MARCY ANN'S BEACH WEDDING BLOG

Best Dates for On-The-Sand Beach Wedding

2012-01-18T13:08:00.000-08:00

Hi Ms. Beach Bride, I have checked the tides for 2012 and here are the best dates for a wedding on the sand:
April 6th or 7th
April 20th or 21st
4:00pm May 4th or 5th
4:00pm May 18th or 19th
May 25th or 26th
June 8th or 9thy
June 22nd or 23rd
July 6th or 7th
July 20th or 21st
August 3rd or 4th
August 14th or 18th
Sept. lst or 2nd 4:30pm
Sept. 7th 5:00pm
Sept. 8th 6:00pm
Sept. 14th 4:30pm
Sept. 15th 3:30pm
Sept. 21st or 22nd 5:00pm
Sept. 28th or 29th 3:30pm
Laguna Beach has the prettiest beaches but they are small so they wash out at high tide. We have high tides at the full moon. If you have handicapped, wheelchair or elderly, the best beach is Picnic Beach as it has a ramp for people to get down to the beach. There are 26 steps to get down to North Main Beach or Diver's Cove beaches. Laguna does not allow chairs, but most people who live in California have a beach chair, and guests can bring their beach chairs if they need seating. Laguna Beach is the ONLY City that allows weddings on the beach in the summer months of June, July or August. These are the busiest months as Laguna Beach also has the Pageant of the Masters during July and August. Beach permits are non-exclusive use of the beach but it will guarantee that there will not be another wedding at your permit time. If I was a beach bride, I would be very unhappy if I got down to the sand and there was another bride there having her wedding, too! All eyes should be on you and only you! And everybody at the beach will also be watching you walk down the aisle.

2012-01-02T14:39:00.000-08:00

Beautiful Bride at the beach January lst, 2012 80 degrees in Laguna Beach!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Mia and Michael and Caleb are starting the New Year as a family with proud grandparents and aunts and uncles!

Cinderelle Shoes at the beach!

2011-12-30T13:31:00.000-08:00

This bride did take these beautiful shoes off when

she got down to the beach and she was

married barefoot on the sand.

Christmas in Laguna Beach California

2011-12-23T13:16:00.000-08:00

This is Emily and Alex from Wales - fly all the way over the waters

to be married in Laguna Beach, California.

Cute Santa Hats!!!

2011-11-14T10:30:00.000-08:00

The bride's brother came early and made all of the sand castles that encircled the place where Jess and Rick said their vows. This was another one of our ll/ll/ll weddings. There were eleven weddings at the beach that day!

Global Wedding Ceremony in Laguna Beach

2011-11-14T10:12:00.000-08:00

This bride came from Figi with her three neices who were her bridesmaids. The groom was a very tall, dark and handsome German-Japanese and his Best Man was French Cajun. We had a gorgeous sunny day at the beach for the ceremony on ll/ll/ll. There was a group of students from Chicago who were attending a conference at UCLA who were visiting Laguna Beach that day. The conference simulated a meeting of the United Nations, and each studen had been assigned a country. The students lined up and made the "aisle" for the bride to walk down. I felt that we were all in sync together, participating in the future of what life on earth is going to eventually become. Loving and being loved is all there is!

Out of the Box Bride

2011-11-14T09:57:00.000-08:00

When you are getting married for the second time, and you've already had the "big wedding" the first time, why not just be yourself! This bride looked real and sexy at the same time, wearing her blue jeans and a lovely silky cranberry top. She picked up the cranberry color in her bouquet. The groom also wore blue jeans and a white shirt. The kids wore blue jeans and various colors of tops. The bride had 2 children, a boy and a girl, and the groom had 2 children, a boy and a girl. It was just the six of them at the ceremony.

beach wedding

2011-10-17T12:21:00.000-07:00

This is a picture from up on the cliff looking down on our beach wedding Sunday October 16th.

What a gorgeous day!! All the guests are gathered around the bride and groom

while they say their vows. FYI, if you want a beach wedding, and you have

guests who can't go up and down stairs to get down to the beach,

remember, they can watch from up above.

getting ready at the beach

2011-10-17T12:17:00.000-07:00

While the bride was on her cell phone to try to see when her bridesmaid would arrive, she held the mirror for one of the groomsmen to tie his tie. The bridesmaid didn't plan her time very well and as it turned out, she was still on the toll road about 45 minutes away. So the bride asked one of her guests, a good friend, to step in and be the missing bridesmaid. Her dress didn't match the other girls, however, no one was upset about this. Or even said anything about it. At a wedding, guests NEVER wonder about anything. It is the bride's day and guests figure, if that is what the bride wanted, then it's OK! And guests are just happy to be there.

fancy socks

2011-10-17T12:13:00.000-07:00

These groomsmen bared their legs to show their fancy socks! The bridesmaids were all in hot pink dresses, so the socks matched!

Remembering Mother

2011-10-16T11:10:00.000-07:00

These are sisters and their mother had passed. The bride had her sister be her Maid of Honor and the Maid of Honor's bouquet had a necklace on it with a picture of their mother. We said in the ceremony that we knew that their mother joined us today from Spirit.

New Daddy

2011-10-16T11:05:00.000-07:00

This bride married her U.S. Marine and this highly decorated soldier will now be the role model and father-figure to these three boys. Since the Marine wore his dress blues, the bride dressed her boys in military garb!

children at your beach wedding

2011-10-16T11:00:00.000-07:00

Can you have children at your beach wedding? Can you have children in your beach wedding? The answer is yes and yes. What will children do at a beach wedding? They will play in the sand! This bride brought sand buckets and shovels and other beach toys, and while the bride and groom are taking their pictures, the kids had a ball! Remember, sand is kind and forgiving. It is not mud. It will not stick to clothes or stain or damage clothes. Kids can play in the sand and yes, you will have sand in your car going home, but sand is fun! Sand is harmless. So let the kids play in their wedding clothes. These pictures are of the flower girl and ring bearer. They didn't want to leave they were having so much fun!

prettiest dress of 2011

2011-09-30T12:36:00.000-07:00

This is by far the prettiest dress I've seen all year. And we had a simply gorgeous day at the beach in Laguna Beach for this bride's wedding. All of her girls were dressed in purple and they had purple and white flower bouquets. The bride chose the classic white rose bouquet to go with her beautiful dress. All the guys wore the sand colored dockers with white shirts. The groom wore a sand colored vest. As you can see the beaches are empty now. October is the PERFECT time to have a beach wedding in California. Beautiful blue skies, empty beaches, warm balmy days, cooler nights. xoxoxo Marcy Ann http://www.marcyann.com/

bell ringer

2011-09-29T12:29:00.000-07:00

This is the bride's nephew and he was the best bell ringer I've ever seen!!! He ran down the sidewalk ringing the bell, saying: THE BRIDE IS COMING!!!! THE BRIDE IS COMING!!!! He ran all around the entire area, even over by Las Brisas Restaurant and made sure EVERYONE knew that the bride was coming!

Korean Television

2011-09-19T16:29:00.000-07:00

I am being interviewed by KBS - A Korean Television Broadcast Station. The interview will show in Los Angeles, but it will also be seen all over Korea and on several international travel sites.

"beach shoes"

2011-09-18T11:36:00.000-07:00

Yes, Ms. Bride - you can wear your platform shoes with the 4" heels at your beach wedding!

This bride walked down the ramp to the beach in her heels, but she kicked her shoes off to walk across the sand.

Picture Perfect at Crescent Bay Park Laguna Beach

2011-09-16T12:42:00.001-07:00

In these days of tight budgets and smaller weddings - brides who would like a more intimate and romantic setting for their wedding - here is a picture of Crescent Bay Park in Laguna Beach. This is the only location in the public areas of Laguna Beach that offers seating for the guests - 40 guests!! So if you are planning that smaller wedding, this is the PICTURE PERFECT place!! We will provide white pillows for the guests to sit on. The entrance to this amplitheater is through a lovely garden which is always in bloom. The package is $1200 and includes the permit, location, decorations as shown, pillows for the guests to sit on, coordinator, music, and romantic wedding ceremony with either male or female (Marcy Ann) minister. We also have a reception venue in Newport Beach that starts at $40pp including venue fee, tax and gratuity! See a virtual tour of this park at www.marcyann.com/orange_county_weddings.htm. Call today for more details - Marcy Ann 949-433-3129.

first kiss as husband & wife - at sunset

2011-09-15T13:33:00.000-07:00

This couple came from Harrisburg Pennsylvania across the country to be married at the beach in Laguna Beach California. They stayed at the Inn at Laguna Beach which is an oceanfront hotel that looks right down on the beach. We took this picture in a charming little park nestled inbetween The Hotel Laguna and Laguna Cliffs Village. A lot of people miss this precious spot, but when you work with a local person in the area, we know all these hidden little gems!! When you book a destination wedding, I heartily advise you to work with a person who lives in the area and is familiar with all rules and regulations, the best locations and out-of-the-way little charming places like Brown's Park!

Sexy beach bride!

2011-09-14T13:09:00.000-07:00

Who says you can't be sexy on your wedding day?

This dress was very much a bride dress

but she also showed some leg!

The bride made everything for her beach wedding

2011-09-14T13:01:00.000-07:00

The bride made the dresses and the bouquets for herself and her bridesmaids, the starfish lapel pins for the guys, the shell ring holder, even their beach sandals. It was a gorgeous day at the beach for her ceremony. She and the groom were boyfriend-girlfriend 33 years ago when they were teen-agers. They were each other's first love. After graduating from high school, they went their separate ways, married other people, the bride had five children, the groom had two children. Now all the children are grown and on their own and they felt it was time for them to be together now for the rest of their lives. The bride walked down the aisle to the song Open Arms by Journey accompanied by her son D.J. pictured above with his starfish lapel pin. We did the FAMILY BLENDING OF THE SANDS CEREMONY. I took the sand from under the feet of the bride and groom and put it in the Keepsake Container, and each child put in their color of sand. D.J. wanted 2 colors - black & yellow which are the colors of his favorite football team.

Vera Wang Beach Wedding Dress

2011-09-01T10:59:00.000-07:00

Not often do I get a bride who wears a Vera Wang dress for her beach wedding. But here it is! Gorgeous!

beautiful bouquets

2011-03-20T13:49:00.000-07:00

March 19th Wedding at Picnic Beach in Laguna Beach

Winter Snow Princess at the Beach!

2011-03-11T11:00:00.000-08:00

This beautiful white cape with fur is exactly what every winter beach bride needs to have, just in case it gets a little chilly in the evening! The bride's grandmother bought it for her and now I have it for rent for all of my winter beach brides!

14 year Vow Renewal

2011-03-04T10:54:00.000-08:00

When this bride called me to ask if I could do a 14 year vow Renewal for her, I had to ask her - 14 years? That's an interesting time to do a Vow Renewal. And she said, "My husband just completed a 9 month deployment to Afghanistan, and he has come back home to me and our four children. It is time to celebrate! We missed him so much."

I couldn't agree more. During World War II, men with four children did not go to war.

And my grandson just deployed to Afghanistan to be part of a NATO Mission to END THIS WAR!

I pray that this is true. Please join me in demanding that we end all wars and bring all of our boys and fathers home.

Haiti & Ireland

2011-03-04T10:49:00.000-08:00

Magalie from Haiti and Michael from Ireland - I married them on the deck at Ruby Street Park in Laguna Beach March 2nd, 2011.

beach bride - before and after

2011-03-04T10:47:00.000-08:00

Here they are after the ceremony doing their romantic pictures.

The date is March lst, 2011

Beach Bride - before and after

2011-03-04T10:45:00.000-08:00

This is my bride walking across the sand with her dad, her Matron of Honor and her neice.

February Beach Wedding

2011-02-14T11:30:00.000-08:00

Stacey and Troy came from Chicago to have their beach wedding in California. They have had a terrible winter in Chicago this year. It was 75 degrees, warm and sunny here in California! Troy's parents came from Wisconsin. We had a perfect wedding for them! I provided the beautiful location, got the permit for them, set up the decorations, provided a photographer and a violinist, and I even got the bridal bouquet and the bridesmaids bouquets. Stacey chose red, orange and yellow gerber daisies. All for under $1,000.00! Come to California for your SIMPLY ON THE SAND BEACH WEDDING!!!

On the sand beach wedding

2010-12-13T12:58:00.000-08:00

This is North Main Beach in Laguna Beach - that is historic Pelican Rock out in the ocean. There are 26 steps to get down to this beach. However, if you have elderly or handicapped, there is a flat entrance to the beach up by the lifeguard station. At that lifeguard station, they keep a sand wheelchair (the one with the big wheels). It is available to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. When you are considering an on-the-sand beach wedding, sometimes it's hard for Gramma to come. We have one location where the elderly can view from up on the cliff. While they will see everything, they probably won't hear anything. Laguna Beach has gotten very strict about what they will allow in the way of decorations. A lot of other vendors are still offering more elaborate decorations that I do, but they are illegal. And there is the risk that the police will come and stop the wedding. Laguna does "random" enforcement, so you never know! I don't take the risk. Since I do about 200 weddings a year in Laguna Beach, I have to go by the rules! However, if you have an aisle to walk down, and you can hear from favorite music played, and you are at the beach at the edge of the ocean, and your man is waiting for you at the "altar"what more is there?

Gorgeous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-12-12T09:53:00.000-08:00

One of the prettiest places in all of Southern California is Crescent Bay Park in Laguna Beach. During these more strict economic times, you can choose to cut down your guest list, only invite 40 guests, and have your ceremony at Crescent Bay Park. There are a lot more pictures of the park on www.marcyann.com. There is a small amplitheater where the guests can sit. The view is beautiful - you can see all up and down the coast of Southern California. We will decorate the amplitheater for you, have a violinist or guitarist, and do the ceremony. You can have a small reception at Aliso Creek Inn or Salt Creek Grill. Have your guests go to the reception site, park their car, have a party bus to bring them to the park. Do the ceremony and then take them back to the reception for a nice dinner and some dancing, cake & champagne!

How old were you when you got married?

2010-12-12T09:29:00.000-08:00

I was 19 years old when I got married. I had gone to college and met a gentleman who was pursuing a law degree. We got married and I worked while he finished his degree. Then we went into the Air Force for two years. And he joined a law firm and we started our family. We had three children. Those kids are all grown now and on their own, making their own home and raising their children.

This picture is of a very young groom. He is only 20 years old and his bride is 15 years older than he is. However, she had never been married before. And it was obvious to me that she had waited until she found her twin flame before she got married. This boy was every inch a man this day that he stood to take her to be his wife. He had made all of the plans for the wedding. He booked a suite at the gorgeous St. Regis Hotel, ordered her a beautiful red and white rose bouquet, champagne, my special shell cake, and we did the ceremony down on the sand at the edge of the ocean, inbetween two rather heavy rain showers that day. It was all about just the two of them and the photographer and I felt like they indeed were in their own private world where nothing else mattered and they were hardly aware of us! I did do the ceremony and the photographer got about 150 pictures but they were in their own world of love and being loved.

Age is relative. We have different levels of being - spiritual, intellectual, emotional and physical. At each level, we can be a different age. Our chronological age does not necessarily indicate our true accumulative age. So when we are true to our self and know ourself, we will be coming together with another soul who is our sure complement and compliment.

bouquets & lapel flowers!

2010-08-23T10:40:00.000-07:00

My desert bride incorporated cactus in her beach bridal bouquet! And another bride took starfish and glued a pin on the back and the fellows wore them as boutineers!

beach shoes?

2010-07-11T09:44:00.001-07:00

These girls had to take off these shoes to go down
to the sand for the wedding!!!

my brides last week

2010-04-28T11:24:00.000-07:00

2010-04-16T11:53:00.000-07:00

This couple came from New York to California for their 25th Wedding Anniversary. Instead of re-giving one another their original rings, the husband gave the wife a toe ring "as a symbol of my love and a sign to the world that you are still my wife!"

St. Thomas Virgin Islands

2010-03-27T12:38:00.000-07:00

I married my granddaughter Elizabeth at Bolongo Bay on St. Thomas Virgin Islands. We did the ceremony out on a sailboat on the water. She was a gorgeous bride, they are a handsome couple! And the wedding was perfect. I highly recommend the staff at Bolongo Bay to do your wedding. Also I would be happy to fly down and do the ceremony for you!!! xoxo Rev. Marcy Ann

www.marcyann.com

949-433-3129

beach brides

2010-02-12T09:19:00.000-08:00

This Las Vegas couple brought their umbrella for their beach wedding last Saturday - but .....
it was a gorgeous sunny day here in California!

Beach 'Wedding with photos

2010-02-06T11:32:00.000-08:00

We are still offering our ON THE SAND BEACH WEDDING PACKAGE for up to 95 guests with two hours of professional photos - $1,360.00

BEACH PHOTO SPECIAL

2010-01-02T08:26:00.001-08:00

Book you summer beach wedding now in January and get our beach photo special!
1-25 guests beach wedding with decorations, music, Unity Sand Ceremony and one hour of professional photos, only $1,195.00.

25-95 guests beach wedding with deluxx decorations, music, Unity Sand Ceremony and two hours of photos, only $1,495.00 if you book in January.

WINTER GAZEBO PHOTO SPECIAL

2009-12-30T08:54:00.000-08:00

WINTER GAZEBO PHOTO SPECIAL! $875!Available now until March 31st, 2010.

Location is Laguna Beach Heisler Park Gazebo. Package includes permit, insurance, gazebo wedding decorations, music, romantic wedding ceremony and one hour of photos. We will get the permit and coordinate everything for you on your wedding day. We can arrange for you to not see each other. You can have up to 50 guests - there is seating for 8 people. Call Marcy Ann 949-433-3129 today!

ELOPEMENTS

2009-12-22T12:56:00.000-08:00

Hello Beach Brides! Just for clarification purposes, our Elopement Packages are for 2 people only. Just the two of you! If you are going to have parents and grandparents or friends or even just one friend, it is not an ELOPEMENT. Having guests totally changes the dynamic of your wedding. And at the beaches, we would need to get a permit, if it is more than 2 people.
xoxoxoxoxo
Marcy Ann
www.marcyann.com

Summer in December

2009-12-21T09:08:00.000-08:00

While the East Coast digs out from record snows, we had record high temperatures here in California. 80 degrees and sunny at the beach on SAturday and 76 degrees and sunny on Sunday! SAturday wedding was in the gazebo and Sunday ceremony was down on the sand!! Perfect!! Beautiful brides!

January Winter Ocean Special

2009-12-14T12:57:00.000-08:00

Rain or shine, it is gorgeous at the ocean. Our January Winter Special is the location, in beautiful Laguna Beach, the decorations, heart garland for where you stand to say you vows filled with real rose petals, the music, coordinating the processional, romantic wedding ceremony with Unity Sand Ceremony, First Gift and one hour of photos for $850 - during January only!

What if it rains????

2009-12-14T09:19:00.000-08:00

The groom went and got the bride out of the car and carried her into the gazebo while their friends held the umbrellas. The bride had wisely chosen to wear a white fur jacket also to keep warm! We had made arrangements with the restaurant next door to do our "outdoor" shots inside where it was warm and comfortable!

Sunset in the ocean in Southern California

2009-12-10T11:12:00.000-08:00

We will be having these glorious sunsets in Southern California now until March 20th. During the day it is usually in the high 60's, even the low 70's so it is still very nice if you want to have a wedding at the beach. We usually book the gazebo in Heisler Park in Laguna Beach (in case of a sprinkle) and then go down to the sand if it is a pretty day. The beaches are empty and waiting for your beach wedding. Remember, in June, July and August, the beaches are full of people and the sun sets in the West in the summertime which for us is behind the Palos Verdes Cliffs. In Summer we get the golden light, but not the sunset in the ocean. NOW IS THE TIME! Come to California for your beach wedding. xoxox Marcy Ann 949-433-3129

Tossing the bouquet at the beach

2009-12-08T08:16:00.000-08:00

Ilove this shot of the family running down the beach! And, Remember, anything you can do at a wedding, you can do at your beach wedding. Kevin & Kim climbed up on the lifeguard station tower and Kevin bent her back so she could toss her bouquet!

Dog Beach in Huntington Beach, CA

2009-12-07T10:31:00.001-08:00

Kim & Kevin wanted their dogs at the wedding.

December flowers in California

2009-12-04T13:12:00.000-08:00

The upper left is my Christmas cactus - it has started blooming and will bloom through the end of December. The next picture are panies! These were just planted. They will bloom all winter. And the last picture is my rose bush! Still blooming December 2nd. Remember, it's always "summer" in California. We can do your beach wedding all winter here. xoxo Marcy Ann

Put yourself in these pictures!

2009-12-01T11:55:00.000-08:00

It has been said that a picture is worth 1,000 words. Just enjoy these pictures of the wedding I did for Natalie and Jason from Australia and imagine yourself in these pictures!

They stayed at the gorgeous Hyatt Regency in Huntington Beach and we did the ceremony on the sand at sunset.

Vow Renewal from South Africa

2009-11-30T13:19:00.000-08:00

Lara and Shawn stopped by Laguna Beach during their six month around-the-world honeymoon tour to re-say their Vows in front of family and friends here in California. We were in the gazebo in laguna Beach, and they went down to the beach to do their "after" pictures.

You can too! Our gazebo photo special is only $925.00 and includes everything!

xoxoxoxo

Marcy Ann

949-433-3129

ALL ABOARD!!!

2009-11-28T13:23:00.000-08:00

All Aboard! Get ready to get married on the train! I have found a real train that is now a restaurant that can have up to 125 sit down guests and prices are really reasonable! You can have the ceremony and the reception with dancing there and get great photos, too! Our all-inclusive which includes everything but your flowers and videography is under $8,000 - call me for more details Marcy Ann 949-433-3129

Vendors hard at work

2009-11-23T09:46:00.000-08:00

This is the gorgeous 5-star St. Regis Hotel in Monarch Beach, California. The videographer and photographer are getting some great shots of the bride and groom. They did a lst dance in this grand staircase area. There was a grand piano over in the corner which I played while the B&G danced. This is our PLATNUM ELOPEMENT PACKAGE which starts at $1,775.00 and includes the romantic wedding ceremony, either on the property or at the beach, photos, video, cake & champagne, flowers, and first dance. It's all about the TWO OF YOU!

Shell Cake

2009-11-23T09:44:00.001-08:00

If you are having a beach wedding, consider this beautiful shell wedding cake! We used REAL shells from the beach - the bride had requested the lavender icing. And this is a chocolate cake.

WINTER GAZEBO PHOTO SPECIAL $925

2009-11-16T10:07:00.000-08:00

This is the Sampson Overlook Gazebo in Dana Point. It looks out to all the boats in the harbor and the ocean is in the background. As you can see, you need a professional photographer to take the pictures. I took this with my Kodak digital camera, but the professional camera with better lens or sustained flash can compensate for the light from the ocean and you get better pictures. This is our deluxx gazebo decorations - really pretty! And you get the location, the decorations, music, processional coordination, and one hour of photos for $925!! This special is good from now until March 31st 2010. Remember, it is always "summertime" during the day in California. And the sun sets in the ocean in the Winter.

Call me 949-433-3129 - and I'll make it happen for YOU!!!!!!!!!! Marcy Ann

2009-11-15T12:37:00.000-08:00

Remember, it is still summer-time in California. The flowers are blooming and the sun is setting in the ocean in Southern California! Let us do your beach wedding for you. Marcy Ann 949-433-3129

2009-11-11T09:09:00.000-08:00

Beautiful dress, handsome groom in white, oceanview location, oceanfront bed & breakfast inn for the reception and where all the guests stayed, Mercedes convertible, what more could a bride want! for her wedding day!

Cupcakes and Cake

2009-11-09T12:15:00.000-08:00

This is a cute way to do cake at an outdoor park. You notice the one layer cake on top for the bride and groom to cut and the guests get a decorated cupcake. My bakery Solomon's in Lake Forest will do this for you!

2009-11-07T11:53:00.000-08:00

Here's my bride and groom from yesterday. We met in the gazebo and took the picture of the five generations of women. And then down to the sand for the beach wedding. Gramma was 90 years old and she was able to walk up and down the 25 steps to get down to the beach! The bride had her bouquet made to match the pattern of her dress and his shirt. Really pretty!

2009-11-07T09:31:00.000-08:00

Hi Marcy Ann-
Thank you so much for performing such a beautiful ceremony for David and me. It was perfect! I wanted to send you a couple pictures. Feel free to use them, and to use David and I as a reference.
Best wishes-
Jo Ann & David
Cleveland, Ohio

My New Book

2009-11-06T10:54:00.000-08:00

Last night I spoke at the Tustin Library in Orange County about what to do while you are waiting for Mr. Right. The picture is from the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books last April.

I encouraged the single women who came to hear me speak last night to become an independent and self-sufficient woman who did not need any one in her life to be happy. "Make yourself happy!" I told them. I encourage single women to take charge of their life, to find out what their passion is, what is the purpose for their life, and then get going! I also told them if they are living with a man and they are not married, that they should change that situation. "Get out on your own and make it yourself." And stay autonomous until a man asks you to be his wife! Not a live-in girl friend!! And then we will plan your wedding together! xoxo Marcy Ann www.MrRightforme.com

Ocean Beauty

2009-11-06T10:48:00.000-08:00

This was our wedding this week - isn't this gorgeous! Beautiful fresh flowers - the bride wore a pale yellow shimmery sheath dress and her bouquet was pale yellow roses with white tulips - so pretty! We used fresh yellow roses and yellow lilies down the aisle and on the arch.

It was a beautiful California day with deep blue skies, blue ocean, green palm trees and green grass. When can I do this for you?

Sweeney Todd

2009-11-01T11:50:00.001-08:00

I also met Sweeney Todd!

Halloween

2009-11-01T11:44:00.001-08:00

This is a couple who came to a Halloween party dressed as a bride and groom, but I found out that they were newlyweds, so we did their lst year vow renewal in the backyard at the party!

This is the bride's actual dress and the groom's actual tux that they were originally married in.

She also wore the hat at her wedding. Pretty!

2009-10-29T14:49:00.000-07:00

This is south Laguna Beach - and all of those flowers will be blooming all winter here. Also we will be having that gorgeous blue sky! and of course, the beautiful blue Pacific ocean. If you are thinking about having a wedding on the sand in southern California, you can go to www.cyberangler.com and check the tide charts. Go to California and scrool down to the Newport Beach listing - and then put in your specific date. We have been having very big tides (part of this "global weather change thing), so some of the beaches wash out at high tide. You will want to choose a date and time at low tide. Then call me at 949-433-3129 and I'll set everything up for you! xoxo Marcy Ann www.marcyann.com

2009-10-27T08:17:00.000-07:00

You can stand right here and get married!

Orange County is in Southern California and we face south. So in the summer months, the sun does not set into the ocean. However, from now until March 21st we are getting the ocean sunsets! A perfect time to have a beach wedding!!!

Lots of bridesmaids and groomsmen

2009-10-26T08:45:00.000-07:00

When you have a beach wedding, you can have as many bridesmaids and groomsmen as you want! And wear a wedding dress with a long train. This was our wedding last Saturday October 24th. Remember, it is still summer in California.

Let Daniel play for your wedding!

2009-10-23T12:57:00.000-07:00

Happy Couple from Cleveland Ohio

2009-10-23T12:56:00.001-07:00

Yellow or White Sashes

2009-10-21T10:06:00.000-07:00

Whether you use yellow sashes or white sashes, your beach wedding is beautiful! And there are many other colors available - chocolate, silver, black, red, green, blue - what are the colors of your wedding?

2009-10-20T14:21:00.000-07:00

The ocean, blue skies, sunshine, yellow sashes on the chair covers and yellow rose petals, violin and cello playing the Wedding March. What more could a bride desire!!!

Arrive in Style

2009-10-19T09:26:00.000-07:00

Check out this antique car - arrive in style!

2009-10-18T15:30:00.000-07:00

It is a German custom to toast the bride and groom right after they are declared husband and wife. So Amy & Christian are getting ready as their server passes out the champagne!

2009-10-15T08:54:00.000-07:00

Although neither Susan nor Edwin practise any specific religious faith, they chose to be married at St. Frances by the Sea American Catholic Church in Laguna Beach. This Church is on the National Register of Historic Places in the United States, along with the Statue of Liberty, Niagara Falls, the Mississippi River and Grand Canyon!What a great place to get married! And I - Rev. Marcy Ann - did the ceremony for them!

You can rent the Church for $500 and you can have up to 75 guests.

2009-10-15T08:49:00.000-07:00

The bride and groom each had two daughters, so here they are. During the ceremony, mom and dad gave each daughter a lovely sterling silver necklace with a diamond heart as a symbol of their love and a sign to the world that they will be a real family together. We also did the Family Blending-of-the-Sands Ceremony.

Blow the conch shell!

2009-10-12T15:14:00.001-07:00

Mary & Bruce's Wedding October llth 2009

Jeremy, Mary's grandson, blew the conch shell right before she walked into the gazebo to Pacabell Cannon D. Everyone had fresh leis from Hawaii!

2009-10-06T14:59:00.000-07:00

This is Dalat and Stephanie's wedding last Saturday at Huntington City Beach. Yes, you can have your wedding on the sand with arch and chairs at the City Beach in April and May and September after Labor Day, October and November. Their four-part string quartet in full tuxedo's are playing in the shadow of Lifeguard Station Six!

2009-10-04T10:15:00.000-07:00

This is the beautiful entrance to the gazebo in Laguna Beach. Ling's friends from Shanghei came to her wedding. We can do weddings all winter in the gazebo. Call today to reserve your date.

2009-09-30T14:32:00.000-07:00

This is Heritage Park in Dana Point. Seating for 80 guests. You need to get a permit from the City of Dana Point. Call Sue at 949-248-3530.

For information on this package, call Marcy Ann 949-433-3129.

BEST DEAL! WEDDING & RECEPTION

2009-09-30T14:07:00.000-07:00

The best deal I have found in Orange County is The Beach House in Dana Point. You can have up to 80 guests. You do the ceremony on the patio with a view of the channel where the boats are going in and out and looking up the channel, you can see the ocean. You take all of your pictures out on the grass in front of the channel looking out to the ocean. You do the ceremony on the patio and then have your reception inside looking out at the yachts. Perfect! Prices are great!
You can have DJ, dancing, cake & champagne and not break the bank. If you want more information, you can call me - Marcy Ann - 949-433-3129.

seating for your guests

2009-09-30T14:00:00.000-07:00

If you want to have your wedding out in a park with an oceanview in Orange County, and be able to have seating for your guests, the only place you can do this is in Dana Point. This picture is Pines Park on Camino Capistrano Street in Dana Point. It is available every other weekend. Parking is good. You need to get a permit from the City of Dana Point. Talk to Sue at 949-248-3530.

2009-09-29T11:59:00.000-07:00

As you know, it is still SUMMER in California! And it was really hot this past weekend. However, Laura was having a great time with her bridesmaids while they were waiting to walk down the aisle. We all waited under the tree as it was cool there. Aren't her colors gorgeous! We were waiting for the violinist who lives out in the area where a fire is burning. Her regular route was closed, and she was rerouted on a far-out path. We had 100 guests sitting in the sun, and we just couldn't wait any longer, so we went ahead and started the wedding, using our back-up boombox. Laura got to walk down the aisle to a full orchestra playing Cannon D, and we refunded her the money for the violinist. After driving for two hours, the violinist finally arrived. I gave the violinist $60 expense money anyway - just part of loving and being loved which is why we are here on earth - to love and to be loved!

beach wedding dresses

2009-09-27T09:39:00.000-07:00

These were my brides on September 26th at the beach. As you can see, all of them chose very traditional wedding dresses, even with a train. Remember, sand is not dirty. Your lovely wedding train can trail behind you across the sand and not get soiled.

Presentation of the Bride traditions

2009-09-26T09:13:00.001-07:00

Yesterday was a gorgeous day at the beach. This picture is at Pines Park in Dana Point - full ocean view location on the cliff. This is the Princess in the Park Package - beautiful! My bride had her real father walk her from the sidewalk to the beginning of the aisle where her step-father took her hand and walked her down the aisle. Another presentation of the bride is for both fathers to walk her in, one on each side. What you would decide to do depends upon what your relationship is with each father and what relationship the fathers have with each other. I had one bride tell me, "My mother is walking me down the aisle. My father doesn't deserve the honor!" I think the most beautiful presentation of the bride is when the mother and the father walk her down the aisle. If you have a question about what to do, just e-mail me. I can tell you what other brides have done or perhaps we can come up with a whole new presentation! And don't forget the groom. It is nice to have the groom presented, too! And have his parents walk him down the aisle.

2009-09-18T16:12:00.000-07:00

While most of the rest of the U.S. is getting into Fall and Winter, here in California we have 2 1/2 months more SUMMER!!! And actually, we can do weddings at the beach all year year.

personal vows

2009-09-15T17:48:00.000-07:00

I have brides and grooms ask me what they should say in a personal statement. I say: speak from your heart. Say what is in your heart. These pictures are from my wedding on Sept. 14th. Alyssa and Isaiah are both in the U.S. Coast Guard. So of course they had to be married at the beach, loving the ocean like they do. They said I could put their personal statements on the blog and share them with all of you. Here they are:

Isaiah: Alyssa, You and only you make me complete. You are my best friend, soul mate and the love of my life. You are the most amazing mother to our baby boy Makai, and I am proud to have you as my wife. I promise to love you, care for you and stay faithful to you until the day I die. You will always be my snowflake: beautiful, unique and one-of-a-kind.

Alyssa, Isaiah, Here we are, I love you. This is the day I have dreamt about my whole life. And this is exactly how I knew I would feel. I was stressing over the minor details, but now, right now, as I stand here with you, I see that the only thing that really matters most is YOU - you, my love, and I know you will always be here with me. I believe that. You have given me love like I never knew existed. You have made me laugh at things I never saw funny before. You just have enhanced every single aspect of my life. You never cease to amaze me. You are the man of my dreams, and I love you so much.

LEIS & GERBER DAISIES

2009-09-13T12:46:00.000-07:00

These pictures were of Jessica & Tony's wedding SAturday Sept. 12th. In the first picture, Jessie is presenting a lei to her Maid of Honor. She then presented leis to her bridesmaids and I got a cute picture of the girls doing their kicks! The next picture is the proud mothers of the bride and grom, taking pictures of the bride, and I got this shot of Jessie with her bouquet of magenta and yellow gerber daisies with her flower girl who has a child's white lei and is wearing a yellow-white-magenta dress and the groom looking on and he has a lapel flower of magenta & yellow gerber daisies and a tea leaf lei. I got all of the flowers for the bride. She also had tea leaf leis for her dad and all of the groomsmen. I can get all of the flowers for you, too.

Renae's August 29th 2009 wedding

2009-09-13T10:16:00.000-07:00

Hi Marcy Ann, First I wanted to thank you for our wonderful wedding day! The ceremony was everything we had hoped for and then some!!! It was absolutely beautiful and Reverend Jeff Alan did a great job with the service. All in all it was PERFECT! Thanks again, I would recommend your services to anyone looking for a beautiful beach wedding. Renae @ Human Resources Genpact, Irvine, USA

2009-09-12T15:29:00.000-07:00

Can you believe this? This is the day after Labor Day. Didn't I tell you that the beaches would be empty now? It's a perfect time to have your beach wedding now. We still have 2 1/2 months of summer left here in California.

public beaches for you wedding

2009-09-09T15:13:00.000-07:00

If you are choosing a beach in Southern California, it is going to be a public beach! And look at this picture! This was Labor Day weekend at the beach at Crystal Cove State Beach in Orange County. Hardly a spot left! So this is why I do not recommend that you try to do your beach weddings on a Holiday! There is no parking and very little sand left for that all important aisle for you to walk down. However, let me say, that NOW - after Labor Day - until November 15th - IS THE BEST TIME TO HAVE A BEACH WEDDING IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA!!! Perfect weather - and the beaches are now empty. Call me for a date. Marcy Ann 949-433-3129

destination beach wedding

2009-09-09T15:04:00.000-07:00

We just added our #21st foreign country - this bride is from Liberia! And we booked a wedding for October for a couple from Hungary - they were our 20th foreign country. We also did a wedding in the gazebo for a couple from Canada who raved about doing a destination wedding. Actually, they raved about us! They said it was such a comfort to work with someone who really knew the area and could provide reputable professionals. I booked the videographer, photographer, florist and decorator for them.
Let us do your Destination Wedding!
www.marcyann.com
949-433-3129

beach decorations

2009-09-03T10:32:00.000-07:00

When you are planning a beach wedding or a wedding on the cliff looking out over the ocean, you need to work with a planner in the local area - because: every city has different rules and regulations regarding using the beach or any public cliff location. A local planner will know these rules and regulations. Most cities in Southern California do not allow weddings during the summer months at the beach from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The reason is that the beaches are too crowded and there isn't enough parking. The exception to this is Laguna Beach. They DO allow beach weddings in the summertime, and you can have up to 95 guests. However, you can't have arches or chairs. Well, actually, guests can bring a beach chair or, we can do our BEACH BABY WEDDING PACKAGE (lst picture) and we put out blankets with pillows for seating. It's fun and pretty, too. The second picture is a one-of-a-kind location: an oceanfront gazebo in a beautiful rose garden. I don't think there is another place like this in the whole world. Roses in California begin to bloom in early March and bloom until December. This one is located in Dana Point, California, and you can have 30 to 40 seated guests and the rest of the guests would stand. Which one of these may I do for you? xoxo Marcy Ann http://www.marcyann.com/ 949-433-3129

beach photos

2009-09-02T10:23:00.000-07:00

A professional photographer is almost a MUST for a beach wedding. First of all, they have the right equipement with a big flash to "light balance" the ocean. The ocean throws off a tremendous amount of light which must be counter-balanced so your pictures are not dark.

Sounds funny, doesn't it!! Also, most photographers who work at the beach know all of the good photo spots, and they also know how to pose pictures. Remember, all you will have after all of the festivities are over are the pictures. When a bride tells me that her uncle has a nice camera and will take the pictures for her, I cringe! Having a "nice camera" doesn't mean he knows how to use it at the beach. Even my best friends and several members of my family who love to take pictures, have taken a lot of classes in photography and have "nice cameras" are not qualified to do a beach wedding! So, in planning the costs of your wedding, allow enough money for the pictures! My deal of 2 hours for $450 is an unbeatable price! You get a CD of all of the pictures. They are high quality digital. You can print in color, sepia or black and white. You make your own album. You book a professional for the wedding ceremony pictures, and then let "Uncle" do the pictures at the reception! xoxo Marcy Ann http://www.marcyann.com/ 949-433-3129

SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER SPECIALS

2009-09-01T13:22:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! Wow - September lst! Where did the summer go? Here in Orange County, California, we are still having summer, and actually, summer lasts all year here. September and October are some of the best months to have a beach wedding in Southern California. Beginning in October, the sun starts to set in the southern ocean! We are "southern" California, we face South, so in the summer months of June, July and August, since the sun sets in the west, we do not get the sunsets in the ocean in Laguna Beach. However, in October, we start to get the beautiful sunsets in the ocean, the beaches are not crowded, and you can have your perfect on-the-sand beach wedding! I read other beach wedding blogs that say you can't wear a traditional wedding dress for your beach wedding. Rubbish! I've had brides wear gorgeous satin traditional wedding dresses with long cathedral length trains at their beach wedding. Remember, sand is not dirty. Sand is soft and clean, even if it is wet, it does not hurt your dress. Walk down the beach with your beautiful train following behind, your wedding headdress blowing in the wind, and look gorgeous!

Our special for September & October is our BEACH PHOTO WEDDING PACKAGE for a red hot $1,195.00!
This includes an fresh flower aisle with fresh rose petals for the bride to walk down, the heart garland for where you stand to say your vows, coordination of the wedding ceremony, permit & insurance, and one hour of professional pictures. If you've been waiting to plan your beach wedding, wait no more. Get in on this great price and get married on-the-sand in Laguna Beach.

Last weekend in August weddings

2009-08-31T13:22:00.000-07:00

What a great weekend. Even though the thermometer was hovering around 100 degrees, we were cool and comfortable at the beach!! I got a great shot of Charly's beautiful dress, and the heart where she and Dane stood to say their vows. Happy bride Lori jumped for joy even though she had stubbed her toe the night before on the bed rail! Isn't her bouquet gorgeous! Enjoy Chris & Michael's kiss in sillouette in the gazebo and a lovely shot of their first dance.

beautiful location for a ceremony

2009-08-25T14:22:00.000-07:00

You can have your wedding and your reception here at The Beach House in Dana Point.
Wedding Ceremony only is $1,100.00. If you have your reception there also, lunch is $22 per person, dinner is $30 per person. Cake & champagne is extra. Or you could just have cake & champagne on the patio for $6 per person.

other locations

2009-08-23T15:05:00.001-07:00

This is the OC Sail & Event Center in Dana Point. You can have up to 100 guests and do the ceremony and reception there! We can take care of everything for you! This arch was made of feathers and we did candles and feathers on the tables at the reception. Really pretty.

Ronda and Nester 8/22

2009-08-23T12:03:00.001-07:00

These are pictures from Ronda & Nester's wedding August 22nd in the gazebo in Laguna Beach. That bouquet weighed about 25 lbs! It was beautiful, though. Ronda's little girls were playing ring-around-the-rosy around the heart where the bride and groom stood to say their vows. The happy couple are surrounded by their family and friends and all the bubbles and they now have a new family picture: Ronda, Nester, Briana, Beyonce, Jesus, Brooklyn, Jerermiah and Joel!!!!

Peggy and Kerrison at the Gazebo in Laguna Beach 8/22

2009-08-23T11:51:00.001-07:00

First picture is the family picture. And second picture is

Peggy and Kerrison arriving at their reception at Las Brisas.

Ly & Travis at Laguna Beach

2009-08-23T10:39:00.000-07:00

First picture is the sunset at Laguna Beach. Second picture is where Ly and Travis stood to say their vows. We stopped along our way to the beach to take picture #3.