(What the &$#@ was I celebrating? However, unlike the divorce cakes I made back then, no one is face down in the icing!)
Seasoned professional. Super creative. Somewhat quirky
If I was traditional, I’d likely be saying here that I did ceremonies with my Barbies. But I’m not traditional, and I hated ceremonies in my younger years. Most were absolute snorefests. But if you wanted a party…especially something a bit off the wall… I was your gal. But then some big life events happened and my party planning prowess and ability to captivate an audience simply weren’t enough. I wanted something more…something bigger, deeper, brighter, that matched the magnitude of the moment, how I was feeling.
I’ve found, over the years I have been a ceremonialist, that more and more people are feeling the same way. In a life full of distractions, we often want to be present for these vista moments, but we don’t know how. And it seems to me we are all longing for connection…to each other and to this marvellous life… and for a sense of meaning in this fast-paced world. And ceremony is supposed to give us that. So that’s what I aim for.
Both in life and in the ceremonies I create, I’m miles (or kilometres) away from where I started. Everything is just more real (or maybe I am just more real…:). But one thing that hasn’t changed is my ongoing gratitude to the folks who trust me with their pivotal moments. I will do my very best for you. Always.
Am I right for you?
I’m not a fit for everyone. How I work.
Your ceremony is the heart of whatever we are celebrating. And we’ll make it that. I put your story front and centre and let it shine. I may perform your ceremony, but I do not perform. It’s all about you.
I’ll aim for something you and your people remember for years to come. Part of the reason why you will remember is because your ceremony will be really personal. I am kinda like the ceremony barista. I make every ceremony to fit…no cookie cutter stuff from this gal…and that’s (IMHO) why I get the reviews I get.
A guest at one wedding told the bride I was “part comedian, part yoga instructor and part spiritual guru or something.” An offbeat combination, but I seem to make it work. To me, a really great ceremony has some belly laughs, some profound moments, maybe a few tears, and a deep sense of gratitude and belonging.
If the ceremony scares you a little because the traditional ones have you up on display in front of everyone, we can work around that. However, if you adore being the centre of attention (and your partner doesn’t), we can work with that too. If you are comfortable, you’ll be more able to soak in the love..:)
I aim for real and relaxed and perfectly imperfect, and for including everyone you love. If we have learned anything over the past few years, it’s to cherish the ones who matter most.
A seasoned facilitator, I have the skills and experience to read a room and to raise the energy within it. To hold space. To bring people into the moment and help them stay present. It’s my invisible superpower… creating a totally different vibe. There’s this magic that happens when everyone’s energy holds hands for you.
Photographers and videographers seem to like working with me because I set them up for amazing shots. And give them the feels that many of them love to capture.
My words are Relaxed. Real. Remarkable. Remembered. What are yours?
As well as being a ceremony specialist and a spiritual soul, I am a Modern Metaphysical Minister, who, like most of us in BC, finds a more profound connection to spirit in nature than within four walls once a week.
If you are fully engaged in life, thoughtful, and yet spiritually searching, check out The New Thought Community of Vancouver Island. CoVid put the damper on in persson sessions, but it made us super active in our facebook group.
“Barbara was the celebrant at our wedding and she was absolutely wonderful! She worked closely with us ahead of time to create a ceremony that was specific and relevant to us – one that reflected who we are individually, as a couple, and in our lives together. The result was a ceremony that felt natural, comfortable, welcoming to our guests and family, and full of love and laughs. Her skilled ability to combine logistics know-how with holding the energy of the space had us relaxed and well taken care of. We were in the best hands with her. We laughed, we cried, laughed some more, and left with hearts full!” J+M (above), so fabulous, so intentional. Sighhhh….