When musicians Jenn and Paul met on Hornby Island 31 years ago, there was an immediate attraction and a lot of stray voltage…:) What remained was a sense of “unfinished business” between them, and a sense of tentative inevitability that they would see each other again at some point.
A decade ago, they reconnected. And 5 years later, were married at St Andrews Cottages in Qualicum Beach.
“Our life is like an orchestra, and we are finding the beat”.
Since then, life has been full. Illness and misdiagnoses, the long road to recovery. All while running a business. Pivoting. Packing up and moving to the Island.
Suddenly, they were in a new place, an ideal life.
They talked about how to acknowledge this new start, this new place. Decided they would love to go back to their wedding day and experience it again “without distractions and the whir of madness involved in weddings.”
So we found a sunny day at the start of November and had an adventure. “What should we wear?” they asked. “What you got married in. Plus sweaters and jackets!”
In the backyard of their new home, we revisited and updated their story (pets included). Then we packed up and took a wee (and very mindful) hike down to their original wedding spot, capturing what makes this new place part of an ideal life…past the pond with the ducks, sun filtering through the ferns, the echo of drumming woodpeckers.
At the bottom, past the loyalists intent on saving the last remaining building at St Andrews Cottages. Poignant timing for us.
Down to the beach. Putting Hornby in their background (because it is…:) Appreciating what they love most about each other.
Hearing it again, from their original wedding. But updated for the time since.
We realized their original vows simply weren’t big enough, and so we updated them to fit. Took them over an oathing stone.
Beside us, a heron posed. A sea lion rolled. Gulls circled.
An ideal life.
And like an orchestra, and they are finding the beat.
Every moment and step captured beautifully by the talented Chelsea Dawn Weddings. For more images (and probably more nicely done than mine, check our HER blog post.
We’re putting together some packages that will help you say “I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat.” Check them out here. (Link coming)
When you think of ministers, you may think of the centuries old traditions of the Catholic, Hindu, Muslim, Jewish or other religions. But there are actually over 700 registered spiritual and religious groups certified to offer wedding ceremonies in the province of BC. Some do community outreach through Lay Chaplains or Youth Pastors. Some are retired folks. The range is wide, and each group runs on its own. So you can get a broad range of ceremonies. Here are some of the ones that I come across in my travels.
Celebrants are ordained officiants with a twist…specifically trained in the art of ceremony. If you want something different or really personal, you will be in good hands with a celebrant. If you are blending faiths or cultures, we can do it (we’re Metaphysical Ministers, which includes a broadly spiritual focus). If your family situation is….complicated….we can help smooth out the wrinkles.
In some parts of the United States, you can get a friend or relative to marry you with a special one-day pass. It doesn’t happen here in Canada.
Part of the Air Force in Europe, Ivo asked if their witnesses be Air Force folks? Voila, ex-CFB Commander couple (showed up in uniform and even took pics) started a new friendship over a wonderful afternoon.
