Love is the magic that brought Jay and Dena together.  They were wed on a warm summer day -  August 15, 2016 at Horseshoe Bend.  As we walked up the path, I held a golf umbrella in an attempt to shade the bride and keep her cool.   When we arrived at the overlook we had some concerns about finding the right spot as there were swarms of sightseers. However, we quickly found the perfect platform overlooking the magnificent Colorado river.  It was easy to find two witnesses who were honored to join us.  One of the witnesses was a woman whose daughter had passed away and her daughter's name was the same as the bride, Dena.  It was a beautiful moment for all of us to have that soul connection. The mother felt the presence of her daughter and found healing in that experience.  What a blessing!  
​I turned my attention to Jay and Dena and we took a moment to center ourselves on that sacred ground.  The ceremony included lyrics from the Led Zeppelin tune "Thank You"... 'If the sun refused to shine, I would still be loving you, when mountains crumble to the sea, there will still be you and me.'  Our hearts were wide open as Jay and Dena sealed their vows with a kiss!
Of her Horseshoe Bend, Grand Canyon Ceremony, Dena said... 
Jen was absolutely amazing. From our first conversation prior to booking, I felt incredibly comfortable. We were getting married in a place we had never been before so I was understandably nervous. Jen was so helpful with suggestions to make the day go smoothly. She wrote an incredibly beautiful ceremony which brought tears to my eyes before I heard it at our actual ceremony. She is incredibly down to earth and made us feel so special, like she had known us for years. I cannot say enough nice things and I would recommend Jen Paul of Life Passages 1000x over!

A historic moment at Riordan Mansion occurred on January 7, 2017 at 10 a.m. when the first indoor wedding took place! Since the weather is not suitable for an outdoor wedding at this time of year in Flagstaff, the Riordan Mansion was ideal for Kayce & Michael's wedding.  They stood in front of the fireplace (as pictured) and exchanged their vows.  Afterwards, they went outside with all of their guests and took some amazing photos amidst the Ponderosa Pines and the historic grounds of the Riordan Mansion in Flagstaff, Arizona.  The weather was chilly yet they were warmed by the sun and the joy of being newlyweds!
If you are planning a wedding at Riordan Mansion, contact Jen Paul of Life Passages.
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It was a beautiful forest wedding amidst the Ponderosa Pines on October 21, 2016 at Little America Hotel.  The weather was perfect - around 70 degrees.  The ceremony created a genuine connection of intimacy between the beautiful couple and their cherished family and friends.  Tears were shed, laughter was heard and rose petals were tossed as the bride and groom exited.  Truly an amazing and wondrous wedding day for Natalie and Zach!
If you are planning a wedding at Little America Hotel in Flagstaff Arizona contact Jen Paul of Life Passages for ceremony options.

Photos by Karlee K Photography at http://www.karleekphotography.com/

On December 30, 2016, I had the pleasure of marrying A&A at Thornager's.  It was an amazing "surprise" wedding that was planned since most of their relatives were visiting for the holidays. Isn't that brilliant?! Approximately 60 people were in attendance.  The guests had been informed that it was an engagement party.  I had to maintain a low profile and my cover was that I was a co-worker of the groom's.  After all of the guests arrived, the groom's brother rang a cow bell to get everyone's attention and made the announcement that there was a surprise for them! The bride and groom along with the maid of honor and best man made a grand entrance near the bar at Thornager's.  They looked incredible and everyone was pleasantly surprised. It was deeply moving. Many tears of joy were shed.  A&A were wed in front of the Christmas tree and I don't think there was a dry eye in the house.  The photo seen here was taken by Saaty Photography. Afterwards, stunning images were taken that captured the bride on a Renaissance chair and the groom at her side while surrounded by snow and Ponderosa Pines on the property at Thornager's.  
The food at Thornager's was amazing and the friendly staff gave impeccable service.  If you are considering getting married in Flagstaff, I would be delighted to marry you and your fiance at Thornager's on Kiltie Lane.  

In today's world, many couples consider themselves "spiritual" not "religious".  As you consider your wedding ceremony, you may or may not want to include prayer.  Traditional ministers and officiants have standard scripts they use to marry couples which may include prayers that may or may not be comfortable for you and your fiance.  
My approach is to get to know you and your fiance and your beliefs, values and traditions.  Together we create a ceremony that opens your hearts and makes your spirits soar!  Spiritual components may include mystical readings from Rumi, Kahlil Gibran, Thich Nhat Hanh just to name a few; Native American rituals; Earth based rituals; Pagan rituals; creating an altar representative of your love and beliefs; Buddhist, Hindu or Toltec rituals or rituals from other Eastern traditions.  These sacred rituals connect us in one-ness as we acknowledge Namaste:  My soul recognizes your soul.  I honor the love, light, beauty, truth and kindness within you, because it also resides within me.  In sharing these things, there is no distance and no difference between us.  We are the same, we are one.
​I look forward to hearing more about your Spiritual beliefs and co-creating a beautiful and meaningful ceremony for your wedding day.  Namaste, Jen Paul of Life Passages

A Crone Ceremony is a rite of passage ceremony for a woman who has either reached the age of 50 or gone through menopause.  This ceremony encourages a woman to embrace the aging process and celebrate her wisdom.  Reaching the status of Crone is a major milestone!
Jen Paul of LIfe Passages in Flagstaff, Arizona is a Celebrant who is skilled at creating a Crone Ceremony.  
Here's how it works!  The first meeting can be done via skype, face time, phone or in person if you are in the Flagstaff area.  We meet and co-create a vision for your ceremony.   Part of the vision involves honoring the cycles of life you have experienced from childhood through adulthood.  Jen listens empathically and takes notes about your life.  You also may have a writing assignment to complete. Once the pieces are put together, your ceremony is created.  Typically, the four directions are used in honoring the stages of your life.   Additionally, you may choose to be "crowned" as Crone or receive a wisdom staff or some other symbolic item. The creation process may involve several meetings.  We set a date for your ceremony.  The ceremony may include members of your community and/or family or it may be done by yourself.  It's really up to you and your comfort level.   If you choose a public gathering, you may have a private ceremony which includes smudging and cleansing your feet before the public gathering.  The ceremony can last up to 1 hour it just depends on the rituals that are included. Furthermore, if you choose a public gathering, your guests may bring gifts which celebrate your passage into the Crone years.  In addition, often times there is a reception afterwards.  As a Crone, you are invited to share your vision with the community and give a gift to your guests that represent your new role.
Concerned that you are too old for your Crone Ceremony - well past 50 or menopause?   You aren't! It's never too late to celebrate your passage into a wise woman.
I look forward to hearing all about this stage in your life!  

Pre-Marital sessions are very valuable and can enhance communication and intimacy before stepping over the threshold into marriage.  It is important to create a firm foundation in your relationship and pre-marital sessions encourage you both to do so.   It is also a discovery process in which you learn about the uniqueness of the individual you are about to marry.  Jen Paul of Life Passages offers pre-marital sessions.  My approach is that of a mentor as I have been married since 1994.  I offer my compassion, guidance, personal knowledge and a sense of humor as we approach the pre-marital sessions.
Here's how it works! Typically there are four to five sessions in total.  You and your fiance will receive four questionnaires that include the following topics: dreams and interests, friend and family relationships, communication, five love languages, money, vocation, children, health, spirituality and sexuality.   After you complete a questionnaire, Jen reads it and provides feedback and mediation during the session.  The session can take place via skype, face time, a phone call or in-person if you reside in the Flagstaff area.  
Pre-marital sessions are offered on a sliding fee scale of $50-75/hour
Often times Jen will also discover beautiful characteristics about your relationship during the pre-marital sessions which are then woven into your wedding ceremony.  
If you are considering pre-marital sessions, I suggest: don't go to the altar without them!

Today’s modern day handfasting ceremony is a revival – of sorts – of the handfastings of yester yore. The act of handfasting was originally an element to a formal betrothal ceremony (the precursor to today’s engagement) perhaps going as far back as ancient Celtic Scotland, up to the 16th century reformation-era.  During the formal betrothal ceremony, in which a couple promises to one another their agreement in future marriage, there was a formal handshake to seal the deal.  This was called the handfæstung, meaning, a pledge by the giving of the hand, according to A.E. Anton.  The betrothals eventually became so formal that it was an event in and of itself, which eventually lead up to the wedding ceremony.  
From the Mayans of South America to the Hindu Vedic community of the Middle East to the Celtic culture of Scotland  a hand fasting ceremony is an ancient martrimonial ritual. It usually involves fastening a couple's hands together with cording, ribbon, twine or a silk sash while hand fasting prayers are recited and vows are exchanged. Couples can opt to use a single string or braid three strings together to represent the intertwining of the two individual lives into one. Generally four to six feet in length, the threads can consist of any color or material and may contain specific gemstones or charms to bless the marriage. Numerous online wedding vendors sell ready-made and custom versions.
After the ceremony, couples typically display their unity cords in their home as a reminder of their lifelong commitment. You can preserve the sacred cord in a keepsake box, drape it inside a shadowbox with other wedding memorabilia or affix it to a board in an infinity symbol. 
Traditionally, the marriage knot is secured at the end of the ceremony after the vow and ring exchange to symbolize the couple's final pledge to blend their lives together.  A hand fasting ceremony can also be done in lieu of a vow and ring exchange.

 Tying the knot is a primary wedding ceremony whereby a couple ties a fisherman's knot. This is done after the exchanges of vows and rings. The couple, using large colored cords, ties the knot as the Celebrant reads a commentary. Choices for commentary are available. The theme of the commentary is that, like a fisherman's knot, marriage strengthens and supports the bride and groom through life and, like the knot, their marriage grows stronger under pressure.