arranged with a lovely area for the ceremony. An intimate group of friends and family witnessed these two committed men.
Jeric is from Thailand where gay marriages are not allowed so I was very happy to perform the wedding here for them.
They wore matching beige vests and slacks with white sneakers and looked quite handsome. After the ceremony, the guests were treated to a wedding cake with a two-man, groom and groom, topper.
It was a perfect evening for a perfect couple. Wishing them a life of love and prosperity.
Wedding Words of Wisdom - 7.4.19
Dustin and Dana celebrated the 4th of July with a bang - by getting married! Their red, white and blue wedding took place at Allardale Lodge in Medina. This is a new facility just finished last year and is very rustic made out of all natural wood. It is just beautiful inside and out. And so are Dustin and Dana. Two very sweet and loving people who I was honored to marry on this very hot and humid afternoon. We were all drenched with sweat by the end of the ceremony in the sun but no one cared. There was so much joy in the air.
Dana looked exquisite in a form-fitting all lace, ivory dress on her tiny figure. Dustin and his groomsmen wore blue vests and pants with red ties. The bridesmaids were in red lace. I even got in the 4th of July spirit by having my nails and toe nails painted red, white and blue. :)
Dana loves birds and has a room in their home as an aviary. Her wedding would not have been complete without some of her dear pets in attendance. So she had a huge wire cage in the shape of a house with two of her small birds. The top of the house had an opening for guests to put their wedding cards in. Very clever and pretty.
Wishing this lovely couple and their two children much love and happiness together.
Wedding Words of Wisdom - 6.23.19
Just about six months ago, I was honored to marry Bill and Sandy Snow in their home in Brecksville. They had only been dating for a year but have known each other since Kindergarten. Both were married and now widowed. The met up again at none other than their class reunion. It didn’t take long for them to know that they wanted to be together for the rest of their lives.
Since they were going on a three week vacation visiting family around the country, they decided that they wanted to make it legal before they went so they could announce their happiness to each family member. in person. So the “real” wedding took place in January.
This past week a wonderful renewal of those vows took place at Woodside Event Center in Brecksville. This time they had a full wedding party complete with their two children and four grandchildren. Over 100 guests witnessed this love story firsthand. There were no nerves this time around - just pure joy.
The bride and groom were beaming from the moment we started and I am sure are still smiling. The ceremony was even more meaningful the second time around accompanied by an incredible string trio. The bride and groom walked in together to Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” and the grandchildren walked in to “When you Wish Upon a Star.” So very special for two very special people. Wishing them so much love and happiness!
Baby Blessing - 6.14.19
What a beautiful day for a Baby Blessing. The honor was all mine to perform a baby blessing for Xavier Matthew Midea. this afternoon. Parents Miranda and Stephen were beaming with pride with their adorable little boy.
The blessing ceremony was held at Plum Creek Park in Brunswick Hills. This lucky little guy is blessed with four godparents and five grandparents.
Just when we were ready to begin, Xavier had other plans. He decided he was hungry and wanted to eat right then. But no one cared that the ceremony was just a bit delayed.
So then when his little tummy was full, he was quite happy to cooperate and gurgled and smiled all the way through the ceremony - including his blessing with rose petals in blessed water.
All present vowed to bless, protect, love and support Xavier for the rest of his life. And what a blessing for me to be a small part of this beautiful day for Xavier, Miranda and Stephen. Wishing them a happy and healthy life together.
Wedding Words of Wisdom - 6.7.19
Another perfect day for a wedding in Cleveland - 77 degrees, sunny and blue skies. Ben and Sarah picked a very unique venue for their wedding. They rented out the restaurant Toast in the Gordon Square District. Very, very cool. The wedding ceremony took place in a patio area at the back of the restaurant in front of a gigantic tree. It was a bit tight for 80 guests but no one seemed to mind in such a joyous atmosphere.
Both the bride and groom said their vows and ring exchange with such love and devotion. It was very sweet. And Evie, Sarah’s 11-year old daughter, did a reading that was just perfect. She was very composed and delivered it quite nicely.
These are two of the nicest people I’ve married. Very down-to-earth, sincere and very personable. They certainly make a very special couple. Sarah had an extraordinary dress that I wish I had gotten a better photo of. It was kind of vintage looking being form fitting on the torso and fanning out at the bottom. She wore it very well and looked just stunning. Ben was smartly dressed with a blue suit and brown shoes - a very “in” fashion these days.
Ben’s 99 year-old grandmother was in attendance. What a great memory for couple and their family. No doubt these two will have a wonderful life full of love and happiness. I am so grateful for meeting them and being a small part of their special day.
Wedding Words of Wisdom - 5.31.19
The perfect day for a perfect couple. I married John and Barbara at the beautiful Blue Heron Brewery and Event Center in Medina. The country club has been re-landscaped and it is now an incredible venue for a wedding. This was a small wedding party with just the bride’s sister as Maid of Honor and the groom’s son as Best Man. What a lovely couple and so much in love - and in common. They are both accomplished ballroom dancers and had a prepared dance number planned for the reception. I’m sure they were wonderful.
Barbara was a bit nervous about repeating the vows and ring exchange because she has a Polish accent. So we rehearsed right before the ceremony. Of course, she said them both flawlessly. And John, who has a personality bigger than life, said his with such loving emotion. I love performing weddings with couples who have found true love later in life. After experiencing life over some years, they now know exactly what they are looking for in a spouse and know it when they see it. I have no doubt that these two lovely people will have a future of love and happiness. Wising them only the best. It was my privilege to be part of their special day.
Wedding Words of Wisdom - 5.25.19
So what do I do when I am sick and I have a wedding to perform? Fortunately, the wedding of Rafael and Robin took place right at the beginning of a bout with an upper respiratory infection. I was just starting to cough after three days of a sore throat. So I drank hot tea and sucked on many cough drops on the way to the wedding and right before. Then I got so involved with the job that needed to be done that I didn’t cough at all during the ceremony. Although I did sound just a bit weird but I don’t think anyone noticed. Certainly not the bride and groom.
These two were so very happy to be getting married. Apparently, they have had some rough times but their love took them through it and i know their love will only grow now. Plus, they have the most adorable two and half year old daughter, Isabella., that makes their life together complete.
This was the first wedding I ever performed in a quonset hut. I think it was a real one on the grounds of an Amvets Post in Elyria. It was a good thing since it was sprinkling that afternoon. The family and guests couldn’t have been happier for this sweet young couple. I wish I could have stayed for the margarita bar they had set up at the reception! :)
Robin looked lovely in a simple, classic white sheath dress and Rafael and his groomsmen all wore the same baby blue golf shirts. Casual and comfortable for all except Robin who had fabulous, very high heels on. They were immediately traded for flip flops after the wedding being she said she couldn’t feel her feet anymore. I say - ladies, go for comfort!
Robin and Rafael wrote their own very heartfelt vows - not too many of my couples do. They made the ceremony even more special. Robin and Rafael are the perfect example of “All you need is Love.” Wishing them many years of it.
Wedding Words of Wisdom - 5.11.19
This was the first of two weddings this weekend. And this one was a surprise! Not for me or the bride and groom - but for the parents and their family. Eldin and Sara graduated from college in the morning. Then their parents and family thought they were going to a graduation party at 6:00 p.m. at the beautiful new Shady Hollow Lodge in Sand Run Metro Park in Akron. The photographer had the group walk around the building instead of going through it to where the wedding was going to be held. And the first thing they saw was a chalkboard sign that said Surprise! Eldin and Sara with a bride and groom silhouette below and the date. How fun is that?
The weather cooperated and the ceremony took place outside in a back area with the incredible forest of Sand Run surrounding us. Eldin and Sara were as excited as could be. Eldin’s parents and Sara’s mother still looked like they couldn’t believe what was happening. It was one of the most joyous weddings in my experience.
Sara had a stunning dress not only in style but in color. It was a soft grey that almost looked sliver. She looked just beautiful in it. Eldin was very handsome in a stylish blue suit and bow tie.
These two very bright young people have an incredible life awaiting them. I know they will be blessed with a life of love and happiness.
Wedding Words of Wisdom -5.12.19
What better way to celebrate Mother’s Day than to get married to your ex! This sweet couple, Mike and Chris, were married for 17 years and divorced for seven. Now they have committed to love each other and share the rest of their lives with each other. On a cloudy day with just a slight drizzle of rain, they renewed the commitment they made 29 years ago in front of family, friends and their adorable granddaughter, Olivia. I married Olivia’s parents, Joe and Amanda, last year where she stole the show then and now. This tender ceremony took place in the gazebo in Brecksville Square so no one minded the little bit of rain.
As I stated in the ceremony, their decision to remarry showed that they never stopped loving one another and that their marriage will be strengthened by the love and respect they show each other every day. It is by love that their marriage will endure.
I know that this lovely couple will have a joyous life together. Wishing them love, happiness and peace.
Wedding Words of Wisdom - 5.4.19
46 degrees. Grey skies. Drizzling rain. Not exactly the perfect day in spring for a wedding. But there were no dampened spirits at Ryan and Jen’s wedding at the Greek Garden in Cleveland on May 4. This lovely garden is one of the many along Martin Luther King Blvd. that is part of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens.
Jennifer looked radiant in an exquisite ivory laced gown and Ryan quite handsome in a fashionable blue suit with matching bow tie. From looking at these two you could not see any disappointment about the uncooperative weather. They were both so happy that this was their wedding day and they were not going to let anything ruin it. And their English Bulldog, Moose, who was in the wedding party, certainly didn’t mind a bit of rain.
The mothers distributed clear umbrellas to the 150 guests who didn’t seem to mind much either. The service was only 18 minutes so everyone was quite courteous although there was a bit of confusion trying to go through a receiving line. Though that was actually more because of the setup of the garden than the rain. The wedding planner help an umbrella for me while I signed the marriage license and then I scurried out of there to warm up.
It’s always good to have a Plan B for weather since this is Northeast Ohio. And Ryan and Jen could have held the ceremony at the reception venue. But they chose not to and for the most part it worked out just right. What’s a little misty rain and cool temperatures when surrounded by such love? This was just the first of many challenges in their life together and something tells me that they will be able to handle anything that comes along. Wishing them the best!
Wedding Words of Wisdom - 4.20.19
The wedding of Paul and Melvin was one of the sweetest and most moving weddings I have ever performed. This couple met online two years ago and have been together ever since. The small, intimate wedding was held at their home in Maple Heights, right around the corner from where I grew up.
With their close family and friends in attendance, they very emotionally said their vows. I sensed that they they never thought that they would find the love that they share. I was so honored to a part of this very special union.
They both looked quite handsome in their colorful shirts and ties. Beautiful bouquets of rainbow colored flowers decorated the living room along with their Amazon parrot who was quietly witnessing the ceremony right next to us in his huge cage. They were surprised that he was so quiet. I think he was basking the love that was in that room.
They designed their rings that had an expression of love written in Runes, an alphabet of Germanic languages. Very unique and beautiful.
After the ceremony, the couple surprised me with a wonderful t-shirt that said OFFICIANT in rainbow colors. I was thrilled and will wear it proudly. I am so happy to be able to officiate at legal same-sex weddings now. Love is love - no matter who anyone is. This is a couple that will grow together in love and harmony. Wishing them only the very best.
Wedding Words of Wisdom - 4.14.19
The words of wisdom for this day were to never underestimate the weather in Northeast Ohio! By all accounts, this outdoor wedding of Kevin and Cindy should never have occurred outside. Every weather forecast said it was going to be cold and rainy - even thunderstorm.s were expected. Which actually did happen in the morning and the evening but not at 2:30 p.m. at Allardale Park in Medina. When I got there the clouds opened up and let the sun shine in for this lovely couple’s special day. It was a bit chilly and windy but no one cared. Kevin and Cindy were so involved with professing their love for each other, in this ceremony that included just me and the photographer, that nothing else mattered. Tears welled up in the eyes of both the bride and groom that showed just how grateful there were to have found each other. Cindy looked stunning in a peach-colored long lace dress and Kevin was very handsome in a stylish blue suit. And Cindy’s online bouquet was extraordinary!
We had to walk a bit to get to the small pavilion where the ceremony took place and it was wet and a bit muddy. Not wanting to get her beautiful heels muddy, Cindy wore hot pink rubber boots and changed once she made it to the wedding site. I sure wish I had taken a photo of that! So cute!
I love marrying couples for a second time around. You know that they have had enough life experiences to know what they want in a partner and they are so happy to have found the right person. That was certainly the case here. Wishing Kevin and Cindy a life of love, fun and joy!
Wedding Words of Wisom - 4.7.19
What a joy it was to officiate at the wedding of Aaron and Katrina today. Two people couldn’t be more in love. They have five boys between them (God bless them) and two very, kind gentle souls. They only contacted me a few days ago but we managed to put together a ceremony that was specifically for them. There were about 40 people at their home in Wadswoth and the energy was high. They had their family room beautifully decorated and with many chairs it was perfect for a house wedding.
Aaron looked very handsome in a burgundy tux with Katrina looking stunning in a strapless gown that complimented her lovely, slim figure. And what beautiful and heartfelt vows, exchange of rings and smiles. Their parents were overjoyed and so complimentary on the service which I so appreciate. It is always so heartwarming for me to be able to participate in weddings such as this. I am so very honored to be a part of this sacred commitment.
Wishing them a life of everlasting love, joy and excitement!
Wedding Words of Wisdom - 1.11.19
Bill and Sandy have known each other for 52 years - first meeting in kindergarten class at Brecksville school. They were friends all through school but never dated. They went on to get married to other people and had children. Fast forward to 2017 when they attended their 50th class reunion. Now with both being single, they started dating. Their relationship grew quickly to the point of marriage. That’s when they found me. Being an ordained non-denominational minister, I officiated at their wedding on Jan. 11. The beautiful, intimate ceremony took place at their home in Brecksville with their two dear friends , Dwight and Pat Jordan, standing with them as Best Man and Maid of Honor. Now this is where it gets really interesting. Bill and Sandy have known Dwight and Pat since kindergarten as well. What a love story this is - not only with Bill and Sandy but also with their wonderful relationship with their dear friends!
Sandy looked stunning as she walked into the great room with her daisy bouquet wearing an off-the shoulder crepe and chiffon long gown with a matching stole. Bill, looking dapper in a black suit with daisy boutonniere, smiled throughout the entire ceremony. Sandy was a bit more reserved while getting a little emotional. So very sweet!
They were kind enough to include me and my husband, John, who worked as the photographer, to include us in a cake and champagne celebration afterward.
And the story doesn’t stop there. On June 23 , we’re going to do it all over again! They are going to have a large, full-blown wedding at Woodside Event Center. This time their whole family from around the US will gather to celebrate this lovely couple’s love and commitment. Love stories don’t get much better than this.
Wedding Words of Wisdom - 12.31.18
Happy wedding day, happy birthday, Jina and happy New Year! I officiated at the wedding of these two beautiful people today, New Year's Eve! Wishing Paul and Jina so much happiness in 2019 and forever. This sweet couple had their wedding at their lovely home in Brunswick, They had the lower level TV room transformed into a wedding chapel in front of the fireplace. It worked perfectly with steps leading into the room so Jina could make her grand entrance. And so she did looking absolutely stunning in an all lace ivory gown escorted by her very handsome son. Paul also has a grown son and they surprised them in the ceremony and gave them engraved watches as well as having them participate in the Unity Sand ceremony. This is one of the best weddings I have ever had the pleasure of performing. A couple so much in love and what an incredible family they both have. Love you all! What a joyous way to start out the new year!
Wedding Words of Wisdom - 12.22.18
A Christmas wedding! What could be more romantic? I was honored to officiate at Dennis and Denise's wedding this past Saturday. The ceremony was held at their lovely home in North Royalton with their three children and Denise's mother and father. The ceremony was quite special with Mike, Denise's father reading Corinthians and saying a beautiful, loving prayer at the end. The groom was beaming when his lovely soon-to-wife came down the stairs. He was overwhelmed with her beauty and his love for her. It was wonderful to watch how much in love these two are. Their children were all so happy with the melding of the two families. And Pam, Denise's mother was doing a great job as photographer and mother-of-the bride documenting the moment. I love performing second weddings!
Wedding Words of Wisdom - 10.19.18
Mike and Taylor were married on a beautiful fall day at the Carriage Barn at Mill Hollow in Vermillion. This was a small, intimate wedding with about twenty people. With only a flower girl in their wedding party this very much in love couple nervously said their vows pledging to love each other forever.
My husband, John, always says “Make ‘em cry” before I leave for a wedding and there was no lack of crying at this wedding. The bride’s mother was quite overcome with the wedding vows acknowledging the seriousness of the commitment and the love her daughter has for Mike. It was very sweet and touching.
The bride looked stunning in a classic ivory long gown with a flower crown. Mike looked handsome in an ivory color suit with a blue shirt. They were both anxious for their big day and looked incredibly happy when I said the final words “I now pronounce you husband and wife.” Wishing them only love and happiness.
Wedding Words of Wisdom - 10.6.18
Rosemarie and John were happily married at Williams on the Lake in Medina. We had so much at the rehearsal that I was sure it was going to be a wonderful wedding the next day. And it was with the bride looking beautiful in a one strap, very elegant gown and the groom looking dashing in his well-cut tuxedo. Rosemarie’s son walked her down the aisle and her daughter stood next to her as her maid-of- honor. What a wonderful way to get married! They both recited their vows and ring exchange with such loving sincerity. The wedding’s accent color was purple and the flowers and centerpieces were simple and elegant.
Thankfully, even with forecasts of thunderstorms, the weather held out and it was very nice. Williams on the Lake has evolved over the years to become a beautiful wedding venue in an unlikely location.
Wishing John and Rosemarie love and joy and the very best with their marriage and the melding of their two families.
Wedding Words of Wisdom - 9.29.18
Robert and Shovonne joined their two families on Sat., Sept. 29. Not only did the two of them look fantastic but their four children were all adorable - especially little 2-year old Royalty. The wedding took place at The Manor in Euclid. It was a lovely indoor setting with the ceremony set up in one room and the reception in an adjoining room. Shavonne made all the centerpieces herself and they were beautiful.
From this photo you can see the they were both very excited about finally tying the knot. They said their vows in front of about 80 people who were all very excited as well. I love to perform weddings for African-Americans. The guests do not hold back their excitement and join in with the ceremony which was the case this time. The best part for me was when I asked the guests to join me in prayer. I said the first line of the prayer and they repeated it after me. I was happily surprised and continued the rest of the prayer that way. Usually people just bow their heads and say Amen. I loved that these guests were so into the ceremony that they repeated each line after me.
Wishing this loving couple and their family much love and prosperity.
