Hooray for Marriage= and Happy Anniversary to June Bride and Grooms

David and I just celebrated our 27th wedding anniversary yesterday. We walked to Sheep Pond. I had a silky swim. David told me that in the Bill Bryson book he is reading that there is something in certian waters that makes it feel silky. Whatever that is, Sheep Pond has it.We then had a delicious dinner at Bucca's in Harwich- very romantic and fun. 

Our marriage is in a good place right now. I would say we are on an even keel. Far from rocking the boat my husband's retirement has brought us closer. We are one of those couples who are so very different;not each other's best friends. Now that we are figuring out how to be better spouses it feels like the friendship is growing. 

Hey before I go on let's give a cheer for Marriage = Equality. To all the couples especially from the South, who came to Cape Cod to wed, I want to say Hooray! Y'all really means you ALL.

Organic photography -Rachel and Angel walk down the aisle at Race Point Beach

 Rainer Marie Rilke-On marriage--

The point of marriage is not to create a quick commonality by tearing down all boundaries; on the contrary, a good marriage is one in which each partner appoints the other to be the guardian of his solitude, and thus they show each other the greatest possible trust. and once the realization is accepted that even between the closest people infinite distances exist, a marvelous living side-by-side can grow up for them, if they succeed in loving the expanse between them, which gives them the possibility of always seeing each other as a whole and before an immense sky.

After 27 I am happy to say that "I still do." I am also more committed than ever to my marriage and yours.

As for the traditional vows they are essential "to have and to hold, from this day forward, in sickness and in health, for better or for worse, in good times and in bad ......." Have fun with your personalized vows but remember the essence of the ceremony is the promise to be a faithful spouse for a lifetime. That makes picking up your socks sound really simple!

Don't Worry. Be Married,

Love and Happy Anniversary to all you June Bride and Grooms.

Rev. Kathleen

To Have and to hold and to seal with a kiss

The Wedding Ceremony: Like a good love story.........

The Ceremony: The Heart of Your Cape Cod Wedding

February 19, 2014

WEDDING CEREMONY IDEAS, CAPE COD WEDDINGS, MASSACHUSETTS WEDDINGS, WEDDING PLANNING TIPS, GENERAL ADVICE, WEDDING OFFICIANTS

BE THE FIRST TO COMMENT!

NEXT UP!Five 2014 Wedding Dress Trends 

Photo, Martha Vozos

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rev. Kathleen Geagan

Soulful Wedding Ceremonies

Kathleen has been officiating Cape Cod weddings since 2000. Her poetic background enables her to create meaningful & unique ceremonies.

More by Rev. Kathleen Geagan

Let's hear it for the wedding ceremony! A ceremony that engages and reflects the couple's love can set an uplifting, heartfelt tone for the entire day.

In all the excitement of picking a dress, finding the perfect venue, selecting an all-star team of Cape Cod wedding vendors, sometimes the ceremony and the choice of just who will preside over it becomes a chore. It doesn't have to be.

One of my favorite stories of how someone choose me to be their celebrant took place at Cottage Bakery in Orleans. The bride was there for her cake tasting and as she tried the carrot cake, she looked up from the table to the bulletin board on the wall. It was covered with business cards. There she saw a card for Soulful Wedding Ceremonies and she almost choked on the cream cheese frosting. She had forgotten to book someone to officiate her Cape Cod wedding. She grabbed the card and called me right from the bakery. Luckily I had the date open and we had a wonderful time putting together her ceremony at the Orleans Yacht Club.

I tell this story because the process of picking a Cape Cod wedding officiant doesn't have to be drudgery; it can be interesting and even as fun as cake tasting. It helps if the two of you are in consensus about the style and tone you would like for your wedding ceremony. Your celebrant should be truly interested in what you want in your ceremony. I for one have several ceremony templates but no "boiler plates." Each ceremony should contain the essentials but be as unique as the couples themselves.

As an Interfaith minister, creating a "fusion" ceremony that brings in spiritual & cultural elements from both backgrounds makes for a compelling and engaging ceremony.

• 
  Pin on Pinterest

  Rebecca Arthurs Photography

• 
  Pin on Pinterest

  Rebecca Arthurs Photography

• 
  Pin on Pinterest

  Rebecca Arthurs Photography

• 
  Pin on Pinterest

  Rebecca Arthurs Photography

I also believe every ceremony tells a story. Every story has a beginning, middle, and end. The writer in me loves a good love story and all of you have one. As we get to know each other, I have the joy of hearing about how you met, what you love about each other, and what you would like to include in your lifelong promise to be true. Helping you choose or write your own vows and choosing poems, readings, prayers, and reflections that bring your feelings into words is a big part of my job.

As Wendell Berry said, "The meaning of marriage begins with the giving of our word...," and then bringing these words into the actions of exchanging vows and rings, all of this leading up to the pronouncement of marriage - sealed with a kiss! This is the happiest of all endings which is really a beautiful beginning.

When you have a good connection, working with your celebrant and making your ceremony the centerpiece of your Cape Cod wedding shouldn't have to be a chore. After all, isn't the ceremony really what the wedding is all about?

"Marriage Joins Two People in the Circle of Its Love"

What a beautiful start to the 2015 season. May was a lovely month for weddings..only one rainy day wedding.

Here is a reading by Edmund O’Neill that Lila and Josh chose for the theme of a wedding ceremony at Ocean Edge Carriage House.

I really like the last few lines.

"Marriage Joins Two People in the Circle of Its Love", by Edmund O’Neill

“Marriage is a commitment to life, to the best that two people can find and bring out in each other. It offers opportunities for sharing and growth that no other human relationship can equal; a joining that is promised for a lifetime. Within the circle of its love, marriage encompasses all of life’s most important relationships. A wife and a husband are each other’s best friend, confidant, lover, teacher, listener, and critic. There may come times when one partner is heartbroken or ailing, and the love of the other may resemble the tender caring of a parent for a child. Marriage deepens and enriches every facet of life. Happiness is fuller; memories are fresher; commitment is stronger; even anger is felt more strongly, and passes away more quickly. Marriage understands and forgives the mistakes life is unable to avoid. It encourages and nurtures new life, new experiences, and new ways of expressing love through the seasons of life. When two people pledge to love and care for each other in marriage, they create a spirit unique to themselves, which binds them closer than any spoken or written words. Marriage is a promise, a potential, made in the hearts of two people who love, which takes a lifetime to fulfill.”

What is the average cost of a Wedding Officiant ?

Wednesday, May 27, 2015 at 4:52PM

What is the Average Cost of an Officiant? 

(From article on wedding officiant directory)

It’s difficult to get a true average price of wedding officiants because there is no reliable data on the subject. While amateur officiants and individuals simply looking to make a few dollars may charge a couple as little as $100-$250, the average fees for professional officiants typically range from $400 to $800 depending on experience and the level of service and customization they provide. Many clergy such as priests and rabbis can cost well over $1000, often asking couples to make a donation to their church or synagogue in lieu of being paid directly. Factoring out the low rates from amateur officiants as well as the impact of individuals performing ceremonies at no charge to the couple, our determination is that the average cost for a professional wedding officiant is roughly $600 per ceremony. 

...plan to spend $800 total on any ceremony fees and officiant donations... - Brides.com

Update on Tuesday, June 2, 2015 at 7:37PM by Soulful Wedding Ceremonies

My pricing is now $400 for wedding ceremony in the Brewster area

$100 for attendance at rehearsal

$500- $800 and for weddings outside of the area.