The time has come to cross- Naturally Elegant Wedding Ceremonies

Key Thresholds “It is wise in your own life to be able to recognize and acknowledge key thresholds: to take your time; to feel all the varieties of presence that accrue there; to listen inward with complete attention until you hear the inner voice calling you forward. The time has come to cross.”    John O’Donohue from 'To Bless the Space between Us'

Update on Friday, November 15, 2013 at 10:42AM by Soulful Wedding Ceremonies

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."

September Weddings On Cape Cod

 These few precious days I'll spend with you

This Cape Cod Wedding officiant/celebrant /Interfaith Minister just loves late summer weddings. Yes, as much as we think of September as Autumn it is really the last wave of summer without the crowds. (Until the 21st anyway.) It is my favorite time of year, with the golden sun's mellowing light, the waters of the pond and bay still warm enough for swimming. 

September Song was my parent's song. They were married in June but my father was seven years older than my mother. They were married in 1944 during the war at Our Lady's chapel at St. Patrick's Cathedral in NYC.

My father, Joe, sang it to my mother, Mary, at my wedding and at many family gatherings  My brother Jim does a great rendition of it now when we gather.

....When the autumn weather turn the leaves to flame, then one hasn't the time for the waiting game.

 Willie Nelson's version of September Song made it famous for this generation.

It is an emotive song which so captures this time of year and for some, this time of life.

Here are some of the couples who chose to say, "I do" in September on Cape Cod.

 Two Septembers ago Gregory and Marianne wed at the Quaker Meeting House in Yarmouth. Here they are at the threshold, as they are welcomed into the Country of Marriage.

Happy Anniversary Marianne and Gregory

Siobhan and Kirill at The Captian Linnell House in Orleans September 1, 2012.

 

 Sarah and Evan September 7, 2012 at South Beach after saying "I Do." at the Poppy.

 

Michael and Marie at Borsari Gallery in Dennis. 

 

Wedding Ceremony Blessings

I received this description of what a blessing actually is from the One Spirit Alliance Daily Practice. From Irish Blessings to the 7 blessings of the Jewish tradition, one does not have to have a religious service in order to have blessings in a ceremony.

August 27, 2013 A blessing is the offering of one heart to another; to another person, to a situation, to life itself. Isn't that what we are here for? To bless the savor of this precious moment even as it slips through our fingers? To allow its sorrow, its joy, its silence or laughter to enter our life stream and add a measure to who we are? - Roger Housden  the out-of- the -way places of the heart          In the out-of- the -way places of the heart, Tom and Danielle say I do out on Ballston beach Truro

August 27, 2013 A blessing is the offering of one heart to another; to another person, to a situation, to life itself. Isn't that what we are here for? To bless the savor of this precious moment even as it slips through our fingers? To allow its sorrow, its joy, its silence or laughter to enter our life stream and add a measure to who we are? - Roger Housden John O'Donohue was a master of the elemental blessings for almost every situation in life.   Here is an excerpt from For New Beginnnings that we never got to at Lil and Bob's wedding ceremony due to extreme weather conditions - suffice to say they were a very 'hot ' couple. For a New Beginning by John O’Donahue In the out-of- the -way places of the heart, Where your thoughts never think to wander, This beginning has been quietly forming, Waiting until you were ready to emerge.

John O'Donohue was a master of the elemental blessings for almost every situation in life.   Here is an excerpt from For New Beginnnings that we never got to at Lil and Bob's ( pictured below when we met this year at the Orleans Inn) wedding ceremony due to extreme weather conditions - suffice to say they were a very 'hot ' couple. For a New Beginning by John O’Donahue In the out-of- the -way places of the heart, Where your thoughts never think to wander, This beginning has been quietly forming, Waiting until you were ready to emerge.

Sweet Simplicity Wedding Ceremonies

Jamie and Mary wed with a small party of family members on First Encounter Beach in Eastham on July 10th. Their children were with them in a happy blending of ages and enthusiasm.

They made my job as a Cape Cod Wedding officiant very easy with their trusting approach to being presided over.

There was a beautiful breeze that evening which whimsically played with Mary's short white darling dress!

She rushed over, when I first met her, threw her arms around me saying. "You remind me of my mother." from the way she said it I knew her mother was here ith us in spirit!

As breezes blew rippling the tidal pools, I shared with her this quote from a Hawaiian Wedding ceremony.

"The wind at a wedding is the presence of those that are absent."

 Don't Worry. Be Happy and make each other happy for true love lies in making other's happy!

   

 Jamie carries Mary over the threshold into the Country of Marriage, in the State of Matrimony!    

 (And I loved working with Organic Photography who are an Orleans couple who do great photography.)

Update on Tuesday, September 3, 2013 at 7:33PM by Soulful Wedding Ceremonies