November Weddings- A Time to Give Thanks "for precious things"

This Cape Cod Wedding officiant wants to share two articles about Wendell Berry.

http://appvoices.org/2013/10/22/a-giving-of-thanks-for-wendell-berry/

http://appvoices.org/2013/10/16/in-defense-of-the-earth-an-appalachian-poets-presence/   

The Country of Marriage

by

Wendell Berry

….our life reminds me

of a forest in which there is a graceful clearing

 Michele and Eric wed on Long Pasture giving their word in marriage

 The Meaning of Marriage: Wendell Berry

The meaning of marriage begins with the giving of words. We cannot join ourselves to one another without giving our word. And this must be an unconditional giving, for joining ourselves to one another, we join ourselves to the unknown…you do not know the road; you have committed your life to a way.

Consent:  Have you come here today of your own free will to give each other your word in Marriage?    We Have.

Wendell Berry taught English Comp to my sister her freshman year at the University of Kentucky and danced with all of us at square dances in Monterey, after reading his poetry.

Brian Sewell wrote this about the interview with Wendell Berry.

Something really hit me when Berry noted in his conversation with Moyers that much of his writing has been “a giving of thanks for precious things.” It’s so easy these days to become fixated on what’s wrong with the world, and, as Berry went on to say, “it’s mighty hard right now to think of anything that’s precious that isn’t in danger.” Berry’s extensive body of work reminds us, however, to take the time to fully appreciate, love, and learn from the good and beautiful things in the world.

 Some say the institution of marriage is one of those endangered precious things. Let's fixate on what is right with this world. I am blessed to know many couples who give their word in marriage a live fully in the Country of Marriage. ( And often let me know their lineage of love has carried on into the next generation. Hooray!)

So today,as we enter the month of Thanksgiving, we  " give thanks for precious things."

Elopements on Cape Cod

 

This Cape Cod Wedding celebrant/officiant/ interfaith minister loves an elopement, especially at this time of year. Talk about intimacy and low stress.

 Just the two of us, we make it if you try, just the two of us by and by..... I have no idea exactly who sang that song but it comes to mind every time I get a call from a couple who want to elope.

I met with such a couple at Chatham Bars Inn last Saturday. They had come across the lovely photos taken by Stacy Hedman of the elopement pictured here. Stacy will also be the photographer for their upcoming nuptials in Chatham.

Sometimes Just the Two of Us turns into Just a Few of Us which in this case were both sets of parents: this made the ceremony so warm and supportive on this beautiful early December afternoon. That spot right on the water by the boathouse has a view of the sea with fishing boats and trawlers. Also, a dramatic stairway entrance for brides to process down to their groom.  I always like when the bride and groom, even when it is just the two of them, come in separately but process out together. Such a symbolic way of moving from one state to another- from not yet married into the State of Matrimony!

At a small wedding the ceremony is the wedding. The meaning of what you are doing becomes the entire focus.  The choice of words I use to preside over the couple becomes even more important. It is such a precious moment and  in the words of the great poet Wendell Berry, this world needs precious moments more than ever.

 

Update on Friday, November 22, 2013 at 10:23AM by Soulful Wedding Ceremonies

This Cape Cod Wedding officiant / celebrant /interfaith minister presided over an elopement on Wednesday at Chatham Bars Inn and I want to give a shout out to elopements.

   The Ravens, Rachel and Alex wed at Crosby Beach . They are an amazing blues duo. Joseph Geagan, now Artist in Residence at the Scuola Internazionale di Grafica Venezia,  photographed them on that amazing March afternoon.

and  'Just a Few of Us' Ceremonies 

     

 Some couples start out with just the two of them but then as it so often happens, they collect witnesses including the darling innkeepers at their bed and breakfast, By the Sea In Dennisport      

And Dan and Dawn at The Seaside Cottages in Yarmouth

photographed by Julia Cumes

September Wedding in Orleans

 

This Cape Cod Wedding Officiant /Celebrant / Interfatih Minister was so happy to see photos from Ed and Ellen's Wedding . They are the sweetest most sincere and heartflet couple. When I was leaving the Orleans Inn Parking lot after the smile -filled ceremony Ed, the groom  came running up to me with a huge pumpkin in his hands. This spontaneous gesture says it all. He is so grateful for his beautiful wife ,

Ellen  "and his good heallth and a long life in the company of friends and family."

Thank you for these beautiful photos from Jonathon Daisy Photography.

Cape Cod Chapels- Going to the Chapel and we are going get married

This Cape Cod Wedding Celebrant/Officiant/Interfaith Minister, had the pleasure of presiding over two weddings in Historic Yarmouth Port this past weekend. I have to say the chapel atmosphere is different and equally lovely to the outdoor settings we have here on Cape Cod. There is something more hushed and softly solemn in the best way about an indoor chapel.

The Kelley Chapel has a quality of  sweet silence, so cozy with the woodburning pot belly stove to keep us all warm. In keeping with the setting, Jenniefer and Keith chose the Quaker Vows and the Celtic Blessing of the Hands for their ceremony.

"In the presence of God and these our friends, I take thee, to be my wife, promising with Divine assistance to be unto thee a loving and faithful husband so long as we both shall live."

"In the presence of God and these our friends I take thee, to be my husband, promising with Divine assistance to be unto thee a loving and faithful wife, so long as we both shall live."

An excerpt from the blessing of the hands:

These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children.
These are the hands that will help you to hold your family as one.
These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it.

 

Diane and Steve wed at the Belfry Inne and Abbey

 This Cape Cod Wedding Celebrant had the pleasure of presiding over a wedding at the Belfry Inne in Sandwich last Saturday

 A perfect place for this nature-loving duo, Diane and Steve, had faith that the day would clear, the clouds part and the October sun would shine softly on their faces.       

 And so it was.  October is their favorite month and the autumn garden reflects their love story.

 Diane is such a grace-filled and graceful lady in every sense of the word.  Steve is a wicked charming Irishman; his quips and side comments during the ceremony were so obviously intended to relax his beautiful emotional bride.

  This couple was so poem worthy theirs was a triple poetry infused ceremony.

  The Country of Marriage by Wendell Berry

 ….our life reminds me

 Of a forest in which there is a graceful clearing

 And in that opening a house

 An orchard and garden

 Comfortable shades and flowers ........ 

  

Ode to Diane and Steve

 There was a spark at that first meeting at the Chatham Town Hall

 Undaunted Diane spoke way up, for Steve was oh so tall 

 Diane thought … now here’s a man with a plan

 Interesting, comfortable   Yes, he could be a friend

 they set off on adventures like kayaking the Charles

 Not knowing what lay beyond the river’s bend. 

   

  In the Autumn Garden  

No not in the spring garden with its long-awaited rush of new life, 

 nor in the cacophony of summer’s hectic humming boom

 but here in the Autumn garden,

 with pumpkin- colored nasturtiums

 wending their way towards the light,

 Sedum and mums in bloom, yes

 yes, this feels right.

 in this place of quiet brilliance

 muted whisperings of winter on its way

 there is time, but none to waste,

  so give your love full sway.

 

                                                                              In the Autumn Garden

                                                                                       at the Abbey

                                                                            Diane and Steve are wed today.