Everything about Katherine and Leo's wedding day was intentional and sacred. For their ceremony we trekked out to a more remote location in the Utah desert; and cliffside they said "I do!" ​Their ceremony was a mix of traditional elements like exchanging rings and vows, however, they wanted the entire experience to be sacred and spiritual.
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Starting our time off with a meditation, then the calling in of the four directions, and wrapping it all up with a handfasting ritual. With 3 cords, one representing each of them, and the final cord, in a neutral color symbolic of all that is to come and the life they create together.
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We have come to this magical place, to honor the beginning of a new adventure and chapter of life for the two of you as you become emotionally, physically, and spiritually united. The promises that you are making here today and the ties that are bound here greatly strengthen your union and will cross the years and lives of each soul’s growth. Do you seek to enter this ceremony? WE DO
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Before we proceed to the official ceremony, I ask that we all take a deep breath, a moment of silence to gather our thoughts and emotions and be fully present as we move into the official ceremony.
Katherine, I will take your flowers.
BLESSING OF 4 DIRECTIONS
In times past it was believed that the human soul shared characteristics with all things divine. It is this belief that assigned virtues to the cardinal directions; East, the birthplace of Air, South, the light of Fire, West, the current of Water. North, the foundation of Earth. This is a way of symbolically inviting all of creation to be present and take part in the ceremony. This evening, we, too, want to invite the whole of the universe, source, and creation to be with us here and now.
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We call to the East, the power of the rising sun and the element of air, with open hearts and clear voice we thank you for the wind that brings us inspiration and the opportunity to begin anew.
Blessed be this marriage with the virtues of the East
Honor your individuality as well as the connection you have as soul mates. Relish in the fresh beginnings with the sunrise of each new day. Rest in the wisdom and growth found in the sharing of silences. Be open in communication and be filled with the breath of life.
We call to the South, the element of fire, we thank you for the spark of passion that is within us all; lighting our souls a flame so we may connect deeply to the world around us.
Blessed be this marriage with the virtues of the South
May you always have a warm and welcoming home. Create a love based on trust and sparked by the heart’s passion. Strengthen the ability of both to lighten the darkest of times.
Let there be Light and passion in your lives, always.
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We call to the West, the element of water, and the direction of the setting sun.
We give gratitude and honor another day well lived as we allow ourselves to be in the Flow.
Blessed be this marriage with the virtues of the West
Within your relationship may you find the quiet stillness of the lake and the swift excitement
of the river - release the troubles of a storm and reach for renewal in the freshness of rain.
Flow in the all-encompassing passion of the sea.
Promise to go with the ever-changing, ebb and flow of life.
We call to the North, the element of earth; we thank you for the sacred rhythm of dormancy and pause, the inspiration that comes in dreams and the opportunity to stand upon this sacred ground today.
Blessed be this marriage with the virtues of the North
Together you have the stability to bear what is cold and harsh in life. Stabilize your lives with a strong foundation of courage and vulnerability. Enrich yourselves to be the constant home you find in each other and to which you will always return. Stand together in resilience and strength as you move forward together.
The promises that you are making here today and the ties that are bound here greatly strengthen your union and will cross the years and lives of each soul’s growth, with this in mind, do you seek to enter this ceremony, and have your hands fasted in the ways of old? WE DO
I bid you to look into each other’s eyes, and join your hands, left to left, symbolizing your heart-to-heart union. In joining hands in this moment, you are taking the final step of offering yourselves to one another. These are the hands that will love and cherish you through the years. These are the hands that will hold you tight as you struggle through difficult times and will give you support and encourage you to chase your dreams.
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Destiny has made your paths to cross. Today as your hands are bound by these 3 cords, you will continue your journey together; Two entwined in love, bound body, mind, and soul by commitment and fear, sadness and joy, hardship and victory. All of which brings strength to this union.
The first cord of 3 wound together - representing you,
Leo as you enter this marriage wholly and completely.
(Jenn drapes the red cord over the couples hands)
Leo, do you wish to be bound to Katherine in body, mind, and spirit? "I Do"
And so the binding is made
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The next cord of 3 wound together - representing you,
Katherine as you enter this marriage wholly and completely.
(Jenn drapes the green cord over the couples hands)
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Katherine, do you wish to be bound to Leo in body, mind, and spirit? "I Do"
And so the binding is made
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The final cord of 3 wound together - symbolic of your past, present, and future all coming together in this moment.
(Jenn drapes the final cord over the couple's hands)
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Do you promise to hold each other in the highest regard, day in and day out, through the storms, and the rain, and the wonderful mysteries of life for the rest of this lifetime and for all that may come next? "We Do!"
And so the binding is made.
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The universe has witnessed your oath today!
Leo and Katherine, as your hands are bound together now, so your lives and spirits are joined in a union of love and trust.
Jenn takes the cords and ties the knot (hangs loosely on your hands)
The knot of this binding is not formed by these three chords but instead by your vows.
Jenn takes ahold of the top of the knot
Will you each take ahold of the cords… Either of you may drop the chords, for as always, you hold in your own hands the making of breaking of this union. Hold tight to one another through both the good times and bad and watch as your strength grows. As this knot is tied, so are your lives now bound.
You each pull the cords, and “tie the knot”
Your love will be constant as you walk into the unknown, with your lover, best friend, and soulmate by your side.
By the power of your love and commitment, and the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife!
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