Lisa and Quinn had so many wonderful, personal, and beautiful ideas for their wedding! They were married in Quinn’s parent’s beautiful yard, which overlooked the water and was just breathtakingly beautiful.
They used a handfasting ceremony for their vows, one whose wording touched on the blessings of the four directions and the elements that correspond with them – West for water, North for air, East for earth, and South for fire. Their handfasting cord was crafted by Quinn’s mom, and were four cords that corresponded with the colors associate with those four directions.
By pure coincidence, many other pieces of the ceremony corresponded with these elements! We had a wishing stone ceremony, where each guest was presented with a stone when they entered, and, at a certain point in the ceremony, they held it in their hands and made a wish for the bride and groom’s life together. At the end of the ceremony, Lisa and Quinn and the bridal party turned towards the water, and all threw their stones in – they were followed by all of the guests. This touched on the earth and the water elements, and was a wonderful, interactive way to really involve their guests and their loved ones in the ceremony.
Another touching and beautiful ritual that we included was the release of butterflies during the remembrances, for all of their loved ones, but especially for the bride’s mom. A friend of the couple raises butterflies, and the release was perfect, beautiful, and so meaningful, as the bride and groom stood there, helping the butterflies along, as their musicians performed “Ave Maria.”
“It is said that if one has a wish and whispers it to a butterfly – once the butterfly is released, they transport the wish to the sky, on their wings. Let these butterflies bring our words and our well wishes for Lisa and Quinn to the Heavens, sharing this moment with our loved ones who are here in spirit.”
But I have to say my favorite moment of the ceremony was at the very end. We did something really simple but really powerful – just before they were declared husband and wife, I asked Lisa and Quinn to face their guests, and really remember the moment – the powerful feeling of not only their own love, but all of their friends and family’s love. I can’t take the credit for this – it was the couple’s idea – but I just love it!
After the ceremony, many couples came up to me to tell me how unique and special they thought the ceremony was – and that it fit Lisa and Quinn so well, since they were so unique and special themselves!
Lisa and Quinn, it was such a joy, every single step of the way. Sending you all of my love and congratulations for a happy life together!
Quinn walked in with his parents – closely followed by the family dog, Spanky, who proceeded to lay down on the bride’s train during the ceremony! They stood at the front with him, and greeted Lisa and her dad once at the front, for a sweet moment of love before the parents were all seated.
Lisa and her dad, getting ready to walk in!
Spanky lays down on Lisa’s train!
Lisa and Quinn, facing their guests, just before being declared husband and wife.
Stones being thrown into the water by the guests, after the ceremony.
