Support services to enhance your celebration
~ Photographers ~ Florists ~ Hair & makeup ~ Musicians (all kinds) ~ Cakes & Caterers ~ Ceremony locations
~ and much more
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Please contact us directly to discuss your ideas, needs, and wishes, or to ask questions.
RebeccaWoodland.net
Celebrate!
Transitions are a part of every life. Rituals and ceremonies mark these transitions and provide an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the transition. Rebecca offers her services as a celebrant. She holds a Master of Divinity degree. Collaborating with her client(s), Rebecca creates and performs personalized ceremonies to celebrate and commemorate any kind of life event, milestone, or transition. Her ceremonies reflect and honor the values, culture, beliefs, and wishes of the people she serves. Here is a sampling of the kinds of ceremonies she performs:
Weddings
As a licensed wedding officiant in the state of Hawaii, Rebecca is qualified to perform legally recognized weddings of all kinds, regardless of gender or religion. Christian, Celtic, Zen, inter-faith, spiritual or non-traditional ceremonies, she will perform whatever type of ceremony the couple prefers, wherever they wish. Weddings are often held outdoors on a beach or in a garden. She works with the couple to create a memorable, personalized, meaningful ceremony to fit their needs and wishes, incorporating Hawaiian wedding traditions where appropriate. In the kind words of a newlywed couple:
"There couldn't have been a better person to officiate our wedding."
Blessings
Transitioning to a new home or business should be cause for celebration, yet the process of moving often creates major stress. A Blessing Ceremony sets the tone for a smoother transition and a fresh start. Blessings are also performed at the beginning of a new year, to mark a significant event, or in the aftermath of an unfortunate event to clear out the negative and welcome a new beginning.
Graduations
Graduation is a time of celebration that recognizes the accomplishments of the graduate and launches them into their future. It is not just an end, but also a beginning. Whether it's a graduation from an academic institution, vocational training, or job promotion, Rebecca will craft and perform a personalized ceremony that recognizes and honors the individual as well as the entire family and circle of loved ones who have been part of their journey.
Adoptions
Adopting a child is often a long, stressful process. If the child is no longer an infant, society generally has no special ceremony or event (christening, baby luau, baby dedication) to commemorate the occasion and celebrate this momentous family event. Rebecca offers a special ceremony to celebrate adoption and welcome the child. She works with the family (or families) to design a meaningful ceremony that honors the child's heritage and reflects the heart of the occasion, the child, and the family.
Divorce ~ with Dignity
Okay, this may not seem like cause for celebration, much less a ceremony. But it can be a healthy way to transition from couple-hood to singlehood. The purpose of the ceremony: To declare your new "status" to friends and family, request that they treat you and your ex (and your children) with compassion, respect your decision to separate, and not take sides. This is not a time to rehash grievances, open old wounds, or flaunt the new sweetheart. A simple, dignified ceremony provides this opportunity, while offering friends and family a chance to show their support.
Retirement
No longer confined by a regular work schedule and the demands of a career, retirement marks the beginning of a life of new choices and opportunities. For some the transition is a welcome relief, yet for others it can feel like life is unraveling. With more freedom and flexibility, less structured routine, and sometimes the loss of a support system or even one's identity, retirement is more of a process than an event. However, when one's retirement is accelerated due to company downsizing or urgent family responsibilities such as caring for grandchildren, aging parents, or an ill spouse, the transition often feels abrupt. Many people live decades beyond retirement and are faced with the daunting question, "What am I meant to do with the rest of my life?" A retirement celebration ceremony acknowledges the retiree's work accomplishments and reassures them of their inherent worth beyond the workplace. It also serves as a steppingstone to usher in the next chapter of the person's life, while offering friends and family the chance to show their support and appreciation.
Celebration of Life /Memorial Service
The passing of a loved one is the most difficult transition. Grieving is a process that needs to be shared. A Celebration of Life ceremony provides a way to share memories, honor the deceased, acknowledge their contribution to the world and to your life, celebrate their life, and love and support each other. It's a healthy way to celebrate LIFE and move forward together, through tears and laughter.
Transitions are a part of life. To help you and your loved ones transition with joy and hope,
contact Rebecca to create an original, unforgettable celebration ceremony
for any life event, milestone, or transition.