Ceremonies By Bethel

05/16/2023

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)
venue:
officiant: photography:
florals:
bride’s Attire:
groom’s Attire:

05/04/2023

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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Team:
photo:
venue:
planner:
officiant:
florals:
video:
dj:
dessert:
hair:
make-up:
transportation:

04/30/2023

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

04/12/2023

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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team:
photography:
planning:
officiant:
florals:
dj:
lighting:
cake:
hair + make-up:
linens:
rentals:
suit:
dress:
dress alterations:
rings:

04/11/2023

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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team:
photographer: Sara France | Wedding Photographer]
planner:
venue + food/bar:
officiant:
florals:
music:
dessert:
hair + make-up:

04/09/2023

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. 😘😂

03/31/2023

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

03/21/2023

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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team:
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officiant:
florals:
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hair: .hair
make-up:

03/13/2023

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}
team:
planner/designer: (rachel)
venue + food/bar:
officiant:
photographer: .collective_
florals:
videographer:
music:
dj:
dessert:
rentals:
photobooth:
hair + make-up:
transportation:

03/11/2023

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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team:
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venue: scripps seaside forum
officiant:
dj:
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hair + make-up:
transportation:

03/10/2023

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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photographer:
planner:
coordinator:
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officiant:
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videographer:
dj: .entertainment
caterer: + late night tacos by taqueria el paisa mex
dessert:
coffee: .coffee.company
rentals:
photobooth:
make-up:
lashes
hair extensions
spray tan
dress:
alterations: .eyesdesigns
tux:

03/08/2023

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!!

03/03/2023

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

03/03/2023

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}

team:
planner:
venue: scripps seaside forum
officiant:
photographer:
dj:
caterer:
bar:
hair + make-up:
transportation:

02/20/2023

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!

02/08/2023

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!!!

02/06/2023

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.

12/24/2022

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}
team:
venue + food/bar:
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florals:
dj: unity sounds – drew miller
dessert:
photobooth:
hair + make-up:
transportation:

12/19/2022

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.

12/15/2022

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

You’re in right place for 2023 wedding trends and party predictions. See popular palettes, themes, and more to wow your guests.

12/04/2022

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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dj: (dj bryce)​​​​​​​​
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lighting: ​​​​​​​​
hair: ​​​​​​​​
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transportation:

11/19/2022

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}
team:
planner/designer:
venue + food/bar:
officiant:
photographer:
florals:
music:
dj:
dessert:
photobooth:
rentals: +
hair + make-up:

11/18/2022

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!)

11/14/2022

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!

11/10/2022

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}
team:
photographer:
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officiant:
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photobooth:
caricature artist:
rentals: +
hair + make-up:
biodegradable confetti:
dress:

11/09/2022

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:
photographer:
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venue: scripps seaside forum
officiant:
florals:
videographer:
dj:
caterer:
bar:
dessert: edelweiss bakery
rentals:
hair + make-up: .pretty.parlor
transportation:

11/09/2022

FAMILY OF THREE - For some of my couples, COVID postponing their wedding out of 2020 didn't mean that their plans and timing for life had to change. I had the huge honor of celebrating Christina and Booker *twice* - first in an elopement on their original date with just their immediate families, and then again just shy of two years later, this time with their baby girl a part of it. 📷 Wedding Photography and Video]]
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awesome couple: christina + booker
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team:
photographer: Wedding Photography and Video]]
planner/designer:
venue + food/bar:
officiant:
florals:
videographer: Wedding Photography and Video]]
music:
dj:
dessert:
photobooth:
rentals:
hair + make-up:
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11/08/2022

NO RULES! Just because you have a wedding party - and maybe even a large one - it doesn't mean that everyone has to stand up there with you for the ceremony. I love when my couples choose to have most (or all) of the wedding party sit for the ceremony, as they're often more comfortable that way. The awesome Asia and Lj chose to do it that way, leaving only the maid of honor and best man to stand up there with us.
📷 Madison Rylee]
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awesome couple: asia + lj
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team:
photographer: Madison Rylee]
venue + caterer/bar:
officiant:
florals:
dj:
rentals: + +

11/08/2022

RITUAL - There are so many things that you can include within the ceremony, as a ritual or component - yes, even painting! I love helping my couples figure out ways to include things in the ceremony that are already a part of their life together (such as painting is for Janell & Duy), or to kick off new traditions with something that they include as we launch their marriage. And, we can even include verbiage about how you take care of each other - and accept that care from your partner - as you help each other to put on an apron/smock to avoid getting paint on your gorgeous attire (swipe to see)! Check out the beautiful end result that will now have a special place in their home.
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awesome couple: janell + duy
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team:
photographer:
planner: (emma)
venue:
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hair + make-up:
transportation:

11/07/2022

Another sibling and another bonus selfie! Any time a guest from one of my weddings remembers me and comes to me at a later date wanting me for their wedding, it's a huge compliment. But, to me, nothing can compare to when a sibling of a past couple does! I had the huge honor of helping Christina & Tim launch their marriage, just as I did for her sister and brother-in-law 3.5 years earlier (and Celeste & Austin are now a family of three with an adorable little girl!)! Swipe to see both gorgeous and sweet couples! {📷 just my iPhone}
team:
venue + food/bar:
officiant:
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photo + video:
dj:
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11/07/2022

Soak it all in! Giving my couples a moment to acknowledge and celebrate all of those who have come to cheer you on - right before we start the ceremony - it such a fun and meaningful moment to watch and be part of. The families and friends of Lindsay and Toni were beyond excited and made that known, loading cheering and clapping for them, sending them into marriage with the excitement of their community behind them! 📷 Wedding Videographers | Ashley & Jay]
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awesome couple: lindsay + toni

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team:
photo + video: Wedding Videographers | Ashley & Jay]
planner:
venue:
officiant:
florals:
dj + lighting: .productions
cake:
dessert:
photobooth:
rentals:
chargers:
napkins:
hair + make-up: .salon
transportation:
invitations + details: .lettered
dress salon:

11/06/2022

“How do you spell love? You don’t spell it, you feel it.” When you kick off a ceremony with a Winnie the Pooh quote that my couple loves, you know that sweetness is ahead. So, I cannot even tell you what a joy it was to get to celebrate the awesome Natasha & Nick, helping them to launch their marriage in a fitting and worthy way! These two are so incredibly special and connected with each other, that it is an honor to watch and be part of. And when their adorable pup makes an appearance on their cocktail napkins 😍🐶 {swipe to see} I will tell you, I have multiple favorite moments during the wedding day with my couples, two of which were super sweet today: watching them connecting with each other throughout the ceremony, especially as they heard each other's homework answers and vows, and watching them realize that they are married (post-license signing, it is such a favorite moment!). {📷 just my iPhone}
vendor team:
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hair + make-up: .beauty.co

11/06/2022

LAUGHTER - I can *still* hear and feel this laughter from and surrounding Courtney and Mike, a year later! That's one of the fun benefits of my couples who choose to write some fun vows questions that they want *the other* to promise. 😂 Happy Anniversary to an awesome couple who never stops laughing together and always remembers just how lucky they are to have this! Here's to so many more laughs ahead! PS swipe for a fun wish jar that they had out in the reception for people to add to!
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awesome couple: courtney + mike
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team:
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11/06/2022

Getting to celebrate Lauren & Tucker in the beautiful apple pie-filled town of Julian at with & was extra special for me because 10.5 years ago I had the honor of helping Lauren’s sister & BIL (Erin & Mitch) launch their marriage (and now beautiful family of five!)! Swipe for that bonus selfie. 🤳 So sweet to get warm greetings from Mom and other family members all these years later! These two are so sweet and supportive of each other and I’m excited for their adventures ahead! PS Julian is always my go to for enjoying fall foliage so close by!

10/19/2022

NLCS 2022 with my sweetheart who supports this baseball-loving gal! Go !

10/01/2022

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! Joshua Tree National Park is a quite awe-inspiring and memorable place on its own. Then once you add in the love and connection and laughter of a really awesome couple, it just takes it to a whole 'nother level for me. One year ago, I had the extreme pleasure and honor of helping Edna and Amanda to celebrate their relationship and launch their marriage in an intimate and perfectly fitting way. Just us, their photographer, and the desert around us. 📷
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awesome couple: edna + amanda
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team:
photographer:
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hair + make-up: cori stephenson makeup

09/17/2022

An absolute joy to kick off a four-wedding weekend with celebrating the really awesome Ellen & Bryan at the beautiful Lodge at Torrey Pines overlooking the golf course and the ocean! I so love when you can truly feel the happiness and love from those who are gathered around them!
team:
venue + food/bar:
officiant:
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photographer:
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music:
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rentals:
lighting:
linens:
hair + make-up:
invitations + details:
bridal dress:
bridesmaid dresses:
suits:

09/12/2022

Jason and I are wildlife lovers as well as avid scuba divers, plus we love doing animal experiences or behind the scenes learning experiences whenever we can. So when he spotted a beluga whale experience offered at in Chicago, we signed right on up during our upcoming trip. The trainer who spent time with us, Angie, was knowledgeable and helpful and supportive, wanting us to really enjoy the experience - that was extra appreciated since I’d have to take out my hearing aids beforehand, of course. And when she asked if we were okay getting wet, we didn’t hesitate, which meant that beautiful mama beluga Maya (41 yo) happily obeyed my hand signals to spit water on me a few times! I was soaked and couldn’t stop cracking up and totally happy. We also got kisses from her, fed them both (her son, age 3, a total toddler beluga), felt their tongue, teeth, dome head, and along the little guy’s body, too. All while hanging out in chilly 55 degree water in overall-sized waders. It was overall an enrichment experience for belugas and humans alike. Thank you, Shedd beluga team!

09/07/2022

Go Padres! the awesome will be pitching tonight for my !!

09/05/2022

Helping the awesome Yessi & Gabe to launch their marriage and celebrate their sweet relationship at with was the joy-filled way my holiday weekend filled with weddings came to a close!