Birds of a feather…..
published March 23 2012, filed in Recent WeddingsNews
These lovely photos are courtesy of the very talented Samm Blake.
Marissa and Nick were married on the foreshore at Matilda Bay in 2009. At the rehearsal a week or so before the big day, Marissa told me her mother said Uncle Paul had a ‘surprise’ for the wedding. We caught up recently and talked about her response to Mum’s suggestion. ‘I was not keen at all on the idea. I was a bride who had planned everything to the millisecond - I didn’t want any surprises’. Marissa’s mother had reminded her about Uncle Paul’s homing birds. Picturing grey pigeons flying around at her wedding, she wasn’t so sure...... but Mum convinced her it would be great.
And it was. The birds were white. And they were spectacular!
It was a beautiful end to the ceremony. Not only were the birds snow white, they were released by a loved family member. Following the signing of the official paperwork the bridal party reassembled and Uncle Paul came forward and released two gorgeous white pigeons. I shared some words about the symbolism of the birds - a pair, mated for life, released and returning home to roost.
‘In the end, I was so happy Uncle Paul did this. It was just beautiful. It made for great photos and everyone commented on how lovely it was. The whole thing did remind me to be open to ideas that weren’t my own’.
PS: keeping it all in the family, I married Marissa's sister Nikkie (and Stuart) less than a year later.....
Using a ritual such as lighting a candle, releasing birds, or pouring sand can add so much meaning to your ceremony. It's even better when loved ones are involved.