Tying the Knot beneath the Linden Tree at Ocean Edge

Spring Stirrings 

This Cape Cod Wedding Officiant is feeling the stirrings of spring. The dawn chorus has begun in the woods around our house. Tiny shoots are peaking up through the softening earth and white snow drops have blossomed.

During our last snow storm, I met with a couple who will say, 'I do' beneath the Linden Tree on the lawn at Ocean Edge. The bride and I  looked up the meaning of the Linden tree and here's a bit of what we found.

Linden is part of the birch family.......

Scandinavian couples would celebrate May Day by making love in a Birch forest. Birch forests were sacred to Frigga, Goddess of fertility and love. The legendary Celtic lovers Diarmid and Grainne slept in Birch branch huts as they fled their pursuers.

 So as the snow fell and the the fire crackled in the hearth,we imagined a summer wedding ceremony beneath the tree.

Linden is the spirit that can reveal the sweet honey....... In the spring, bees are drawn to the linden nectar, and the honey differs from the honey of other flowers. It is lighter. The linden tree spirit reiminds us of the dreams we have tucked away to the back of our hearts and it awakens the inner desire and strength to follow them.

                                                 Bruce and Tricia burst with sweet glee beneath the Linden tree.

October Bliss- Erika and Andrew Wed at Wequessett

 Erika and Andrew Wed on the Crescent on the Water - Wequassett

 A Classic Cape Cod Love Story

Andrew grew up on Pleasant Bay sailing the crescent of Round Cove with his brother. He met Erika, his maiden fair, at the fine Chatham establishment, 'The Squire.' She was in the midst of adding to her stemware collection when he came upon her. A delightful courtship ensued.

It was perfect for them to wed at Wequessett on the very waters where this young squire spent his youth.

 And Erika was a stunningly sweet bride; she really did look like an Autumn Harvest Princess (although the flower girl was certainly a contender for some sort of precious pumkiny prize.)

The energy was exhuberant and the happiness contagious, as Andrew and Erika said, I do and stepped over the threshold and into the Country of Marriage.

The cheers filled the air as the decree went forth,

"Now it is my great honor to pronounce

            you husband and wife!"

Update on Monday, February 18, 2013 at 8:41PM by Soulful Wedding Ceremonies

See http://www.stylemepretty.com/gallery/picture/871559 for more photos by Stacy Hedman from Style Me Pretty

Happy Valentine's Day - Fidelity to Love

Update on Thursday, February 14, 2013 at 6:11PM by Soulful Wedding Ceremonies

Your Fidelity to Love

Your fidelity to love is all you need.
No day will then match your strength.

What was once a fear of problem will see
you coming, and step aside ...or run.-   Hafiz

   
 

Rebecca Arthurs Photography 

A Valentine's Day Reflection

One Spirit Community of Sacred Practice A Daily Practice of Sacred Reading & Meditation February 14 The human heart is surely a most precious and mysterious reality. It can be strong and yet it can be hurt. It can open and yet it can close. It can include others in love and yet it can exclude others because of fear. Such polarities need not discourage us. Instead they can point us to our splendid evolutionary task: We humans are here to go beyond fear and limitation so we can become ever more open to love. Indeed, we were given a lifetime just for that.

Update on Thursday, February 14, 2013 at 8:26AM by Soulful Wedding Ceremonies

A December Wedding 

   

Sweet Simplicity

Just the two of us saying, 'I do'

a promise, simply, but sincerely, to be true

 Photos by Stacy Hedman Photography

Valentine's Day Greetings from Soulful Wedding Ceremonies

In praise of Eros -a day that was made for lovers! There is still time to grab a marriage license and get hitched. These two hearts say it all. Hope you all made it through the storm. Here is a little prayer I often say at my weddings.

Bless this couple as they unite in marriage and create a family.

Please protect them and guide them through the challenges and storms of life.

Let their days together be happy and all their words to each other sweet

May they comfort and encourage each other in good times and bad.

May they always know Your loving presence and find shelter in each other hearts.