By Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway
From Wedlok.com

When you give your hands, you give your heart. Many cultures have different ways of blessing the hands of the bride and groom.

In Thai ceremonies, for example, the couple kneels as elder, married relatives pour blessed water from a conch shell onto their hands and offer words of blessing. In the ancient Celtic tradition of hand-fasting, the couple’s hands are literally tied together to symbolize spiritual and physical unity as prayers and blessings are recited.
Of course, in Las Vegas, the tradition is to have Elvis bless your hands as he serenades you with a song that touches your heart!

In any tradition, a hand blessing is a ritual that is meant to draw you closer to one another.
I have always heard that the hands are a connection to the heart, and a hand blessing symbolically brings two hearts together. When I officiated the wedding of a physician recently she confirmed that physically there is a connection between the veins in the hands and the heart.

I like to offer couples a non-denominational approach. It can be done at any point in the ceremony yet fits in perfectly right after the exchange of the rings.

Here’s how it works: You and your beloved face each other. First join your right palms, and then your left palms. This forms an infinity symbol with your hands, which symbolizes a love that will go on forever.
I love to begin with the sentiment that Shakespeare said, “Now join your hands, and with your hand’s your hearts.” (And in Las Vegas, you can probably find Shakespeare to utter that line himself during your ceremony!)

Continue reading "Hand Blessing Ceremony" »

Posted September 18, 2008 7:28 PM by Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

By Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway
From Wedlok.com

There are so many different possibilities for getting hitched in Las Vegas. From Elvis impersonators to elegant chapels, from themed weddings to drive by “I dos,” the options are limitless. There is one thing you can do in almost any kind of ceremony that would truly honor the uniqueness of your union -- include personal vows.

Personal vows are a wonderful way to express your love on your wedding day. Contained within those vows are the seeds of dreams to come true, and intentions for your married life. For many people, vows are the hallmark of the wedding ceremony. Imprinted in many a mind is the romantic image of a loving couple looking deeply into one another’s eyes and calmly vowing their love and devotion on their wedding day.

Personalized vows are meant to provide a sacred moment in which you can express your truest feeling for each other. They can be part of even the wackiest wedding. You may be driving in a pink Cadillac or in the roller coaster atop the Stratosphere … no matter, the vows can still be real! Speak with your officiant (or the person who arranges your ceremony) in advance, whenever possible, about where vows fit into your ceremony.

Ways to say I love you: There are many ways to weave vows into your ceremony. For example, your vows can be repeat-after-the-officiant style or they can be read to one another. You can utter them as part of your I dos, or speak them when you exchange rings. You can each decide on different vow, or share the same vows. You can even speak the same vow to one another simultaneously; or you can read from one long vow or statement, with bride and groom alternating lines. If you don’t want to say much, you can ask to include the promises you would like to make in a longer question of intent (which your officiant will ask you), to which you only have to answer “I do.” It’s best not to try to memorize your vows. On your wedding day, the mind goes into Wedding La-La Land … it is too much to ask of yourself.

Continue reading "Personalize Your Las Vegas Wedding Vows" »

Posted September 18, 2008 7:22 PM by Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway
Editor, Wedlok.com

Happy Beltane! And if you are marrying today, Blessed Be!

Beltane, also known as “May Day,” is the ancient Celtic fertility holiday that celebrated the rites of spring with much frolicking and fun. It began last night, April 30, at sundown, and lasts all day on May 1.

Beltane signals the beginning of the bright half of the year. It means “Bright Fires,” or “Brilliant Fires.”

In ancient times, two great fires would be lit, made with healing herbs. The light would guide the townspeople through the night, and some would jump skyclad over the flames and or rides their animals between the two fires to be blessed by the sacred smoke.

It is also the holiday of soulful love, a time when we feel called to open our hearts and or connect more deeply with others. It celebrates love, attraction and courtship – and that annual swell of desire we know as "spring fever."

I think in modern terms it’s known as “mating season.” In my life, it’s called “wedding season.”

Continue reading "Beltane and the Sacred Marriage" »

Posted May 1, 2008 3:55 PM by Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

From Wedlok.com

Engaged couples are invited to join us for our annual Wedding Goddess Blessing of the Brides and Grooms in Central Park on June 14, 2008, at 4 PM.

This is the only event of its kind for engaged couples in New York City. Brides and their grooms, of all faiths and backgrounds, join us each year in one of the most sacred parts of Central Park. The blessing is in a place blessed by the hundreds of weddings that are held their each year.

Space is limited so you must RSVP to let us know you want to attend, and for location information.

The Blessing of the Brides and Grooms is a ceremony before your ceremony, to help you feel more relaxed, centered and confident …show you how to visualize your wedding going your way … and empower you to be present and there for one another on your big day!

It is a blessing meant to help give your marriage the best possible start.

The Blessing of the Brides and Grooms is offered by husband and wife officiants, Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway and Rev. Vic Fuhrman.

Our wish for all brides and grooms is that your journey to the altar be magical and blessed! And that their marriages have the best start ever.

This blessing is our gift to you each year!

PLEASE RSVP to Rev. Laurie Sue ASAP!

Posted March 22, 2008 8:41 AM by Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

From Wedlok.com

Leap Year is the legendary time when women can feel free to pop the question to their men.

It is an Irish legend that tells us St. Bridget complained to St. Patrick that women were having to wait far too long for a marriage proposal.

So he proclaimed February 29 as the day women could get down on one knee and ask a man to pledge his love eternal.

Since the opportunity only comes around every four years, the Saint built in a strategy for the possibility a guy may say no.

Rather than be rejected and dejected, reports The Telegraph.co.uk, "He also decreed ... that if turned down, the woman should extract a fine from the man or be given a beautiful garment of some kind."

So there you have it ladies. Ask ... and ye shall receive. If not an engagement ring, the guy will have to get you something for your efforts.

An Australian survey showed 20 per cent of women believe in the tradition and would propose to their sweeties. But most do not want to pay for their own engagement rings.

A British survey found that despite the tradition, men still feel it is their place to do the asking.

Do we think today is a great day to get married? Nah. Not only are you looking at anniversary gifts once every four years ... it might feel a little ungrounded to be in a marriage that technically can only be celebrated on the same date every four years.

Or, on the other hand, a Leap Year wedding day of February 29th might keep marriage fresh.

If you are getting married today, or just want to find out more about the various traditions, check out this article on everything you want to know about Leap Year traditions.

Frog and Frogett image from Favors By Serendipity.

Posted February 29, 2008 5:05 AM by Editor | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

A landmark study on religion in America has revealed that while people of many faiths seems to be fluid, not locked into one religion, most people of the Hindu faith tend to continue with the same faith for their entire life span.

An article by Andrea Useem, of Religion News Service and published on Beliefnet.com, reports on the U.S. Religious Landscape Survey. Conducted by Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, the survey results were based on interviews with 35,000 U.S. adults.

This massive survey sheds light on the status of religion in America. It is the first time we've seen this kind of study involving Asian faiths and cultures in America.

"Ninety percent of Hindus marry within their own faith, and eight-in-ten Hindus who were raised Hindu remain so as adults," the article states.

The survey estimated Hindus number about 900,000, or 0.4 percent of all adult Americans.

Vasudha Narayanan, a Hindu scholar at the University of Florida, said that Hindu people stay close to their religion because they are close to their culture. 8 in 10 people of the Hindu faith living in America are foreign born, and tend to stay connected within the community.

Interfaith marriages will change the numbers over time, said Narayanan, as more people marry outside of their faith tradition.

The study also revealed some interesting and somewhat contrasting statistics on Buddhism, as well as covering Christianity, Judaism and Islam.

Posted February 27, 2008 11:14 AM by Editor | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

I have always been drawn to story of love between the great avatar, Krishna, and his beloved Radha. Their images grace my home and their story graces my heart. I often reference them in weddings as well.

Krishna is like the rock star of the cowherd set, a beautiful, blue flute playing cowherd with "Gopi" girls all around him. But his favorite is Radha, who left her home and family to be with him.

In Hinduism, the religion of their origin, Krishna's love for Radha represents God's love for humanity and her utter devotion to him represents humanity's love of God.

But there is also a sensual, romantic twist to their stories, as they are clearly consorts in all ways. I am working on a new book in which I site them as the ultimate sacred lovers.

In a survey on the Hinduism site at about.com this morning, I was glad to see that about 90 per cent of readers believe that Krishna-Radha tale is romantic as well as spiritual.

Subhamoy Das, the Guide at Hinduim.about.com ,has put together a lovely package of sacred Hindu love stories called "Immortal Love Legends."

They include the Krishna-Radha tale as well as the classic The Shakuntala-Dushyant Love-Tale as well as stories about Krishna and Radha, and a story on Kama, the God of Love.

Krishna image above and more available at KrishnaCulture.com.

Posted February 19, 2008 10:13 AM by Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Some interesting stories posted on the Hinduism pages at About.com.

Hinduism guide Subhamoy Das points out that "Hindus are among the most married societies in the world" and explains the 13 rituals that form the foundation of a Vedic wedding ceremony. The traditions are so fascinating and moreso when you understand what each ritual means. Read more.

He also explains the eight different kinds of ceremonies, historically. Some of these traditions are scary -- because they are forced. But the list includes a marriage between two adults who choose each other and also some of the more typical scenerios, such as:

The Rite of Brahmana (Brahma): "Where the father of the bride invites a man learned in the Vedas and a good conduct, and gives his daughter in marriage to him after decking her with jewels and costly garments."

And the Rite of the Rishis (Arsha): "when the father gives away his daughter after receiving a cow and a bull from the bridegroom."

Check out the others at Hinduism.About.Com.

Posted December 13, 2007 5:51 AM by Editor | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This