Goodbye 2019, welcome 2020! ♡

By Rev. Yareni Alvarado

​Can you believe a decade has already come and gone?

10 years ago, I clearly remember having huge butterflies in my stomach as I prepared to perform my very first wedding ceremony. I asked the couple beforehand if it was okay that I bring someone with me as I was nervous for the upcoming nuptials. I made it very clear that they would be the first couple that I would be performing a wedding ceremony for.

The couple graciously agreed and said to bring whomever I needed there for emotional support. I have been public speaking since I was a teenager and the way I was overreacting was quite comical.

After pacing back and forth for a while, my mom and brother decided to join me and watch me perform my first wedding ceremony.

As we were making our way towards the area where the wedding ceremony was going to take place, we locked eyes with the couple and were surprised! We all started laughing! It turns out that we all knew each other! The groom was one of my youngest brothers’ friend from school. When they called to book the wedding with me, I was speaking to the bride and he was using his middle name. So, I never caught on until we met the day of!

From there on out, I knew that this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life! The way life works out and brings people together in the name of love is something very special.

First, I truly enjoy performing and creating one of kind wedding ceremonies. My craft is something that I work on a daily basis. It is coming up with words that will last a lifetime for couples seeking a ceremony script that they will enjoy for years to come.

Secondly, my speaking voice is my connection to couples. Communication is key when getting to know each other on a personal level. Listening to your unique love story and what brought you two together is an essential part of creating a unique script catered to you.

Lastly, thank you for getting to know me and my story as well. This is a big moment in your lifetime, and I want to help create a unique experience for two people in love.

​When I look back at the moment in time when I preformed my first wedding I get highly emotional reliving that experience.

Not only has life had its highs and lows but within the highs of life one can choose to push through and take a leap of faith to the unknown. That leap of faith to the unknown for me has been many blessings of performing more wedding ceremonies than I could have ever imagined. What was once an idea has now been a decade of performing wedding ceremonies.
 
A very special thank you to my mom, my brother Jose, my brother David and my dad who's no longer with us. Thank you for your loving support throughout all of these years of encouraging me to pursue my goals and dreams. 

Thank you to my lifelong friends, that always made the effort to stay connected within our busy lives and also taking a minute to spread the word about my wedding officiant services. Word of mouth is the best form of advertising and I truly appreciate it!

Thank you to past brides and grooms for giving me the opportunity to preform your special day! I am forever honored and grateful!

Thank you to the wedding vendors throughout Oklahoma City that have referred and entrusted me to always preform on a professional level. Looking forward to preforming many weddings in 2020!

​I wish everyone a blessed and happy new year in 2020! Cheers to another decade!
 
Warmest regards,
Rev. Yareni Alvarado