In August 2007, we had a wedding with about 30 friends and family from Alaska to Arizona.

The bride's grandmother suggested having that wedding at the Dragonfly Garden, since it was going to be too hard for everyone to travel to Alaska for the wedding.

Reservations and planning started in February since Orcas is such a popular place for weddings. Friends and family started arriving as early as 10 days ahead of time, to settle into the island rhythm and have some vacation time.

Many people had not seen each other for years and so it was a special reunion, too. Each day the energy around the upcoming wedding, seemed to grow with happy anticipation.

The garden was at its summer peak and was exploding with blooms and vibrant colors. Plantings of the bride's favorite flowers were in full maturity. They were gathered for decorating the reception hall and dining tables. Her friends created a bridal bouquet for her and her maid of honor. Strawflowers and lavender were tucked into her hair. Berries and flowers from the garden decorated the cake.

The ceremony was held in the Center Room, while the guests stood around the outside in a large circle. The officiate and maid of honor came proceeded into the garden first to the soft tune of a fiddler sitting in front of the corn patch.

The parents of the couple proceeded next followed by the bride's sister. The couple proceeded into the garden to a lively tune (Jenny's Waltz) played by the fiddle and guitar.

The officiate for the wedding was the groom's brother. The mother of the bride read a poem from Rumi and her father shared a funny story about the couple when they first met. The couple said their vows and the bride's grandmother (who is blind) recited a poem that she had composed to bless the couple.

Afterwards, people we called into the center to pose for formal pictures with the bride and groom. This was a joyous moment for all with much laughter and even some dancing in the aisles. The energy was so good that people commented that they didn't want to leave the garden.

The garden served to hold a true sacred space for this wedding. The circular design worked well to spread the energy around the couple with them placed in the center. The Woolly Thyme carpet was beautifully soft, delicately fragrant and alive. The plants growing around the center had woven together to make a solid hedge of flowers and leaves.

When the ceremony began, a snake came out of its hiding place there and joined the ceremony! It just so happens that the groom loves snakes and raised them when he was young. It was no accident!

A reception was head afterward at a nearby community club, with much dancing, feasting, and toasting. The wedding was recorded by Light Source Video Productions (Anthony's business) to make into a DVD movie of the wedding.

(See more photos of the wedding)

Photos on this page taken by ChrisLynn Productions

If you are interested in having a wedding at the Dragonfly Garden, please contact us.