“Good liturgy is a living poem, and ceremony is the key. Good ceremony makes room for all the dimensions of human experience in the hope that, together, we will discover something that transforms us. This is why I suspect that individuals can‟t create true ceremony for themselves alone. Ceremony requires that we work with others in the humbling give and take of communal existence."
~ Kathleen Norris
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My favorite marriage/relationship coaching materials are "Getting the Love You Want." Would you like to vote for them as the best? http://marriage.about.com/b/2012/02/22/vote-2012-best-marriage-workshop.htm
By the way, any couple -- married or not, gay or not -- should read the book, "Getting the Love You Want" by Harville Hendrix! The most important part is that every relationship will grow into the power struggle and that is a good thing. "Getting the Love You Want" teaches us how to find the gift in the disagreements! If you don't sign up for coaching with me, read the book and safeguard your love!
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"Everyone, this wedding is a surprise gift from bride to bride. Bride it is her dearest hope that you receive this ceremony as a tribute to the power of her love for you." This is my favorite line from the ceremony that I wrote today. By the way, I performed their commitment ceremony about 6 years ago. They were going to just go to the City Clerk's office but Bride #1 wanted something special so she and I are conspiring on a surprise ceremony!
Bride's #1 question was, "Can we do that?" I said, "Yes! We can!" This part of the joy of a Celebrant ceremony. The couple decides! E
[photo for illustration purposes only. This is not the couple I am writing about!]
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I love this quote from Colin Cowie "People want perfect weddings, but I tell them, 'I don't do perfect weddings.' You shouldn't worry about being judged."
My sentiments exactly! A wedding is a rare occasion in our lives. It is one of the few opportunities that we all have to step outside of our busy routines and notice that each of us matters -- beyond measure. I love to work with couples who see their wedding ceremony as a celebration of life and love and seek to experience a distinctive, meaningful, authentic experience of the joy of finding each other and of sharing life with their loved ones! The ceremonies that I craft may be casual or sophisticated. The one thing that all of my couples and I concentrate on is creating a ceremonial experience that feels like them! Life is imperfect and when we try to be perfect we tend to stress and separate from reality and that doesn't help anyone. So, for a wedding ceremony that feels like you, loosen up, and plan from your heart -- reflect who you really are. I have performed more than 550 wedding ceremonies and I am glad to tell you that when we concentrate on what really maters, every wedding ceremony is lovely! And, remember if anyone judges you they are missing the point! Only love matters!
Read more about Colin Cowie's tips for your wedding here: http://www.stltoday.com/lifestyles/columns/quirk-out/wedding-planner-a-die-hard-romantic-says-he-doesn-t/article_45dcd544-2341-5165-b07d-319785f49159.html#ixzz1nPD5CZiu
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPBGIBc3YV4&feature=related -- This is a video from 2009 of Etta James singing her classic, "At Last" on "Dancing with the Stars" with Max and Karina dancing to her signature hit. I am amazed with the quality of her voice as she sings sitting down! A true professional and an extraordinarily gifted artist, I am sure to hear this lovely song at many more elegant NYC weddings!
Here are the lyrics:
"At Last"
At last
My love has come along
My lonely days are over
And life is like a song
Oh yeah yeah, at last
The skies above are blue
My heart was wrapped up in clover
The night I looked at you
And I found a dream that I could speak to
A dream that I can call my own
I found a thrill to press my cheek to
A thrill that I have never known
Oh yeah yeah, and you smile, you smile
Oh, and then the spell was cast
And here we are in Heaven
For you are mine at last
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Read More Posts From Celebrant Kim Kirkley
ceremony the right way, your wedding ceremony does not have to be stressful. In fact, it should be the highlight of your special day. A wedding ceremony is a singular event in our lives. It is one of the few occasions where we have the chance to be together and notice how wonderful it is to be alive. That is I why I love to create and perform meaningful, individually crafted wedding ceremonies that reflect couples truest desires. No cookie cutter ceremonies!
~ Kathleen Norris
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