Congratulations to Sylvia and Ben… “Mazel Tov” and “Trăm năm hạnh phúc”, too! The happy couple celebrated their wedding in mid-October at Top Chef Shirley Chung’s Twenty Eight Restaurant in Irvine.
Thank You to Ben’s mom, poet Leslie Neustadt, who posted the following kind words: “Mauricio conducted the interfaith service for my son’s wedding. He communicated well with my son and daughter-in-law in creating the ceremony they wanted. They had asked me to write a poem and blessings to read at their wedding. Mauricio coordinated with me but did not appropriate any of the material.(Something that other officiants have done to me.) He thoughtfully included my piece in the booklet he prepared for himself.* He clearly derives joy from conducting wedding ceremonies and it is reflected in everything he does. He has just the right mix of solemnity, good humor and joy to make a ceremony a memorable occasion.”
* Leslie is referring to the program script A. Mauricio creates to ensure that the couples for whom he officiates have a wedding is personal and as unique as they are. Additionally it lists the names of the Wedding Entourage as well as with the song titles, with artists names, used during the ceremony. After the wedding A. Mauricio leaves the script with the couple as a memento/souvenir of their Special Day.
Photo credit (Sylvia wearing an “áo dài”, or traditional Vietnamese dress) belongs to Barbara Mencow Neustadt.
