Unforgettable Beginnings by Sabrina Says

Once upon a time, ladies and gentlemen, I wrote and performed ceremonies that sounded just like every other minister’s ceremony. I did try to personalize them just a little bit but did not have the understanding and training that I do today. My wedding officiant business really kind of took off during Covid. People found themselves with a marriage license, and nowhere to use it! When word got out that I would come and perform a wedding ceremony in their living room, I began getting calls. One of those calls was to a beautiful couple: Crystal and Angel. Here is their ceremony as I performed it: We are gathered here today to witness the union of Crystal and Angel. Welcome friends and family! Today is the beginning of a remarkable journey for this couple. Drawing on their mutual admiration, respect, and trust, they are ready to embark on the next chapter in their lives. We celebrate the love and light evident in their relationship and wish them well on this joyous occasion. Marria...

“This love story begins the way all the great romances begin:” with a swipe on Hinge . There’s Jacob, looking at photos of Alexa, and right away it hits him: she’s incredibly beautiful, and clearly out of his league. He says it just like that, as if the league has referees and a scoreboard and he’s checking it twice. And then there’s Alexa, who will later point out — helpfully, precisely — that it’s a dating website actually, haha, Hinge. The match sits there, doing what matches do, until the calendar rolls along and it’s October 2022, and they officially meet in person. Alexa and Jacob in Spinelli's Chapel That’s when Alexa takes stock. Jacob shows up in skinny jeans and big black stud earrings — a combination that, for her, lands somewhere between “huh” and “okay then.” She thinks he’s a little weird. But he’s also so funny. The kind of funny that rearranges first impressions and makes the outfit less of a headline. And just like that, two perspectives start to find room for ...

Beautiful. Classic. Romantic ... with a touch of humor. That describes Cassandra and Stephen's vow renewal day. This couple enjoys laughing together, loving together, and loving their little one.  “This love story begins the way all great romances do: with a hallway drink of water.” It’s the summer of 2004. Stephen is finishing a workout at school and steps into the hallway for a quick drink and a breather. Ordinary stuff. Just a hallway, a summer day, and the simple business of moving on with it. At the same time, Cassandra is arriving with her best friend to catch a basketball game. Not early, not late, just right on time for a summer evening. She turns down the hallway, he turns up the hallway, and there they are. They pass each other and say hi. It’s brief. It doesn’t need to be more. Stephen thinks she’s cute. Cassandra had noticed him the year before but had been too shy to introduce herself. So this moment becomes their first real meeting, a small hello that barely inte...

How Modern Couples Are Creating Wedding Days That Feel Relaxed, Personal, and Actually Enjoyable For decades, weddings followed a predictable formula. Ceremony in the afternoon. Cocktail hour immediately after. Dinner. Speeches. First dances. Open dancing. Grand exit. And while that structure still works beautifully for many couples, something has shifted in recent years. Couples planning a modern wedding are asking a new question: “Do we actually have to do it this way?” The answer is no. Today’s wedding timelines are becoming more personal, more flexible, and more experience-driven than ever before. Instead of building the day around tradition alone, couples are building wedding day schedules around what feels natural to them. They are prioritizing connection, comfort, and genuine enjoyment over simply checking boxes. If you’ve ever felt pressure to follow a traditional wedding timeline just because “that’s how it’s done,” this guide will show you why modern wedding tim...

Friends, how did we end up here today? How did these two people somehow not only end up meeting, but also end up falling in love and choosing to spend the rest of their lives together? Well, I'd like to spend the next few minutes Telling you the true story version of how that happened. This love story begins the way all the great romances begin: with a trip to Culver’s . Two packs of high school kids, from two different schools, find themselves in neighboring booths. It’s the kind of evening where french fries take their time and conversations spill over the booth backs. One group leans into the other, and pretty soon there isn’t much of a border at all. Christian is there with his friends. Chloe is there with hers. He notices her as “quiet and a bit awkward.” He files that away. He’ll later keep the “awkward” part as a standing joke. She notices him instantly. He isn’t the loudest one in his group—less involved than some of his friends—but he’s tall, he’s handsom...

 Wow! What a wedding this one was! Originally, Amanda and RJ were set up to get married and have their reception at Blanca's Reception Hall . We had the rehearsal and they decorated the venue the night before the wedding. Early the next morning, the mayor closed all public gatherings and shut down all event centers, etc. due to Covid 19 ! I got a desperate call from Amanda, explaining that they were trying to get their decorations from the venue and moving everything to their house. About 50 people crammed into Amanda and RJs home! The counters were crammed with pans of food that had been intended for the reception. I don't think the cake made it. You can see in the picture above, the big-screen television is our altar! It was tight quarters doing the broom-jumping ritual ! All-in-all, I think, despite the stress and difficulties of the day - Amanda and RJ were happy that the wedding was still able to take place, and most of their friends and family were happy to be there for t...

Ohhhh! I love this topic. Because let me tell you something I see all the time as an officiant standing at the front of the room… Couples stressing over napkin colors while completely overlooking the things that actually shape how the day feels . So, let’s talk about it. Let’s talk about where to splurge, where to save, and how to build a wedding budget you won’t look back on with regret. Where to Splurge vs. Save on Your Wedding One of the first “oh wow” moments after you get engaged is this: Weddings cost more than you thought. You start with a dreamy Pinterest board and a rough number in your head. Then the real quotes come in. Venue. Catering. Photography . Florals. Entertainment . Rentals. It adds up fast. And suddenly you’re asking the same question almost every couple asks: “Where should we actually spend our money… and where can we scale back without ruining the experience?” Here’s the truth I’ve learned from standing at the altar week after week: Not every par...