Catherine and Jim: a world away

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Jim e-mailed me from a war zone, where he was in the middle of a posting.  He had a leave coming up, had never been to North America.  His partner would fly in from another part of the world to meet him, and he hoped, after 13 years and 2 children together, to “make an honest woman out of her.”

If you have read how I work, you know that I like to co-create with my couples.  Though Jim was behind a fortress-like firewall, and Catherine’s computer had committed hara kiri, we still managed to pull together a ceremony that would honour his wicked sense of humour, her desire for something romantic with a prayer, and bring their daughters symbolically to be at the ceremony.

cath Jim bell blog postBecause it was off-season and a weekday, both the photographer and I were able to meet with them the day before to scout out locations and set up the plan.  Felt good, because given our restrictions, we hadn’t “met” in some way before…which is a rarity for me.

The ceremony itself was sweet and real, profound at times, at others a little irreverent.  Like the old feller (said with love) who interrupted the ceremony to offer congrats and show off his new scarf, the chorus of ducks nearby, and the cyclist who waited on the bridge for the kiss, ringing his bell with gusto.

Ah yes, everyone loves a wedding.  And even when you travel half-way around the world to elope, you still get guests…:)

 

** It was an absolute delight to work with Courtney from Courtney Clarke Photography!

“Barbara is the person you want to conduct your ceremony if you want something different, unique and fun. A straight talking woman with a great sense of humour who is very flexible whilst charging around Beacon Hill Park at dusk trying to find the right spot to hold the wedding. All this the night before. Highly recommend Barbara to anyone.”   Thanks, Jim…:)

 

 

 

 

Laura and Hugh: Pure Boundless Joy

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When Laura contacted me about 8 weeks before their wedding, she said that although she had been planning their wedding for almost a year, something felt missing. Everything else was done, but she didn’t feel like she was getting married. Her intended – Hugh – would support her, but his experience of ceremonies was more of the “rubber stamp” variety.

Our initial chat unearthed this: Hugh and Laura wanted their ceremony to reach out and gather everyone in its embrace. To share their love and joy with the people who mattered the most to them. To really feel like they were getting married. And of course…to enjoy it.

With all that in mind, we went to work. The couple put themselves into co-creating their ceremony with gusto. And it showed.

Laura.Hugh.mumPure boundless  joy. These images perfectly capture the essence of the ceremony, the couple, and the people who love them.

“Laura, there wasn’t a pivotal moment that told you ‘this is the one‘. You just slowly realized that you were already committed.You had already assessed Hugh from your “must-have” boyfriend qualities list, and he’d scored 100%. But somehow, it was clear from the beginning that this was totally different from any other relationship you had ever had…Hugh had a big heart, full of love, and yours recognized it.”

Given that Laura is a massage therapist, it was only natural that guests all actually had “a hand” in getting her married to Hugh. (pic below)

Laura Hugh handsPure boundless joy.

“And one day, many many years from now, perhaps you’ll be back here at St. Ann’s Academy, sitting together right in this very spot, holding hands just like now, contented, calm and secure together.   

And may younger couples look at you and think: “that’s who I want to be.”

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Laura and Hugh, so happy you chose me. Honoured. Grateful. And still smiling when I recall this magical moment in time.

You can see more of Ryan Macdonald’s uber-amazing photos (including many wonderful shots of the happy couple) on her blog post. 

Handfasting 101

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Elysse Anna Photography

Handfasting, for many people, popped onto the radar thanks to the 1995 movie Braveheart.  In actual fact, it is perhaps one of the oldest wedding traditions.  In Europe, until the mid 1700’s, few unions were sanctified in a church or synagogue. Rather, they were celebrated by a simple hand fasting ceremony, which often marked the betrothal or engagement period (“a year and a day”).  Sometimes handfasting was used again to finally bind together a couple as husband and wife.

handfasting wrap with Tartan in garden at Hatley Castle

Today, there are a variety of ways to add handfasting into a wedding ceremony:

  • A traditional ritual using a single cord, scarf, or piece of fabric
  • Or use different cords, colours or keepsakes that are meaningful.
  • Tie yourselves together.
  • Or have your special people take an active role in the ritual.

son handfasts his mom and new dad together with measuring tape

2020 Update

Wow, it’s hard to believe that it’s been almost 10 years since I wrote this post!  And so many handfastings since then!  We’ve used climbing rope, measuring tape, handmade cords, bicycle inner tube, and yes, even a set of (real) handcuffs.  We even used a bride’s veil in a group handfasting when we ran out of cord…:)

Handfasting intimate wedding ceremony

Image by Jon-Mark Photography

Lots of ways to do this, all of them chock full of love. And a way to get married that everyone will remember. Forever. I promise you that..:)

KGood Photography

 

 

L&J are handfasted together by all the guests in Sooke BCTulle and Tweed Photography

Contact me about your Handfasting Ceremony

 

Modern Metaphysical Minister/Celebrant and Wedding Officiant, Vancouver Island. Including Victoria, Duncan, Nanaimo, Parksville, Qualicu,m, Courtenay, Comox Valley and Campbell River.