Christina and Brian - Sometimes a little late is perfect timing!

Christina's family were coming all the way from the Phillipines to celebrate with her and her fiance, Brian, at their wedding.  They loved the idea of a White Dove Release to add a special element of delight to the ceremony.

The historic Mountain Magnolia Inn in Hot Springs, NC provided the setting of their dreams.

However, just before it was time for the ceremony to begin there was a 10 minute delay in Christina's preparations that created a bit of anxiety for her.

As it turned out that delay was perfect timing!  Right at the  moment that all the guests were gathered, we heard the loud whistle of the train and the sound of steel wheels on the rails.  So we paused and waited until the train had passed which took a good 5 minutes or so.

The Mountain Magnolia Inn, which was built in 1868, is situated near the train tracks.  Trains make a wonderful sound that brings of feelings of nostalgia and the urge to roam in many people, including me.  But most of us would prefer not to have that sound arrive in the middle of a wedding ceremony!

If not for that unforeseen delay, the train would have arrived during the ceremony causing us to stop everything and wait for it pass.  It did pass, of course, and we proceeded to have a beautiful ceremony in shade of the Inn's ancient trees.

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As a Celebrant, I try to be ready to remain present no matter what surprises may unfold.  With all the preparations and decorations and planning, the Main Thing is still the Main Thing -- an important transition is being honored, intentions are being declared, deep connections are being forged.  I believe the Universe supports us when we undertake to give our lives this kind of sincere attention.  So I remember to breath, trust, ask for help if needed and, above all, relax!

My very best wishes to Christina and Brian for a lifetime of joy, love and good-timing!

From my heart,

Alyson and Jack move across the country only to find their hearts were back home all the time.

How's this for a brilliant display of the the Universe's synchronicity?

Alyson and Jack both had to move across the country to the Bay Area of California to meet their perfect match.  It turns out they grew up 30 minutes from one another in Georgia!

Because they both live so far away, I didn't actually meet Alyson and Jack in person until just before their wedding.  I've known Alyson's mom, Connie, for a number of years and she called me first.


After we talked the couple felt that they could trust me to honor their wishes completely.  I assured them that we would be able to create the ceremony they envisioned via email and phone calls.

Alyson and Jack were very clear that they wanted a secular ceremony but one that was filled with love and meaning.  In a trend I'm seeing more and more, this groom was actively involved in planning the wedding and  wanted every word and gesture to be an authentic reflection of his and his bride's values, beliefs and personality.

Though the wedding was held in Lilburn, GA in June, we were graced with a gorgeous clear day in the 70's. The garden in back of Music On Main Street was a perfect shady setting for Alyson's vintage-eclectic style and this heart-felt gathering of people from the West Coast and the South.



My very best wishes for a life together that allows them to live their values and grow in love every day!

From my heart,

Modern Elegance and Historic Warmth Blend Beautifully

I had the pleasure of helping my friends, Doug and Marianne, create a ceremony that suited their setting as well as their spirituality.

St. Mary's Chapel in the heart of downtown Charlotte, NC is a small, historic sanctuary with beautiful wood appointments and good acoustics.  Though non-denominational and open to any faith tradition, the setting is definitely Christian. 

So as an Invocation we used a a beautiful prayer the Book of Common Prayer modified slightly to more authentically reflect Doug and Marianne's beliefs and intentions for their marriage.  An original poem reminded the couple of Love's commitment to them as they committed to each other.

Acoustic instruments (more wood) playing Americana-style songs filled the sanctuary with music that reflected the couple's personal taste and sounded wonderful in this sanctuary.

Doug and Marianne's ceremony balanced modern elegance with personal history and the warmth of close friends and family.

My very best wishes to both of you, dear friends.  Can't wait to see you again at our favorite gathering!

From my heart,

Michelle

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Please do! Just include this complete blurb with it.

Michelle Smith is the founder of Asheville Celebrant. She is an ordained Inter-Faith Minister and Certified Life-Cycle Celebrant who helps people experience deeper, more meaningful connections in their families and communities. Whether helping people create personal ceremonies for life’s big changes or leading public ceremonies that build community, Michelle honors all philosophies, beliefs and traditions--religious, secular, spiritual, inter-faith and multi-cultural. To explore the possibilities for honoring your own life’s transitions email Michelle at ashevillecelebrant@gmail.com to set up a no-obligationExplore the Possibilities call. 

Two Generations of Spanish Romance in Black Mountain

Fernando's father, who is from Madrid, met Fernando's mother when they both attended Black Mountain College, the influential and experimental school that ran from the mid-1930's to the mid-1950's and included many of America's leading visual artists, composers, poets and designers,like Buckminster Fuller, who invented the geodesic dome.  

Mary and Fernando met in high school Spanish class and had carried a little torch for one another ever since.

Forty-some years later Mary, whose daughter teaches dance classes at the Lake Eden Arts Festival, invited Fernando to come up and see the former campus of Black Mountain College.

That was one year ago.  Mary and Fernando married this morning at the Arbor House Bed & Breakfast on a tiny dock in Lake Tomahawk with Mary's two lovely daughters as witnesses and Oliver, their dog, as ring bearer.

Everyone present (except Oliver) read a romantic poem in Spanish...even me!

La Única Rosa

Todas las rosas son la misma rosa, 

amor, la única rosa. 

Y todo queda contenido en ella, 

breve imajen del mundo, 

¡amor!, la única rosa.

My very best wishes that the romance is only just beginning for this lovely couple!

From my heart,

Michelle

Would you like to share this article?

Please do! Just include this complete blurb with it.

Michelle Smith is the founder of Asheville Celebrant. She is an ordained Inter-Faith Minister and Certified Life-Cycle Celebrant who helps people experience deeper, more meaningful connections in their families and communities. Whether helping people create personal ceremonies for life’s big changes or leading public ceremonies that build community, Michelle honors all philosophies, beliefs and traditions--religious, secular, spiritual, inter-faith and multi-cultural. To explore the possibilities for honoring your own life’s transitions email Michelle at ashevillecelebrant@gmail.com to set up a no-obligationExplore the Possibilities call.

Amendment 1 = block to an important economic driver in WNC

Amendment 1 is an economic and business issue for me.  

Not primarily, of course.  Primarily Amendment 1 is a moral and patriotic issue. It seeks to blatantly deny individual civil and human rights, especially of minority groups.



But Amendment 1 is certainly an economic issue for me.  As an professional Celebrant I am denied the business of a sizeable market of people who want to create a meaningful wedding who cannot because the person they have committed themselves to as a life partner is the same sex they are.

And to paraphrase what I heard a comic say a few months ago, there is no telling how much we could increase the GNP of this country on the weddings that would take place if gay marriage were legal nationwide!

Asheville is a wedding destination!  Not legitimizing marriage between same-sex couples is hurting an important economic driver in our region.

So I was extremely gratified to see that so far 100 black clergy in the Triad have taken a stand in opposition to Amendment 1. I'm  proud of these clergy leaders.  Unlike me, this is not a clear and simple issue for them.  But they examined the proposed amendment with discernment and an spiritual commitment to love, compassion and justice  and they chose to take a stand for those values.

In Asheville, the divide on this issue came down -- among predominantly white or Jewish congregations -- about as one would expect.


But I haven't yet seen a similar accounting of the black clergy leaders here.

I wonder if we will?

Early voting began last Friday.  There are a number of important elections to be decided as well as Amendment 1.  Please go to the polls and cast your vote AGAINST this amendment.  It's hurting everyone's business.

Sarah and Ryan -- Elegant and Intimate

Sarah and Ryan set a beautiful example for creating an elegant and meaningful wedding ceremony while maintaining the intimacy both of them desired.







Though their only guests were their parents and they planned to fit their ceremony into Ryan's extremely busy schedule (he's a medical student at Duke), they were committed to creating a ceremony that was thoroughly beautiful and memorable.

The Library at the Crestwood Inn & Resort

The small party gathered in the Library at the Crestwood Inn and Resort in Boone, NC.   The staff had a roaring fire in the fireplace, and an inviting table set for the family dinner. 

Another table was set with delicious looking appetizers and a "just perfect" small wedding cake.  All the little touches were charmingly attended to by Terry and the staff.

Though it was raining in Boone on their wedding day, Sarah decided she was game to have the ceremony on the gazebo anyway.  Good call...the light was gorgeous and the cloudy Southern Appalachian High Country sky just made the setting feel even more intimate.  

Since Sarah and Ryan wanted to keep things simple, I helped them personalize my Sweet, Simple Ceremony.  After signing the certificate and receiving warm hugs from the bride and groom, I left them with a pretty keepsake copy of their ceremony.

Very best wishes for a life-time of happiness to you to a sweet couple, Sarah and Ryan! 

From my heart,

To Explore the Possibilities for your wedding ceremony (or any other of your life's Big Moments) in a relaxed, no-obligation phone call you can contact me here and I'll get right back to you.

Grooms -- not just a necessary bridal accessory any more!

I'm appreciating the grooms today!

It used to be a truism that one technically required a groom in order to actually get married but other than showing up at the alter in a tuxedo with a ring, he didn't really serve much purpose in a wedding.  

Not anymore. Grooms want to be more involved in their weddings than ever. 

I find that grooms often feel especially strongly about being involved in creating ceremony itself.  They want the words, rituals and music to reflect not only their beliefs and philosophy but also they want the ceremony to capture their feelings about marrying the woman who will be standing beside them.

The King of Asheville Mardi Gras was highly involved in the  creation of the Royal Wedding!

Most couples I work with receive a questionnaire from me as part of the process. The Handsome Boyfriend often finds me misty-eyed in my office reading a groom's sweet reflections on how he met his bride, what he loves most about her and his hopes for their life together.  

It's just precious.  And it makes me optimistic for the world.  

Grooms (and Brides) who want to Explore the Possibilities for their wedding ceremony in a relaxed, no-obligation phone call can contact me here and I'll get right back to you.

From my heart,

White Dove Release for Past, Present and Future in the River Arts District

Thanks to Mark-Ellis Bennett of the Biltmore Beacon for sharing this photograph

I just received this wonderful photograph of the Dove Release ritual honoring the transition of Richmond Hill Inn to Oshun Mountain Sanctuary several weeks ago.

Ceremonies for transitions in our community bring me so much joy because one of the most important places we connect in community is through our businesses, whether for-profit or non-profit.

The ritual was simple and short, but very moving and powerful.  I've included the text below.

What was really remarkable was that the dove we named Future flew up to the roof of the Carriage House and stayed there, even after the other two birds headed home!

Normally White Rock Doves circle around until all the birds are together before heading home.  But Future decided to stay a while, perhaps enjoying the feeling of all the good wishes and bright hopes for the future of the wonderful business.

Dove Release Ritual for the Past, Present and Future

Honoring the Transition of Richmond Hill Inn to Oshun Mountain Sanctuary

After offering our piece of the sand mandala to the land and waters we gathered in the gardens before the stone waterfall.  Two heart-shaped wicker baskets each held a single dove and Julia Gaunt held a dove gently in her hands.

In honor of the people who

loved the Richmond Hill Inn

those who preserved it, those who worked in it,

those who met here, married here, celebrated here

In honor of those who built it and those who called it home

In honor of grief and our joy

We name this dove Past and we release it.

In honor of this moment of transition,

the people gathered here, our community,

the French Broad River,

Shelly and Brad, the Dr. and Mrs. Michels,

Riverlink, the French Broad River community
the Preservation Society of Asheville and Buncombe Co.
and everyone who made this day possible

I name this dove Present and let it take flight.

In honor of all the intentions and aspirations for

Oshun Mountain Sanctuary

I declare to those who have held the vision for this

Center of Retreat and Wellness,

“We are for you.  We support you

Your success adds to the success of our community”.

I invite you all to send your best wishes up to the heavens

on the wings of this dove

who I name Future.

Special thanks and appreciation to Julia Gaunt, who cares for and trains these lovely birds at Asheville White Dove Releases.  

My very best,

Michelle

Beautiful Sand Mandala -- created and released at Closure Ceremony for the Richmond Hill Inn

Using colored sand Mandala Facilitator, Martha Kiger created the basic form of a mandala for the Community Goodbye and Closure Ceremony for the Richmond Hill Inn yesterday.  Everyone who came through was invited to add to mandala by "painting" a symbol or design with the sand.

Master Percussionist, Layne Redmond drummed as people took turns brushing the sands of the mandala into a pile in the middle, integrating all the symbols, memories and intentions.


Then everyone was invited to take some of the sand and carry out it into the gardens or up to the site of the burned Pearson Mansion.

The sand mandala was a perfect symbolic ritual for this Big Moment in our community.

Julia and I topped it off with a White Dove Release for the Past, the Present and the Future.  The doves that fly in our dove releases are actually part of the Riverside community.  They live in Woodfin at Julia's home, just across the river from the land that we'll all soon be calling Oshun Mountain Sanctuary!

Ceremonial Good-bye for the Richmond Hill Inn Connects Community -- Past and Future

Many people grieved the day the Pearson Mansion at the Richmond Hill Inn burned.  

Some for the craftsmanship of the historic mansion itself, some for the fine collection of art that went up in flames along with it.  Others grieved because they would never be able to return to the place they celebrated their weddings and anniversaries.  Those who worked there, like my friend, local musician and producer, Aaron Price, who played piano at Gabrielle's every Saturday night, grieved in part because a source of income they'd once counted on had gone up in smoke.

Whatever the circumstances of the loss,  people mostly grieved alone.  Or perhaps in small groups of friends who gathered to raise a glass in honor of the beautiful landmark with it's gorgeous grounds and 5-star restaurant, Gabrielle's.  

Late last summer, many of those same  people rejoiced to learn that Oshun Mountain Sanctuary in partnership with RiverLink had purchased the land and remaining buildings of the Richmond Hill Inn and planned to bring a world-class integrative wellness retreat center to Asheville's River Arts District.

As we Celebrants like to say, "Every life has meaning", and that includes the life of a place as it transitions from one form to another.

I'm so gratified today that our community -- everyone who loved the Inn and everyone who is excited to see the place be given new life -- can gather together to walk the grounds, share stories and participate in a ceremony to say good-bye to the Richmond Hill Inn.  

As we gather to make and share the meaning this place had for us, we experience that sense that the cycle has been completed and all shall be well.

And we make a clear space for something new to emerge.

We offer our support to this new enterprise.  To those who are taking a risk to bring Oshun Mountain Sanctuary to our community we say, "We're for you. We support you.  Your success will add to the success of our whole community." 

Honoring transitions is important to our psychological health and the health of our relationships.

 I'm so proud of the Board of OM Sanctuary that they recognized that one of the most important places we connect in community is through our businesses, whether for-profit or non-profit.

I believe the Board,  the staff, the guests, the land and all the species who dwell there will benefit from this intentional expression of our communities collective experience of the opening OM Sanctuary -- honoring its past and celebrating our vision for its bright future.

From my heart,

Michelle





Would you like to share this article?

Please do! Just include this complete blurb with it.

Michelle Smith is the founder of Asheville Celebrant. She is an ordained Inter-Faith Minister and Certified Life-Cycle Celebrant who helps people experience deeper, more meaningful connections in their families and communities. Whether helping people create personal ceremonies for life’s big changes or leading public ceremonies that build community, Michelle honors all philosophies, beliefs and traditions--religious, secular, spiritual, inter-faith and multi-cultural. To explore the possibilities for honoring your own life’s transitions email Michelle at ashevillecelebrant@gmail.com to set up a no-obligation Explore the Possibilities call.

Royal Conference of Ceremonies with King and Queen of Asheville Mardi Gras 2012

All Hail, Tamara and Hobbit!

The High Conference of Ceremony between Their Majesties, Hobbit and Tamra, and yours truly produced rich material for the Royal Wedding on Bacchus Sunday, 2012. 

The King and Queen of the Asheville Mardi Gras enjoyed a relaxed consultation in the royal quarters during which we pondered the exquisitely meaningful topics of ancestral jewels, ancient rivers, synchronicity and, of course, True Love.

Besotted,
Michelle

P. S. You may witness this monumental Love in person if you attend the Cajun Cook-off this Saturday, Jan. 21 at Tressa's.