Posted in Uncategorized on August 17, 2015| Leave a Comment »
“As we marvel at the path that has brought our couple to this momentous occasion, I invite you to contemplate the roots, the blossoms, the streams, the peaks and valleys of love in your own lives. May you leave here with a heightened sense of all that you cherish and value most deeply.” -from yesterday’s ceremony at Onteora Mountain House
Posted in Uncategorized on May 10, 2013| Leave a Comment »
Last November, Sarah, grower and designer at Vera Flora Farm, and I, shared a display table at the Alyson’s Orchard Wedding Fair.
I’m pretty enthusiastic about reaching out to couples at events like this because I find that most people have never heard of a Celebrant before and it’s fun to let them know what’s possible – even if they already have a minister or other officiant to work with.
Sarah overheard me describe the way I retell a couple’s love story and collaborate with them to create elements and rituals that are meaningful and reflective of all they value and hold most dear.
I shared with Sarah the joy I feel to be bringing that kind of creativity and personal resonance to all life-cycle events: baby blessings, coming of age ceremonies, new homes and businesses, and milestone birthdays.
And then she told me more about her baby Willa, and how she wished she and her partner Vanessa had done something more intentional to celebrate her birth.
I suggested to Sarah that a first birthday could be an ideal time to create a ceremony to honor and bless a child, her family, and her community.
And that’s just what we did…
Big sister Izzie walks, dropping stars to form a path around the sun. Symbolic of Willa’s first year and all the birthdays to come as she grows up in a circle of love.
Everyone chose a bead and made a wish for Willa.
Willa and her birthday necklace made their way around the circle.
Posted in Uncategorized on December 19, 2012| Leave a Comment »
Give a very unique gift this season… a gift of celebration! Do you know someone with something special to celebrate in the coming year? A milestone birthday, anniversary or wedding, perhaps? Contact me so we can discuss how I would work with them to create a custom ceremony… to honor, inspire and remember!
MarigoldCeremonies@gmail.com
“For weeks upon weeks afterwards, I had friends come and tell me that ours was the most lovely ceremony they’d seen. They said they felt apart of it, pulled in by it, that they learned so much about us as a couple from it and were touched themselves. I cannot thank Amy enough for shepherding us through this solemn and joyful occasion with so much love, wisdom and care. Amy is talented and skilled at her practice, and I cannot recommend her highly enough.”
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged circle of love, outdoor weddings, weddings on September 19, 2012| Leave a Comment »
Looking forward to Celebrating a very special marriage on Bear Island, Lake Winnipesaukee this weekend. I’ll be playing a couple of wedding tunes from the British Isles on my flute for the parade from the boat to the ceremonial site. There, the friends and family will bless our couple’s rings, before the processional. Bridges figure prominently in this couple’s love story (and they’ve literally crossed oceans to be together). So the guests will form a “wedding bridge” for them to cross as they recess to the Beatles’ “All You Need is Love” and enter their newly wedded life. Full of beauty and meaning on so many levels!
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged Celebrant, Ceremonies, circle of love, outdoor weddings, willow branches on July 5, 2012| Leave a Comment »
Edward Acker, Photographer, e-mail: edwardacker@earthlink.net
It was just about time for the ceremony to begin, when dark clouds, thunder and lighting rolled across the expansive skies at Alyson’s Orchard. We waited for the storm to blow over. The friendly staff dried off the chairs. The wagon delivered the bride and groom and their 20 beautiful and handsome nieces and nephews to the ceremony sight. In their pastel clothes the children processed down the aisle with willow branches and formed a circle of love in which the bride and groom made their vows.
Edward Acker, Photographer, e-mail: edwardacker@earthlink.net
Such happiness and joy!
Posted in Uncategorized on June 21, 2012| Leave a Comment »
To share with you the love of my heart the substance of my dreams and the fruits of my labor. To now and forever urge you on towards the recognition and the fulfillment of the divine potential within in you, so that together we might make our lives purposeful in the ongoing process of creation.”
Those words are part of the vows my husband and I memorized for our ceremony, 24 years ago. I still remember them today. And if I don’t or if anyone else is curious, they’re recorded on the wedding certificate that hangs in our living room.
The keepsake booklets that I make and gift to each couple, include not only their vows but the entire ceremony. I like to imagine couples reading them together on anniversaries or sharing them with children someday.
I bind up the stories, poems, readings, blessings and other elements in beautiful paper — hoping they will renew and inspire for a lifetime and beyond.
Posted in Uncategorized on June 19, 2012| Leave a Comment »
A ribbon braiding ritual was a playful and moving way to symbolize and celebrate this family’s abiding love and unity.
“Thank-you for such a wonderful, peaceful and loving ceremony. The three of us were very surprised at how meaningful and touching our special day felt. We were caught off guard at how emotionally uplifting and honored we felt after the ceremony! The ribbon braiding was very fulfilling and helped us to all “tie the knot” as a family! Thanks again, Doug.”
Posted in Uncategorized on May 4, 2012| Leave a Comment »
Wonderful article in the Huffington Post about the benefits and joys of choosing a Celebrant to create you wedding ceremony…
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/04/wedding-ceremony_n_1478256.html
Posted in Uncategorized on April 4, 2012| Leave a Comment »
It was such an honor to be profiled in the Fall/Winter issue of Monadnock Living (see below)! Their, soon to be on the stands, Spring/Summer 2012 issue, features “Thoreau’s Monadnock” and looks like another gorgeous and engaging read! http://www.facebook.com/pages/Monadnock-Living/204192236285603
Posted in Uncategorized on November 25, 2011| Leave a Comment »
Looking for a meaningful gift for someone you love? Give them a Marigold Ceremony!
Know someone celebrating a milestone birthday in the coming year? Moving into a new home? Expecting a baby or adopting a child? Are your parent’s celebrating an important wedding anniversary? Maybe your best friend finally finished her dissertation. The possibilities are endless!
I will meet with your special someone to learn about their life’s adventure. Together we’ll uncover the themes, symbols and unique magic of their journey. Out of this conversation will grow a ceremony to honor and celebrate their experience, significant accomplishment or life transition. Your gift becomes a source of renewal and joy for all who attend. Contact me and let’s explore the possibilities of giving a gift certificate for a Marigold Ceremony this holiday season!
Marigold Ceremonies 