My Hula Sister Weds her Dream Man!!!

Stacey and Arthur thought it was only going to be their annual family reunion. And the moment inspired them to tie the knot whilst the whole gang was there. They called me the night before, asking if I would do the honors of presiding over their wedding!!! YES, I have only been waiting for MANY MOONS!!!  So I hopped the fence( they live next door to me!!) and asked them every possible question  about their LOVE…  I ran back home to my computer, and TA DA!!! It is done!!!  Bright and early the next morning, I set out to find the best flowers in our neighborhood, and I put together a neighborhood bouquet for the bride!! Every gorgeous color on the street!!!

Our Neighborhood Bouquet!!

I then went to Fess Parker’s Hotel, where they were all gathered… and we moved the chairs around a bit, to accommodate our lovely ceremony.. The sun was shining bright, after a morning of FOG!!!  Their family was just finishing up with their morning gathering.  Into the courtyard walks the groom’s sister, Barbara, chanting a most amazing Hawaiian chant to bless the ceremony. You could FEEL her pulling up the energy from the Earth and pouring it into the space…it was so powerful, everyone was teary eyed!

The Bride and Groom were so Happy!!! It was an incredible SPONTANEOUS wedding… and we were all thrilled that everything came together so effortlessly!!!

I am so thankful for my Hula Sister Stacey and for Arthur( Arturo!!!)!! And I am so happy that I could honor them  with a meaningful ceremony!!! It was fun for me too, since I could reflect on all the wonderful experiences I have had with both of them through the many years, and put my love for them into the ceremony…

How Blessed We all are to have such Love in our Lives with Family and Friends….

Aloha Nui Loa!!

Love….

Steampunk Wedding!!!

 I had the honor of officiating a Steampunk Wedding up at Dos Pueblos Ranch!!! Everyone was in their finest old Victorian attire… it was as if we boarded a time machine and were transported to another world!!! And what a beautiful and Happy world that was indeed!  The ceremony took place under a canopy of sycamores, oaks and eucalyptus trees.. It was MAGICAL!!! Here is an amazing blog with all the incredible photos of the day!!!

                    http://ruffledblog.com/victorian-steampunk-wedding/  

                                       KATE AND JACOB

       

                 They asked me to include this beautiful passage  in their ceremony.. I believe it is from the Lord of the Rings….

            When Autumn lies upon the world and in a noon of gold.

Beneath the roof of sleeping leaves, the dreams of trees unfold.

When light is on the wild-wood stream and wind is on the brow.

When sun warms the hanging fruit and burns the berry brown.

When honey spills and apple swells.

When starless nights devour the sunless days.

When broken is the barren bough and light and labour past.

When Winter comes, and singing ends; when darkness falls at last.

I will call to thee beneath the bitter rain-

And I will wait for thee until we meet again!

Together we will take the road that leads into the west,

and far away will find a land where both our hearts may rest.    

                                 Many Blessings to You, Kate and Jacob!!! 

Yay,we got published!!! : )

So excited to have a tiny picture, but really to have my name in an amazing online wedding blog!!!   I officiated a wedding at the San Ysidro Ranch for wonderful couple        Joy and Zach!  And she sent me this link the other day!!!  Type  Joy and Zach in the search box to find the beautiful gallery of photos…

Enjoy!!!

www.stylemepretty.com

Sweet Bouquets…

Some bouquets that I made for my dear friend, “Kimosan”‘s( I was in HER wedding many moons ago!!) daughter, for her wedding about 2 years ago…I love the combination of the orchids and succulents!!!  Her sister is holding the golden calla lily bouquet…( you can click on the images to see them a bit better).

PS>>> The happy couple had a beautiful baby girl this Spring & I had the pleasure of meeting her last Saturday!!  Her name is Olive. She is most certainly: ALL~LOVE!!!!

Thanks!

One of the best parts of my job comes after the work is done.

Here is a beautiful thank you note I received from Rachel and Tor… Their wedding took place last autumn, at  Alice Keck Park in downtown Santa Barbara, though it looks as if we held the ceremony  in a lush, tropical rainforest!

Nancy,

I wanted to thank you for making our ceremony so special. You did such a wonderful job making it personal, romantic, funny and perfect. We received many compliments on it throughout the evening. Several people told me they even cried( I am surprised I was able to hold it together!)

You were so easy to work with and to get to know. We loved how down to earth, funny and real you are. And you were able to take our fairly boring lives and spin them into a touching ceremony-all the while including our dear cat, Cheeto!

Many thanks! Rachel and Tor

Thank You Rachel and Tor!

Wedded Bliss in a Forest

It was an autumn wedding made mystical by the soft veil of misty rain. The bride, full with two babes in her belly, was protected by a wall of sturdy Italian men.  The couple’s friends and family watched with rapt attention. Between the words I spoke to bless their future children, we could hear the gentle sounds of the nearby creek. The silence of the land reigned.  It felt as if we were in some primeval forest, in some far off land in a fairy tale.  Yet here we were, not 5 minutes away from downtown Santa Barbara, tucked away in the arms of the oaks at the Museum of Natural History!!  Dreamy!!!

If you’re interested, call Meredith Moore 682-4711 ext 112. It is a gorgeous place to visit on any day!!! And tell her I sent you!! : )

Oh, did I tell you, I LOVE FLOWERS???

Well, if you couldn’t tell by my website design, I LOVE FLOWERS!!! I love how they look, how they smell. I love wandering through fields of them.  I love how they are just these incredible works of art all by themselves and then masterpieces when put together! I love the energy they add to a room! I love wearing them in my hair, and around my neck and on my wrists when I dance hula (or even just dancing through life!)  I love the joy that they bring people.

I have had the extreme fortune to assist my BFF, Tricia Fountaine, AMAZING Mistress of Event~ Floral~Costume Design, with creating floral designs for many weddings and events. It is beyond words what I have learned from her!!! Please check out her FABULOUS website: www.triciafountaine.com .

We ALWAYS have so much fun together, surrounded by (you guessed it!)  FLOWERS, music, cats, tea, Pirate Booty (her fave) and never ending LAUGHTER!!! I could go on and on about the funny stories, joy and creativity that oozes out of us when we are together… she is the Best!

With Tricia’s blessings and encouragement, I offer couples that I perform ceremonies for, the added service of creating bouquets and boutonniere’s for them. Here are 2 pictures of a wedding where I did both the ceremony and the flowers. You can click on the photos to enlarge them. Shannon and Ken’s beautiful wedding took place at Alice Keck Park under  sunny skies.

Shannon chose white callas and oh-so-tiny but fragrant, lily of the valley, for her bouquet. She also chose to tie into it, a horseshoe, which is a personal touch that had meaning for her and Ken. I encourage my couples to bring to their ceremonies objects, rituals, poetry, music, and stories or anything that is deeply meaningful to them (some couples bring their dogs!)  I love being the facilitator of GREAT MEMORIES and creating beauty!!!  With words and FLOWERS!!!