tom + clarissa :: saúde

around this time of year, we're reminded of the things we have to be grateful for. after coordinating the wedding this weekend for my dear friends clarissa and tom, i was given a clear cue that good friends are one thing i'm so thankful to have in my life. isn't everything just better when those friends you love dearly are involved? there were so many events that occurred leading up to the nuptials that could have thrown some into a whirlwhind, but not with those participating saturday. all worked out the way it was supposed to and resulted in nothing short of a fabulous celebration. 

the ceremony and reception took place at el capitan state beach. you may think it a risky location for december knot-tying, but this bride and groom are lovers of the ocean (one an avid sailor and the other a marine scientist) and the location was too perfect to pass up. on this chilly and blustery day the guests, appropriately dressed in fashionable knee high boots and long textured coats, warmed up before the ceremony with passed caipirinhas, butternut squash soup and  pumpkin empanadas.  the vows were taken seaside, just past the pre-ceremony reception. we all intimately huddled together to keenly listen in on the sweet words carefully prepared by the bride and groom.  after the i do's, the guests headed up to a group camp site, on cliffs edge, that was transformed into a rustic-chic dinner party. animal print blankets and pillows were positioned just-so on picnic tables that surrounded fire pits...for late night cozying up by the fire. bare bulbs were strung to create a canopy over the dinner tables and bossa nova played live. pure joy put together a delicious meal, jessica foster, a guest and well known santa barbara confectioner, provided the delectable after dinner treats and dj fab provided the non-stop brazilian beats. clarissa performed a special flamenco tribute to her new husband and more than one talented dancer took center stage to showcase their samba moves...

saúde to tom and clarissa as you sail off into the sunset.
a shout out to chantal, alec, diegas, amy, mike, shawn, vanessa and dawna!

multicultural weddings

a dear friend is getting married in september (congrats miss montoto!). to assist her with interfaith and multicultural wedding research, i did some research of my own. it wound up being more fun, than research. many of my friends have blended their cultures and faiths during their wedding celebrations. i was able to look to those friends and wound up re-living their special days' and broadening my understanding of their culture.

{rina + joe}
their korean ceremony - known as the pae baek, took place in a private room of the church, where they had just said their i do's. although traditionally only attended by the grooms family, this modernized ceremony incorporated both families. the ceremony is meant to join two families instead of just two individuals. in the room the parents are seated in front of a table prepared with various food and tea. the couple bows to the parents and then kneels to them, before listening to their words of advice, wisdom and hopes for their future. this is followed by the bride and groom holding a cloth (traditionally the bride's skirt) while the parents throw dates and chestnuts onto it. the number of fruits and nuts caught signify the number of children the couple will one day have. dates represent girls and chestnuts, boys. the happy couple finished the celebration surrounded by friends and family for an evening of dancing in a local art gallery. photo above by michelle sterling

{rebecca + charley}
their ceremony - a touching combination of jewish and non-denominational tradition, took place on the bluffs of santa barbara's coastline above the harbor. along with an apache wedding blessing, a traditional jewish wedding prayer known as the sheva brachot or "the seven blessings," was read. the ceremony also incorporated the jewish chuppah. the chuppah symbolizes the house where the bride and groom will live. the four poles which are carried by relatives or those close to the couple, represent the pillars of trust and faith on which the marriage will stand. the chuppah is held over the bride and groom as the ceremony unfolds and is open on all sides, which shows that the home is always open to friends and family. photo above by diegas zavala

{mandy + bobby}
their wedding - a beautiful blend of persian and catholic tradition was set in the foothills of montecito overlooking the pacific ocean. the sofreh aghd traditionally an intimate gathering of close family, part of the zoroastrian faith, was combined with a modern catholic ceremony. sofreh aghd translates to "wedding spread," and is believed to represent prosperity through the couples life and marriage. items are placed on a traditional silk cloth in front of the seated bride and groom while the ceremony is performed. the items presented signify various well wishes for the couple. examples are gold coins for prosperity, sugar and honey to bring the sweet life, eggs representing fertility. much of the ceremony is interactive with relatives, the bridal party and guests close to the couple performing tasks, giving verbal response and presenting gifts. after their zoroastrian i do's, mandy and bobby also took catholic vows before being pronounced husband and wife. a festive party immediately followed. photo above by sundance photography