Archive for June, 2007

Calistoga Cocktails

Monday, June 25th, 2007

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Mr. and Mrs. Antonio DeCarlo celebrated their union with cocktails and dinner at Hans Fahden Vineyards in Calistoga on June 22. I performed in the gardens under a large umbrella as guests arrived for the cocktail hour.

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Child Abuse Prevention Fundraiser

Monday, June 25th, 2007

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I performed for the “Meet the Artists” reception in Napa Valley on June 18th. Here are my friends Fran Abbott and Judith Caldwell. The event benefitted The Candy Hughes Memorial Kids Fund at Cope Family Center and celebrated local artists, artisans, winemakers, musicians and authors who donated their work to raise funds to fight child abuse in Napa.

Ceremony on the Sand

Monday, June 25th, 2007


Cherylyn and Christopher Pasetto made their commitment to eachother on the sand at the La Jolla Shores Hotel on June 16th.

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Cherylyn chose a soft yellow for her colors and had bubbles laid out on each chair for her guests to blow after the ceremony.

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Cherylyn was a beautiful bride. She chose the traditional “Bridal Chorus” for her entrance.

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Minnesota Sweethearts

Monday, June 11th, 2007

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This darling couple flew all the way from Minnesota to get married at Cuvier Park in La Jolla over the weekend. The ceremony was lovingly officiated by Reverend Christopher MacFarlane Tuttle with the sound of the waves crashing below us. Cuvier Park is also called “The Wedding Bowl”, maybe because it is set off by a stairway/sunken lawn area that can keep your vows slightly less public. The views are amazing, it’s no wonder there are an incredible number of ceremonies performed here every year. I think this is one of the best ocean locations for a ceremony, perfect for intimate ceremonies. Katie and Jason took their vows in front of their closest family and friends, a group of about ten. Congratulations to Katie and Jason Bierwerth!

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Reverend Christopher was very easy to work with. Here he is talking with Katie’s mom prior to the ceremony. Rev. Christopher also performs quite a few elopements throughout Southern California (and beyond) and is a great resource for wedding information and ideas.

A Costa Mesa Celebration

Monday, June 11th, 2007

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Erica and Nate Wrobel became a happily married couple on June 9. They took their vows in front of a cascading fountain, lakeside at the Wyndham Hotel & Resort located across the street from the Orange County Performing Arts Center. Erica really liked Ave Maria, which I performed right before the ceremony started. She selected Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring and Canon in D for the bridal party, with the traditional Bridal Chorus for her entrance. After the ceremony, I moved the harp over to the cocktail hour and played a mix of broadway and light jazz tunes.

June 1st Summer Wedding Season Kick-off!

Saturday, June 2nd, 2007

Congratulations to Steve and Ayumi Garcia who tied the knot June 1st on a slightly hazy (this is great for pics!), summer afternoon at Anaheim Hills Golf Club in Southern California.

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My friend, Reverend Bruce Danzara, officiated a simple and sweet service that included a Sand Ceremony, which is a perfect alternative to a unity candle…sand doesn’t blow out! The couple set aside a moment during the ceremony to fill a small glass heart with two colors of sand that made a really cool pattern once finished. They topped the jar off with a cork and now have their “unity candle” to display wherever they like in their new home. Reverend Danzara is great about offering this special service to couples, he even brings the conch shells, heart container, and sand to help out with the details.

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Ayumi requested Canon in D to be played as long as possible, because this is her all time favorite song. So, I performed it for both the parent’s entrance and the bridal party, all the way up until the flowergirls and ring bearer made it up the aisle. Then she processed in with the traditional Bridal Chorus.

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