• Home
  • About
  • Weddings
  • In action
  • Memorials
  • Logo
  • Other Ceremonies
  • Blog
  • Contact me

Other Ceremonies

community.5

Historically, a lifetime celebrated many rites of passage. Mostly long-gone in this modern age. But if traditional baptisms, being roasted, playing toilet paper games or dancing in the forest under a full moon aren’t your cup of tea, perhaps come back (or forward) to the world of meaningful rites of passage. You can still drink prosecco and eat cupcakes. Because what’s a celebration without them?

“Any action that speaks to the soul and to the deep imagination, whether or not it also has practical effects, is ritual.” Thomas Moore, The Education of the heart

 

Baby namings, blessings, adoptions, motherhood

Even you are the traditional Easter/Christmas kind of church-goers, a traditional baptism may feel a little odd, because it symbolizes your child’s entry into the world…and the church. If you’re not intending to raise your child in the chuch, then what?

Well, you can still welcome them into the world, your world, and the world that will surround them as they grow. And there are any number of ways to make it meaningful for everyone.

We built and filled a time capsule for Jo’s first birthday.  To be opened when she is 16. It’s her most prized possession.  Every year on her birthday, she asks to hold it.

On a similar note, instead of a baby shower, a group of powerful women created this promise box for their newest family member, yet, unborn.

They brought history, stories, letters, promises, and symbols to welcome her into a line of strong women.

**

Tara was soooo not a baby shower person. So her mom pulled together 12 wise women to help prepare her for motherhood and to cross over the threshold with her. Her own intentional support team.  Read more here.

Divorce

A few years ago, I was asked to contribute to a book about divorce parties. The only thing I could tell the author was that long ago and far away, I baked many heartbreak cakes, which usually saw a plastic groom faceplanted in the icing.  The accompanying parties felt contrived. Divorce is not necessarily something to be celebrated. It’s something to be travelled through. And often healed from. It’s a journey, not an event.

I helped one of the most intentional couples I know do an un-wedding ceremony, where they entered together, unmarried each other, and exited separately. Their friends told them it was the most mature way they had seen a relationship end.

In most cases, one person is hurt more, and the healing takes time. Whether it’s a sustenance ritual, a final coming-out-I-am-ready-to-move-into-my-next-life, a way of expressing gratitude to those who have surrounded you, or a symbolic way to let go of emotional ties, the actions you take can be affirming and powerful (and you can still eat cake.)

Transitions

Often moves, whether through life, work, home or love don’t go smoothly. That’s because every beginning begins with an ending. And then there’s a space in-between where you have left, but not yet arrived.  This is a place of real growth, or wisdom, and yet it’s human nature to want to race through it. And sometimes, you can’t. Because all of you is not travelling at the same speed.

Rituals can help. Whether it’s packing up a beloved home in preparation for a nursing facility, holding a mock funeral for a department that’s being downsized, managing illness, giving up the business title for no title, reinventing yourself. They can give you the touchstone to hold as you move forward.

JL had a treehouse in her backyard. A survivor of sexual abuse, her husband built it for her as her safe place. And it was sacred. When they sold the house, she thought she could leave it, but as closing date loomed, she needed something. We figured out how to transform her private spot into a gift for the next owners, and created a ceremony that she and her husband used to make it happen.

LJ had a long-standing working relationship with a colleague who had become a pivotal part of her life. For over 30 years. When her partner retired, they determined that a simple farewell lunch or dinner wasn’t enough. So they wove a story of their relationship together using strands of fabric from pivotal times. Then they cut the cord, each taking away part of the story as a memento.

Modern Metaphysical Minister/Celebrant and Wedding Officiant, Vancouver Island. Including Victoria, Duncan, Nanaimo, Parksville, Courtenay, Comox Valley and Campbell River. Tofino and Ucluelet as available.

barbara_google_reviews
 
Barbara Densmore Celebrant
Barbara Densmore Celebrant
Based on 71 Google reviews
Caitlin Barnes
Caitlin Barnes
2022-12-05
Barbara is so amazing to work with. She curates the most perfect re-telling of couple's love stories that have them laughing and crying - sometimes at the same time! Barbara has a presence that puts everyone at ease and immediately allows guests and couples to feel grounded to appreciate every moment. If you want a ceremony that tells your story and allows you to truly soak up every word - there is only one person :)
Jasmina Omri
Jasmina Omri
2022-10-28
Barbara was excellent to work with. She helped us have a wonderful wedding ceremony by supporting both of us and by telling our love story so beautifully! Thank you again for making our day feel extra special! T&J
Jen C
Jen C
2022-10-27
Barbara is amazing to work with! At first I didn't think much of the ceremony part, but having someone like Barbara put together a unique and personalized ceremony really makes the day even more special. So many of our guests said their favourite part of the wedding was the ceremony! So worth it.
Courtney Hutson
Courtney Hutson
2022-10-21
There aren’t enough words to say how appreciative my husband (still so exciting to say!!) and I are for Barbara. Right from the moment we started working with her she was thorough, relaxed and made us feel so comfortable. She guides her couples, provides them with helpful tips and tools and made us feel incredibly supported. On the day of, she delivered a ceremony that felt like us. We are forever thankful for her and would recommend her to anyone looking for an officiant - especially for those who are less traditional and choose an adventurous elopement like we did! Thank you, thank you and thank you again Barbara!
Spence
Spence
2022-10-12
Having Barbara as our Wedding Officiant was absolutely incredible. She made us feel so comfortable with the process leading up to our special day, which made it easy and very straightforward. This reduced much stress couples experience preparing for their wedding. On our Wedding Day, the experience was magnificent. Barbara truly made our wedding day an amazing experience. Highly recommended - she'll make your wedding day incredible too.
Cherylann Nesbitt
Cherylann Nesbitt
2022-10-04
Barbara was AMAZING to work with. We couldn't be happier with the final outcome of our ceremony. Our guests were all very impressed. We kept hearing guests say how unique and special the ceremony was. And how it was a refreshing update from what they had seen at past weddings. Which was exactly what we had asked for when we first met Barbara! Barbara spent a good amount of time getting to know us and that allowed for a really personalized ceremony. She was organized and always one step ahead of us (which was super helpful with life being so busy). She was an excellent collaborator. She listened to what we wanted, and then gave us a few different options for each section. Shen helped with our vows and made sure we had everything we needed every step of the way. It was the perfect ceremony and we can't imagine having done it with any other officiant! -Cherylann & Luke
Jeramiah Morris
Jeramiah Morris
2022-10-03
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! Thank you Barbara!! Michael & Jeramiah
Heather Campbell
Heather Campbell
2022-10-03
Barbara is a celebrant extraordinaire! Everything was perfect from start to finish, she truly brought our wedding ceremony alive and tailored made the most beautiful day for us. Throughout all the preparation and on the day she was encouraging, kind and supportive. Before the wedding we used Barbara's wonderful website and 'welcome package' to helps us layout our ceremony, choose our 'moments', and gleam inspiration for writing our own vows. It was truly a wonderful day and we're so happy to have had Barbara officiate over us.
Courtenay Lennox
Courtenay Lennox
2022-09-27
Barbara Married us and was so wonderful and helpful in what seemed a daunting process. Let me tell you she did all the hard work, had wonderful suggestions and I just cannot say enough about her service. She wrote us a sweet, funny and very memorable ceremony. My husband and I highly recommend her!! Thank you so much Barbara!
Celine Sauve
Celine Sauve
2022-09-26
Barbara was a dream to work with- I cannot say it enough! Prior to our wedding, she had me and my husband fill out a little questionnaire about each other and worked our secret responses into our ceremony. This was such a personal touch that brought many laughs and touching moments. We wanted sweet and simple and Barbara did that AND MORE. With little surprises along the way, I couldn't have asked for a better ceremony. Even our guests mentioned how wonderful and entertaining she was. A million thank-yous to Barbara!

Recent Posts

  • Wedding Officiants on Vancouver Island for 2023
  • Micro/Wee Wedding Ideas
  • Elope in the Forest with the Vow Cabin
  • Time Capsule Ritual, 2020 Version
  • J+P’s Vow Renewal, Sort of…:)

Recent Comments

  • Evan Batchelor on Wedding Officiants on Vancouver Island for 2023
  • admin on How to get married in BC
  • Blair Thimer on How to get married in BC
  • admin on Wedding Officiants on Vancouver Island for 2022
  • Cassandra Crockett on Wedding Officiants on Vancouver Island for 2022

Most Popular Posts

  • How to Get Married in BC
  • Wedding Officiants on Vancouver Island for 2023
  • Wee Wedding Ideas
  • Elope in the Forest with the Vow Cabin
  • Modern Metaphysical Minister
  • Licenced BC Wedding Officiant
  • Ceremonial Designer & Leader
  • Certified Life-cycle Celebrant
  • The New Thought Community of Vancouver Island
Quick Links
  • Home
  • About
  • Weddings
  • In action
  • Memorials
  • Other Ceremonies
  • Contact Me
  • Blog
Follow me
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Linked In

© 2023 Barbara Densmore. All Rights Reserved.

  • Home
  • About
  • Weddings
  • Memorials
  • Other Ceremonies
  • Blog
  • Contact