mara & nick’s interfaith wedding
Working with Monika was a true delight. We come from different religious and cultural backgrounds and wanted to make sure we found a minister who could help us honour our respective traditions. Monika worked with us for over half a year to iron out the details, and she was more than happy to make adjustments on how best to weave together our traditions with the Scottish setting. We had to communicate virtually only, but Monika was always a text or email away. We had a handfasting ceremony, a quaich, a unity candle, and an exchange of rings, to name of few. Monika gave each the significance it deserved.
Leading up to our big day, a few key elements were severely disrupted, causing us quite a bit of stress. Monika stepped up not only as the person presiding over our blessing, but also in the way only an interfaith minister could. Monika supported us with words and actions, constantly communicating with us even late into the night and even advocating on our behalf to rectify the issues and creating a much-needed space for us to figure things out. For this alone, we cannot recommend Monika enough. In the end, the disruptions were resolved and we were able to proceed.
Weddings are so often a blur, but the ceremony will always be remembered as a tranquil and purposeful moment for us. Monika helped integrate everyone in attendance (and those who couldn't make it) and her words held deep meaning for us on an individual level. Monika exceeded every expectation and helped make our day the best it could be. We recommend her wholly and completely.
Leading up to our big day, a few key elements were severely disrupted, causing us quite a bit of stress. Monika stepped up not only as the person presiding over our blessing, but also in the way only an interfaith minister could. Monika supported us with words and actions, constantly communicating with us even late into the night and even advocating on our behalf to rectify the issues and creating a much-needed space for us to figure things out. For this alone, we cannot recommend Monika enough. In the end, the disruptions were resolved and we were able to proceed.
Weddings are so often a blur, but the ceremony will always be remembered as a tranquil and purposeful moment for us. Monika helped integrate everyone in attendance (and those who couldn't make it) and her words held deep meaning for us on an individual level. Monika exceeded every expectation and helped make our day the best it could be. We recommend her wholly and completely.
Mara & Nick
Nick & Mara’s wedding blessing in a stunning church in Aberdeenshire was a joyous interfaith ceremony that honoured the faith and traditions of both extended families as well as those of all their friends from all over the world who came together in Scotland to celebrate with this lovely American couple.
We discussed and planned all the options for more than half a year, all fully remotely as is usually the case with overseas couples. During our deliberations lots of rituals were discussed and a lot of time was invested in making sure the flow of the ceremony was right for both the couple and all those who played a role, including many elements that ensured this was not just about affirming the union of a couple but also the joining of two families and two circles of friends.
Because of the unique church setting acknowledging and honouring faith was also important and weaving together elements from both the Catholic and Unitarian family backgrounds, combined with interfaith elements made for a truly inclusive ceremony.
When a few days before the ceremony some challenges arose I was reminded that what I was able to bring to the couple as their Interfaith Minister was more than just creating and delivering a ceremony, it was also holding space for them in difficult times and supporting them with resolve and compassion.
And finally the much awaited day arrived and all was back on track with friends and family from all over the world coming together for a joyous celebration of love and commitment. Mara & Nick affirmed the promises they had made at their legal wedding ceremony in the US a few weeks earlier, supported by their parents and all their wider family and friends. Thoughtful rituals like a handfasting with scarves belonging to two of Mara & Nick grandmothers and the lighting of a unity candle amplified all the words spoken.
Being part of Mara & Nick’s ceremony was a real honour and I will always fondly remember those beautiful moments in a truly sacred space.
