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Yes, I'm a Star Wars fan! I remember standing in a very, long, long winding line in Westwood when it was first released. Loved the story, the characters and the imagination of it's creators. Happier still that decades later, my son and his buddies became fans too, starting with Star Wars Legos. With the upcoming Star Wars: Episode VII release of The Force Awakens, I expect that a few brides and grooms will incorporate their love of this epic series-- may be you'll hear the Star Wars movie theme as the Groom's procession music, or see lots of Luke and Princess Leia cake toppers, perhaps the lead singer of their wedding band dressed as a wookie, a waiter as an ewok, or C3PO costumed bartender alongside a statue of R2D2. Maybe a few brides will splurge on these pumps featuring light saber heels to surprise and delight her groom and the other guests! Find these gems on ThinkGeek.com May the Force be with you! Saundra Anderson I Do x Two - Wedding Coordination & Officiant Services cell/text: 510-813-2749 
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A heartfelt "thank you" to all our veterans--words inadequately express our gratitude for your service!  There are no licensing or certification requirements in the wedding industry and as a result you'll see a myriad of various titles--wedding planner, "day of" coordinator, wedding director, wedding stylist, wedding decorator and more.
As a wedding coordinator, our work actually begins BEFORE your wedding day! A professional could not be expected to show up 'cold' on your wedding day and know what's going on. An experienced coordinator needs to be able to manage the events of your day with seamless execution so she/he will need to meet with you before your wedding day; and later visit your ceremony and reception sites and know the 'house' rules of the venue you've chosen. A professional coordinator also needs to have reviewed the contracts you've signed with each of the wedding professionals you've hired to cover your day--photographer, videographer, cake designer or bakery, caterer, florist, musicians and/or DJ, photo booth company, etc. A professional coordinator will also create your wedding event timeline and share it with these same team of professionals to ensure each provider is in agreement with the time required to arrive, unload, set-up, do what they do best, pack-up and leave within the contracted time required by your venue. And that 's just what needs to be done BEFORE your "Big Day". A professional coordinator is the sole point-of-contact for all the professionals you've hired once your wedding day arrives. She or he is in communication with all service providers, is on-site to receive them and handle any issues that arise and coordinate the events of the day to the timeline agreed to by all parties. Most brides will admit that something doesn't go according to plan on their Big Day--usually it's small stuff but occasionally it's something big. Just imagine, would you really want problem phone calls while you're getting hair and make-up done? for example, your florist's vehicle broke down? Or the deluxe port-a-potties you rented for an outdoor reception aren't working? or, the venue has called and the cake is now more than an hour late and the bakery isn't answering their phone? OR would you prefer to hear about any issues AFTER your wedding, when you can respond by saying, "really? THAT happened? I had no idea" and laugh about it--and you CAN laugh because your Coordinator took care of it seamlessly. Your Wedding Day should be spent enjoying every minute of it, not getting problem phone calls or resolving issues--wouldn't you agree? For additional wedding roles, check out this article from Bride's magazine--click here As a Bay Area Wedding Coordinator and Officiant, I have received many inquiries from local couples who assume because San Francisco City Hall is a public building they can sh0w-up, find a spot within the picturesque and historic Rotunda to exchange their "I Do's" without a paid reservation or permission. Wishful thinking!! True, San Francisco City Hall is indeed a public building, but to have a wedding there does indeed require a paid reservation and adherence to their documented process. Below are a few helpful hints and links to information that isn't easily found on the San Francisco County Clerk-Recorder's website at first view: Plan early - City Hall is a very popular venue for locals, but the competition for a wedding date extends to couples worldwide. Since there is no requirement to be a U.S. citizen to marry here, many couples from around the world plan their vacation here and a SF City Hall wedding too! Personalized Wedding Ceremony - If you prefer a ceremony that reflects more of your cultural, spiritual or religious beliefs then you should hire an officiant to officiate your ceremony instead of utilizing City Hall staff. NOTE: You'll still want to reserve space for your ceremony when you apply for the license. Guest limitations - You are limited to six guests (other than the couple marrying) and that includes your photographer and children too. More than six guests? There are a few affordable week-day options within City Hall that permit a larger number of guests:
In writing, do you refer to your "spouse-to-be" as your Fiancé? or Fiancée? Do you know there is a difference? If you weren't a French language major you might not. Fiancé describes an engaged man while Fiancée describes an engaged woman!
I kicked off October at Boundary Oaks Golf Course in Walnut Creek officiating for Esther & Michael, pictured here with their bridal party--who says a spectacular October wedding has to be orange?  Today I had the pleasure of officiating a destination wedding for an upstate New York couple who decided to "get hitched" here in San Francisco--the City by the Bay. A small entourage joined them for the happy occasion, a chance to take a mini-vacation and enjoy a SF Giants vs SD Padres game too. But this isn't just any couple who enjoys baseball; the bridal bouquets were adorned with buttons some of which were souvenirs from various baseball stadiums they had visited--in fact, on the questionnaire I asked them to complete, they intend to visit every baseball stadium in the U.S.--it's a mutual passion. The wrist corsages worn by the Mother of the Bride and Mother of the Groom used black & orange ribbon. So, on this blustery day, the group assembled outside--with the Bay as it's backdrop--to celebrate and witness the exchange of vows and rings! A San Francisco Trolley car pulled into the parking lot not as another photo backdrop but their transportation for some additional sight seeing and ultimately their ride to AT&T Park--she in her wedding gown and he in his tux with their bridal party, family and friends. An intimate wedding, a great day - congrats to Kelsey & Matt!  A bride contacted me a few months back wanting to surprise her long-time boyfriend with a surprise wedding! For some, this would be more risk than they would be willing to take, for others a challenge all in the name of love! I explained, that in California, both parties to the marriage are required to sign a marriage license IN ADVANCE, and there was NO way of getting around that fact. He would have to consent. Sure enough, a week later, she called again and said a plan was in place. I ran into them at the Alameda County Clerk's office on Valentine's Day and at that time he thought they were getting the license to satisfy the venue and would need to get a new one later; a California marriage license is only good for 90 days. He thought their wedding date was in the Fall. As you can surmise, there were a million more details in terms of how she pulled it off, but it worked and it was a wonderful, wonderful wedding. Only the bride, her Mom and his Mom knew what was really a foot--all their other guests just thought they were coming to a surprise birthday party for the Groom!
On my last day of 2014, I was sworn in as an Alameda County Deputy Marriage Commissioner where I will volunteer some time each month presiding over civil marriage ceremonies on the County's behalf. Loving my role as a wedding officiant, coordinator and now commissioner. This year may you find yourself the recipient of good health, abundant wealth and more love and happiness than you've ever known, Happy New Year!
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