Their love story began with a simple friendship. A Facebook friendship. Jory admitted that when she first accepted her now-husband’s friend request on FB back in 2007 she immediately crushed on him. She quietly kept track of his status through photos and updates. Through a series of “coincidences” their virtual friendship became an actual frelationship. Fast-forward ten years: her once-skeptical family of her internet romance are now solid believers in the transcendent power of Facebook.

About 20 family members, both sets of parents, step parents, cousins and siblings assembled at Palisades Park for this ceremony on August 26.

Family members joined Officiant Stacey Newsome in blessing the couple with this  prayer they wrote for the occasion:

Bless their marriage, O God, as they begin their journey down the road of life together. We don’t know what lies ahead for the road turns and bends. But help them to make the best of whatever comes their way.

Help them to continue to enjoy each other as they did when they first met. Help them to realize that nothing nor no one is perfect and to look for the good in all things and all people including themselves.

Help them to respect each other’s likes and dislikes, opinions and beliefs, hopes and dreams and fears even though they may not always understand them.

Help them to learn from each other and to help each other to grow mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

Help them to realize that no matter what happens to them they will hold on to each other and know that things have a way of working out for the good.

Help them to create for their children a peaceful, stable home of love as a foundation on which they can build their lives.

But most of all, dear God, help them to keep lit the torch of love’ that they now share so that by their loving example they may pass on the light of love to their children and to their children’s children forever.

Family members then deposited personal messages and cash gifts into a keepsake box the couple will open on their anniversary. Though, they admit the cash will likely not live in the box the entire year!

It was my pleasure to officiate this lovely ceremony and I wish them many, many happy years together.

From the Tennessee Valley to the San Gabriel Valley, it may have been a job transfer that brought this couple from the South to the West, but it’s love and and a desire for a warm-weather vacation that brought their family here for the occasion.

Scott and Nicole held an intimate ceremony at the Ontario Hotel and Convention Center. Scott says Los Angeles would not feel like home unless his long-time girlfriend Nicole joined him in the next phase of his life. Being from the South myself, I felt the warmth of their Southern Hospitality. They made me feel like an member of their big ol’ friendly family!!

On a crisp and clear afternoon in Upland, CA at the Upland Hills Country Club the friends and family of this well-loved couple gathered to celebrate their love for each other.

Laurie and Dominique exchanged vows they wrote especially for each other. From the moment they met, Laurie says she knew she could love Dominique for the rest of her life. Dominique promised to be the right partner-one who loves, comforts and protects her partner. The entire gathering got a glimpse into how the two had each others backs as they lovingly wiped errant eyelashes and tears from each other’s glowing faces.

About 135 witnesses to their love cheered them on when the rings were displayed and the deal was sealed with a kiss.

Congrats!