I met Erin at the Bridal Bazaar last August, when she was there with some friends, and I remember enjoying meeting her and talking about the fact that they wanted a non-religious wedding, for their wedding the following March (2012) at Los Willows, a place I had done a few weddings before. She had also seen me on "The Knot." A few weeks later, I got an email from Mitchell to set up a time to meet. I will never forget the day we met, as it was the day of the blackout, last September, and we sat at an outside table in the courtyard, since Starbucks had already closed as soon as the power went out - what a crazy day that ended up being!
We talked about their not wanting a very formal wedding. They weren't religious, and didn't really have any family expectations for anything. They didn't want anything traditional that they (or others) would have seen before, like a unity candle or sand ceremony. They let me know that they were both pretty casual people, that they met in high school and just enjoy each other, and that both of their families were light-hearted as well.
So, what did we create together? First, Erin didn't want a question asked of her father when they came down the aisle, and instead decided to go with more of a Celtic tradition, where I don't ask anything then, but a touch into the ceremony explain that instead I will ask if she comes of her own free will, and if she comes with her family's blessing. We also included an honoring of their mothers with a flower or a lei, representing the joining of the two families, and a message of thanks and appreciation to them. They each went to the two mothers together, to honor their own mother as well as the mother of their loved one. They chose two readings to include - one called "Best Friends" (author unknown), and the other was actually from "Such Great Heights" by The Postal Service, and totally fit them! Both of these just became components of the ceremony, rather than being read by an additional reader. They also include the box with wine and love letters ceremony, which is so meaningful, and they nailed it shut during the ceremony! Their vows were a combination of four "I do" questions to each of them (the same questions to each), and then personal vows that they wrote and didn't share ahead of time - beautiful, real, love-filled vows.
And, as always, we included stories from their "homework" assignment for me, including their vision of the future. I wanted everything there to know where they were headed, so that they could cheer them along the way!
Thanks again, to you both, for the amazing honor of being a part of your celebration and of your fun and loving and supportive relationship! Wishing you a lifetime of love and happiness together!
Venue: Los Willows
Officiant: Bethel Nathan of Ceremonies by Bethel (of course)
Photographer: Soublet Photography
DJ: JMC Events (DJ Average Joe) - love when Joe is part of an event!
Flowers: A family friend
Cake: Sumi's Oven
Make-up: Live 2 Dye (Kitty)
Hair: Casey Ferrara