A Mystical Dawn Wedding

To the Washoe Indians, Cave Rock is a sacred place. When you are at the tippy-top of the rock, you can feel it. I was excited when my couple told me they wanted to marry at the top. There is a very easy trail to the top that only takes seven minutes to walk. The sky was rosy with dawn light. I love dawn weddings, because the new day brings a new life to the wedding couple. From the top of this sacred rock, still waters stretched before us, and coves were just beginning to emerge from shadow into the rosy light.

My groom raised pigeons, and he’d brought a beautiful, decorated wooden box that held a dazzling white pigeon. She seemed startled by the cold of the morning, but she trusted her handler implicitly. She was the purest, whitest white, with big gentle eyes. My groom was tender with her, and he told us that after the ceremony, he would release her. Most likely, he said, she would return to him.

My bride had made flowers of felt that she’d sewn charms to; each charm sewn to a felt flower held a meaning that was sacred to the two of them. The flowers were very colorful, and the charms made her bouquet stunningly spiritual. There were bird charms, and one elephant charm. Each charm signified a special moment between them.

The marriage ceremony was special, for they were a very special couple. I recited the Native American Wedding Blessing in honor of the Washoe Indians and their sacred place. When it was time, the beautiful white bird was released. She circled around us, then returned to us and landed very near us on the ground. The couple lived two hours away, and her handler said he expected her to fly there. My son was able to capture a photograph of her flying into the sky above the lake. Walking down the trail to our car afterwards, we both agreed it had been an amazing beginning to the day.

Happiness to all!

Pamela Camille, Reverend

http://www.laketahoeminister.com

 

 

Another Perfect Day for a Wedding in Lake Tahoe

I was excited about my sunset wedding on the beach in Incline Village. It was a chilly March day, but the small wedding was scheduled around one of the fire pits next to the Lone Eagle restaurant. My couple was especially romantic; they loved to talk and talk for hours. Both of them were “foodies” who loved fixing sumptuous feasts for each other. The groom loved to tell stories, so I had a sense of them as two people who would forever hold hands across the table in fine restaurants, chatting with sparkles in their eyes until the sommelier begged them to go home.

Happily, the day’s storm clouds parted, and the weather invited a lovely sunset ceremony. Everyone had been holding their breath all day, so I reminded everyone that the wedding was perfect; they could all exhale. I’ve been one lucky minister, the last eight years. Living in the mountains of Lake Tahoe, we have to be ready for snow and rain at any time. I know every venue on the Lake, but many of my couples want outdoor weddings. Miraculously, I have never had to go inside for rain or snow during my outdoor weddings at Lake Tahoe!

Theirs was a blended family, and they shared two beautiful children. I love including the children in my ceremonies, celebrating the family as well as the couple.  These two children were definitely old enough to appreciate the symbolism and the fun. Sand ceremonies are great, because each participant chooses a favorite color of sand. The bride, groom, and two children poured their colors into the vase, and the design they created was spectacular. Once the grains of sand are joined, they can never be separated.

Stunning cloud colors shot across the sky at sunset ; the snowy mountains transformed into hot pink reflections of the sky’s fire.  I read my custom poem to the couple as the water glowed turquoise and the sky and mountains turned a deep twilight purple. My couple kissed to seal the deal, and I announced the beautiful newlyweds. The roaring fire in the fire pit was welcomed by all while we toasted; the groom told stories, and the children giggled and teased each other.  Everything was perfect!

Pamela Camille, Reverend

www.laketahoeminister.com

775-720-1599