Steven and Trish, their families and friends convened to the private estate overlooking the bay of Plymouth, MA. Stunning is an understatement to describe the venue for this beautiful wedding; as one stands on the lush green lawn overlooking the sea, there is such a sense of majesty as one looks over the cliffs that house vegetation and flowers cascading to the oceanfront. Amazing, is more of an apt adjective -
all of the guests were oohing and aahing as they arrived to this intimate and gorgeous setting.
The service was so sweet in that there were remembrances of 3 family members who'd died; the boys cut ribbons tied to the front deck overlooking the ocean, the ribbons being tied to individually colored balloons for each individual family member's tribute. It was a truly sentimental touch that certainly made me think of our own loved ones whom passed, and how, during such special occasions, we think of their personality, their love for us. The boys cut free each balloon, pink, blue and yellow. The blue sky served as a background as the balloons made their journey over the water's edge, floating effortlessly in the beautiful breeze.
Steven and Trish wrote and shared their custom vows to one another in front of a beautiful white trellis filled with purplish-blue hydrangea flowers and white ribbons. Caterers were nearby, serving cool beverages on this hot day in Plymouth. The musicians were playing the bass, drum and guitars, while the lead singer sang, "You are so beautiful to me..." Music wafted over the cliffs, in pursuit of the multi-colored balloons. The spirit of joy and remembrance filled the lawn of this expansive estate.
As a a sidebar, the most impressive American flag hung over the guests as they parked on the massive driveway leading to the home; the owner shared with my wife, Lianne, that she'd had a wonderful career for a company that produced military uniforms. The flag made one feel so grateful for this site, for the abundance of love that was shared between relatives and friends. The freedom bell that hung nearby the trellis altar designed for Steven and Trish only added to the feeling of what it means to be living in such a beautiful country.
As Trish was walked by her son to our altar, Steven was smiling ear to ear, with a grin that could warm the planet. Trish and he gazed at one another as I led their service under the trellis filled with hydrangeas. For her custom vows, Trish told us that she'd lived a "half-life" for 10 years, until she was so fortunate to meet Steve and his children. It was a very memorable vow, complete with salty tears and love expressed; others in the audience cried, too.
The special sand ceremony was amazingly orchestrated by Steve whereby the three children poured orange, yellow and pink sand into the glass vase in the center of the sand ceremony table; Trish and Steve both had their colored sand as well, all five members of their new family unit symbolically pouring their sand into the large vase in the table's center. Just as they were about to complete this task, the two boys were much like engineers, cupping their hands against the orange and yellow sand so as to assure that all of the sand entered the larger vessel. Raising his hand in the air as he stood nearby the antique bell, Trish's son made a motion with his orange sand-filled glass that made me think of the Statue of Liberty. He showed such a feeling of Victory!
After they completed the sacred sand ceremony as the new family, Steven and Trish exchanged rings and consummated their relationship with a wholesome wedding kiss! Amongst applause and cheers from their guests, I introduced them for the first time as "husband and wife". Trish raised her flowers in the air while Steven was smiling. What a beautiful ceremony for me to be a part of this day - I feel blessed to have joined this lovely couple in front of their closest friends and loved ones.
Congratulations Steven and Trish! May your love grow through the years together, with beautiful music, song, and dance - and may your spirits together feel free as the balloons in air, the American flag and the bell that sings of liberty!
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