Soulfully Wed in Sonoma County

October has begun with a glorious Glen Ellen wedding. At this time of harvest the golden hills of Sonoma County are lined with ruby tinged rows of grape arbors heavy with fruit. What a time and place to wed. As the groom said when I asked, "Why now?"

 "This is my favorite season. It is such a crucial and colorful time of year."

Crucial because the harvesting must be at precisely the right time for the grapes to make the best wine. When the sweetness and tannins have reached the perfect balance and before the next rains fall.

Divine timing, when two people fall in love and decide to unite their lives in marriage. As they bring themselves into balance with one another, as well as blend two fine heritages into a sensational meritage. So it was with this wedding at Jack London State Park at the winery ruins. The stone work felt like a natural fortress as the call of the wild swept over us in the form of a feisty wind. That swirling breeze let us feel the presence of those who were absent.

Here comes the bride: her natural beauty and elegance and her father's "unconditional love" and pride prompting applause. The shadows of the guests blessing this moment with such sweet support. My husband took this photo, there will be more to follow. I want to share this Sonoma Mountain High, that we are all still on, since Alli and Louis wed.

Soulful Weddings: When Plan B is better than A-OK

I spent last weekend in Brooklyn with my best friend and her daughter whose wedding I officiated last October. Helene and her husband, Zach, were celebrating six months of marriage by going on their honeymoon. Both have such busy lives and would we want it any other way!

Helene and Zach wed in Indiana on a beautiful homestead complete with a rustic charming barn.

Helene's Plan A dream had been to have a Maine seaside ceremony but for a number of reasons the wedding was moved to Hoosier Land. It made sense.  Zach and Helene met in Bloomington when they were attending University of Indiana. Zach was photograhing the Women's Cross Country and Helene literally caught his eye as she ran by.

Both Helene and Zach have roots in Indiana- deep roots. So the dreamy seaside summer wedding was replaced with the Autumnal October rustic wedding on the lush grounds of Zach's father's home. 

 Plan B was to have a garden ceremony, cocktails on the deck, dinner in the tent and dancing in the barn. But Hurricane Joquin wasn't cooperating with plan B. It was rainy and cold even in Indiana far from where Joquin was doing his damage.

The day before the wedding Plan C emerged with much consternation and concern. Luckily, the bride was in her bubble swept away by her sister to have fun with her bridesmaids on a scavenger hunt in Indianapolis. When she did arrive the bubble persisted as flowers were being arranged by the moms and friends.

I highly recommend 'the bridal bubble.'  At this point it is best to keep her majesty in her ivory tower far from the madness of the crowd. 

As for where the ceremony would take place, it was a game day call. The barn was ready. Strung with fairy lights and adorned with flowers. The bridal party was to process down from the hayloft to be met by the groomsmen at the bottom of the steps.

Those who needed a seat sat on hay bales. It was intimate and enchanting. Everyone was bathed in a warm golden light chatting up a storm before the proceedings.  Plan C was even better than B. 

Helene says she is now the go-to- gal when her friends get engaged. They bring their worries to her. Those plan A wedding dreams that may be thwarted by forces beyond the control of even the most determined brides and grooms.

Helene reassures them with all of her six months of wifely wisdom,

"What a great metaphor for marriage. By letting go of expectations plan B or even C can be better than your wildest dreams."

 Happy six months anniversary! 

Keep those wildest dreams coming!

Weddings by the Sea- Love is Love and Love must Love

This Cape Cod Wedding Celebrant / officiant / interfaith minister heard the peepers singing in the woods yesterday. The park was alive with sounds of spring even if the sights of spring take their time showing up around here.

 Sometimes I am little slow on the uptake myself and I just discovered this really sweet review that Rachel wrote and I want to share it and wish her and Angel a happy 6 months anniversary.

Planning a wedding is stressful enough, but trying to find an officiant out of state without ever meeting them makes things even more stressful. I was very nervous and she calmed me with her gentle humor and mentioned she liked the Johnny Cash ring tone. Within the first 2 minutes I knew that I had found the woman to marry us! We decided after several conversations over the phone that there would be no need to meet Kathleen before the ceremony. We met here that day as we stood on the beach at the edge of P-town and committed to one another. She speaks from the heart, embraces love as it is without judgement, and creates a ceremony that will forever be treasured. Her words are beautiful and she is a lovely, genuine person. I thank God that I found her and chose her to be a part of the most important day of our lives. She created a simply amazing ceremony. - Rachel

As some of you may note I don't make a big splash about presiding over same gender weddings. To me it is such a given- that love is love and love must love! Being faithful to one chum ....The crossing into the country of marriage is a sacred passage and the passport requirments are a true and committed fidelity to the ONE you choose above all the rest- So welcome all who are sincerely ready to cross that threshold! and amen to that!

And I really do like Johnny Cash. So here are gorgeous photos by Organic Photography capturing  Rachel and Angel's sweet simplicity ceremony at Race Point last Autumn.

                              Crossing the sacred threshold into the Country of Marriaqe

Update on Thursday, April 10, 2014 at 10:28AM by Soulful Wedding Ceremonies

A Soulful Wedding Ceremony wishes you A Happy New Year

 

Here are some wedding couples who said, " I do" in 2013. And went on to seal their vows with a kiss!

 

  

 

One more August Wedding on Cape Cod for 2013

One more August wedding to go at Wychmere Harbor Beach Club       (see of Nina and Hong.)http://www.meredithperdue.com/wychmere-beach-club-wedding-nina-hong/

This one coming up is a fantastic fusion with cultural Jewish flourishes and another first for me- I have a co-officiant. The brides's brother will be my sidekick/ co -celebrant. He will be reading Song of the Open Road by Walt Whitman and saying the beautiful Hebrew blessing over the wine among other duties.

I always look back on other ceremonies I've done when I'm about to preside at the same venue. So many couples have mentioned the video of Nina and Hong done by Inkspot Crow and the photos by Meredith Perdue that I include them once again.

"Love is unconquerable and irresistable it goes on gathering power and strength until it transforms everyone it touches."   Meher Baba

 

           " You helped me find my way all the way to you" .........Hong to Nina