Nourishing a Lifetime

Many of my clients are going through major life transitions like getting married, having a baby, moving into a new home or letting go of an important relationship due to separation or death.

By creating practices and ceremonies they are able to move through the transition with a sense of grace so that they can find new ground that feels like home.

Although I often customize ceremonies for the clients I work with I’ve also created a series of “Signature Ceremonies” where I have distilled the essence of a life transition in a way that has meaning to many.

“Welcome to the World” is a ceremony to celebrate the birth of a new baby, “House Blessing” is ceremony to express clear intentions for life in your new home and “Blessing of the Bride” is a ceremony I designed to bring the women of both sides of the family and the close women friends of the bride together to share wisdom and love with the bride on the morning of her wedding.

“Blessing of the Bride” is usually performed in the comfort of nature and it is so simple that even the most reluctant relative will find it meaningful.

‘Blessing of the Bride’ is a joyful expression of love and laughter and it helps the bride relax into what truly matters so that she can be fully present on her wedding day. Doesn’t that sound wonderful!

I’d like to share a post I wrote last year to paint a picture in your heart about the beautiful ceremony called “Blessing of the Bride”.

Imagine a group of women gathering early in the morning. They are laughing and talking as introductions are made. Before long they form a circle on the grass and they sit and await the arrival of someone special.

Soon a woman appears accompanied by another. She is guided to a comfortable chair in the circle, a chair that has been especially prepared for her with white fabric, ribbons and a few roses at her feet.

After she is seated she takes the time to look around the circle noticing dear friends, family members and women newly met. After a welcome and a simple explanation of what’s about to happen, each woman one by one shares words of wisdom and kind thoughts of love. Heads nod in agreement, tissues are passed as tears flow and occasionally laughter gently erupts.

Poems are recited, chimes sound, silence surrounds and the ‘bride to be’ relaxes into the beauty of the moment on the morning of her wedding day. She takes a deep breath and as she feels the love and support of the women in the circle she experiences a sense of readiness. She lets go of the stress of planning. She sheds her anxiety with a few tears and feels a real sense of belonging to something much larger than herself.

The women sing a simple song to the bride and the ceremony draws to a close. Bubbly drink is poured and a toast is offered. As the women slowly leave the circle there is a deep sense of satisfaction knowing that the work of joining two families together has now begun and it’s being supported with a foundation of love.

If you know someone who is getting married who might enjoy learning more about ‘Blessing of the Bride’, please have her contact me at jovanna@yourwelcome.ca .

Weddings are all about love. ‘Blessing of the Bride’ creates memories that nourish a lifetime.