Vida Ceremonies

Happy Yalda or Winter Solstice. The Iranian tradition of Yalda began some 2,500 years ago, rooted in the Zoroastrian practices of ancient Iran. On this longest night of the year families gather to celebrate the return of light. Yalda is, by far, my most favorite celebration. Sitting through the longest night awaiting the return of light gives me the sense of trust that everything is going to be okay, that we don't have to try too hard, just wait for that sweet light to shin...e! This year, the four of us celebrated by eating pomegranats, watermelon, nuts, and sweets. We listened to music, reflected on the past, and asked Hafez, the 14th Century Persian poet, to guide us on our futures. Now we are sitting with an open heart as the future turns into now. Happy Yalda! Photo: Cheshmoon Photography

L + D For me ceremony rituals are a meaningful way to acknowledge our past in connection with our modern lives. They are also a sweet way to spice things up and bring a new element for your ceremony audience. My distance connection with this groom sparked the interest of offering a honey tasting ritual for this couple's elopement. I was ecstatic when they accepted it.... In this ceremony bride and groom dip their pinky fingers into a bowl of honey and feed each other honey to bring sweetness into each others life through their unity. Thank you @okanaganphotography.ca for capturing this photo and @okanaganeventplanners for planning this elopement #rituals #celebrantlife #officiantlife #modernwedding #modernceremony #okanaganwedding #okanaganelopement #bcwedding #bcelopement #destinationwedding

M + S The highlight of my 2020 weddings was this last minute elopement, "in" the Okanagan lake. The genuine connection between these two sweet humans, the sensation of cool September water and pebbles beneath our feet, their love story, the vows their shared by heart made me so emotional I cried throughout most of the ceremony, expect for this very moment which thankfully their photographer captured!... If you are looking for an energy healer whom you can connect with, we are lucky that Okanagan now has a new member who is just that. Follow this bride @thegypsywarrior222 #loveislove #celebrantlife #celebrantlife #okanagandestinationwedding #okanaganwedding #modernwedding #elopement #bcwedding #bcelopement #okanaganelopement

A + L @lumina.weddings did such a great job editing this mixed culture ceremony! Details by Haleh