Great Officiants

Gary’s blog:

Olivia Pan and Christopher Lim made a series of good choices for their marriage ceremony May 23: the weather was lovely, as was the lakeside gazebo at Almansor Court; the coordinator, photographer, and DJ exercised their professional skills without being obtrusive; Rev Gary Barmore, their minister from Great Officiants, conducted a ceremony that he planned with the couple, allowing them to relax and really experience the expressions of love, commitment and joy. Another purposeful choice was the day of May 23, because it was exactly five years before on Chris’s May 22 birthday that they had their first date. Chris and Olivia, cherishing their families and heritage, presented roses to their parents, while coordinator Kate translated Rev. Barmore’s words into Vietnamese. Their officient himself teared-up at the close of the ceremony, remarking that this was the first time in over a year he could approach a couple and place his hands on theirs for the marriage blessing. 

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An absolutely stunning ceremony at the Doris Walker Overlook in Dana Point. Beautiful California sun illuminating the marina and warming the rolling green hills. Pictured is our wooden benches positioned to be socially distanced and our rustic two-post arch decorated with our elegant slik floral arrangement.. Proving that even in our current climate, you can still have a beautiful and safe ceremony.

Beautiful Silk Floral Araangement

Two Post Rustic Arch with Silk Floral Arrangement.

Check-in Table

Love from every corner

A beautifuil horizon.

Sun and Sea

Just a few more steps until “I do.”

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A view to remember.

Our Presiding officiant Alan Katz has married couples in a variety of interesting and unconventional places, so when he heard that this couple was looking to have their ceremony officiated on the helipad of the Sofitel Hotel in Beverly Hills, he initially wondered why they chose such a unique location. The answer? The absolutely breath-taking cityscape that will adorn their wedding photos for the rest of their lives. The sunlit cityline emphasizing the brightest qualities of their love for one-another. Looking for a fun, safe, officiant? We can help you with that. Check out www.GreatOfficiants.com/about-our-officiants/

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This wonderful couple came into the cute little wedding chapel with their adorable child.

Check out the wedding chapel website www.cutelittleweddingchapel.com

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sunset wedding on San Clemente Beach

Sunset Wedding On Little Corona Del Mar

Getting Married at Sunset on the beach is a great way to get married.

These pictures are from San Clemente by the pier and on Little Corona Del Mar. Both are awesome orange county beaches.

Visit our Beach wedding website www.socalbeachweddings.com or our elopement website www.elopetoday.com

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Christy Lim and Blake Barnes were married November 29 in the hospitable environs of the Paracel Restaurant in Westminster.  Through Great Officiants of Long Beach the couple secured the ministry of Rev Dr Gary Barmore, and when they met with him at his Costa Mesa home they discussed the marriage relationship and planned the ceremony.  Blake and Christy joyfully yet calmly rehearsed the vows and other elements of the big day’s main event.   So it was a bit unexpected that when during the actual ceremony — after Rev Gary said to the guests that “words can never express the hearts of these two, but that they had composed, each in their own way, words that will do a pretty good job this day and forever” —  Blake teared up as he expressed his love for Christi, and after composing himself, again broke into tears.  Eventually he expressed all he wished to say to his beloved, and the good Reverend commented to everyone’s affirmation that Christi was the envy of all the women …  to be marrying a sturdy and studious man who was also deep with feelings of affection, appreciation and awe  … and not ashamed to let it show!

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An outdoor wedding in late November is risky business, but Miranda Grey and Kevin Roberts really nailed it on the beautiful SoCal afternoon of November 23.  Their venue, the Unitarian Church of Palos Verdes, offered a clear vista from the Pacific Ocean to the Hollywood Hills, and Rev Dr Gary Barmore, secured through Great Officiants of Long Beach, led a ceremony that lifted the couple and their guests into a celebration of life and the gift of God that makes life so worthwhile … love.  Kevin and Miranda chose not to stand with a wedding entourage, so the intimate setting made it feel like everyone attending were their “best men” and “women of honor.”  

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Lakeith Ghoston experienced hearing difficulty as a child, and by the time his hearing and speech were restored he had become skilled at signing.  So at Cerritos College when he saw and met Jessamine Maglantay — the girl of his dreams — she happened to be completely deaf.  No Problem — they could converse through sign language.  A match made in heaven for sure!  Great Officiants of Long Beach suggested the wedding ministry of Rev Dr Gary Barmore, and when they met at his home in Costa Mesa, Gary was put right at ease in communicating the wedding aspects, because the groom signed the words of ceremony and explanation to the beaming bride.  For the afternoon wedding November 16, a professional signer stood next to Rev Gary, instructing him to gaze, as usual, upon the couple and their guests, and she would hear his oratorical voice and sign to the bride as well as the hearing-impaired guests,  Everyone seemed unusually connected to one another, fostered by the high level of empathy and joy throughout the crowd.

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As guests arrived at the Delta Marriott in Garden Grove, they entered into a photo op with the bride and groom, Natalie and Taylor.  Then off to the cocktail hour with many tasty dishes traditional to Viet Nam.

The blending of cultural tastes and customs is like a beautiful art piece of mixed mediums of expression.  Taylor and Natalie used broad strokes in bringing Jewish and Vietnamese traditions to their families.  With the traditional Vietnamese ceremony performed in the morning, the evening service was devoted to the Jewish aspects of love and marriage.  We had the master of ceremonies help translate with this trilingual ceremony. 

It was clear that the Jewish symbols were unfamiliar to most of Natalie’s side, but they all were so gracious and thankful for the explanations of the customs and the meaning of the prayers.  The most interesting challenge was the breaking of the glass.  In Viet Nam, it is bad luck to break something on your wedding day.  I did not know that.  What we did was take the more traditional explanation of the breaking of the glass, that the sound of the glass breaking, scares away evil or negativity.  Instead of using a wine glass, I replaced it with a plastic cup.  When crushed, it sounded just like breaking glass.  Not knowing how the bride’s family would understand or if the Jewish guests might be offended, I encouraged everyone to shout Mozel Tov and when they did, the sound was deafening.

As the wedding party recessed out of the ballroom, shouts of joy surrounded them. 

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Whittney Clark and Sean Jarne went to the beach for their wedding.  Nevertheless elegance and style were on parade at the beautiful venue located at Newport Beach’s Crystal Cove.  At 4pm on first day of November on the front deck of the home used in Bette Middler’s “Beaches” fifty family and friends celebrated the marriage vows of this very happy and grateful couple.   Through Great Officiants of Long Beach Whittney and Sean had secured the ministerial services of Rev Dr Gary Barmore, who met with them in his Costa Mesa home to plan the ceremony and get further acquainted.  As is his practice, he began the ceremony with Sean and Whittney not yet hooked up but facing one another as the guests stood in honor, and then after they came forward together Gary turned them toward the seated guests for mutual affirmations, as he approached the guests to welcome them.   But there was an added reason for these positionings — so the Good Rev would not have to try to look over Sean who is six and a half feet tall.  The guests discovered themselves inspired beyond their expectation, and Mr. and Mrs. Jarne were so thrilled with fulfillment of their vision of the perfect wedding.

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Ashley and Jene we’re married at the Ebell in Long Beach California on a very hot day but these two were cool as ice and relaxed on their special day on October 25, 2019. The Ebell was set up with beautiful chairs, lovely flowers and a wonderful arch and with its Spanish style charm created a wonderful air of excitement for Ashley and Jene’s ceremony. Megan and her crew from Sweet Peach Planning made sure that every detail down to the reserved seating signs for the ceremony was perfectly placed and all parties involved in the ceremony were ready to go on time. Ashley and Jene we’re smiling and laughing with love and joy at the altar and they truly had a great wedding by Great Officiants.

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Who would have thought that one of the most beautiful places for a wedding would be on top of a Hilton Hotel on Valley Blvd in San Gabriel?

 But Andy Kim and Sunhee Lee discovered this venue, and with family and friends enjoyed a wonderful day of celebrating love and marriage.  Through Great Officiants of Long Beach the couple connected with Rev Dr Gary Barmore who led a ceremony just perfect for them.  

However, when Andy and Sunhee mounted the gazebo platform, Rev Gary noticed a look of rather grave concern on their faces as they spoke softly in Korean.  He wondered if something might be hindering their plans of commitment and bliss.  Oh my!   Then Andy explained with a whisper that they had left the ring box in their hotel room.  (The attached photo shows the moment when Andy asked a friend to hasten and fetch the wedding bands.)  When it was time for the exchange of vows and rings the box had not yet arrived, so Rev Gary walked down to where the couple’s parents were sitting, asked them to stand, and for the couple to bring them hugs and words of appreciation for the heritage which they were taking into the creation of their own family.  

There was clapping and celebration all around, and the beautiful ceremony proceeded as planned.

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Roger was very excited to be marrying Daniel & Liz that last weekend. They had been at a few of his previous weddings and knew that they wanted him for their wedding.  And what made this doubly special is that the wedding was being held at the Beverly Garland in Studio City just a couple miles from Roger’s house and the Beverly Garland is also a regular haunt for Roger and his family having had Thanksgiving dinners there on more than one occasion.

The only possible issue is that Daniel and Liz wanted streamers thrown by the guests as they walked down the aisle as husband & wife.  The problem was that the venue doesn’t allow streamers !!  And Roger only found this out as he was just walking up the aisle to perform the ceremony whispered to him by the wedding coordinator…..  So at the end of the amazing ceremony, Roger made the announcement about the streamers but also everyone needed to pick up after themselves after the wedding……….Well that didn’t happen……… except for one groomsman………and Roger !!!    It didn’t take long for the two of them to clean up and the groomsman was taken aback that the minister of the wedding was cleaning up too !!  Roger…… A Great Officiant and Groundskeeper !!!

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Saturday, Kevin and Megan got married at, Plaza de Magdalena in San Juan Capistrano.  These two foodies designed their Custom Ketubah to reflect their passion for cooking. Smiles were everywhere and reflected the serene coming together of these two incredible people. Mazel Tov to a wonderful couple.

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Roger had the honor of marrying Eric & Wai-Ling at the amazing Wedgewood Country Club.  They are an adorable couple who are perfect for one another.  And their choice of a wedding venue was spot on.  The grounds are beautiful and cozy and it was a perfect day for a wedding.  Blue skies, the perfect temperature, and a great officiant !

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Kindal Kincade and Jeremiah Bright were worried about their chosen day for matrimonial vows.  October 12 was right in the middle of forecasted fierce and fire-hot Santa Ana winds — a big problem for an outdoor wedding at Turnip Rose in Costa Mesa.   To great relief, their special day dawned calm and pleasant.   Late-afternoon rays of the sun bathed bride and groom, as well as the wedding party and 150 guests.  Kindal smiled joyously while Jeremiah shared his “love letter” to her before God, family and friends, and Jeremiah blotted Kindal’s tears of happiness as she voiced her love note to him.  They were so appreciative to Great Officiants of Long Beach for recommending Rev Dr Gary Barmore to plan with them and preside over a ceremony that was faithful to their Lutheran tradition, yet communicated with a dynamic contemporary style.  After pronouncing the couple Husband and Wife, Dr Barmore invited them to the table of the candle ceremony, to express in symbol what had happened in reality: their two lives aflame together forever.  With no wind whatsoever, no one got nervous that the flame could start a wildfire like others burning in California.  Prayers went out for those suffering, but joyous gratitude was the order-of-the-day for Mr and Mrs Jeremiah Bright.  

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