Wedding Rings – a ritual
This is a story of a unique blessing of wedding rings at a Pomodoras wedding.
For as long as we can remember, lovers have exchanged rings as a token of their wedding vows.
Wedding bands are of some value in themselves. Yet they are made so much more precious by our wearing of them, by knowing who placed them on our fingers, on our wedding day.
Kerrie and Andrew’s rings are super special. It began with their engagement… in Florence!
A ring in Florence
The evocative and artisan city of Florence had always held special memories for them. While on holidays wandering down a Florentine street they found a ring created by an artist. It was perfect; a unique design akin to two diamond encrusted bridges crossing over… signifying the crossing over of two lives.
The wedding rings, however, were made locally, by a Maleny artisan Jim Goulton of Maleny Jewellers. Beautifully crafted to their own design.
On their wedding day, we honoured the significance of their wedding rings with a blessing before they were placed on their hands.
There were several elements that contributed to this unique ritual, each one chosen carefully for the meaning.
Ritual Element One : Water
The plan was to use water, the elixir of life, to pour into the bowl.
On the wedding day, as bride, Kerrie was preparing herself up in the cottage room before the wedding ceremony. She looked down over the Obi Obi Creek and had an idea.
Voila! There was the water for their wedding ring ritual, made extra special because it was collected from right behind the ceremony platform.
Ritual Element Two : Vessel
They needed a vessel, a bowl to place rose petals….. Andrew had decided to go the full Scottish, and be married in his family tartan. At the kilt shop, he spied a silver bowl, a celtic quaich (pronounced Kwek). A quaich is a Scottish welcome bowl, crafted by artisans and intricately decorated with celtic curls and swirls. Imagine arriving to a household in Scotland, coming in out of the freezing cold and being offered a silver bowl with a dram of warm Whiskey to warm body and soul. On the wedding day the sliver bowl welcomed the warmth of a wedding promise.
Ritual Element Three : Rose Petals
To celebrate their union, Kerrie and Andrew had planted a Montville Rose in their garden. It was the first thing they had planted together, and held great meaning for them. Recalling that occasion of humble celebration of their union, on their wedding day in honour of that rose and the French tradition of roses in weddings, they added handfuls of petals to the Quaich.
Ritual Element Four : Essential oils
Essential oils have long been used for sacred ceremony. Once more Kerrie and Andrew found their own meaning, as the ring ritual evolved a step further. A special friend is a massage therapist. Her basket of essential oils contained much more than traditional Frankincense and Myrrh; oils for joy and valour, for humility and compassion, for spice and passion….
Ritual Element Five : Friends
Into the bowl went much love and the best wishes of all the guests there. Each guest had previously taken a moment to hold and bless the rings. They arrived at the ring ceremony well warmed with love.
Using this water we blessed the rings, washing them and making them fragrant for ceremony.
It was a truly joyous and fun ceremony.
Thank you Kerrie and Andrew for giving us such inspiration to personalise a wedding ceremony. This is what Kerrie said afterwards:
“A HUGE thank you for your amazing wondrous delightful joyful gentle and experienced handling of our wedding celebration.” Kerrie
Thanks especially to the gorgeous Marion Jonkers Photography for the wedding photos.
Read more about French wedding traditions with champagne and roses.
with Kari – theme dressed, Sunshine Coast wedding celebrant
Themed Wedding
Congratulations to Anna and Bryn, who chose a 60’s beach theme for their wedding day.
Whenever I met up with Anna and Bryn, they seemed to have just come from some amazing fitness activity. I was impressed by their approach to organising their wedding, too. Casual, down to earth, and real.
Married at the Beach
They did wish to marry at the beach, Point Cartwright in fact. They chose this particular headland for the memories of their first date there. But also for the connection to place, for the intimacy that we felt gathered in a group, looking out over a beautiful and vast ocean, looking far into the distance. And I guess it is a perfect metaphor for marriage. We are also looking into the far distance, the distant future of two peoples lives, a life chosen to spend together, with a shared vision of future.
When I first met Anna and Bryn, they both described the other as fun but strong willed. They also described the adventurous spirit they both share. They love to seek new experiences. On this, their wedding day, they chose a theme to help everyone have fun, and get into the spirit.
Surfboard Signing Table
When they talked about their wedding theme, beach 60’s, I immediately asked if they had considered a surfboard for a signing table. They instantly took this idea on board. (!!!).
Ceremony reading
I appreciated their choice of ceremony reading, The Desiderata. Reading it now one would never believe it was written in 1927, by Max Ehrmann
It counsels:
Go placidly amidst the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labours and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. With all its shams, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.
This is what they said;
Kari is a truly special person and made our ceremony very special too. Her choice of words, and affinity with nature and the ocean are unique and was exactly what we were looking for. Working with Kari pre-ceremony was a lovely experience. She is thorough and competent but relaxed with never a stressful moment. We cannot recommend Kari enough. Many of our guests came up and specially complimented us on Kari’s service asking for her details. We feel extremely lucky than we found Kari – she is just brilliant.
Anna and Bryn
Together at last
Congratulations Linda & Rob, married at last at House of Laurels in Maleny, after months working overseas. It was so exciting when we finally met in person just before the wedding. The entire ceremony had been organised over the internet. Via censored army email and registered post, and via a combined willingness to embrace the online medium and go with it. We found common evenings when we could chat via email. Zapping emails back and forth, we nutted out the ceremony and all the logistics. Voila!
Organised via email
Linda first contacted me via email … from ..wait for it… Afghanistan, where Rob and herself were deployed at the time. “Could we organise the wedding over the net?” she asked, as she and Rob would not get back to Australia until just before the wedding. Of course, it is all possible.
Linda and I shared many an email conversation. Despite the time differences we seemed to be on our computers at the same moment, and organised everything via the typed word. Worked a treat. They may have been deployed in the same country but it was rare they were in the same base, and due to army censorship and safety protocols, they did not even know where each other was at any moment. It was a risky time. They just crossed their fingers they would both make it back to Australia safely.
And they did!
A Joyous wedding
Their wedding was joyous yet meaningful. A true celebration of their loving union. No one knew we had never met until the days before the wedding. Most thought we had been pals for ages. Well we had indeed been wedding pen pals.
He loves her smile; she has taught him how to open up and share his thoughts. She loves his patience, his sense of humour. He knows how to make her laugh. Yet she says he has taught her how to love and how to be loved. They know how to laugh. And when asked what is their favourite colour, they both replied without hesitation – black! But Linda wore white for the day, and a huge smile!
They said
“From the very first email, Kari was helpful, warm and kind. We knew instantly from her response that she would be the one. We were struggling with writing our own vows but Kari gave us the tools to find our own words. She was with us every step of the way and went above and beyond in arranging our ceremony. We planned 90% of it from a computer in Afghanistan! How impressive is that!
The ceremony was better than we could have hoped for. Kari’s delivery was perfect. She helped create a relaxed and loving atmosphere. All my guests had commented that they had never been to such a loving ceremony and I know Kari had a lot to do with that.
We highly recommend Kari for anyone who is looking for a dedicated, professional, warm and kind celebrant who takes all stress away!!! She is a master at her craft,”
Linda & Rob
Wedding Photos
Thanks for photos by Calli B Photography
