 The image shown here is from an adaptation of the long-held Japanese wedding sake-sharing tradition called san-san-kudo. In this ritual, each spouse takes ree sips of sake, three times, for a total of nine sips each. The first set of three sips represents the couple's separate heritages and families from which they hail. The second set of three sips stands for the unfortunate human flaws that, with right action, can be overcome. The third, final, set of three sips signifies the couple’s rising above the three human flaws and the fact that, like the sacred lucky number 9 which cannot be equally divided into two, marriage is a sacred and indissoluble union. To facilitate this rite, I pour a small amount of sake into the first of the three stacked cups (alternatively, if needing to pack lightly for an adventure elopement, the couple may surely use and share a single cup). I hand the cup of sake to one of the partners to drink (in three sips) and then collect the empty cup to fill and repeat so the second partner can take their first three sips. Next, I set the first cup aside onto the tray or stable surface and pick up and fill the second cup (or simply use the same cup if that's the plan). I then offer the sake to the first partner who'll consume it in this second round of three sips before I collect the cup, refill, and repeat for the second partner to follow suit. For the final three sips, we simply use the third cup (or reuse the single cup), so as to complete the ritual with each partner having taken nine sips, in total. Although traditional sakazuki cups, tray and pot may certainly be used, I believe that it's the love and honorable intention that's wrapped in the spirit of the tradition which makes a ritual so special so I always encourage couples to choose what feels right and important to them. If they don't mind transporting their sakazuki set to their ceremony site, that's wonderful. If they're not willing to risk chipping, breaking or carrying the extra weight/bulk, I believe that it's fully fine to improvise.  I will always respectfully pour from either sake bottle into one shared sake cup or from traditional pot into traditional cups. I will also stay as true as possible to the origin or carry on with a flexible interpretation of any rite or ritual... whatever feels best for the honored couple and guests... as I fully realize that, for some, it may be vital to remain 100% true to the original guidelines while, for others, it may be far more valuable to lovingly and authentically honor heritage than to have it be closed to any interpretation or bound to an exact way. Whatever method is chosen, I always love when couples include cultural elements into their ceremony to make a memorable and meaningful mark on their special day!
#SanSanKudo #PerfectForYou #CulturalTraditions #HonoringHeritage #OregonOfficiant #WashingtonOfficiant #WeddingOfficiant #PNWonderland #WeddedWonderland #BetheLove #BeandBeWeddings
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 On recent beautiful Autumn day, I had the blessing of performing a ceremony in which the couple chose to celebrate the sacred union of their hearts, spirits & family with a ritual that has origins in South America. To mark the new beginning in their journey together, we incorporated a Palo Santo smudging, an ancient spiritual practice used by the indigenous communities of the Andes to help clear the energy fields of that which does not serve us, to set sacred intention & to invite & venerate the source of all that is holy.
In preparation, I asked the bride & groom to join hands & then lit & burned the chosen piece of Palo Santo wood for a short bit before extinguishing the flame & using the smoldering wood to smudge. For the actual smudging, I used this white pictured handicraft, that was created by the groom's family, to waft the smoke in circular motion first around the groom, then around the bride, & finally around their clasped hands to honor each, as individuals, & their union as its own entity. I completed this ritual with a few final larger circular gestures, expanding the smudging circle to represent the invitation of goodness into the lives of the couple's parents, guests, community & our world at large. I adore it when couples incorporate rituals, lyrics, poetry & any other elements that are meaningful to them into their ceremony & always consider it an honor to witness & be part of their sacred union.  Nothing could have been more perfect for these two newlyweds at their early October wedding! Sunny skies, the sweetest family & the promise of life ahead w/ the closest, dearest friend in the whole wide world! I am ever-grateful to have had the opportunity to officiate for Lindsey & Matt & to celebrate w/ them & their awesome tribe! It was so wonderful to have been enveloped in their love & to have made new friends that are such brilliantly shining examples of what humans can be!
Highest & best wishes for a happenin’ road-trippin’ honeymoon & for a long lifetime of healthy togetherness & happy hearts that are ever full of love sweet love! ✨🥂✨ Cheers and Love, Today, tomorrow, always!!! ✨♾🧡♾✨  Encircled by loved ones, in their beautiful backyard, on their wedding day, these two were lovingly wrapped in the blessings & spirit of the Osage Nation, by a dear family member who was so kind to honor & share some beautiful words on this tradition. I adore being able to officiate & take part in sacred ceremony & my heart is so full, as couples include elements & traditions that are close to their hearts & meaningful to their family members too. Giving many thanks for the ability to serve in this way & wishing these newlyweds nothing but the best, as they travel along their path for all of their lovely days together on their Earthwalk!
Congratulations Mr. & Mrs.!!! ✨🤍✨🤍✨🤍✨ #wrappedinlove #backyardbliss #unitedinlove #lifessweetestmoments #weddedwonderland #marriedinoregon #osagenation #osagespirit #oregonofficiant #oregonelopement #bewedyourway #beandbeweddings25w  Colossians 3:14: "And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." Thank you two for being so warm and wonderful and fun, and a shining example of how to bind us all in unity! Blessings on your marriage, Newlyweds!
The formidable force of Love & so many lovely humans still exist in this world... today, I had the great pleasure & honor of officially joining these two kind souls, in the presence of their beloved family as witnesses! Continuous & countless blessings on your marriage & journey ahead, sweet newlyweds!!! #brideandgroom #happilymarried #loveandmarriage #twoheartsasone #bestoftimes #bestfriendsforever #beandbeweddings — in Tigard, Oregon  Breathtaking emerald slopes kissed by misty clouds as manifestations of the Love that also joins two lives as one... Congratulations Mackenzie & Will on the blessing of the recognition & celebration of this Love & your commitment to sharing it w/ each other for all of your days! #beautifulbride #loveinthemist #pnwelopements #pnwonderland #adventuringofficiant #beautifuldestinations #beandbeweddings PC Danielle Peterson Photography   This past weekend was a busy one with three weddings on the books & the joy of being to able to officiate for Sharon & Marlon, who traveled to Oregon to share their vows & spend time with me & their witnesses before heading off to celebrate their love in the City of Roses.
Congratulations newlyweds & thank you again for the opportunity to be a part of your sweet & fun elopement ceremony! Best wishes for each & every one of your steps together on a happy, healthy journey ahead... as husband & wife! #oregonelopement #marriedinoregon #elopeinoregon #pacificnwweddings #oregonweddingofficiant #weddedwonderland #bestfriendsforever #lovetranscends #loveknowsnoboundaries #beandbeweddings  Often misquoted as words uttered by Winnie the Pooh, this little bit of sweetness is no less lovely and reminds us of the depths of the heart and the power of true friendship.
#loveisnevercancelled #loveknowsnoboundaries #loveistimeless #foreverfriends #nwofficiant #pnwweddings #oregonweddings #nwcelebrant #sharingthelove #2020weddings  Why be wed anywhere other than in your backyard when it looks like this?! I was instructed to not wear dress shoes, therefore donned my hiking boots & hit the trail! What a pleasure to stand amidst nature, old growth & an old pioneer well at the confluence of protected seasonal waters in the SW Portland Hills. Even more of a pleasure, though, to have been able to capture the essence of the couple (who shall remain anonymous) & their love story in a beautiful ceremony that pales in comparison to the magnitude of the force that unites them & to the goodness that emanates from the merging & intertwining of their soulshine...
✨💜✨ #heartsofgold #soulshine #magicalmoments #sacredspace #sayidoathome #backyardwedding #yourdayyourway #bewedyourway #beandbeweddings See Less — in Portland, Oregon. |
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