Ceremonies in Nature

575-894-7591

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5.0 out of 5.0

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2 reviews

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Categories: truth or consequences officiant Address: 220 N. Date St.
Truth or Consequences, NM 87901
(map) Phone: 575-894-7591

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Reviews for Ceremonies in Nature

Barbara B
GUEST

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4.9 out of 5.0

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07/28/2009

Celeste was a delight. She listened to us and created a ceremony that was personalized, relaxed, beautiful, and in the Spirit. We wrote our own vows, and Celeste provided some very special prayers, as well as offering a sand-vase ceremony representing our past together, our present, and our future -- a lovely touch. Her style is respectful, dignified, and also joyful and encompassing. I can imagine any bride delighted and grateful for her services.

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Doug
GUEST

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5.0 out of 5.0

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08/30/2006

My wife and I met Celeste prior to our marriage when she visited our Bed and Breakfast; we took an immediate likening to her. So when we decided to get married two years later we knew we wanted Celeste to do our ceremony The main reason we wanted Celeste to do the ceremony was due to the fact that we could make it as non-traditional and unconventional as we wanted. This is not to say she could not do a conventional wedding (i.e., in a church, minister, reverend religious based, etc) but at the age of 50 we wanted a ceremony outside, at our home, and with a ceremony completely different from the ordinary.
I knew what I did not want for a ceremony, but I did not know what I really wanted. So Celeste was very helpful proposing different formats; we decided to do the sand blending and wine celebration . We also did not want a religious based ceremony but rather a secular humanist spirited approach. Celeste did a great job of proposing different ceremonial passages and allowing us to change it to our personalities.
Celeste was very helpful in being able to do the ceremony at our home- some 140 miles from her home. In addition she helped overlook several of the wedding functions and would have clearly done more if needed. She was good at helping where needed and also respecting what we wanted to do ourselves.

Vendor response to review

Thanks for the kind words, D & R! To everyone: This is a wedding where I suggested the Bride & Groom walk down the 'aisle' (a garden path from their house) together holding hands, since there was no formal procession with attendants. Their rings were on the table in a 'Treasure Chest' I have. What a beautiful day and celebration afterwards, too!

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About Ceremonies in Nature

I believe every couple deserves to have a ceremony that reflects THEIR beliefs and lifestyle. Most couples who choose my services want something MORE than the ordinary ceremony that would be provided by a judge or magistrate, or even a church-affiliated minister. Unique optional rituals such as Sand-blending into a Unity Vase, Sharing of Drink, Hand-fasting, Ribbons of Hopes & Wishes, or a Candle-lighting (for indoor ceremonies) add a certain panache to your ceremony that will have your guests commenting positively and provide you with extra special memories. The Sandblending also gives you a keepsake of the ceremony to take home with you (the Unity Vase). For outdoor, daytime ceremonies, we also offer a digital photos on c.d. option, either with or without editing. Virtually all of the photos from my website and its links of my ceremonies were taken by us. I also have a decorated Wedding Arch available for rental!

While Truth or Consequences, New Mexico and surrounding areas (such as Elephant Butte and Hillsboro) offer some beautiful sites for ceremonies, I often travel to other areas to perform ceremonies. Here are some other locations where I have officiated: White Sands National Monument, City of Rocks, Spencer Theater in Alto, and Sandia Park. When living in California, most of my ceremonies were on the beach or ocean bluff, some on golf courses or in back yards; wherever you want your ceremony to be held, I am willing to go there! I encourage involving your minor children (if any) in the ceremony, perhaps with a Family Sand-blending. Let me help make YOUR ceremony the one you AND your guests will remember most fondly. Let's talk!

FAQ for Ceremonies in Nature

What officiant services do you provide?

Civil Union, Interfaith Ceremony, Non-religious Ceremony, Single Religion Ceremony

What religious affiliations do you serve?

Agnostic, Baha'i Faith, Buddhist, Christian (no denomination), Christian - Anglican, Christian - Baptist, Christian - Catholic, Christian - Episcopalian, Christian - Lutheran, Christian - Methodist, Christian - Mormon, Christian - Orthodox, Christian - Presbyterian, Christian - Quaker, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, Shinto, Sikhism, Taoist

Can you accommodate the hearing impaired?

Yes

Are you willing to perform a ceremony at a non-religious site?

Absolutely! In fact, most of my ceremonies are outdoors in nature.

What is your attire for the ceremony?

Typically I wear a black dress or pants with black jacket or robe. However, for themed ceremonies, I will certainly discuss the attire with you beforehand. It's YOUR ceremony; I want you to feel comfortable!

Are you flexible in the wording used throughout the ceremony, including the vows?

Yes. In fact, after speaking with you a bit about your beliefs and lifestyle and what you want from your ceremony, I will come up with one to present to you for feedback. I have many different passages and readings, choice of vows etc. I have some couples who want to write their entire ceremony, and I am happy to practice it aloud many times to be quite familiar with it when the time comes to read it.

Do you allow the couple to write their own vows, if desired?

Yes, see above.

Do you have a list of readings pre-selected, from which the couple must choose?

I have many readings from which you MAY choose, but you are certainly not required to. If you have a certain poem/song/passage you want to include, I am happy to do so.

How long are your ceremonies?

As short as 5 minutes for those last-minute nuptials (usually locals), up to 20 minutes if you're including a couple of optional rituals. The typical ceremony is about 12 minutes. It's the preparation beforehand that's important!

Do you require that premarital counseling be done?

No. You are adults and can make your own decision about whether to marry.

Are you willing to perform pre-ceremony rehearsals?

Yes.

Do you supply a sound system?

No. I am comfortable using one if you want to provide one, but my voice carries well. Even at ocean ceremonies with 100 guests, folks were able to hear me. I will position you so the guests can hear me without you feeling like I am shouting in your ears... : )

Additional Advice

Most of my ceremonies are outdoors, so we can be 'surrounded by the beauty of nature'. Be sure to consider this when deciding what shoes to wear, and it might be nice to let your guests know that high heels might not be that easy to walk in on soft grass or sand. Perhaps a little sheet tucked into the wedding invitations mentioning that they remember sunscreen and wear comfortable/appropriate shoes would be in order.

Although I've only had rain during one ceremony out of over 125 I've performed, always be prepared for wind or rain. I am always ready to perform the ceremony in any type of weather, but YOU may not be. Consider having umbrellas or a contingency plan.

Don't expect small children to necessarily behave as you would like them to. If including them in the ceremony (such as Flower Girl, Ring Bearer, or a Family Sandblending), be prepared to proceed without them doing their part. You can either have an 'alternate' or just do something different (e.g. rings on table or given to Best Man/Maid of Honor; no flowers strewn or have them strewn by someone else). And don't get upset with them; think of the stress on their young minds in this situation! : )

You might consider planning on the actual start time of the ceremony to be 10 minutes after the time on the invitations, so latecomers don't disrupt the ceremony.

Music is harder to do at most outdoor venues. Unless it's at a motel or golf course, there probably won't be any electricity.

If you have any other questions and concerns, I'm glad to help as part of the process of putting together a ceremony that you will love!