I knew this property had suffered lots of damage in the 2013 floods. At that time, the River Bend was a mobile home park, and just about everybody living there had lost their home. So… my first order of business when I arrived to on the day of the ceremony was simply to hold a little prayer of thanksgiving in my heart, make some offerings to the land, and especially to remember the people whose homes were lost. (I always like to “plug myself in” to the land before a ceremony. It’s just a way I have of honoring all the many peoples and stories that are a part of the Colorado origin story, all the way back to the first people. It connects me to the vast history of this land, the good, the bad, the beautiful, and the ugly.)
All that said, it was not hard to get myself into a peaceful and grounded space before this River Bend wedding ceremony began, the flowing waters and rugged cliffs settled me right in. This couple had chosen a custom wedding ceremony, and besides writing their beautiful and serendipitous love story, I had a chance to include lots of fun ritual elements that really enhanced their rites of marriage.
As they had a large community present, it was important to me that everyone feel connected and united as witnesses. Nothing like asking folks to give a few neighbors a high-five to get the unity vibe going, and this community really got into it.
When the groom proposed, he made his beloved a scrapbook, filled with all the memories they had already created together. Using that as their inspiration, they had me take a few Polaroids during the ceremony, that they could immediately add to the scrapbook.
(Alicia Lewin, their photographer, got a much better image of the moment, while I was using the vintage Polaroid.)
“We’re standing right at the edge of everything that has come before, and the mystery of everything that is yet to unfold. A whole new journey begins for you today. Everyone here, together with L and D: as you celebrate the first moments of this marriage today, you will be writing the opening lines of a new chapter of their story, and we are going to take a moment to commemorate that. When D proposed to L, he gave her a scrapbook filled with photos and memories of their time together. He also wrote a poem about their continuing journey together, and how they would always be adding to their “scrapbook of life.” So, we are going to add to that scrapbook right now, this time-zero moment right at the edge of their vows, by taking a Polaroid of you all, and adding it immediately to their blank page.”
It was a magnificent day and an inspired ceremony that was truly reflective of the couple and their love of each other. It was such an honor to create and facilitate their River Bend wedding ceremony, and to have had the opportunity to get to know them well enough to do so. Um, yeah, time for a fist pump, for sure.
Here’s what the bride had to say about their experience:
“We are so grateful to have had you lead our ceremony and create such an absolutely wonderful experience for us and our guests. I am still getting complimented and people just raving about how amazing you were and how that was the coolest ceremony they have ever witnessed. Goal accomplished!! It was just perfect and we thank you for all your time that you put into writing up something perfect for us. Thank you endlessly.”
In addition to the wonderful venue, I also had the chance to work with some fabulous wedding vendors:
Wedding Planner: Kelsey, with Lily Pad Events. She did such a great job, making it so easy for myself and the couple to relax and enjoy the moment.
Photographer: Alicia Lewin Photography. Her photography is exquisite — she captured all the love, and all the beauty.
