It started with the date. I knew it needed to be a sabbat that had the most intense meaning to me. That is Mabon. And this the first intention of the spell was cast.
We negotiated the specifics of the location. Our intention was simple: spread joy, spread happiness. We've already loved each other for so long, so the intent was to lift the veil, as it were, and enjoy a day with people who helped us get to where we are individually and together. That was the balance to be struck.
This particular Mabon was set to be a half moon. Half dark, half light. It is also the autumnal equinox, half the day, half the night. This alignment meant so much to me as it represents how he and I respect one another and divide our priorities while still taking comfort in the whole-ness between us.
Location was tricky. He was leaning more towards isolation with just us, but I reminded him of all the amazing and supporting people we have in our lives. So to balance, we chose a location that allowed everyone to choose their own adventure: Vegas. He was skeptical at first, but this negotiation paid off in the end.
The next intention of the spell was of course the dresses. Balance--one for ceremony, one for fun. Found them both: one longer and ornate and shiny and laced and deep cut neckline, the other shorter, flowy, simple --perfect for running around the hustle and bustle of Vegas.
Next was assembling our story and sending invitations.
After that, the flowers consumed my focus. I knew I would be holding these while we declared our love for one another and I wanted to imbue them with every ounce of symbolism from all my collections of beliefs--colors, flowers shapes, memories. I crafted them from paper, after seeing none for purchase to meet my needs. I shaped calla lilies for faithfulness with the perfect rose gold accents balances with black foliage for protection and green hydrangea blooms for grace and beauty. The last details to make it complete was adding grain stalks representing Demeter, a halo of peacock feathers representing Hera (and marriage). Before traveling I made a small spell jar and filled it with protective, cleansing and comforting herbs and salts, sealed with pink and red wax. I affixed this within my bouquet and felt so aware of the intention of every crafted article when we stood together and committed each to the other amongst so much conjured love and enjoyment.
Rose necklace representing Aphrodite and blue and gold stars and moon earrings. I felt absolutely beautiful, exhilarated, ecstatic and just plain happy.
To further enhance the balance of Vegas, we encouraged our guests to dress as movie characters. For me, to satisfy my desire for absurdity, for him to honor our relentless appreciation for all things movies.
Before the ceremony itself, the Friday night before we invited guests to the Neon Museum -- so prior to any debauchery, at least we had some education (balance!). Saturday before the ceremony, we hosted a movie screening of a dearly loved classic of ours: Roadhouse.
It seems so silly, but this was our way of inviting others to experience and appreciate a movie we've spoken of countless times for all of its ridiculousness. And it was so worth it. Weeks after our wedding, people have brought up this movie with comments on how amazing and absurd it is.
Our ceremony was held at the Sci-Fi Wedding Chapel...housed within the Twilight Zone mini golf. The perfect setting. It was small but comfortable for our intimate group. The music was one of the last negotiations -- a blend of my fun, beat-centric requirements and his sentimental lyrics. We also agreed upon the Shining, Halloween and Batman theme music, with the intro to 2001 A Space Odyssey for what I would walk down the aisle to.
There I was, decked out in my ceremony dress, holding my perfectly crafted flowers, waiting for the second swell in the epic intro of Space Odyssey. When I stepped through the curtains and saw everyone dressed in their costumes (for us!) I was so touched, so surprised, so blissfully happy for every person there. Then I looked ahead and saw my soon to be husband waiting for me. After I met him at the alter, our officiant, a Mr. Herman Munster, walked out to the Munsters theme music.
Herman introduced us and himself, handed the mic to my soon-to-be-husband who had some touching, warm words to say about the his joy in getting married. Then Herman had us repeat our vows (which I couldn't possibly remember now), I know they had some latent innuendo, then swap rings and kiss. He announced us as husband and wife and we promptly joined our guests in celebration and photos.
We took pictures, played mini golf, had a lovely simple dinner of tacos, then we were off for the night traversing Vegas in our wedding attire.
It was just the most perfect experience and I wouldn't trade it for anything.
annaxmalina
dededos
stormborns
