Valentin & Maria's Zion Wedding
I set up Camp at the Watchman Campground situated behind the Zion National Park Visitor Center at 11am on the morning of May 19th, 2026. There was still a few hours until go-time. I wanted to spend some quite moments going over my supplies, sitting deeply with my visions and ideas for the ceremony, and entering my heart into the space of reverence for what was to come.
I marveled that the opportunity of Weddings has come to my path. Two beautiful humans, incidentally: also perfect strangers to me, who had seen an image of mine on social media... now giving me the privilege of participating in this day.
The time came to begin my walk along the riverbank up to the Visitor Center. I was grateful to be meeting the water here first. I told the river I wanted its blessing, its permission... to do what I was about to do in its name, upon its banks. Arriving at the visitor center - in a dress with a heavy backpack, I found a comfortable seat on a stone bench to wait for the Wedding Party. A park ranger kept me company while I waited (curious to know why I was in full regalia.)
Together with Bride (Maria), Groom (Valentin), a few of their closest family members and friends, plus the wonderfully talented photographer (Ian Frallon) - we boarded the Shuttle and began our journey up the Canyon. The ride gave ample opportunity for me to go over some finishing touches and last minute ideas for the ceremony with the Bride. I spent time getting to know her daughter, and found lots of similar life experiences in conversation with the Groom's mom. The same shuttle that saw us boarding as strangers... also saw us walking off in the early stages of friendship.
It was then that we encountered a temporary closure sign on the little side-trail we had initially planned for. We turned around and began walking upstream- uncertainty gripping us all. I watched family members give each other worried glances, and tried to carry an energy of reassurance.
Because something curious I've begun to notice about Weddings...
is that it is those very moments where the plan feels like it is going astray,
that Mother Nature is actually stepping in with something far greater than we had designed ourselves.
I suppose I hadn't noticed the Groom jog further ahead of the group, but now- he was back. "I found the spot," he said, motioning for us all to follow him through the reeds. He picked up the Bride in his arms, and led us to an absolutely serene riverbank with soft, white sand.
I placed the Amethyst stones on the ground that Tony had gifted me when we first began our long-lasting friendship. I have a bit of a belief that the Amethyst on the floor form an energetic wedding arch in the air above us. To dedicate the space, I blew into the Love Whistle draped around my neck- a mindfulness instrument tuned to 528hz.
As everyone fell into place, I opened the leather-bound, parchment book Valentin and Maria had chosen from my inventory.
It dawned on me that the spot the Groom had just found was in absolute perfect alignment with the words I had already written on the pages of the Ceremony Book.
I started speaking...
"Dear God… in the majesty of these canyon walls and the living river nearby us, we gather with gratitude for the love of Valentin and Maria that has brought us here today. Bless this marriage with strength like the stone, grace like the flowing water, and a love- soft like the sands, that deepens through every season of life.
Amen."
"Standing here together in the Temple of Sinawava, Surrounded by these ancient canyon walls and the quiet power of this sacred landscape... May we be reminded of how grand love truly is, and how small we really are. Long before any of us arrived here: this River carved its way patiently through stone. It shaped beauty through time, persistence, and grace.
Valentin and Maria: in so many ways, marriage will ask the same of you.
Today, we gather not only to witness a ceremony, but to honor a promise. The promise of two people who are choosing one another fully, freely, and faithfully. Love is not found only in the grand moments, but especially in the daily acts of showing up for one another with kindness, patience, forgiveness, and trust.
And perhaps, just as God’s infinite wisdom brought the both of you together….
Places like this exist to teach us that the strongest foundations are not built in a single day.
They are shaped over time, weather, and seasons.
May this marriage be rooted in that very same enduring strength. May the love shared here today continue to grow deeper with every passing year."
Ceremony is a powerful tool to shed light on a Castle that's already been built, and to celebrate the effort of those who built it.
I am in awe of the role I am afforded to play in turning on that light switch. What's in my heart in all of this, is to utilize Ceremony to call attention to everything that a Couple have been creating for quite awhile now.
This becomes the most crystal clear when the couple gives their vows to one another.
That moment.
That moment is the "why" for all of this.
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