As a celebrant, I encourage the couples I work with to fully be themselves and to enjoy their ceremony.  Catie and Pete listened very carefully to this tip when, after they processed down the aisle, immediately went directly to the KISS!  They were so excited to be getting married, they were absolutely themselves!  We all laughed and any nervousness disappeared into a wisp of air. 

Their ceremony was an intimate one, filled with family and friends offering their intentions and blessings which were written on stones and included in a lovely water ceremony.  The first reading was perfect for them as it was actually an analogy of marriage and bicycle riding..leading to much laughter.  Catie's brother and sister shared a special song, and I wrote a personal and special reflection for them, which I must admit I shed a few tears through! 

Throughout the ceremony, Catie, Pete, their family and their friends laughed, cried, and enjoyed themselves as they witnessed, celebrated and honored the joining of their lives in marriage. 

I have loved working with them and know that we will forever remain in each others hearts!  Congratulations Catie & Pete may you continue to be fully yourself and enjoy each day of your lives.

Today is a day that even though cloudy and rainy is a celebration for me...and while I don't often share such things on my blog,  I am daring to publicly celebrate the entry into my 55th year! 

This is indeed momentous for  a) I never thought I would live this long (when you are in your teens or early twenties this feels ancient!)  and b) I could not have imagined feeling more alive than in my younger years. 

Yet here I am...hitting the double nickel and so excited to be "in life", healthy, in love and looking forward to continued growth and learning as I stretch myself beyond what I think possible. 

Aging is what happens to us all, every minute, hour and day.  While we might try to fight the outer signs of it...or resist letting anyone know we are really "that age", the fact is the alternative to aging is not something I wish to embrace!   Instead I embrace this glorious process with awe and amusement as I celebrate and honor all the years I have lived, the lessons I have learned, and hope for many years to follow.

A tidbit..for those who do not know, from a mystical perspective the number 5 (a prime number) is about balance, perseverance and transformation.  The doubling of this is a twofold blessing for when doubled...5+5 = 10, distilled down to the number 1, which is representative of my core essence...and given the double 5's...the transformation and balance that will emerge is sure to be profound! 

So I offer the possibility that each of us can shed the resistance to aging, embracing our blessings as we celebrate and honor our lives with each entry into a new year.

As a Celebrant, I have the honor of welcoming babies and children into our families and lives.  A few months ago this was especially spectacular as I created and officiated at a triple baby blessing for this loving family ( I will call them the "C" family to protect their privacy).

The baby blessing ceremony was designed to welcome each of the three triplets into their parents lives, their home, and their extended families lives.  Everyone was able to participate...the parents, godparents (holding the babies) grandparents and the community of family and friends that were present for the ceremony.  Everyone's role in the babies lives were spoken about and honored.   The ceremony concluded with a water ritual in which each baby was dedicated to their own unique path and Spirit's intention for them.  Congratulations to the "C" family whose lovely children grace our lives.  I have loved being part of this with you!

I relocated here 7 years ago, and during this time, I have lived near one of the most beautiful venues in the area.   While I have created and officiated at several ceremonies at the Longfellow Wayside Inn and the Martha-Mary Chapel, I noticed a significant change was beginning to occur about two years ago.  While always a hospitable venue, with a fine restaurant, what I began to feel was that the staff had become friendlier and more caring, and small improvements began to appear, allowing for a "home-away-from home" feel. 

As I began to investigate (yes I am always curious!)  I discovered that a new Inn-Keeper had arrived.  He brought with him a passion for ideas, community and team building and this is precisely what would transform this historic site and restaurant into the premier venue it is today. 

This location has the capacity to serve almost any size occasion or function, from a small meeting or workshop to baby blessings, memorial tributes, weddings, retirement parties etc. 

Today, this non-profit, historic site continues to be home to a lovely restaurant that will tailor their menu to meet your dietary needs, lovely grounds with gardens, a working grist mill, carriage rides, the infamous Martha Mary Chapel, an Inn and a lovely new Carriage House Inn that has just been brought under the inn's management (for a total of 58 rooms).

What truly makes this a home-away-from-home however is the staff that goes above and beyond mere customer service.  Each person I have met at the Wayside is invested in the organization, proud of it's history and considers it their own home.  They are passionate about customer service and community outreach and are brimming with idea's and ways to continually exceed expectations.

As an officiant who creates custom ceremonies that honor and celebrate life, The Longfellow Wayside Inn is now a standard that I judge other venues and sites against.  Thank-you to the staff and all your efforts to deliver premier services with heart and soul!

Jill and Matt were married at Pleasant Valley Country Club in Sutton on a lovely sunny day in June.  When we first spoke about their ceremony, we discussed incorporating their religious heritages in a way that honored their personal beliefs and values.  They did not want anything elaborate but they did want something unique to them. 

Over the months leading up to the wedding, we co-created a simple, eloquent and fun loving ceremony... beginning with sharing of wine and acknowledgment of the importance of their community and culminating with "the breaking of the glass".  Their ceremony, which was approximately twenty minutes, honored the discovery of each other, how their lives had forever changed, and their vision for their life together.   There were tears of joy, laughter and much celebration in a simple and eloquent style. 

Congratulations Jill & Matt and thank-you for the honor of being such an important part of your special day!

A few months ago I have the pleasure of creating and officiating at Denise & Brian's wedding ceremony at Harrington Farms in Princeton, Mass.  It was an early day in April, and we were all prepared for the likelihood of an indoor wedding.  As the day approached, the days became unseasonably warm and clear, leading up, which was moved outdoors, was created to be light-hearted and meaningful.  It began in laughter when Denise and her parents walked the wrong way and needed to re-enter using the aisle. Any nervousness faded away in this moment as we all experienced the joy that laughter brings. 

It continued with a welcoming and an acknowledgment of their family and friends and delightful readings filled with joy and reflective of Denise and Brian relationship.  During my reflections, I was speaking about how much lighter and happier their lives were because of each other and a huge tree limb came crashing down behind us.  The mood was such that everyone laughed, as I ad-libbed and included the event into my reflections.     Denise, Brian and their family and friends began the ceremony with laughter and joyful hearts which stayed with everyone throughout the ceremony and the day.  Congratulations Denise & Brian, I loved being part of this extraordinary day!  (Photo courtesy of Geneve Hoffman Photography)

So you are about to look for an officiant who will truly customize your ceremony.  You have your list of questions you are going to ask, and a list of several possible officiants to work with.  The real question is...how will you know if the person you work with will really customize your ceremony and will pay attention to the small details that ensure your ceremony runs smoothly?

While all the questions you may have written down give you answers, and you will have a "gut" feel, my recommendation as an officiant who works throughout Boston and Massachusetts and hears many many stories is...do your homework. 

Ask the person you are considering using if you can speak to a few couples they have worked with.  Ask those couples what they liked and what they would change about the process.  Did they feel that their ceremony was unique, meaningful and special.  Ask them if they had fun with their officiant in the process.   If your perspective officiant is not comfortable with providing real referrals other than the testimonials on their site, this might be a red flag. 

If in your initial meetings with an officiant, he/she does not discuss how they may work with other vendors...make sure you ask.  A good question might be...Do you, ahead of time, provide a ceremony outline to the musician, photographer, videographer, on-site coordinator and any other professionals you may be working with.  If the answer is not normally, it is a strong hint that the small details may be missed.  When checking with other couples verify that this actually was done for them.

The person you select to create a unique and meaningful wedding ceremony is one of the most important decisions you will make for your wedding day...do your homework and make sure the person you find to work with is the perfect choice for you.

 

As a wedding officiant who creates original and meaningful wedding ceremonies, part of my process is to send out an initial draft to the couples I work.  Usually this occurs about two months prior to the wedding date.   How many times I have heard...I am so glad this arrived when it did, it reminded us why we were doing this and what was really important! 

It is quite easy in the months and days leading up to your wedding to get caught up in the details and decisions about all sorts of things from transportation, accommodations, flowers, cakes, seating charts, and the list goes on...often pushing into the background what this day is really about. 

Your wedding day is a celebration and honoring of your love and willingness to enter into a commitment with your life partner.  Keeping the importance of this in the forefront of your mind will help you let go of any angst one might feel as the clock keeps ticking.

Enjoy the planning, enjoy all the little details, and if you find yourself a bit stressed, take a breath and remember...no-one will ultimately remember the color of your chair seats, or if the dresses match the napkins (in fact, many won't even notice that they do!).  While these details may be important to you, what people remember most is the ceremony and the fun of sharing this special time with you. 

One more hint...if you can fit it into your budget, hire a day of wedding coordinator!

Brooke & Domenic were married in Boston, in a ceremony that was simple, elegant, and fun-loving.  I had the privilege of working with them in creating a marriage vision, and in the process we developed a deep friendship and connection.

The wedding ceremony we created together incorporated their personal beliefs, goals and collective hopes and dreams.  It opened with an original blessing written for them, weaving their vision throughout the blessing and the cermeony.  Both their Dad's shared their wisdom on relationships and marriage, and there was joyful laughter and tears throughout.  Their ceremony concluded with a lovely water ritual. 

Congratulations Broke and Domenic, I look forward to  many years of being part of your lives!

Christine and Rita were married this past summer in a simple but meaningful wedding ceremony.  When we first spoke, there was a desire to incorporate much of the spiritual aspects of their beliefs and values from the Vedic/Yogic traditions utilizing the learning's from their teacher's lineage. 

As we carefully co-created their ceremony, we explored many possibilities.  Christine and Rita chose to incorporate a mudra practice, taken from their teacher's lineage.  The practice is a conscious process and series of positions and gestures, with meditation, that honor one's light and joins body, mind and soul in union.  This was a sacred and lovely ritual that prepared for the exchange of vows. 

This picture depicts the final mudra of a series that come's from Shiva-Lingam's mudra practice.  For those unfamiliar; "mudra" is a sanskrit word and means: a gesture, which focuses and directs energy in a yoga pose or meditation.  (photo courtesy of Martha Lazarus)

I am always amazed at how creative and beautiful wedding ceremonies can be when conscious intention and the fun of allowing yourself to be creative is brought to the design.  With each ceremony designed and officiated, my heart opens a bit more and the depth of my understanding grows.

I thank all of the people who have allowed me to work with them, it is a true blessing! Enjoy this lovely weekend!