The Ravens, Rachel and Alex, seal their vows with a kiss at Crosby Beach

The Essence of Marriage

 The Ravens wed on a blustery March 28th, making their fireside vows all the more intimate and cozy.

'Monogamy' now there's a word you don't hear much about anymore: Not even in the wedding biz.  

"It's pertinent to the situation" we all decided, as Rachel and Alex said their " I do's" and used this word as a promise to be true.

The Meaning of Marriage by Wendell Berry

 The meaning of marriage begins with the giving of words. We cannot join ourselves to one another without giving our word.

In giving our word to one another we " promise to stay connected and faithful in body, mind and spirit." That is how another couple put it when asked what commitment meant to them.

 In these times when many couples live together before marrying, this commitment to be faithful is even more pertinent. Now you are not just sharing a house, you are creating a home. 

 It is a powerful promise, this giving your word to be true, to the one you cherish above all others. 

"I plight thee my troth" alas....at last, what a blessed relief.

(This reflection was inspired by The Ravens: Rachel and Alex, Anna and Will and the self- proclaimed  'Internationally Unknown Poet'- Thomas Lynch.)

Update on Friday, April 6, 2012 at 9:08PM by Soulful Wedding Ceremonies

Bethany and Scott Tie the Knot on 11-11-11

Update on Friday, February 17, 2012 at 11:53AM by Soulful Wedding Ceremonies

I had met Kathleen from working with her on past weddings and on the re-design of her website. From the moment we met I knew that she would be the perfect officiant to have for my own wedding ceremony. Kathleen goes above and beyond to really get to know you and make your ceremony your own. Kathleen brought the spiritual side of a wedding ceremony together with a personal poem she created just for us about our journey together to create a magical time for us both. I mean, what are the chances that we met on Union Street, chose a reading titled "Union" and also had our ceremony location located on Union Street (I swear this was not planned!)? To this day I love looking back and reading over our poem and I am even in the process of having it framed for our home. Thank you again Kathleen for being such an important part of our wedding day- Bethany

Union Street Blessing (an excerpt)

So Bethany and Scott today vow anew

To let your love carry you

To places unexpected, old and new.

Explore, explore never be afraid to ask for more.

Keep your hearts open, your words to each other sweet,

and in times of trouble,

Always return to Union (Street.)

An Expanded View and Happy Valentine's Day to all of you!

  

This Cape Cod Wedding Officiant Interfaith minister has been getting some really great inquiries for weddings lately. The first is a darlin' couple who want a Bloomsday theme for their, yes, you Joyce fans guessed it, June 16th Wedding. All kinds of syncronicity with this one: with the wedding is being held at the Inn where my husband and I honeymooned ...The lovely Watermark Inn- Provincetown but it is not only this, the bride's parents are the Innkeepers and were the Innkeepers in 1988 when we were there as newly weds. Don't you just love it! I remember the champagne and the wonderful welcome from the Shea family and stunning bayside views. It was my first trip to Cape Cod. Let me see if I can upload a picture of the view. Here's one view and an expanded one.

The bride, Heather, said she was open to my doing the ceremony or at least the poetry bits in a stream of conciousness fashion ..I will have to consult with both the groom and the bride's father and my brother- all graduates of Notre Dame. Mike, the groom did his thesis on Ulysses and my brother recently memorized a whole section of either Finnegan's Wake or Ulysses, (I'm not sure which) to recite at his book club, to rave reviews.

 So when the bride and groom's day come June 16th the brothers and fathers and mothers and sisters gather by the sea and the sun setting over the bay on this bloomin day and the bride like Molly will be adored and the malarkey will not only fly but soar....  

Kate and Alex: Exquisite Exhuberance at CBI

Update on Wednesday, December 7, 2011 at 9:10AM by Soulful Wedding Ceremonies

It is such a joy for a wedding officiant to witness a couple having such a good time, truly present and accounted for during their actual ceremony. Alex and Kate were such a couple. Kate's exhuberance and Alex's exquisite timing blended into a true union of complimentary qualities.

They choose four excellant readings and readers that savored their moment to share words of love and blessing. May Alex and Kate sail from this to that with grace, love and laughter from this day forward

Blessing the Boats (at St. Mary’s)” by Lucille Clifton

(read by bride’s family friend, Eugene Reilly)

        may the tide

        that is entering even now

       the lip of our understanding

        carry you out

        beyond the face of fear

        may you kiss

        the wind then turn from it

        certain that it will

        love your back

        may you

        open your eyes to water

        water waving forever

        and may you in your innocence

        sail through this to that