Last night I had the most amazing experience of officiating the wedding ceremony of an old friend. Luis and I have known each other since the 6th grade! So, while it was a little surreal - I mean, I still remember us running around in the school playground! - it was also one of the most wonderful moments I've ever had.
Luis and Dan are two of the greatest guys you could ever hope to meet, and the process of creating their ceremony made me fall in love with them both. It's no wonder they want to spend their lives together!
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| Handfasting cord |
Their wedding took place at Uncommon Ground on the north side of Chicago. The atmosphere was perfect, the food was great - and there was an 80's band. They even had a singer/guitarist who played Crowded House and Eddie Veder during the cocktail hour. What could be better??
The ceremony was so much fun - and wound up being "interactive" with lots of jokes & commentary from the peanut gallery..... I mean, the guests. Not to mention that the grooms kept cracking jokes!
Dan and Luis opted to include a handfasting ritual, so I made their cord as a wedding gift. It included charms representing each of them and their lives together. The red ribbon symbolized the story of the Red Thread of Destiny. Their good friend, Irwin, came forward to offer a blessing during the handfasting.
They also included a blessing stone ritual, where all the guests received a rose quartz on which to place their blessings and wishes. The stones were collected and placed in a vase. Dan and Luis each had a stone in the the shape an their chosen animal totem, which they placed on top of the rose quartz.
And of course, there were tears and laughs - and it was a night I'll never forget! Especially since my feet are still sore from dancing so much!
Angel Eyes Photography was on hand to document the evening, so I'll share a link to those pixs when they're available. In the meantime, here are shots of the ceremony taken by my hubby!
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| Luis enters with Best Man, Polo |
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| The tears started pretty quickly. Luckily, I came prepared! |
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| Irwin offers a blessing during the handfasting. |
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| Lots of laughs during the ceremony! |
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| Exchanging vows. Denise, Dan's Maid of Honor, approves |
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| Luis & Dan face their loved ones for the guests' vow of support. |
Congratulations, Luis & Dan. I can't tell you how much it means to me to have been a part of your wedding day. I wish you lots of love and happiness. And I expect you to make me dinner (hint: MEATLOAF!!) some time. Love you!!
