#heartofthewedding

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This destination elopement was definitely one for the books! The couple flew into town in March from out of state with 6 adults and their 2 young kiddos. Their little one had a complete and total meltdown as soon as we entered @henrycowellredwoods.sp . She was terrified of the tall trees and screamed hysterically during the entire walk into the forest, and for most of the ceremony! It slowed things down significantly, and because it had been raining daily, and because we caught a rare break, every second counted... I was barely over that gnarly flu that was going around in the winter and spring, and the redwoods were wet and cold that day. Oh and did I mention that they forgot their marriage license! Despite all the hiccups it turned out splendidly, and these pictures by @charissacooper_ are proof! #destinationwedding #destinationelopement #destinationweddingofficiant #santacruzwedding #santacruzmountainwedding #californiaelopement #redwoods #henrycowell #henrycowellstatepark #winterwedding #rain #familyaffair #bestlaidplans #istandforceremony #heartofthewedding #ceremonymatters (at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park)

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“Let the beauty you love be what you do. There are so many ways to kneel and kiss the ground.” -Rumi #rumi #love #passion #purpose #ceremony #weddings #calling #devotion #heartofthewedding #istandforceremony #ceremonymatters

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One of my favorite descriptions of ceremony eva!!! “Ceremony may be self-derived, it may come from vision, it may be given by a teacher, it may be cultural. But from all sources it has the same underlying root. It is a process in which the human capacity for sacred feeling and reverence is given form and expression. One tells the Earth, one tells Creator, what is felt and thought through specific actions and movements and intentions. This underlying intention held within the ceremonialist is given outward expression in ceremonial form. And in the process humans, the spirit world, the different elements of the Earth are bound together in a living fabric that is alive, vital and new.” ~Stephen Harrod Buhner. Amazing photo by @marianewmanphoto. #wedding #weddings #huffpostido #weddingceremony #santacruzwedding #bigsurwedding #santacruzmountainwedding #threshold #weddingaltar #animism #animist #quotes #love #beauty #reverance #sacred #istandforceremony #heartofthewedding #ceremonymatters (at Santa Cruz, California)

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In early May A&S will be flying to California from England to renew their marriage and remake their vows. After 10 years of togetherness, and 5 years of marriage, plus 2 kiddos, they're coming to the "greatest meeting of land and water in the world" known as Big Sur to reaffirm their commitment and reclaim this mysterious rite of marriage. Convinced to marry in the church by their families, they are older and wiser now, and have a better sense of who they are and what they're about. They are atheists making atheistic vows: not to orient to some eternal afterlife, but to be all in for this one! #atheist #atheists #freedomofreligion #religiousfreedom #redo #renewal #vowrenewal #recommitmentceremony #bigsur #california #santacruzwedding #santacruzmountainwedding#ceremony #weddingceremony #officiant #weddingofficiant #weddingcelebrant #destinationwedding #istandforceremony #heartofthewedding #ceremonymatters (at Pfiefer Beach, Big Sur, CA)