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by Susan Hanshaw
San Francisco Wedding Officiant

Yesterday I was the officiant for a wedding ceremony that stands apart in my mind as one I will remember. The reason: the couple embraced the significance of every single moment of the ceremony, enabling them and everyone watching to truly experience what was happening from their hearts.

A memorable ceremony is made in the moments. Yesterday’s memories unfolded from the very beginning as the eyes of the groom teared at the sight of his beautiful bride making her way towards him on the arms of her father. They took their stance in front of me and were totally present as the words that followed expressed their personal story and their dreams for their married life. How touching it was to see their faces light up at the memories of how they came together. How moved they were to hear words expressed publicly about what they value most in each other and in their relationship. And how they beamed when I reminded them that they will bring these same virtues to the family they will raise together.

Moving on to the vows and ring exchange, this couple did what many are unable to do in these publicly emotional moments. They were totally present with one another as they shared their wedding vows and placed rings on each other’s fingers. The depth of how they were experiencing these once-in-a-lifetime moments could not have been more clear. The energy from their hearts was contagious. I felt their bliss as they turned around to face their guests with the groom’s newly ringed hand and the bride’s bouquet waving high in delight. I felt like I’d done my job when I caught sight of one of the bride’s male relatives shedding a tear at his aisle seat in the back row.