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. 

Ben and Casey - Love and Family at Lake Lure

 Casey's mom escorted her to her Ben's side in the gazebo at Lake Lure.  Ben's father passed away and they set up candles and pictures on a special table in his honor.  We shared a special reading in remembrance.

We planned the ceremony over a series of phone calls and email because Ben and Casey live in Texas. Family gathered in Lake Lure, NC to celebrate.

 Ben and Casey exchanged a Couple's Statement to Each Other -- a lovely way for a couple to express what they appreciate about each other and their reasons for choosing each other.

I must admit I just loved Casey and Ben's natural fiber brown and pink colors.  Such a sweet combination

Shelly and Derk chose a majestic setting for their very intimate wedding ceremony.  The only guests were their parents and their two dogs.  Derk is a veteran of the war in Afghanistan and the hike up the mountain felt appropriate for a couple whose journey to this moment had not been easy.  

I believe the fall colors at Max Patch peaked in celebration at the very moment they spoke their vows! 

(This much light can be a challenge but Cameron Yeager did a wonderful job with photographs.)

My very best wishes to Shelley and Derk for life of ease and joy 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. 

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

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. 

Including a loving remembrance in an Autumn sunset wedding

Natalie and Kent wanted to include a remembrance of a loved one who had recently and suddenly passed away.   

They did not want to distract from the joy of their wedding but clearly the loss would be felt by many in attendance.

The maid of honor carried a special bouquet in honor of the departed loved one.   As wedding favors they gave their guests seed cards and invited them to plant the seeds in remembrance of someone they especially loved.

In a beautiful moment of synchronicity at the Crest Center in Asheville, the sun set behind Mt. Pisgah just as their wedding began.

My very best wishes to Natalie and Kent for their life together.  May they always remember to appreciate the ordinary moments with the people they hold dear.

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. 

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,