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Grand Canyon Wedding

1/22/2023

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First a moment to honor the land, it is profoundly moving to stand at the edge of the Grand Canyon. To do so on your wedding day is an incredible privilege. So we pause to do so. We honor the indigenous tribes and the canyon that has been carved over millions of years by water and wind. I've been to the Grand Canyon countless times and it always touches my soul deeply. I tear up every time. I want you to experience that as well so, we gaze upon one of the seven natural wonders of the world and stand humbled.
Next, we celebrate love and your story is shared!  Mary and Darren met in the midst of 2020. Despite the masks, they walked and talked, slipping and sliding in the dead of winter.  Moments that made them laugh and solidified their friendship! After a few months, they began the home improvement projects and love grew.  Kitchen dances, bunny nose kisses, just a couple of kids!  From
 Kiersten White’s Novel The Chaos of Stars: I didn’t fall in love with you. I walked into love with you, with my eyes wide open, choosing to take every step along the way. I do believe in fate and destiny, but I also believe we are only fated to do the things that we’d choose anyway. And I’d choose you; in a hundred lifetimes, in a hundred worlds, in any version of reality, I’d find you and I’d choose you.
After they exchanged their vows and rings, their two dear friends wrapped them in a gorgeous native blanket. The blessing of the Blanket Ceremony is that all of the words spoken during the Ceremony are woven for life and eternity into the blanket that is held by you both. When you see the blanket in your home you will remember the words that were said during your Ceremony throughout your earthly walk.
Then, they kissed!
Congratulations Mary and Darren, thank you for including me in your day! You are such a wonderful couple and I feel so blessed that our paths crossed.  Your playfulness and joyful spirit was catching!
Photos by Zach Beazer

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Spiritual Wedding

12/29/2022

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Danielle and Morgan chose to incorporate a spiritual blessing into their intimate wedding ceremony amidst the picturesque landscape. We began in the East, where the sun rises and as we gave thanks, I shook the rattle and then we rotated clockwise to give thanks to the South (midday sun), West (twilight) and North (dark night).  We also lifted our hands and our gaze to Father Sky as well as Mother Earth and the beauty surrounding us. Then, I invited them to connect to their hearts as well as one another's hearts. This is after all how it all began, with the magic of their hearts and love for one another. Afterwards, I used sage and a feather to smudge them.  This infused the sacred before they moved into their personalized vows. 
Notice the picture frames on the rock? They were photos of their beloved dogs who were with us in spirit yet safe and sound with a pet boarder!
It was a truly unique intimate gathering with three other loved ones attending.  There's always an opportunity for gratitude for those present and how they've contributed to the lives of the couple.
​Congratulations Newlyweds, Danielle and Morgan!
Photos by ​https://www.frankelyphotography.com/
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Riordan Mansion Wedding

2/22/2020

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A wedding in which the couple honored their family heritage, so unique. K & F were married at the historic Riordan Mansion in Flagstaff in Spring.  They chose the Love Story package and included a handfasting in their ceremony.  Their cords were copper to reflect their roots in Arizona and green for their Irish roots.  The cords were adorned with symbols that were meaningful to them. It was all done so intentionally.  After the final binding, these words were spoken: As your hands are bound together now, so your lives and spirits are joined in a union of love and trust.  The knots of this binding are not formed by these chords but instead by your vows. Either of you may drop the chords, for as always, you hold in your own hands the making or breaking of this union.
They met in high school and even back then, the groom loved wearing kilts.  This caught her attention and eventually she fell in love with his ability to be himself regardless of anyone else's opinions. He fell in love with her fascination with the natural world and so much more. When he presented her with the ring and asked her to marry him, she said, “Of course I will you silly boy.”  
From James Joyce’s, Chamber Music,
Bright cap and streamers,
He sings in the hollow:
Come follow, come follow,
All you that love.
Leave dreams to the dreamers
That will not after,
That song and laughter
Do nothing move.
With ribbons streaming
He sings the bolder;
In troop at his shoulder
The wild bees hum.
And the time of dreaming
Dreams is over −− −
As lover to lover,
        Sweetheart, I come. 
​
Photography by Heather Kadar
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Sedona Elopement

8/20/2019

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Robbie and Alycia eloped in mid October at Bell Rock in Sedona.  Isn't their blue amazing against the red rocks?  Terrific choice if you decide to elope or get married there!  
R and A met because they were co-workers, the chemistry was instantaneous. Although they worked in different cities, nothing could keep them apart.  For when two souls are meant to connect: location, timing and circumstances are all irrelevant.  They suddenly become a magnet for one another and despite their efforts to fight it, the Universe somehow manipulates it all in their favor.  And in that moment, when they finally give in, a new love is born.  
Their ceremony was simple, meaningful and oh so sweet with an opening and closing prayer, 'I do's' along with a more personalized vow choice. After exchanging rings, this poem:             
May these rings remind you that your love,                                                like the sun, warms all that it touches,                                                         like the moon, brightens up the night,                                                           like the eye, is a gateway to your innermost soul.                                       And your love, like the arms that embrace you,                                    makes everything right with the world.    
Eloping in Sedona is such a wonderful way to begin a marriage.  There are so many incredible locations to choose from and the weather is pretty amazing too!

After we signed the license Alycia and Robbie went adventuring in the red rocks with their photo team, The Foxes.  
lifepassagesaz@gmail.com
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Sky Ranch Lodge Wedding

7/5/2019

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K&J chose the Love Story Ceremony.  There's was a true story telling ceremony which included the Mother's Rose ceremony for their ritual.  As you look through the photos you can just feel the warmth and loving connection that occurred.  Of course the backdrop was stunning with the beautiful Sedona red rocks landscape. 
The groom was from Sweden and the bride was from the states.   They met in Flagstaff one fateful evening as he was passing through.  His English was somewhat limited and when he texted her, his invitation to go out went something like this, "Hey Sugar Cookie, how about we have dinner?"  This stopped her in her tracks as noone had ever called her that!  To this day she still calls him 'Sug'. Once he returned to Sweden they continued a long distance relationship with numerous early morning Skype calls -early for him that is. Eventually, the bride uprooted herself and moved to Sweden because that's the lengths one will go to for true love.   

Their ceremony had so many beautiful elements. Honoring their families was very important to them.  They wrote beautiful dedications of their parents which I was honored to read.  Connecting with families during the ceremony is such an important element to creating a feeling of warmth. The groom even translated the ceremony so that his Grandfather could read along as I shared their love story.  After the bride and groom exchanged their vows and rings, we invited their Mother's up to sign the marriage license. Then, they chose to honor their mothers with the gift of a rose.  "Mothers plant so their children may harvest. Mothers cry when their children hurt. Mothers welcome pain and burden to give their sons and daughters the gift of life."
Once they kissed the crowd broke into applause as they recessed to 'Signed, Sealed, Delivered' by Stevie Wonder.
Photos by Hannah Rose Gray photography  

Venue Sky Ranch Lodge of Sedona

​

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A dream come true for two brides!

11/30/2018

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What an amazing wedding day for these two brides! They had waited many, many years for the right moment and it was so perfect. They were wed at Orchard Canyon on Oak Creek on a summer day. The sun had just gone behind the red rocks. They had an incredible amount of support from their friends and families. I had the honor of crafting a Love Story ceremony for these two and what a love story! Here's a sample of it:
Their first date was slow in the making, it actually took seven years! A number of those years consisted of a long distance friendship as J lived in Seattle and T was in Phoenix. In 2011, T flew to Seattle to help J move back to Phoenix. From that moment on, they were inseparable. They secretly had crushes on each other for years. Albert Einstein puts it like this, “Gravitation cannot be held responsible for people falling in love. How on earth can you explain in terms of chemistry and physics so important a biological phenomenon as first love? Put your hand on a stove for a minute and it seems like an hour. Sit with that special girl for an hour and it seems like a minute. That's relativity.” 
Their first kiss happened right around Valentine’s Day, 6 ½ years ago. After several weeks of uncertainty, T said this to her: “Date me for one week. For just one week let everything go, just do what your heart tells you, and at the end of the week, I will let you decide what you want to do from there, and no matter what you choose, we will always be best friends.” T even remembers the date: March 27th, 2011. J says, “In past relationships I could never see myself with the person for ‘the long term’. With T, I never could see myself without her.” In the words of Brandi Carlile: I was made for you.
Within a few months of their dating, T bought the ring because she knew she was going to marry this girl. T had faith, which supported her in standing by J throughout the long and difficult road. Finally, the moment was right, and around Christmas time she planned an amazing trip to New York and proposed on a beautiful evening at Rockefeller Center.
T and J wrote their own vows and it was a real privilege listening to them exchange. I always recommend couples write their own vows as it adds so much more meaning and depth to the experience - for the couple and the family and friends witnessing.
Every time I marry a couple, I have to pinch myself as it is such a joy to be a part of such an important moment in their lives!
​
Venue:  
https://enjoyorchardcanyon.com/
Coordinator: Shira Glick 
https://www.shiranelsonevents.com/
Photos by: Jamie Allio Photography  
https://jamieallio.com/
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Viola's Flower Garden Wedding

8/17/2018

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It was a cold winter day but there was no shortage of warmth that came from the love that was shared on Holli & Johnathan's wedding day!  The planning began in October for their February wedding day. From the moment I met them, I thought they were such a sweet couple. Their strength lied in their emotional connection and high level of communication. The bride and groom chose to marry in Flagstaff because the proposal took place at the summit of Mount Elden at 9,300 feet!  Viola's Flower Garden provided the perfect backdrop for their wedding and I knew they were in great hands with the staff there. 
Johnathan and Holli chose the 'Love Story ceremony' which included some unique rituals.  Besides the sharing of their story, they wrote love letters to one another and placed it in a box with a bottle of bubbly to be opened on their 5th anniversary.  The letters describe the good qualities they find in one another, the reasons they fell in love, and their reasons for choosing to marry.  Upon opening it on their 5th year anniversary, they will replenish the letters and bubbly to be opened on their 10th anniversary and so on.  We signed the marriage license during the ceremony with their maid of honor, the bride's sister, and the best man, the groom's brother.  Playing in the background was the theme from 'Mission Impossible' - haha!!
It was an intimate gathering. The bride and groom included a number of family members in the ceremony.  The groom entered with his parents, and the bride entered with hers. Holli and Johnathan's parents both have long term marriages; 25 years on the bride's side and 30 years on the groom's side!
I always appreciate it when a bride and groom take the time to write personal vows to one another as it adds so much depth and meaning to the ceremony.  As they exchanged their vows, you could hear laughter erupting and see tears being shed by their family members.
After the kiss, the newlyweds walked out gracefully to Colbie Caillat's 'I do!'  Then they went inside to warm up and enjoy the reception!
Photos by Monica Saaty Photography

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Thornager's Wedding, Flagstaff Arizona

8/13/2018

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Sara and Andrew were married on a chilly winter day in February at Thornager's in Flagstaff, Arizona. The indoor setting with the forest backdrop was lovely and provided a welcome warmth.  Their ceremony was contemporary, reflecting their feelings and their love for each other.  There were many tender moments during the ceremony of course: when Sara's Father escorted her and gave her away to his soon to be son-in-law; the moment they faced their family and friends and words of dedication were spoken (the bride needed a tissue, so I gladly handed her one); their family and friends had tears of laughter throughout; the hands ceremony (the bride and groom held hands while words were spoken such as, 'these are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes, tears of sorrow and tears of joy'; lots of laughter of course, like when the proposal story was shared; the bride and groom chose to have the groom's father bring the rings forward;  when the groom went in for the kiss, she started to laugh! After the ceremony, they had their Moms' sign the marriage license so that all of the parents were included in the big moment. Mr. and Mrs. B recessed to 'Across the Universe' by the Vitamin String Quartet and began their happily ever after!  
Photos by Spangler Pics https://www.spanglerpics.com/
Simply Elegant Ceremony by Jen Paul of Life Passages
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Grand Canyon Elopement

8/3/2018

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A sweet couple who had an established 10 year relationship, already married in their hearts, Shea and Michael eloped at the Grand Canyon at Grandeur Point.  The tenderness they conveyed was so heartwarming. Shea and Michael were on a journey of the entire Southwest with their wedding day being right in the middle.  ​ It was a lovely summer day and the conditions were ideal.   There were plenty of witnesses nearby for the signing of their marriage license afterwards.  Grand Canyon weddings are always spectacular and I was so happy to create a meaningful ceremony for their big day! 
The video is by Pretty Please Photography.
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Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Wedding

7/26/2018

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K & Z were wed on a warm spring day in Scottsdale at the Fairmont Resort.  There's was an intimate, loving, spiritual wedding ceremony. Emotions were running high and the Native American ritual enabled the couple to become more centered and grounded.  White sage was lit and a feather was used to "smudge" the couple, meaning that the couple was fanned with the smoke. The act of smudging is done to clear the space and provide a healing, sacred space for the ceremony.  The smoke attaches itself to negative energy and as it clears it takes that negative energy with it, releasing it into another space to be regenerated.  White sage is very sweet smelling.  Incorporated with the smudging ritual was a marriage blessing.  We began by facing the East, element of air, and honoring their new beginning, followed by the South, element of fire, and honoring their love and passion, then the West, element of water to honor their emotions, and finally the North, element of earth, honoring their solid foundation.   Z and K had been together 7 years when they wed. The groom chose this quote by Chief Dan George which was incorporated into their ceremony, “My friends, how desperately do we need to be loved and to love. With it we are creative. With it we march tirelessly. With it, and with it alone, we are able to sacrifice for others.”  From their first date, it was clear this bride and groom were deeply connected.  Both are sensitive souls who have each other's back and are always there to lift one another up.  Another quote that speaks to their relationship was incoporated by Thich Nhat Hanh, “Understanding someone’s suffering is the best gift you can give another person. Understanding is love’s other name. If you don’t understand, you can’t love.”  Just before they were pronounced as husband and wife and kissed, this Native American Blessing was read: May the sun bring you new energy by day; 
May the moon softly restore you by night.
May the rain wash away your worries 
And the breeze blow new strength into your being, 
And all the days of your life may you walk 
Gently through the world and know its beauty. 
Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter for the other. 
Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth to the other. 
Now there will be no more loneliness, for each of you will be companion to the other.
Now you are two persons, but there is one life before you. 
Go now to your dwelling to enter into the days of your life together, 
And may your days be good and long upon the earth.


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    Jen Paul, Life Cycle Celebrant, Ordained Minister, Wedding Officiant, Healing Arts Practitioner, Life Coach, Death Doula
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