Daughter Follows her Parents to SPC

Gorgeous Japanese bride Ami who completed studies in Berkeley, and handsome Polish groom Kuba, a fine photographer, recently exchanged wedding vows at Sausalito Presbyterian Church. They brought with them wedding pictures of Ami’s parents who also married at the church 31 years ago.

The carpet and drapes were red then and the church still had a pipe organ. Ami’s parents returned from Japan to visit the church on four different anniversaries. I met them and we shared stories and updated pictures.

Now the carpet is gold and the church has a wonderful digital organ. There are new strawberry trees in front and the dogwoods still bloom in the spring. The old twisted euonymus vine is now a sculpture that tourists photograph and enjoy.

Ami and Kuba were thrilled to have Reverand George McLaird, the same minister from 31 years ago, perform their personal ceremony. We made a short video to be given to Ami’s parents. After enjoying Marin County the couple continued to honeymoon in Monterey – then back home to Japan.

After more than forty years Sausalito Presbyterian Church continues the tradition of welcoming couples from Japan.

South of the Border

Big pots of sunflowers added to the warm summer day as Sausalito couple – easy going Eric and artistic Roberta – celebtared their love and friendship of many years. Both have grown children and lots of grandchildren.

Mariachi music, and even the flower girl, created a festive spirit as guests sipped Sangria on the deck. An elegant catered Mexican feast followed in Thomson Hall. Roberta read original poetry to Eric – one about Mexican folklore, another an Ode to a Double Ring Ceremony. “Two trees” by Janet Miles summed up the feelings of the couple …

a portion of your soul has been / entwined with mine / a gentle kind of togetherness, while / separate we stand.  as two trees deeply rooted in / separate plots of ground, / while their topmost branches / come together,

forming a miracle of lace / against the heavens

International Wedding

The busiest wedding month at Sausalito Presbyterian Church that I remember was when there were seventeen gorgeous weddings in warm and wonderful September. I have memories of an elegant Sunday afternoon.

The stunning bride was born in Ethiopia and works for non-profit Tangible Hope Foundation in Africa empowering young women and families to help break the cycle of poverty. The groom is a successful San Francisco business man.

A long time friend and spiritual leader performed the ceremony, and after the vows were repeated, she sang a moving Gospel song. Masses of white flowers filled the church and Grand Ballroom of the San Francisco St. Francis Hotel where guests celebrated at a lavish reception.

Modern Day Matchmaking

Bride Kelly is a woman of the world with roots in the San Francisco Bay Area. She went East to college and is now active as the President of the San Francisco Yale Alumni Association. She has created adventures wherever her passport has taken her. From playing polo in Argentina during college, performing in the closing ceremonies of the Sydney Olympics, camel racing in Jordan, petting cheetahs in South Africa and bathing elephants in Thailand, Kelly creates and enjoys the thrills of life wherever she finds herself. Her passion and beliefs have recently taken her into the world of professional matchmaking!

Groom David is from Cincinnati, Ohio. He completed his degree in Econ and Computer Science from Northwestern in Chicago. He turned an early job in New York into a thrilling career with an internet startup and media consulting that spans four continents. David’s work has taken him from Paris to Hong Kong, Amsterdam to Argentina, and Tokyo to London. But none of those places compares to what he has found in San Francisco!

Kelly and David are celebrating the next set of adventures with their match at a joyous wedding ceremony and reception at Sausalito Presbyterian Church. Guests have traveled from around the world to be with them.

Jazz Leads to Love

On a recent crisp and crystal clear Sausalito evening at Horizon’s restaurant (soon to return to its original name Trident after many years), I was taken by the postcard-perfect sparkling city view, the fabulous food, and a “Down Memory Lane” special appearance by the world famous Larry Vucovich Latin Jazz Quartet. The whole experience brought back sweet memories of one of my favorite wedding events at Sausalito Presbyterian Church.

The stunning dark haired bride is a jazz singer who works at Lucas Films; the groom, a fine jazz guitarist involved in the recording business. The church was packed with talented musicians and music lovers. Wedding ceremony music was performed by Larry Vucovich (father of the groom) on piano, and joined by stand up bass.

The celebration continued in the church’s Thomson Hall which had been turned into an elegant downstairs supper club with round tables, white napery, tall silver candelabras, and masses of red roses. Live dinner jazz accompanied a scrumptious meal. After champagne toasts, all enjoyed a concert by eight brilliant international jazz musicians, much serenading and dancing. It was a magical musical celebration not to be forgotten.

Christmas Wedding Reflections

As I sang the soprano descants at the candlelight service on a clear crisp Christmas Eve, I reflected about the many unique and magical Christmas weddings at Sausalito Presbyterian Church.

The couple who came from London – the bride with a garland of tiny red roses in her hair and a silk vintage dress, and the groom in formal morning suit … silk top hat, polished cane, traditional grey striped trousers and morning coat with wide satin lapels, and of course white gloves. They looked a bit like Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers about to dance down the aisle.

Another bride entered the church in an opulent deep red gown looking like Scarlett in Gone With the Wind. Her flowers cascaded to the floor. The reception room at the church was transformed into a winter wonderland with sparkling silver branches and the glow of candlelight.

Christmas is a time for reflecting and for planning for the future. Sausalito Pesbyterian Church has welcomed a new minister. It is about to be a NEW YEAR!

11-11-11 Wedding

Bride Dina is a gorgeous tall Latvian beauty who wore a non-traditional long gold beaded gown. Groom Rolf is Danish, born in Portugal. The stunning couple wanted to exchange marriage vows on lucky 11-11-11 at 11:00 AM. Sausalito Presbyterian Church provided an intimate candlelit setting.

Many languages were spoken as the bridal party and guests gathered around the piano for toasts. Elfenhof Danish Champagne with flecks of gold in each flute sparkled as sunlight  streamed in through the tall arched windows and leaded-glass skylights of the historic church jewel.

The wedding procession continued down the narrow lane from the warmth of the church to Poggio Restaurant for lunch and breathtaking views of the Bay. Later in the afternoon they took the short walk to board the Sausalito Ferry to San Francisco.

Sausalito Presbyterian Church is looking forward to lots of weddings on 12-12-12. Save the date by contacting shirleylatta@earthlink.net. Take the plunge and let us help you create your own unique wedding story.

A Musical Wedding

The stunning red-haired bride is a former ballerina. The groom is a talented classical singer. Musical talent of all kinds runs in both families and music brought them together. The couple chose Sausalito Presbyterian Church for it’s architectural beauty and spiritual charm.

Guests were invited to arrive early for an exquisite concert of Schubert Love Songs performed by 24 elegantly dressed opera singers and four-hand piano accompaniment. Sunlight streamed in the leaded-glass windows and skylights as the wedding vows were exchanged. White flowers and suculants added to the romantic ambiance.

After saying “I do”, guests were led down the garden steps to the charming deck that was aglow with stremers of white lights. Appetizers were served as the guests mingled and enjoyed the sunshine and sea breezes. The catered dinner reception in Thomson Hall followed and more music by “Le Jazz Hot” set a scene of a Paris night club in the 20′s and 30′s.

A musical wedding – not to be forgotten!

Celebrating Mature Love

Tags

Destination Wedding Northern California, Destination Wedding San Francisco, Marin County Wedding, Sausalito Presbyterian Church, Sausalito Wedding

The Sausalito wedding of Rita and Dan brought together two families – four daughters between them and even a grand daughter.

A beautiful fall afternoon began with the groom welcoming guests, many who traveled from around the country, with French Champagne that was served in front of the church among the fruit trees and autumn leaves. Music from the 50′s played in the background. The ceremony and blessing of the marriage moved into the elegant sanctuary of Sausalito Presbyterian Church. The celebration continued with wine and hors d’oeuvres on the private patio. And a marvelous sit down dinner was served by Cater of Marin in the church’s Thomson Hall. Many stories, roasts and toasts about the couple followed into the night. There was lots of laughter remembering college days at Harvard.

Rita and Dan have made a new home together in the hills of Sausalito.

Two Hearts – One Love

Tags

Destination Wedding Northern California, LGBT Commitment Ceremony, Marin County Wedding, More Light Church Weddings

Groom Michael is a Sausalito banker. Groom Phillip is an actor/singer with Beach Blanket Babylon, the hilarious long running San Francisco musical production. The couple chose Sausalito Presbyterian Church for their Commitment Blessing. Best Woman Tammi, who usually wears 20 pound hats of the skyline of San Francisco and sings with a big theatrical voice in Beach Blanket Babylon, changed roles for the ceremony as she sweetly sang “We’ve Only Just Begun”.

After the presentation of the partners for life, the guests walked down the garden steps for a church reception celebration with lots more singing, a “rainbow” cake and Phillip sitting on top of the piano and serenading his partner with a touching love song. They finished with a dance and everyone joined in.

Michael and Phillp love their life together in beautiful Sausalito!