#ceremonymatters

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As 2018 - and my time in Asia - come to a close, I have been reflecting a lot (from the serene sanctuary of the Kerala backwaters). I feel so grateful for the ceremony leadership work I get to do, for the international travel I get to do, for the place - Santa Cruz - I currently call home (and the incredible nature that enlivens and inspires me endlessly), but most of all, for real and true and grown ass friends. I am so grateful to have people in my life who know me at my core, who have my back, and who remind me of what is good and pure and honest and important if/when I forget. What are you grateful for as 2018 comes to a close? #kerala #newyear #grateful #gratitude #truefriends #travel #backwaters #worldtraveler #reflection #backwatersofkerala #homewardbound #ceremonymatters (at Kerala) https://www.instagram.com/p/BsCiCN3AP6r/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=cfh94wgphwbg

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Everyday spirituality. The sacred is effortlessly woven into the fabric of daily life. #mandala #sacred #spirituality #india #hinduism #devotional #streetart #puja #ceremony #aarti #tamilnadu #beautify #beautification #tiruvannamalai #arunachala #dailylife #ritual #rituals #ceremonymatters (at Tiruvannamalai) https://www.instagram.com/p/BrrwYRuAulr/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=110vdvzxp20cu

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“LET THE BEAUTY YOU LOVE BE WHAT YOU DO. THERE ARE SO MANY WAYS TO KNEEL AND KISS THE GROUND.” -RUMI #rumi #wordstoliveby #poetry #dowhatyoulove #followyourbliss #bestjobever #ilovemyjob #kisstheground #grateful #gratitude #ceremony #wedding #weddings #weddingceremony #ceremonymatters (at Big Sur River Inn) https://www.instagram.com/p/BrX8o0hARrp/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1b5p92e51tfna

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Inspired to share these photos from the last time I was in India between 2004-2006. I loved it so much that I stayed for 2 years. These pics were taken during a 2 day long cross country train ride. I’m back in India again and loving it now as much as I did then. More photos coming soon! #india #mycuprunnethover #sweetspot #happyplace #namaste #hariom #jaima #omnamahshivaya #blessed #winterbreak #timeoff #ceremonymatters (at Fort Cochin) https://www.instagram.com/p/BquU10JAz1y/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1uycpvcis2f8i

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As I prepare to leave Nepal and reflect upon my time here, my biggest, most heartfelt gratitude goes out to this woman, Aama Bombo, Grandmother Shaman. She is the embodiment of childlike innocence, humility, and raw power. Her dedication and generosity are a well spring that overflows to the masses, from kings to beggars, and to everyone in between. I feel blessed and fortified to have had this time receiving from her and learning from her about healing, ceremony and true devotion. #shaman #shamanism #grandmother #elder #healer #nepal #nepali #puja #ceremony #ritual #prayer #devotion #rituals #prayers #humility #generosity #ceremonymatters (at Kathmandu, Nepal) https://www.instagram.com/p/BqWKo2UAM9s/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=gbdyd5r15uzp

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Laxmi Tihar (Diwali) in Kathmandu, Nepal, part of a five day Festival of Lights with offerings, celebrations and pujas. #ceremony #ritual #puja #celebration #offerings #tihar #diwali #festival #festivaloflights #kathmandu #nepal #nepali #laxmipuja #laxmi #ceremonymatters (at Kathmandu, Nepal) https://www.instagram.com/p/BqQ7KLvA366/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1j3fc7snu1ust

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Couples don’t always take the time to post an online review, but it’s nice to be able to share emails like this one which I’m happy to say I revive quite often. It’s nice to feel seen, appreciated and praised! #praise #kudos #feelthelove #ravereviews #testimonial #theknotcalifornia #weddingpro #thankyou #thankyounotes #happycouple #highlyreccomend #bride #groom #weddingceremony #destinationwedding #internationalwedding #weddingofficiant #marriageceremony #marriageofficiant #ceremonymatters (at Sand Rock Farm Bed and Breakfast) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bozz_Sxgdml/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1idxzj68kgc0k

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Doesn’t this make you think mindful, local and professional 😜Throw back to our second @slowweddingsnetwork open house. #throwback #sundayfunday #realmature #slowwedding #slowweddings #weddingcake #weddingcakes #weddingofficiant #marriagecelebrant #photobooth #openhouse #ceremonymatters (at HOME Restaurant) https://www.instagram.com/p/BoKsUjeAwOD/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1r0cam9jbrv8z

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REPLAY!! If you missed my interview on @discoverher.life radio check out the replay here. I talk about #ceremonymatters and why ceremony matters. Hopefully it’ll provide some insight into the perks and perils officiants and ceremony leaders face within the trillion dollar wedding industry. Listen here: https://discoverher.life/episode-34/ #tunein #ontheradio #replay #ontheair #ceremony #weddingceremony #weddingofficiant #weddingcelebrant #marriageofficiant #womenowned #lovemyjob #trilliondollarindustry #weddingindustry #womenownedbusiness #santacruzwedding #santacruzmountains #santacruzmountainwedding #girlpower #destinationwedding #istandforceremony #heartofthewedding #ceremonymatters (at Santa Cruz, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bnbz_WsA1WV/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1i7rnc1h1gewv

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“On the radio, whoa, oh, oh, on the radio.” Yuppers! Mañana in la mañana. That’s morning time for those of you who didn’t take high school Spanish 😜 Hope you’ll tune in to hear about #ceremonymatters cause guess what, it does!! I’ll be interviewed by the one and only, community mover, shaker and maker @monicakarst.discoverher of @discoverher.life #bethereorbesquare #radio #grabacoffee #tunein #ontheair #ontheradio #localbusiness #solopreneur #womanowned #womanownedbusiness #weddingofficiant #santacruz #ritesofpassage #ceremony #ceremonymatters (at Santa Cruz, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnRkF4dgFxv/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=zz51sbrj7hqd

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Happy one year anniversary to these spunky, spirited and colorful creatures! I enjoyed every minute of this ceremony, and as an orchid whisperer, I was happily in my element. It took tremendous self discipline not to wax poetic about the rare beauty and history of orchids, but I limited it to a paragraph so all was well! I use this photo on many of my profiles and business cards cause it makes me so happy!! #bestjobever #happyanniversary #love #orchids #happycouple #wedidit #halfmoonbay #halfmoonbaywedding #celebration #celebratinglove #santacruzwedding #santacruzmountainwedding #destinationwedding #californiawedding #huffpostido #istandforceremony #heartofthewedding #ceremonymatters (at Shelldance Orchid Gardens)

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From start to finish, Lauren and Nathan were a pure pleasure to work with. Here is what they said about me: “She is simply amazing and I feel that her ceremony really set the intention and tone for our marriage. We are so grateful to her and could not recommend her more highly.” Read the full review on @weddingwire here: https://www.weddingwire.com/biz/santa-cruz-wedding-celebrant-santa-cruz/793e921acb73b12e.html Awesome photos by @anniehall_photo and yummy eats by @fivestarcatering831 #love #couples #marriage #weddingceremony #ido #weddingofficiant #marriageofficiant #weddingcelebrant #santacruzwedding #santacruzmountainwedding #weddingwire #lovemyjob #bestjobever #istandforceremony #heartofthewedding #ceremonymatters (at UC Santa Cruz)

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This Saturday, August 25th I'll be teaming up with @monicakarst.discoverher of @discoverher.life and several awesome local women business owners for this annual "Give Back Bash." I'll be talking about ceremony, connection and true nourishment. All proceeds go to http://www.thewahineproject.org/ Find us on the cover of this week's @santacruzrecord #localpaper #santacruzrecord #giveback #local #womeninbusiness #charity #charityevent #connection #nourishment #community #womenbusinessowners #saturdaynight #publictalk #ladiesnight #ceremonymatters (at Santa Cruz, California)

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Doing my favorite thing! Here is what the bride said about her ceremony: ““I wanted to say that our ceremony was incredible; so beautiful, meaningful, and so US! You got us, captured us, and somehow summarized us, while simultaneously honoring our ancestors, setting the space, and willing a bright future into our lives. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you – we are so grateful for you, and we can’t say with words how much your ceremony meant to us.” Photo credit @anniehall_photo #ravereviews #praise #kudos #testimonial #props #shoutout #weddingofficiant #destinationwedding #santacruzwedding #santacruzmountainwedding #beachwedding #weddingceremony #heartofthewedding #istandforceremony #love #marriage #theknotcalifornia #marriageceremony #marriagecelebrant #ceremonymatters (at Santa Cruz, California)

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After I pronounced these guys married and directed them to recess, the bride turned around and said “Thank you so much, Naomi.” In my 4 years of officiating, no bride, no matter how much she loved her ceremony, has ever turned around before walking out to thank me. It was a moment of such pure beauty, respect, communion and recognition, and I will cherish it always. Big thanks to @anniehall_photo for the awesome photos! #weddingphotography #weddingphotos #destinationwedding #destinationweddingofficiant #praise #gratitude #acknowledgment #kudos #openheart #ucsc #grateful #weddingofficiant #justmarried #huffpostido #huffpostweddings #theknotcalifornia #throughthelookingglass #istandforceremony #heartofthewedding #ceremonymatters (at Seymour Marine Discovery Lab)

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Find Santa Cruz Officiant and other awesome local women business owners on the cover of this week’s Santa Cruz Record newspaper!! #discoverherdiscoverlife #santacruz #onthecover #newspaper #localpaper #shoutout #womenrock #localbusiness #womenruntheworld #womeninbusiness #ceremonymatters (at Santa Cruz, California)