The reason for my trip to Tulum, Mexico last month was for a wedding.
This was the second ceremony I had attended for this lovely couple. The first was the legal ceremony and they hadn’t had a guest list as it was only to have been a formality. I had invited myself to that one as it was performed by mutual friends.
It was incredible and if you don’t remember, you can review: https://www.thelaughyouknow.com/an-indian-wedding/
This one was meant to be the formal celebration to which I was invited (in case you think I am a wedding crasher). As this was a destination wedding, the guest list was limited by the space and amenities. It was attended by 28 or so close family and friends. It was an open-hearted group that was amazing to be around and get to know.
Most of us stayed in the same bungalow style hotel on the beach as the wedding couple.
The wedding couple had rented a large 15 person passenger van to transport people from the hotel to the wedding site further down the beach road and into town when necessary.
The day of the wedding, it was planned that Jasmine, Rohan and the photographers would go to various locations along the beach to take pre-wedding photos. I had been asked to drive the van later so I volunteered to start early and drive them around to the locales. It wasn’t a selfless act. I was yearning to spend any extra moments with my friends and to get glimpses of what I knew would be incredible photos.
Here are a few that were taken.
Then we started the shuttle of folks from the hotel to the restaurant and wedding site. Shoes were left in the reception area of the restaurant and everyone headed down the few steps to the beach.
Maria – Shanty Maya – was the officiator of the beautiful ceremony. She was the beautiful soul that had also led our all woman’s sweat the night before, so many of us already had keyed into her gentle and loving ways.
Blankets and pillows were set out in a circle for all the guests to be comfortable upon. The music was a harpist, guitarist and Maria with drum and rattles and their harmonic voices. The mother of the groom also performed a beautiful song that she had sung at her own wedding thirty some years ago. The ceremony was very symbolic and holy and included the elements of the surroundings, earth, sky as well as symbols of growth and beauty in the actual planting of sacred crops.
Reminders that heaven and earth are both here to support the union and what is planted in our hearts, minds and souls can be dormant for a time, but with nourishment will grow and sustain through good and hard times
Blessings were given by family and friends.
And then we all took an offering of the flowers and seeds and released them into the ocean.
I’ve been to many weddings where the stress level of trying to manufacture the perfect wedding creates just the opposite effect. In the time leading up to this event where roadblocks were viewed and even the day of the event where the forecast called for an 80% chance of rain, I witnessed the faith and calm of knowing that we are never really in control and to just be joyful in what is presented. In the end there was nary a cloud in the sky.
It was a ceremony of blessing that all in attendance were blessed to be at.
I’m so happy to have been a part of it all.
Love, Sally