Ali & Yuri came from completely different cultures, or so it would seem. At their wedding, the right side of the aisle (from my perspective) mostly spoke Spanish, and those on the left side of the aisle, mostly spoke Persian. They came together sometimes in bits of English and body language. As different as they were, in cultural traditions and rituals, there was one common denominator, the thread that ran throughout their ceremony as a theme: Love of family and a sweet cherishing of the love between them.
Their ceremony embraced both of their cultures -- the bride escorted in by her parents accompanied by a mariachi band and a Persian ceremony following mine, rich with ritual. During part of that ceremony, a covering was placed over the bride and groom, held in place by bridesmaids, while other bridesmaids gently grated a sugar sculpture over their heads, representing a wish for them to have a sweet life.
Reflecting their deep devotion to each other and their respect, admiration of love of their families, the ceremony I created for them covered loyalty to family, the sacredness they hold for their love and what love and marriage really meant to them. To them, real love is working through the hard times, full of compassion and always being not only friends, but each other's cheerleaders.
It was an inspiring service, full of relatives who moved heaven and earth to hand bake baklava (a LOT of it, and probably the best I've ever had), almond cookies and a table full of other treats as well as an altar which sat behind me during the service, filled to the brim with symbology, each item representing a wish for the couple -- an abundant life, a sweet marriage, much luck, etc.
This is why I love Celebrant work -- I find each person and couple's story inspiring and uplifting, each nuance of who they are so unique and in my heart I feel how empowering it is for them to stand in front of their loved ones, proclaiming their love, honoring their ancestors and say... this is who I am; this is who we are.
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