We Did It Our Way!

Alex and Steph are two of the sweetest humans I have ever met. They had a dream of a magical elopement in the Pacific Northwest and traveled all the way from Connecticut to make it happen. And WOW was it a magical, dream fulfilling time for them and our wee posse of helpers who met them in the mountains and supported them through their I Do’s. There was glorious sunshine, sparkling water, sunrises and sunsets, mountain tops and emerald green glacial lakes, and one of the purest and most endearing weddings I have had the honor to be part of.

Thanks to the lovely Kate Faoro of Tapestry Events, Steph and Alex were referred to me to support them in some Couples Counseling and to help them create their ceremony exactly as they wanted it. There may not be anything more fulfilling for me than to work with couples who are committed to growing together and also want a deeply meaningful, intentional, heart and spirit filled ceremony.

We took a powerful counseling journey together for the six months leading up to their July wedding date. It humbled my heart to bear witness to two gentle souls as they showed up week after week to refine their communication skills and deepen their connection even with full work loads and family members to care for. We had an “anything’s possible” exploration of what they would want to include in their ceremony and all the freedom in the world for Steph and Alex to express their hearts and commitments to each other.

We included a fun milestone love story “processional” as they walked together and laid down stones and shared each of the important moments in their journey to the Altar. Our wonderful photographer, Emett Joseph had scoped out a private little beach spot just for us at the usually very busy Gold Creek Pond and with the mountains, trees, a lone heron and gorgeous water as our wedding guests, we began.

First with a Moment of Presence to calm nerves and settle in to our beautiful sanctuary. A very touching short poem had been chosen by Alex’s sister and was read for them. Steph and Alex shared their personal vows with each other and tender tears and soft laughter accompanied their precious words of love and commitment to each other. They had asked each of their parents to write a letter for them for their wedding day and Dear Parents, you truly blessed your children. We knew you wanted to be there and thank you so much for honoring Steph and Alex’s wishes and making sure they felt your love and support on their special day.

As our final ritual we did a Blessing of the Elements of Nature ceremony. Our blessing bowl was filled with offerings of air, water, fire and earth and flower petals to represent beauty. Each element was first offered to Spirit to give thanks for the gifts of each element and then I offered them to our Bride and Groom and they offered them to each other. Then together we extended all these bountiful elements and resources to the world and in so doing shared Steph and Alex’s love and happiness out to the whole human family and natural world.

We got their license signed, and completed our ceremony time with a cooling of toes in the lovely pond. The lure of glimmering water, especially on such a hot day, was almost more than I could resist. That is me saying “can I go in now?” Our wonderful calm and collected coordinator, dear Kate had to pull me back, reminding me that I was, after all, there in my professional capacity as a wedding officiant.

I found out after our ceremony that Steph and Alex have a fun connection with Otters, the sweet, fuzzy water beings who love to always hold hands. This is a ceremonial scarf designed and created by a wonderful Native Artist and it is called Otters Moving Slowly. They presented it to me as a thank you gift and I will wear it proudly for many ceremonies to come. And of course the day after they left for home, a family of otters showed up at the beach near my home and played delightfully in the water right in front of me. A sure sign that Steph and Alex’s dream to come and live in the Northwest and raise a family here is most certainly on its way to coming true.

Thank you Dear Alex and Steph for a heart cup full and overflowing experience. I love you both deeply and know that you will continue to chart your own course and have the conviction, courage and love of adventure enough to do life your way.

All My Love, Grace

Planner + Coordinator- Kate Faoro-Wright @tapestryeventco, www.tapestryeventco.com, Photographer Emett Joseph Sclabassi @emettjoeseph, www.emettjoseph.com