Tag Archives: rev. gary

A Calm and Pleasant Day at Turnip Rose

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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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Rev. Gary had three weddings, one at the Rose Garden in Westminster, one at the beach at Little Corona del Mar, and one on a private boat in Balboa Bay

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It was my honor to lead the celebration of holy marriage for Mara Patricia Castaneda and Vincent Richard Paul on the evening of November 4 at the Rose Garden facility in Westminster.  Great Officiants of Long Beach suggested my ministry for their big day, and then we got acquainted and planned via telephone, emails and meeting in my Costa Mesa home.   I am, by the way, Rev.Dr. Gary Barmore, pastor emeritus of Fairview Community Church and retired professor of Orange Coast College … but I answer to Gary or Captain or Dude or Pastor or Prof or her husband.  Vincent and Mara turned the courtyard into a beautiful chapel, and Vincent, to his credit and to the delight of Mara’s family, said the ring vows not only in English but uttered his beginning Spanish in their united statements:  “Con este anillo,  Yo prometo mi amour,  Y compartir mi vida.”    Then, during the time I turned the couple toward the guests for affirmations all around, I said that  “most of you never would have met in this world had not these two brought their lives together, and now you are all related!  So at the reception, get to know each person here. Ustedes son una familia para este familia!”

Two winter-holiday “Little Corona del Mar” wedding ceremonies, conducted by Rev.Dr. Gary Barmore, were blessed by glorious setting and perfect weather.   On Christmas Eve Day Gary Schenk and Rose-Anna Romero pledged their eternal love in the cathedral-cove while gentle waves ebbed in and out before them.  Then at first light of the first day of the New Year, joined by fifteen early-rising friends,  Dennis Prat and Gloria Morgan stood on the sand where the stream enters the sea, and expressed their love, their faith and their joy — joy not only for their marriage, but joy for finding the ring which fell into the sand during the best man’s handoff.   Both couples  expressed gratitude to Great Officiants of Long Beach for providing Rev. Barmore’s personal and dynamic ministry for their beautiful, wonderful day!

Jerry Palazzo and Debora Acciarito, finding one another in mid-life as the perfect marriage match, wanted so much to have a beautiful wedding to match their love.  But venues and extras were way beyond a responsible budget for this track coach and language teacher.  Instead, they crafted an amazingly beautiful and romantic wedding day with just two phone calls:  (1) to a dear friend whose home on Balboa Island includes a Duffy Electric Boat, and (2) to Great Officiants of Long Beach, who put them in touch with Rev.Dr. Gary Barmore.  Meeting with Gary, a touching and joyous ceremony was crafted, and on February 4 (in the morning before Super Bowl kickoff) ten friends boarded Captain Chris Price’s sparkling vessel and in perfect weather motored to a beautiful cove for the nuptials.   As Gary pronounced them husband and wife, a jet passing over provided an exclamation point to the declaration — as if it too was planned. After dropping off the minister and signed license, the merry crew crossed the bay to dock and celebrate at a Newport restaurant.  All the money in the world could not have provided Debora and Jerry more satisfaction and joy than this one that launched their married life together.Share This Post:
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3 Awesome Weddings, one at the Summit House in Fullerton, one at Orange Hill Restaurant in Orange, and a Beach Wedding at Heisler Park Gazebo in Laguna Beach

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Ever since they met, Mark Jimenez and Lisa Tone have celebrated life and love with gusto.  They value family and friends as the best blessing from above.  So their wedding ceremony at the Summit House in Fullerton featured all that and more!  They selected Rev. Dr. Gary Barmore of Great Officiants to plan with them and carry out a wedding of romance, commitment, faith and joy.  The guests were particularly pleased to be asked for their affirmation of the couple, and they did just that with enthusiasm.  Following personal “love letters” expressed to one another Lisa and Mark recited vows led by Rev. Gary.  As they repeated each phrase, eyes locked on eyes, Mark and Lisa drifted physically closer and closer to each other, until at about six inches, Gary interjected, “Can’t kiss ’til vows are finished.”  The couple and the crowd loved the moment … and even more the moment when they did embrace and engage in the holy kiss of marriage. 

Marco Corona and Aleena Huber, very much in love, planned meticulously for their wedding day.  Most importantly they (1) reserved the ballroom and outdoor chapel at Orange Hill Restaurant, and (2) Through Great Officiants booked Rev.Dr. Gary Barmore to lead the marriage ceremony.   They liked Gary’s open-minded Christian faith, his vocal energy, and the fact that they could meet with him at his home for planning and getting better acquainted.   Then came the swift wild-fires in and around Tustin and Orange, bringing fear and devastation to so many.   Rev. Gary contacted Marco and asked if they needed his help in finding another wedding venue.  Is Orange Hill Restaurant still standing?  Fortunately although the grounds were threatened and the staff prepared for evacuation, this classic site for dining and parties was spared.  And by October 21 at 5pm, most of the smokey haze was gone and the sunset was beautiful.   While our hearts went out to all those who suffered loss in the fires, it all worked out wonderfully for Aleena and Marco and their guests.  The couple’s handsome beauty, plus their education and determination, mixed with a willingness to listen and consider the other’s perspective bodes really well for their life together in marriage.

Amy Kayl and Corey Madsen first met 26 years ago, but at age nineteen she declined his proposal of marriage.  Going their separate ways, each remembered the power of their attraction and wondered what happened to their long-lost beloved.   By means of the modern-day cupid — Facebook — they reconnected.  Love’s fire blazed anew, and next to the baggage claim at John Wayne Airport, Corey dropped to one knee and popped the question — followed by Amy’s excited “yes!”  Their favorite Bible verse, of course, is “Love Never Fails.”  So for this greatest love, this couple selected the “Greatest Wedding” from Alan Katz’ Great Officiants.  Alan’s crew secured the spectacular Gazebo in Laguna Beach, had it beautifully decorated, and suggested Rev.Dr. Gary Barmore to plan with them and conduct the ceremony.   After meeting with Gary, Corey and Amy knew all the perfect pieces were in place.   When the ceremony began at 2pm October 27, their was a mystical cloud-bank over the ocean, and then when the vows were being exchanged, the fog lifted and glorious sunshine sparkled the water and lit up the wedding site.   For this dear couple and their guests, it was truly “The Greatest.”Share This Post:
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At Hotel Laguna, Kayla and Alex were married

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Alex Martin and Kayla Blanco both played ball at Kansas University, their home state.   When they decided to “play ball” together in marriage, they chose to travel with family and friends to Laguna Beach for the wedding of their dreams.  But, as people of faith, how — they wondered — would they find a ministerial fit so far from home?   Well, Great Officiants of Long Beach more than met their expectations, hooking them up with Rev. Dr. Gary Barmore.   Initial planning for the ceremony was by email, and then the week of their 7/7/17 wedding they met with their SoCal pastor in his home and left knowing that their wedding was going to be all they had hoped for … and more.  And so, at the surf and sand of the Hotel Laguna, Kayla and Alex were married before God, family and friends, and they especially resonated with Rev. Gary’s suggestion that they write  “loving promise” notes to express before all their guests, then follow with recitation of simple traditional vows.  Those personal expressions were deeply moving to all of us, beautifully reflecting their faith, their love and their joy!Share This Post:
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Jonathon Linn and Kristy Gallegos were married at Orange Hill Restaurant on 7/7/17 in the style they had always dreamed of

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Jonathon Linn and Kristy Gallegos were married at Orange Hill Restaurant on 7/7/17 in the style they had always dreamed of.  The setting was beautiful, over-looking the valley as evening lights came on.  The tough part was finding a minister who fit their faith and philosophy of life.  So they turned to Great Officiants of Long Beach and were connected with Rev. Dr. Gary Barmore.   After meeting in his home for planning the ceremony and getting acquainted, they knew that they would enjoy the experience and be very proud before family and friends.  While neither Kristy nor Jonathon are fully bi-lingual, when Rev. Gary asked them to repeat some of the ring (anillo) vows in Spanish, they did so beautifully, to the surprised delight of both Anglo and Latino guests.   Once again, Great Officiants served a marrying couple really well.Share This Post:
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When Jeremy and Allison decided to get married, the big question was “Where?”

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When Jeremy and Allison decided to get married, the big question was “Where?”  They live in Kansas where his family is near, but Allison grew up in SoCal.  Once they saw San Clemente Beach, just north of the pier, they had the perfect romantic spot.  Now, how would they find a minister near the wedding site — one that is Christian yet with an open-minded perspective?   Boom … they called Great Officiants in Long Beach, and were put in touch with the Rev. Dr. Gary Barmore, pastor emeritus of Fairview Community Church in Costa Mesa CA.  Chatting long distance and then meeting in his home the week of the wedding, Allison and Jeremy knew that this was just sort of ceremony they had envisioned, and were thrilled that Rev. Gary could take over the conduct of the San Clemente event.  On the big day, it was indeed all they had imagined … and more.  The Kansan’s were stoked to be standing in the sand beside the iconic Pacific surf, and the Californians were reminded of what a great place this is to live, work and play.   The happily married couple are back in Kansas now, but their dream is to find jobs and move to coastal California.  Wherever …  they are counting the blessings of love.Share This Post:
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Tustin Ranch Golf Club provided a beautiful backdrop for the wedding ceremony of Cindy Dubon and Shane Sceville, led by Rev. Dr. Gary Barmore of Great Officiants

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Tustin Ranch Golf Club provided a beautiful backdrop for the wedding ceremony of Cindy Dubon and Shane Sceville, led by Rev. Dr. Gary Barmore of Great Officiants.   They met through an on-line dating service, which is how most couples today find the right match, and it makes sense: at least they know something about the other before actually meeting for a date.  This certainly beats wandering super-market aisles or hanging out in bars, hoping to catch someone’s eye.  When they met with Dr. Barmore to plan the ceremony, he also helped them understand their dynamic — typical of most couples — of one who majors on decision and action, while the other majors on thinking things through.  Together they create a successful life, as long as they celebrate the goodness of this difference, and that the “do-it-now” person grants time and space for the other to muse, and the “muser” assures the “doer” that the time of clarity and action will come.   Shane and Cindy contacted Great Officiants to connect with a “basic minister” but are so glad that the clergy they selected offered friendship, wisdom, skill, and a really dynamic wedding ceremony!Share This Post:
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