We have so many beautiful pictures of two hands joining. Our couples holding hands are a symbol of the joining of two lives, two separate histories,
two families uniting to form a new path and a new life before them.
The rings they wear are a symbol of the vows they have spoken.
May these rings be to the end of their lives their most precious adornment.
Joining Two Lives
Commitment Ceremonies
A Commitment Ceremony is a wonderful way to celebrate your Love and your relationship and what it means in your life.
We honor couples who wish to take this next step in their relationship. It is not always necessary or desirable to get a marriage license and do the legal by the State Ceremony.
Often what is most important is what is between a couple. How they feel and what they wish to say and promise to each other. Not everyone believes in or wants a State approved union.
It is the Sacred Union that is important.
We have many lovely Ceremonies for Commitment Ceremonies.
We also present each couple with a Certificate suitable for framing.
The Vows that the Couple make to each other in a Commitment Ceremony are important and will transform a relationship to a deeper level.
Sedona Commitment Ceremonies
Sedona Destination Weddings also does Commitment Ceremonies.
This is a wonderful opportunity to declare and commit to your partner and your Love. This is a Ceremony where the emphasis is on your Sacred union. Each partner has an opportunity to share the depth of their feelings and state vows that are meaningful and heartfelt to their Beloved.
The Commitment Ceremony is between you and your Beloved. This is an exclusively Spiritual Union. It is a wonderful gift to each other and a fantastic celebration of Love.
We have a beautiful Sacred Union Ceremony and many Traditions such as the Salt Covenant, the Sand Ceremony, Hand Fasting, The Honey and the Rose Ceremony can be included.
A Sedona Prayer
You see these Piles of Rocks all over Sedona.
I call them Rock Stupas.
Each rock is a prayer balanced precariously on another prayer.
In some Vortex Spots there are hundreds of these piled up. Rock Gardens of Prayer.
This one was along Chapel Trail. It graced a wonderful Vow Renewal Ceremony. Our couple added two rocks or two prayers of their own.
Take a few deep breaths, relax and send your own prayers into the Rocks.
Many Blessings
Wedding Traditions – The Salt Covenant
I really love this Tradition.
Its based on Old Time agreements. Apparently once you gave your word on a deal you secured it by taking some salt out of you little salt pouch and putting it into the pouch of the person you were making the deal with.
You could break your word whenever you wanted – you simply had to remove your exact grains of salt from his bag of salt. Impossible.
Your Word was your Word. A vow was a vow. No breaking it.
The Salt covenant comes from this Tradition.
In the Ceremony both the Bride and groom Blend their Salt together. They use the blended salt in their daily cooking. When the salt gets low they repeat the Ceremony refilling the Salt Container and having a constant reminder of their Vows.
The actual Ceremony is as follows:
The Salt Covenant
Now you shall make a Covenant of Salt together.
During ancient times agreements and promises
were sealed by a salt covenant.
Each person would take a pinch of salt from their
pouch and place it in the pouch of the other.
This agreement could not be broken unless an
individual could retrieve their own grains of salt.
But this, of course, is impossible.
Now you have chosen to create a salt covenant with
each other at the beginning of your new life together.
The egg shape symbolizes the full cycle of life,
and therefore encompasses all that you will enjoy,
create, and love in your life together.
Bride and Groom, please now combine your two bags
of salt together in this egg.
This is a bond that can not be broken and is a symbol
of an unbreakable promise of love.
Salt is a good preservative.
It will help you remember that your love for
one another should be preserved for all time.
Salt adds flavor.
We all need a little spice in our lives.
Salt melts ice.
When your heart begins to grow cold you can
melt one another again.
Salt is easily dissolved.
You can remember to dissolve your issues
and learn to work together.
Now use this salt in your cooking until it is gone,
and each time it needs refilled, refill it together.
It is a wonderful way to remember what your
marriage is about.
Serious Commitment
I wanted to share this with you.
Our Bride and Groom on Valentine’s Day went so far as to have each others name tattoed on their arms.
The Groom said that she did hers first as a gift to him. It freaked him out at first but then he got one too and he went even bigger.
Now that’s a serious commitment!
Wedding Traditions – The Sand Ceremony
The Sand Ceremony is a very popular Wedding Ceremony.
The different color sand in the separate vessels represents the uniqueness and the wholeness of each individual. The Bride has her vessel and the groom has his. Often if there are children involved in the new union they will have a separate vessel of their own.
The Bride and Groom each take turns holding their vessel and speaking of who they are as an individual. Their hopes and dreams and their family and history. Then the Groom has his say.
Then the couple combine their sands into a new vessel. This represents the Union of their Marriage.
When they have finished they both speak of who they are together. What their relationship means. What their shared hopes and dreams are.
The new vessel with the combined sands becomes a very special and treasured family heirloom. It is displayed in a prominent place in their new home. A daily reminder of their Vows and their Sacred Union.
Wedding Rings
Wedding rings are so personal and they say so much. They are a symbol of the vows you have spoken. We very rarely have the opportunity in life to give our vow. Marriage is Sacred in many ways. One of them is the Vows. A Vow is way more than a promise. A vow is your word. Not to be taken lightly. We must consider deeply and know our hearts truly before we make take such a serious step in our lives.
That’s why the rings are so important. They are a daily, minute by minute reminder that we made such vows. That we felt so deeply we came to a place in our lives and our relationship with another human being that we were more than ready to give our vow.
Rings are more than a reminder they are reassurance when times are hard. Yes, we really are loved and do love deeply. They are a constant celebration of Love and its magic and possibility and gift in our lives.
Behold the Wedding Ring!
Sedona Red Rock Views
This is the view of Cathedral Rock from Airport Vortex.
I love Airport Vortex for small, intimate elopements. Especially on a quiet weekday morning. Chances are we will have it all to our selves. A view of Cathedral like this in your Wedding album is priceless.
Wherever you go in Sedona there are amazing Red Rock backdrops. Each day and every hour of the day is unique. You never capture the same photo twice. The light, the clouds, the shadows reveal new aspects of the Rocks in every moment. Sedona is a very photogenic lady. Truly a photographer’s paradise and a Wedding Photographer’s Delight!
Here’s to You!!
You are getting married!! He proposed. What better place to get married than Sedona. Sedona’s powerful and awesomely beautiful Red Rock landscape will be the perfect backdrop for your once in a lifetime nuptials.
Sedona Destination Weddings will make sure that your day is full of grace and ease, totally stress free and full of love and full of wonderful memories.
The only thing left for you to do is celebrate. Cheers!
Beautiful Sedona
Sedona has been voted the most beautiful place in America. It’s moments like this rainbow over Courthouse Butte that earn Sedona this honor.
Sedona is full of breathtaking landscapes, vibrant Red Rocks, bluer than blue skies. Even a dark sky can yield up a treasure such as this rainbow.
There’s actually never a bad day or wrong time of the year to get married in Sedona. The views change from moment to moment. Photographers love it here – no two pictures are ever the same. The sky even when overcast blankets Sedona in Magic and Mystery.
Sedona is the perfect backdrop for your Sedona Wedding!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS
Happy Holidays from Sedona Destination Weddings.
Blessings to All!
Sedona Wedding Ceremony Traditions
There are so many lovely Wedding Traditions that you can add to your Ceremony to add richness, color and express your uniqueness and your love in a fuller manner.
These traditions come from a variety of cultures and historical times.
A very popular one is the Unity Candle and a lesser known one is the Honey Ceremony.
The Hindus have a lovely tradition called the 7 Steps. The Rose Ceremony is a sweet reminder of your Wedding Day throughout your life. There the Hand Fasting tradition from the Druids and the Sand Ceremony which is colorful and leaves you with a daily reminder in your home of your special day and the vows you made. The Hawaiians use Leis and the native Americans use the Wedding Vase Ceremony.
Then there’s the Wedding Pouch Ceremony which is unique to Sedona Destination Weddings. its a lovely little tradition that we created in the Spirit of creating a Sedona Wedding Tradition tradition found nowhere else.
Its a lovely touch to add a Tradition to your Ceremony.
All of these Traditions and more I will share with you in greater detail in the coming Blogs.
11-11-11
It’s not too early to begin thinking about 11-11-11 Weddings.
In fact this is a perfect time to book. Especially if you want the 11 a.m. time slot.
We have several packages we are creating for that day and three great Wedding Sites picked out. Red Rock Crossing, Huckabee Trailhead and Sweet Sugar Loaf at the Singing Rock. There are a limited number of Weddings at each location – another reason to plan ahead and reserve your spot and your package!
Each of these locations are breathtakingly beautiful and easily accessible.
I’ll outline the packages in future postings and post them on our website as well.
Many Vendors are charging more for their services that day and the Forestry will insist on shuttles for large Wedding parties so keep that in mind when budgeting for that special day.
We will make it as smooth and stress free and magical as possible for you and your Sedona Wedding.
11-11-11 promises to be a major portal, gateway and opening to a life filled with Love and Happiness – a fantastic day to get married and a magnificent day to get married in Sedona.
Sedona’s powerful magnetic field will intensify the Love and the Joy.
Early November is a lovely time in Sedona. The leaves are vibrant colors adding to the awesome beauty of the Red Rocks.
Stay tuned for those packages – they are coming soon.
Sedona Wedding Sites – the Tipi Temple
The Sedona Tipi Temple is the most unique Wedding Location you will find.
In the shadow of Thunder Mountain this beautiful Tipi Temple is large enough for a party of approx. 20 people. The circle shape echoes the circle of your rings and your eternal love. Inside the Tipi Rises high over your head and has the feeling of a pyramid. The acoustics are amazing and the interior walls are the same magenta hue of the local claret cup cactus flowers. The walls themselves have been filled with crystals during construction which amplifies the energy of this spot.
The Tipi Temple is a wonderful location for our Shamanic Wedding package or at the very least some drumming and singing!!
You can learn more about the Tipi temple at our Tipi Temple Package page.
A Sedona Tipi Temple Wedding is very Sacred and very private. This is a beautiful jewel hidden in the heart of the Red Rocks.
Wedding Sites – Tlaquepaque
Tlaquepaque is a quaint, old Mexican style shopping mall right on Oak Creek. There are cobble stoned courtyards and a lovely little chapel for your Ceremony. For more info on the Chapel see our Sedona Chapels Package
Even if you go for a Ceremony out on the Red Rocks this little jewel is a great place for a photo session either before or after your Ceremony.
There’s plenty of parking, easy walking access for everyone and an old world charm that is remarkable and uniquely southwestern.
Sedona Wedding Sites – Bell Rock
Bell Rock is a well known Sedona Monument. It has great views of the valley in front of it with Courthouse Rock beside it and Twin Buttes and Cathedral in the distance. This site has very electric and powerful energy.
Bell Rock is a male Vortex. We call it Pa Bell because it gives you a direct line to the Creator. It is a great place to send up your prayers and intentions for your Marriage. It acts like a giant transmitter. Your vows and commitments to each other will be definitely heard and noted by the Divine.
There is plenty of parking and it is accessible with a moderate 10 minute hike.
Sedona Wedding Sites – Airport Vortex
Airport Vortex is one of my all time favorite places on the planet. This Vortex has such powerful and transformational energy. This is an electric/magnetic Vortex. That means it is balanced between male and female. The above Wedding was part of our Sedona Song Package
This is a two day event. On day one the bride and groom went on a powerful Vortex Tour with our Shaman, Akal. He took them out to many of the Weddings sites, helped them access the energies and prepared them for their Wedding Day. On this tour the Bride and Groom have an opportunity to really feel which site they both resonate with. This couple chose Airport Vortex and so the next day their lovely, intimate Wedding was held on Airport. I’ll post more about this Ceremony on a later date.
Airport is perfect for small weddings, parking is very limited and the access path can be daunting to Wedding guests. The photo ops are incredible. On your hike in you have sweeping views of all of West Sedona including Cockscomb, Bear Mountain, Thunder Mountain, Coffeepot, Wilson Mountain and Shiprock. At the Wedding Site you have views of Twin Buttes, Lee Mountain, Courthouse, Bell Rock and Cathedral.
Sedona Wedding Sites – Lover’s Knoll
Lover’s Knoll is just off a windy mountain road with world class views. There have been many car commercials filmed on this road. Spreading before you are Twin Buttes, Schnebley Hill, Lee Mountain, Courthouse Butte and Cathedral.
Sunset is the optimum time at this site and Sunset on a full Moon night cannot be beat anywhere on Planet Earth. Indescribable beauty, lighting and energy, a Wedding here on the Full Moon would be legendary.
It’s got easy access and ample parking – an unbeatable choice – as I said on any sunset night and on a Full Moon Sunset it becomes transcendent.
Sedona Wedding Sites – Huckabee Hollow
Huckabee is the start of a trail head a short way up Schnebley Hill.
I found this lovely spot that is a natural Ampitheater surrounded by gorgeous Red Rock formations and an incredible Vista of all of Sedona spreading out before you.
Imagine your Ceremony in the shade of a twisted Vortex Juniper on a Red Rock platform with the Red Monoliths of Schnebley Hill rising up above
you.
There are a lot of pros to this site. Can reach this site with any kind of vehicle so no need for the expense of renting jeeps. Very easy access for all ages. Lots of parking. Even a bathroom/change room at the trail head. Quiet and secluded. A very memorable and unique location for your Sedona Wedding.
You can also benefit from the powerful and uplifting Vortex Energy of this amazing Red Rock Butte.
Sedona Wedding Sites – Isis Overlook
Isis Overlook is a real hidden gem. It is a sweet little Red Rock knoll with views that sweep around you in a 360 degree span of unparalleled beauty. To the West is Cockscomb and Doe Mesa rolling into Bear Mountain and Boynton canyon then comes the great pillars of Isis temple Or Isis Rock then all the Secret canyon Wilderness and Brim’s Mesa and then the back end of Thunder Mountain. it is right in the center of an amphitheater of Red Rock Glory.
Access is over a bumpy dirt road. This can be done with a small party but you will have so much more fun accessing this site on the back of a jeep. This is a real adventure setting. It is still not far to go in a regular car and there is some parking. Though without jeeps this is a site for small wedding parties or elopements.
You really get a sense of the majesty of nature and the indescribable beauty and power of Sedona at Isis Overlook.
Sedona Wedding Sites – Magic Vista
Magic Vista is one of those hidden treasures. I have dubbed it ‘Magic” because it truly is a magical little spot. The views are unbeatable.
You are right in the shadow and the heart centered energy of SugarLoaf, Thunder Mountain rises above you with Coffee Pot (or Horus Rock). As you turn you have a magnificent 360 degree view. From Horus Rock your eye comes to Soldier’s Pass and Brim’s Mesa (called Brim because an original settler kept his prize bull – Brim up there grazing) and then Wilson Mountain and Shiprock and then Schnebley Hill and around to the Twin Buttes and Airport Vortex!
I just thought of another great reason to call it ‘Magic Vista’. Walt Disney lived in Sedona for awhile and many of the whimsical street names were given by him. He was inspired by Sedona and at Disney Land he made his focal piece “Magic Mountain” which was modeled after Thunder Mountain!
This hidden little gem is the absolute easiest access Wedding Site in all of Sedona. No long hike, no climb. just pull up, park walk a few hundred feet on a flat well kept trail and you are there. The ideal times at this location are Sunset and anytime on weekends.
Magic Vista is a personal favorite of mine because I love the energy of Sugar Loaf – it is the heart Center of Sedona and the Americas and that’s some powerful energy to have in your Wedding Ceremony and a great way to begin your married life together.
Wedding Sites – Back O’ Beyond
Back O’ Beyond is a fabulous spot for a Wedding. You are right on a Red Rock platform on the side of Cathedral Rock – Cathedral’s great spires rise behind you. There are breathtaking Vistas of Bell Rock, Courthouse and Twin Buttes.
This is another magnetic Vortex – I call this the ‘Womb with a View’. Very nurturing, calming and loving energy.
This site is approached with a 7 minute moderate climb. Not good for Grandma but great for small parties and elopements.
The trees here grow up in spirals in response to the energy. This is a breathtaking and romantic and definitely unforgettable Sedona Wedding site. It is one of the reasons that Sedona is a great Destination Wedding location.
Wedding Sites – Red Rock Crossing
Sedona has so many awesome and breathtakingly beautiful Wedding Sites.
Some are easily accessible while others are accessed by a short hike, a bit of a climb or even a Jeep ride!
Wherever you are the Red Rocks are magnificent and the Vistas provide a fabulous backdrop for your Wedding Ceremony.
The most popular Wedding Site by far is Red Rock Crossing. This is located right on Oak Creek with a magnificent view of Cathedral Rock. In fact this is the second most photographed location in Arizona after the Grand Canyon.
Red Rock Crossing is one of Sedona’s Vortexes. This is a magnetic Vortex. The energy here is very feminine and nurturing. It is a wonderful spot to plant the seeds of a new marriage.
This is the easiest access location. Even grandma and grandpa can come. We have had many Weddings here with guests in wheelchairs.
My favorite time of the day here is early morning – Wedding parties before 11 a.m. can be assured of parking. There will be very few people – even in the summer time and weekends and the light is other worldly. At that time of the day we can even capture Cathedral reflected in the waters of Oak Creek.
This is such a popular location that on 10-10-10 there were 35 Weddings at Red Rock Crossing. Sedona Destination Weddings performed 7 of them.
There are other sites equally beautiful and romantic but less well known and more off the beaten track. I plan to share them with you in future blogs.
Blessings
Iala
10-10-10
The countdown is on for our 10-10-10 Weddings. People began booking that day last October. It has proven to be the most popular day for Weddings that we and all of Sedona have ever had.
I just read this about the 10-10-10:
What is 10-10-10?
The number 10 represents Rebirth. The triple 10-10-10 of Oct. 10, 2010. Brings in the triggers of completion of jouneys, returns to origins, perfection, fulfillment, the return to unity, and closure for those of us ready (after the wild past 10 months of 2010) to move through another 3D triple Initiatic Doorway or portal/gate and move up another important energy stair step during fall 2010. I suspect that on the immediate other side of the 10-10-10 portal/gate/stair step, we’re going to feel-for a while-much like we did during the very strange Zero Zone phase of December 2009; being deep within another stage of dying, transitioning, and being reborn into a very new level of being. (10 = 0 and 1 energies but at a higher octave of unity.
The part about perfection and the return to Unity might explain why so many couples have been drawn to this day for their Wedding.
Sedona Destination Weddings will be officiating 8 weddings on that day.
We begin at 10 in the morning with Tina and Roger and a powerful Shamanic Ceremony at Red Rock Crossing.
It promises to be a day of Great Celebration and Joy and we get to bask in the love until Sunset!!
I’ll keep you posted on all the high lights of the day.
Blessings
Rev Iala
Fall Weddings in Sedona
Fall is a very special time in Sedona. The weather is perfect with temperatures in the low 80′s and the bluest skies you have ever seen.
Sedona’s Red Rocks stand out crisp and clear in this autumn light. A Sedona Wedding in the autumn is truly magical. Any time of the day is special. Early mornings have a glow that feels other worldly. Sunsets are full of reds and golds and magenta.
The sun is kind and gentle in the fall here in the high desert. All of our Fall Bride’s shine with an inner and a very serene outer light.