Calif. Officiant Sees Increase in Requests for Same-Sex Marriage Ceremonies.Impromptu Weddings on the Rise LOS ANGELES Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. -- For 15 years, wedding officiant of·fi·ci·ant n. One who performs a religious rite or presides over a religious service or ceremony. Noun 1. officiant - a clergyman who officiates at a religious ceremony or service Chris Robinson has been helping couples quickly elope e·lope intr.v. e·loped, e·lop·ing, e·lopes 1. To run away with a lover, especially with the intention of getting married. 2. To run away; abscond. and experience a stress-free wedding day with a simple "I do" at truck stop coffee shops, on the sandy shores of Calif., in airport terminals and even on the set of a TV reality show. And over the last couple of weeks, he has seen a significant increase in the number of requests for same-sex marriage Noun 1. same-sex marriage - two people of the same sex who live together as a family; "the legal status of same-sex marriages has been hotly debated" couple, twosome, duet, duo - a pair who associate with one another; "the engaged couple"; "an inseparable ceremonies since California's Supreme Court overturned the ban on same-sex marriage. He currently has several ceremonies booked for next week, and the calls keep coming. With as little as a two-hour notice, Robinson, aka "The Officiant Guy," is one of the only officiants in Calif. who is an attorney and a specially authorized notary public A public official whose main powers include administering oaths and attesting to signatures, both important and effective ways to minimize Fraud in legal documents. . This unique authorization allows him to issue Los Angeles County "confidential" marriage licenses on the spot, with only the presence of the couple and the officiant. During a good week he can marry as many as 8 to 10 couples in a day. Robinson predicts an extra busy summer schedule as a result of the lift on the ban for same-sex marriage and rise in impromptu weddings. Surprise weddings have become the antithesis of big weddings, which can run into tens of thousands of dollars and can cause significant stress for couples and their family members. Soaring gas prices, the current housing crisis, and busy schedules are forcing couples to think twice about elaborate, over-the-top weddings and instead to focus on the simplicity of their love and their wedding day. "I really enjoy being a part of helping couples celebrate their wedding day with as little stress as possible," says Robinson. "And I'm especially excited to be able to provide same-sex couples the beautiful and intimate wedding ceremony they deserve, whether it's on a beach in Malibu or in a quiet backyard, enabling them to forego the long lines In communications, circuits that are capable of handling transmissions over long distances. at the county clerk's office." According to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. a recent report released by William's Institute at University of California, Los Angeles UCLA comprises the College of Letters and Science (the primary undergraduate college), seven professional schools, and five professional Health Science schools. Since 2001, UCLA has enrolled over 33,000 total students, and that number is steadily rising. School of Law, same-sex weddings will likely boost California's economy by creating news jobs and increasing the demand for wedding services such as Robinson's. Other services Robinson provides to help ease the strains of wedding planning include expert advice on wedding locations, a "wedding vow kit," and assistance in expediting the post-marriage legal documentation. Celebrities, such as self-proclaimed bachelor Scott Baio Scott Vincent James Baio (born September 22, 1961 in Brooklyn, New York) is an American actor, who is perhaps best known for his work on the sitcoms Happy Days and Charles in Charge. have also called on Robinson's services. Recently, Robinson was featured on VH1's "Scott Baio Is 46...and Pregnant" as he married off the actor to girlfriend, Renee Sloan. A father of three (a set of 4-year-old twins and 5-year-old son), Robinson is married to renowned Southern California maternity and fine art nude portrait photographer, Linnea Lenkus, www.linnealenkus.com. If you would like to interview "The Officiant Guy," please call Michelle Shortencarrier at 562-980-2908 or e-mail at michelle@longbeachpr.com. You can visit his website at www.officiantguy.com. |
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