A Vancouver Same-Sex Wedding Ceremony

Talk about citizens of the world… Janice and Natalie are definitely the most global couple I’ve had the pleasure to marry so far!  Janice is originally from the land down under and Natalie from America.  It’s easy to see that they are soulmates, but governments don’t always see what the rest of us do!

Natalie and Janice met in Canada while both were here on work visas –they decided to make their home base in our beautiful country.  But first they had to wind their way through the immigration processes from their respective home countries!

Natalie and Janice are inspirational examples of what it means to truly commit to a relationship – to do whatever it takes to be together.

With Canadian citizenship finally complete for both – yay — Janice and Natalie were super excited to gather an intimate circle of dear family and friends for their marriage ceremony. The setting:  the picturesque park at Deep Cove.  We drew together in the shade under two huge cedars, with the ocean to the east and the North Shore mountains to the North.

At this same-sex wedding ceremony,the two brides were dressed in flowing white.  Natalie’s grandmother was there on her cool scooter, Women of Honour Bethany and Clare were calm and excited all at the same time, the couple’s dog ‘Baby’ was divinely attired in a garland of flowers… and everyone else was simply beaming!

After I had welcomed folks to the ceremonial space, I touched on how special this day was for Natalie and Janice given the long road they’d taken simply to be together in one place.

I weave people’s own words into their wedding ceremonies because as a Celebrant I believe it’s what they think and feel that is most important. In our lively interview, Janice and Natalie spoke about their hopes and dreams for their future together.  Something they said struck a chord with me.  I wish all people could live life like this:

“We want to live fully appreciating and valuing each other. To celebrate each day, to enjoy life, and to know it’s value.  People often forget this.  We want to always remember how incredibly lucky we are to have each other.”

Natalie and Janice.  I have faith that you do and always will celebrate each others uniqueness.  That you will taste the preciousness of your shared journey, each and every day. I look forward to watching you create a family out of your deep love and appreciation!

Joyfully yours,

Celebrant Michele Davidson, Vancouver Wedding Officiant, Custom Wedding Ceremonies Vancouver and Whistler

A Vancouver Same-Sex Wedding Ceremony

Corrine and Sandra’s love story is certainly an inspiring one.

Despite challenges that arose while they got to know each other – cancer, the death of Corrine’s beloved mother Gloria, Sandra living in Germany, and a number of others – Sandra and Corrine couldn’t forget each other.  Sometimes it seems that the most painful challenges are the greatest opportunities.  Opportunities to break ourselves wide open and to fill in the cracks with the deepest love imaginable.

And so it was with Sandra and Corrine.  In their own words, “We believe we were meant to meet, but also not to lose each other after all that stood between us.”

Mindful of this divine mystery, a hundred or so joyful friends and a whole pile of absolutely delighted family members came together to witness the wedding ceremony of Corrine and Sandra. And, I might add, assorted well-wishers from the Stanley Park Seawall.

Sandra’s dear friend Dunja came from Germany, and so did her proud parents Udo and Angelika.  Corrine Hunt is a member of the Raven Gwa’waina clan from Ts’akis, a Kwakwaka’wakwa village on Vancouver Island.  Many of her family journeyed to Vancouver for the wedding. I was really touched by her father Hutch Hunt’s quiet grace.

The wedding ceremony was held on the beach on an amazingly glorious afternoon. I got to perform the ceremony barefoot…YAY!  An excited group of nieces and nephews and other precious children in the couple’s life preceded Corrine and Sandra as they walked down the hill to the beach.

It brought a smile to all our faces to hear the children call out “The Brides are coming, the Brides are coming!” as they ran on to the beach.

The couple was all relaxed dignity in custom designed linen tunics. Speaking of design, Corrine Hunt is a gifted silver/gold carver and sculptor (update: she co-designed the 2010 Olympic Gold Medals!)  She worked her magic in the beautiful wedding rings she created and brought to life.  I loved the way the rings felt in my hand as I held them during the vow portion of the ceremony.

Following the ring exchange, we held a handfasting ceremony with a bit of a twist.  I used Corrine’s mala (a string of Buddhist prayer beads) to wrap their hands together, instead of a ribbon or cloth.  I often do this in wedding ceremonies.

Here’s an excerpt from my closing remarks.  As always I wrote the ceremony to be completely reflective of the couple.  I think you’ll get a wonderful sense of who they are from this.  I wrote this section using their own words as much as possible.

“Sandra, you have married a loving, thoughtful, sometimes unpredictable, happy, easy, Buddha-loving, Tolstoy reading, not running very quickly, disco dancing girl born for the sixties.  A talented and creative woman who is inspired by a smile from a stranger, by seeing two people together who really connect, if only for a moment…by a breath of fresh air…and belly laughs. A woman to whom love is sacred.

In Corrine you have a your own in-house poet, someone who makes you laugh, and who practices patience when you hit a golf ball straight in the grass, three times in a row! Someone who you say is, “sometimes just crazy…I LOVE it!”

And Corrine, you have married a woman who describes herself as being like a German girl, but different!  A woman with a smart brain and big capable hands, who has done many things, from being a lawyer in Berlin to rising at 3 am to bake bread in a Vancouver bakery.  A woman who feels she can take care of you, and is the best listener of all for your gift as a storyteller.

In Sandra you have partner who you say, “Has life jumping from out of her skin, her eyes big and blue.”  When you are with her, “everything in the world seems possible.”

Sandra and Corrine, it is my very great honour to pronounce your marriage legal and binding.  You are now partners in love and life! Ladies and gentlemen, I’m thrilled to introduce you to Sandra and Corrine Bars-Hunt!  You may KISS your beloved!”

Joyfully yours,

Celebrant Michele Davidson, Vancouver Wedding Officiant, Custom Wedding Ceremonies Vancouver and Whistler

© Michele Davidson