A Wedding Celebration at Swedenborgian Church

A church, a home, a community

This ceremony and celebration was built on astonishingly deep roots, a meaningful and long-cultivated connection between place and people.

But before I tell you more, be sure to check out what happened the previous evening – a barn party at Beltane Ranch. I also want to highlight the incredible event planning provided by Downey Street Events.

The couple, married during the pandemic without the chance to celebrate, purchased their home in part due to its relationship with Swedenborgian Church. Sharing a wall and a gate, the home was historically owned by the church as a parish house. The church community has become their community, the pastor has become a close friend, and the gates between home and church were left wide open for the duration of this beautiful wedding celebration.

After getting ready at home, they moved straight into the church ceremony. Florals and greenery by Studio Mondine adorned the entrance and wooden ceiling beams. There were moments that moved everyone to tears, but more than anything, they laughed a lot. The experience was set to music by Synchronicity Strings.

Next, the couple moved into the vestry to sign the church book and swap out those uncomfortable shoes before joining the garden celebration happening in the churchyard. There were speeches. More joy. More tears. Tomales Bay oysters made the rounds. And as the sun set, everyone walked a few blocks to Sorrel Restaurant, a family favorite.

Food and toasts and plenty of wine eventually led everyone back to their home for late-night tacos and some beautifully witty monologues from the bride’s sisters to end the night.