Megan and Brad capture their sense of shared destiny with a White Dove Release

 Megan and Brad wanted to capture their sense of shared destiny and their hopes for their future journey together.   They set their ceremony at the edge of a magnificent Blue Ridge valley...

  and released two White Doves -- ancient symbols of peace, joy and the promise of Divine Love.

Their guests were invited to send their best wishes and sincerest prayers for Megan and Brad's happiness as the doves circled in a rising spiral until they were flying together.  Then they headed homeward across the valley in the celebration of flight.

White Doves can bring a breath-taking moment of hope and joy to a wedding ceremony.  Always be sure to only work with doves that are trained by an ethical and professional handler like Asheville White Dove Releases.  I've visited the home of AWDR owner, Julia Gaunt, many times and can attest to her dedicated care and training of her flock of White Rock doves.

Her doves can fly as far as 80 miles from their home in Woodfin, near Asheville, so she is able to serve families all over our region.

My very best wishes to Megan and Brad as they step off into their life together.











From my heart,

Michelle

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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. 

Carrie-Welles and Mark -- always Home to each other

By including several personalized rituals, Carrie-Welles and Mark and I created a particularly captivating ceremony for their wonderful wedding at Brahma Ridge Event Center in Candler, NC.

They included a Ring Warming Ritual to reflect the love and connection they share with their family and community.   A Hand-fasting sealed their Betrothal.  

The ceremony was complete with Sharing the Common Cup to express their shared lives and their promise to always give each other the best of themselves.

My very best wishes to Carrie-Welles and Mark.  May their adventures together always bring them back home together.

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. 

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

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. 

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,