Many—many—years ago, I was planning my wedding with the prince charming I thought I’d share my life with. If only our marriage had been as successful as the wedding. A story for another day. In retrospect, I realized that I had the seeds of a Celebrant inside me, and that one of the “gifts” of that experience was that it spurred on my creativity as we were on quite a limited budget. You know, “Necessity is the mother of invention.” I realized back then that some of the most meaningful parts of the wedding often have nothing to do with money, décor, or Instagram worthy moments. They are all about meaning.
And so it gives my heart a thrill when I see my own couples adding special moments and mementos to their wedding ceremony, whether a big affair or small.
Last winter, I was able to marry these two stunners in a secret nook area in Central Park. Our lovely park was dusted with snow and it was a private moment that was beyond perfection. One of my very favorite moments of their winter wonderland wedding was when the groom pulled out a little pouch with their wedding bands. It was pastel blue, with a pattern I couldn’t make out. Turns out, it had been made by the groom’s mom and was made from his baby blanket. Gestures like that make my heart soar. I’m happy to report that the couple has happily passed their first wedding anniversary and are awaiting the arrival of their first child. Life is so good.
Photographs by Marta Zapardiel Photography for Simply Eloped
