Wow, what a wonderful year of Celebrations of so many life passages. I feel so amazingly blessed and privileged to be part of the life stories of so many people. Once again, my year was filled with many wedding celebrations, many of them elopements, in my favorite place - Yosemite National Park. This was Angela and Brian having their sunrise elopement in Cook's Meadow. It was chilly but oh so much fun. We started out with a bit from The Princess Bride because "mawage is what bwings us togeder today." And because they wanted their wedding day to be one of the happiest moments of their lives.
All Angela and Brian's photos courtesy of Tessa Tadlock
I loved every minute of their ceremony, in particular when some folks drove by at the end and honked and yelled congratulations! Everybody loves love!
Then we had our amazing wintry wedding up at Edgewood Tahoe where Angelique and Ryan had their St. Patrick's Day wedding. Oh yes we had snow, lots of snow as a storm the day before made it impossible for me to get to the rehearsal! But I persevered, rented an all-wheel drive car in order to make it through the snowy conditions and made it! A Disney and adventure loving couple, they both said their first "I love you"s while in the happiest place on earth and Ryan proposed while on a trip to Las Vegas. As A.A. Milne said, “I knew when I met you an adventure was going to happen.”
Their personal vows were fun, sweet and so heartfelt. I think everyone shed a tear or two at some point.
And to honor St. Patrick and both Angelique and Ryan's Celtic heritages, we had a handfasting ritual at the end of the ceremony, a symbol of beautiful unity.
All of Angelique and Ryan's photos courtesy of Megan Welker
Of course every year includes several weddings at one of my favorite Sacramento venues, the Monte Verde Inn. I have been performing ceremonies here since the beginning and each one is always unique and so special. I love how Brittney & William decorated the arch with such beautiful soft colors. And look at their adoring daughter Mary Jane who was so very excited to have an important role in her parents' wedding.
Photos of Brittney and William's wedding courtesy of Alyssa at Feather and North
And of course I really love those weddings that are very casual, small and focused on family. Ron & Christine's wedding in their backyard included their children and their granddaughters were our most lovely bridesmaids. The Hawaiian theme was so perfect for a hot August day and afterwards everyone jumped in the pool!
I just love getting to know all of my couples and especially when we find out all we share in common about so many things in life.
Christine and Ron's photos taken by loving family members in attendance.
Crystal and Daniel were another wonderful couple who I got to marry at the Monte Verde Inn. It always touches me the amount of emotion couples can feel and in particular I love it when the grooms get emotional. Daniel was reminded to breathe before the ceremony as he was so nervous and excited, even after 7 years of being with his love Crystal. And once we got started, he was cool as a cucumber.
I love love. I love my couples. I love being witness to their love and telling their stories, each one so remarkably unique, fun and different.
I love you all wonderful couples. You make my world go around.
All of Crystal and Daniel's photos courtesy of Monica at Studio KYK
In addition to the marital love, I also had the honor of performing a few Celebration of Life ceremonies, including contributing to my former husband's ceremony, who sadly passed this year. And I also had the fun of creating a Celebration of a new business for my niece Pearl and her partner Mark for the opening of their coffee shop, Badfish Coffee & Tea. It was indeed an amazing and full year and I am so grateful for every moment. This is only a small snippet of wedding photos and I will get more on here very soon. Until then, I welcome 2019 with an open heart.
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