Reverend Theresa Sutton

04/28/2024

Well, it's drunken Mexican Karaoke time again. They sure have fun!

01/18/2024

I guess I will be staying in the game, I forgot how much I love it. I hope to be helping couples put a fun and loving spin on their ceremonies. Feel free to contact me for weddings within the Sacramento region (65 mile radius).

07/11/2023

With mixed emotions, I've begun to think about retiring from the wedding business. I've been limiting my distance travelled for $$ reasons and sitting in the vehicle too long really takes a toll on my body. So, unless something changes my mind 2023 will be my last year as an officiant. I feel there were times when this business kept me sane as my world swirled past my face at break neck speeds. Those who have kept me busy for the last decade and a half plus, have made my life so much richer and more colorful. Those of you who work with me over the next few months will add to my memories and maybe even convince me hang in there a little longer.

06/01/2023

So, things have been slow, leaving too much time to think. I am looking forward to summer weddings as an outlet for creativity, social interaction and sharing that beautiful thing, love. I'm interest to know what "the song" is for this season. I want to hear your heart felt vows or help you choose ones that fit you. A wedding ceremony is so much more than just a legal contract, it should express your feelings, reinforce your commitment, and tell your story. I hope to hear from you, soon.

09/04/2021

06/02/2021

So marriage is something you are thinking about. But what is marriage? First of all, it is a legal partnership, just like a business contract. As such, it requires much thought and knowledge of your partner before taking the plunge. Secondly, it is about the love and connection you feel together. Remember the classic vows, for better or worse, richer or poorer, in sickness or health. You really need to take this to heart, life will throw unforeseen curve balls at you. Finances change, people change and health will decline. Marriage is not all chocolate and roses, you will both grow and change through time and some days you will wonder why on earth you ever married this person. I remember my great grandparents constant bickering, but they couldn't live without each other. Forty plus years into my own marriage, with retirement and 24/7 closeness, I see them in my own marriage. Marriage is what you make it and if the foundation is sound, the work required for maintenance and growth is good investment. If this sounds more like Wall Street than Brides magazine, that's because reality is somewhere between the two.

08/27/2020

Things seem to be getting closer to normal, but we've got a long way to go before we are there. Maybe things have changed forever, who knows. I've done a few weddings masked and they were lovely, though I miss the hugs. I am hoping I can work with more couples in coming months.

07/12/2020

I am up and running for small intimate masked outdoor affairs. This Covid beast is cramping our style a bit, however we'll get through this.

06/10/2020

I've been slow getting back in the race. The events of the last few months have turned most folk's live upside down and mine is no exception. Memories of things I witnessed on our black and white TV in the 60's and 70's, seem to be flashing before my eyes on FB. Change is needed, so I understand.

The Covid-19 issue has thrown some curves. If anyone needs wedding officiant service, feel free to contact me. It would nice to get back to normal, at least almost normal.

I'm not feeling particularly eloquent, so I'll leave it at this. Be safe, proud and strong!

04/30/2020

So, the Rev. has been sheltering in place except for needed trips. I have rediscovered my love of vintage sewing machines. I have been keeping busy restoring, inventorying and sewing with my mostly Singer collection. I seem to be favoring the people powered machines. Though neither of my treadles are up to sewing, just yet, my 1927 model 66 hand crank is my current go to machine. It is quiet enough to use while other watch TV. Making masks for family and other who need them. I may get some sewing done for myself.
I do miss the weddings, but life is what it is and we will get through this. I'm still available for quick low contact ceremonies if you need to complete the license before it expires, or for medical and compassionate reason. Contact me and we can make it work.

12/02/2019

As we enter the last month of 2019, I am struck with as sense of wanting to tidy up this decade. It would be nice if we could lift the primordial carpet and sweep all the ugliness under there and forget it. But we can't and shouldn't do that. We must reach out and embrace our neighbors and strangers, if we are to enter this new decade with a feeling of hope rather than doom. Seek to laugh for joy, rather than lashing out in anger, see beauty and shared values rather than arguing over differences. It takes an effort to unlearn hate and lean toward love. As we enter this season sacred to those of many religions and special to most folks may we all be safe, loved and excited about the future!

10/12/2019

A beautiful day! What's on your calendar? Have a wonderful experience!

09/23/2019

It is starting to get chilly in the evening, remember that when planning your wedding. The strapless gown that would work great in June could leave you shivering and covered in goosebumps. You love the dress and it is altered, and paid for. Not to worry, a simple shawl or shrug can save the day and a personal touch to complete your outfit.

08/05/2019

There's nothing like a wedding full of love, laughter and happiness to help erase the daily cares of the world. Unfortunately, those cares come back with the flicker of a phone or computer screen. We all have to care for each other in these confusing, troubled times.

07/20/2019

As a minister, I am occasionally thrown into contact with folks that I really don't identify with. I bite my tongue and remember we are all part of the same family. I TRY to let politics and the like roll off like water. I don't force couples to have God in their ceremony by way of prayer or Bible verses. I also will not exclude the deity of their choice. I have learned along my path to being 60 years old, that God takes many forms, wears many titles, what is important is how each person relates to that. There isn't a one size fits all religion, thus there are many. There is no one skin, which fits all of us. We are pieces of a whole. We can be that edge that cuts all who touch it. Or we can be the cohesive factor which holds society together.

07/02/2019

This is a business, for sure. However, I love what I do and I share that joy. Weddings are, essentially, parties. Yes, there may be somber moments, but you planned the food, the music, the flowers and decorations to share with your friends and family.
Even though I am usually gone when the partying begins, I want to make sure the legal part of the whole thing goes off with as little stress as possible. So here are a few tips to help make that possible.
1. Make sure to apply for your license early. Most counties allow you to complete the application online and some allow you to book an appointment. Once you have the license it is good for 90 days.
2. Make sure you know who you want to sign as witnesses. Make sure they know to catch up with the officiant to complete this task. Also decide who is turning in the license, many counties allow the couple to turn it in to speed up registration and issuing the certified copies. Please check on this when getting your license.
3. Make sure the license makes it to the ceremony. Yes, it has been forgotten, at least a few times.
4. It hasn't been taken care of at the rehearsal or before, make sure to have the payment for the officiant. The exact amount is nice, they may not have change.
5. The more little details that can be decided and taken care of ahead of time the less day of headaches you will have. I look forward to helping you through the legal necessities and having a little fun while we are at it.

06/09/2019

05/13/2019

For 11 years a worked side by side with a Muslim coworker. He carried his prayer rug with him and stopped several times a day to pray. He also did more work than some of our self proclaimed Christian coworkers. And although I am a woman and a Christian minister, he stepped forward to shake my hand one day. I guess I could have been insulted when he said that he was glad to call me a coworker and friend because there were days when I out worked him. However, because I knew the cultural chasm between our religions meant merely touching my hand was a great leap. The day I left that job, the fact that I couldn't hug him goodbye still hurts, but I understand. We are all so the same and so different, but somewhere along the line our fingertips may just touch and enrich the lives of each. Religion has always been the greatest divider in history. The irony is that the biggest tear is between the Abrahamic sects. In chronological order Judaism (the base of the other two religions) in the 7th century BCE, Christianity in the 1st century CE, and Islam in the 7th century CE. It is like a great big horrible family feud! It needs to end, 1400 years is more than enough.

04/21/2019

I don't travel much more than a couple hundred miles anymore. I travel the globe vicariously through my wedding couples. Mostly, it is great fun. Some of my clients are from far slung places, other just travel there. Sometimes the connections aren't all good, as the world has bad along with the good. I read world news with an ear toward the homes of clients and their families.
Today, like many times before, I searched through my email to find a certain bride. Her family lives in Sri Lanka. Other times, it has been Japan during the tsunami, uprisings in Africa and I know there will be more. Every time, my thought in these major terrible events is how it is affecting that one small segment of humanity. Yes, I do feel concern, anger and sorrow for all involved, but we all think of those closest first.
We will all go about our Easter, Ostara or Spring festivals. Sharing time with family and friends, be thankful for this time and love we can share.

12/22/2018

Just a little advice for couples planning their wedding. Find an online listing service and stick with it. Most vendors are listed on almost all of the bigger sites. Spreading your quote requests over more than one site causes potential confusion for you and the vendors. You may find a vendor or two whose profile really speaks to you, there is nothing wrong with looking them up by name. Many wedding vendors have websites or, at least, pages. Happy planning!

12/14/2018

As the holidays are upon us, with all the hectic joy the season brings, it pays to take a couple deep breaths and gather your thoughts. Now, smile and go about your daily routine knowing everyone will wonder what you are up to!

11/12/2018

We here in California are shrouded in smoke. Our friends, families and distant neighbors are struggling with the loss of their homes and everything in them. 200 and some people are unaccounted for.
As you go about your daily business, be thankful for everything you have and for your health and safety. Think of what you can do to help the fire victims recover. Anything will help! Thoughts and prayers are great, but actions speak louder.

10/19/2018

I'm a Christian minister. I don't believe this gives me any special privileges to cram my beliefs down anyone's throat. I do believe in an interchange of ideas, in fact, this is one reason I love this business. As a student of comparative religions, it has become apparent to me that the Abrahamic religions, in particular, have more common grounds than differences. And most major religions hold strong ties to the tenons of taking care of each other. I have performed weddings for Pagans, Buddist, Atheists, Sikhs and others in addition to all manner of Christians. We would do well to remember what we all have in common, rather than to dwell upon our differences. And just like clothing, one size fits all religion really fits no one. We can all learn something from our neighbors!

10/14/2018

10/08/2018

Another hat I wear!

10/04/2018

I started this post in May of last year, but just couldn't deal with it at that time.
As I read through, edited and read through again, I made a decision. I decided that, though I try very hard to keep this page upbeat, sometimes the realities of life are unavoidable. And so there you have it, life isn't always flowers, frills and pretty words. Here is a thought provoking post from the draft folder May 2017.
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Sleepless in Elk Grove just doesn't off the tongue like sleepless in Seattle. What do I think about when I can't sleep? The answer is, too much. Like anyone else the Rev. has burdens, but mostly I think about things that I have little chance of fixing. Many times, they are things that don't even directly affect me, but my brain won't let them alone.

When I do weddings it is usually mostly happy people sharing a joyous occasion. When the party is over and life goes back to "normal", the real work begins. My job is done, everything is legal and you're still feeling the glow. It is now make or break time. Learning how to chose your battles, learning that you can't always win or be right. It is about embracing what you have in common and realizing that each of you is unique. It is remembering to celebrate each day as a chapter or a page in your life together.

But as perfect as each couple seems on their wedding day, they may not be perfect for each other down the road. As I have tried to stay in touch with a lot of my couples here on Facebook, I see how ugly and painful, making that decision can be. I can try to be neutral lend an ear or shoulder, even give counsel on occasion. Mostly I just have to watch like friends and family.

Splits happen for so many reasons, but please try and be civil, especially if there are children and or pets involved. Type all the ugliness you want, but consider the possible cost if you hit the send or publish key. Emails, text messages and FB fueds can be used as evidence (ammo) in court and may push folks off the fence in one direction or the other.

Though it is my wish that no one goes through the hell of a divorce, but there are times when people are just toxic to each other. In those cases, outside factors that should push them together and strengthen their bond, serve to bring out the worst in each of them. At that point, there seems to be no turning back and a vicious cycle spins out of control and going in separate directions is the only way to find peace.
May you all be blessed with a forever someone. A person will stand beside you through life's trials, over every bump and pothole, through morning sickness, stiff joints, every celebration, every sorrow, who'll remember what you forget and vice versus, who'll love you when you are old and gray and sometimes cranky. That's what it is suppose to be all about.

10/03/2018

I have done some interesting weddings lately. Really, they are all interesting in their own way. The couples are each unique, with friends and family adding to the flavor of each wedding.
My last post was about Banji's and Ronke's wedding. They actually had three weddings. The first being a civil ceremony at the clerks office in Baltimore, Maryland. The second was traditional Nigerian wedding in Nigeria. The third and last was where I came in. Growing up, she had dreamed of a princess/fairytale wedding. She truly looked the part. This was the last of three, but both the bride and groom got a little choked up.
Like any of my weddings where the couples have friends and family from around the world, it was interesting to see the beautiful traditional clothing worn by some of the guests. And though mine was really the part of an actor in a play, I was happy to be part of fulfilling one part of her childhood dream.
Then I moved on to a wedding where the venue was changed five days before the wedding day. The couple went with short and sweet, but I ad-libbed a bit and added the venue change to her vows. You just have to go with the flow, sometimes. Laughter is almost a requirement for my weddings, whether before, during or after the ceremony.

07/06/2018

It has been a bit crazy lately. Lots of outdoor weddings mean dealing with heat. Remember shade, hydration and air movement are the keys to surviving the summer wedding season!

04/14/2018

The weather has been a bit erratic, of late. I am glad most of my couples with outdoor weddings have had plans for rain. I can remember moving everything inside just a few times, but it is prudent to plan for the worst. Like the postal workers of old neither rain, sleet or snow will deter me from my appointed duties, but I may speed things up if soaked to the bone!

03/20/2018

Things have started picking up and I am looking forward to being very busy marrying couples this year. I do mostly outdoor weddings, which I dearly love.
If you are having an outdoor wedding in our great California in late spring, summer or early fall, be sure to remember the comfort of your guests. One thing couples tend to forget is the comfort of themselves, bridal party and the officiant. I have vivid memories of myself, the groom and his attendants cooking in front of a gas fireplace in the August heat, or standing with the sun beating down on us. No one has passed out yet, but try to think of ways to keep everyone comfortable. Remember dark color heat up fast, so maybe pass on black tuxedos and take a cue from southern gentlemen and go for loose suits of light colors and breathable fabric. Ladies may want a little more coverage on their shoulders or at least extra sunscreen. Believe me, you may not feel it until the next morning, but a sunburn is no way to start your new life.
I look forward to sharing your big day!