As an Ordained Interfaith Minister in North Carolina, I specialize in adding in traditional Scottish Rituals to weddings and the full Caim Ceremony itself. I offer simple beautiful ceremonies where it is the two of you plus your two witnesses such as in an handfasting ceremony, or ceremonies where you have all of your family and friends gathered. The ceremonies may be legal or non-legal (vow renewal or commitment ceremony).
The ceremonies I conduct are always of a religious or spiritual nature, depending upon the couple’s preference. The ceremonies may be traditional or eclectic, formal, fantasy or sci-fi, medieval or another historical time period, or anything uniquely the two of you! The day represents you as a couple sharing your love and should represent your essence as a couple!
Deeply meaningful ceremonies involve symbolism, intention, and dropping into a deep space of reverence and presence. Cultivating a deep space for reverence, setting intentions, and supporting you both in being fully present can make such a difference in the ceremony. I’m your guide on the journey, joining you as a couple and the legal (or non-legal) wedding officiant.
After reading below, if you feel aligned with what is written, lets set up an virtual call to explore if we are a good fit for each other.
I enjoy working with couples who find themselves drawn to having their ceremonies for one, or all of these reasons:
Are interested in incorporating elements of your Scottish ancestry into the ceremony here in North Carolina.
Desire spiritual depth in ceremony and palpable transformations as individuals going through the threshold of walking the world together as a couple.
Love nature and would like an outdoor wedding in a special setting such as at the beach, in a garden, or on a mountain top in North Carolina.
Believe particular places in nature have power such as the “thin places” in Celtic tradition where the physical and spiritual world boundaries are permeable, and that places can spiritually elevate the ceremony.
Would like to create a themed ceremony representing your ancestry, love of certain historical periods, sci-fi passion, or fantasy fairytale worlds.
A simple but still bespoke ceremony with the couple and a small group of family and friends.
The only ritual aspect is the handfasting or hand-tying depending upon the preference of the couple.
This is short, simple and very meaningful. It can be legal with the requirements of NC all met.
An intimate ceremony with the couple and two witnesses for the elopement.
The Vow-Renewal may include more guests and guests may participate in offering readings and prayers/blessings for the couple.
These ceremonies may include several different Scottish Rituals.
A wedding ceremony with the couple and their family and friends.
These ceremonies may include Scottish Rituals such as the Oathing Stone, Handfasting, Quaich, Ring Blessing, etc.
Readings, poems, and prayers may be included and read by officiant or guests.
Full ceremony with Scottish Rituals and any other rituals you wish to include. These ceremonies are always different and unique to the couple.
This type of ceremony is for those couples who feel and/or understand the ceremony is the most important part and where the energy, intention, and time needs to be spent.
Blog Coming soon!
Perfect option for those wanting a simple service. The only ritual included would be a hand-fasting.
Fee Covers:
Service starts at $222 (plus mileage and accommodations). After the initial Zoom call you will receive a quote.
Does not include your hand-fasting cord/ribbon/fabric. I can offer a variety of suggestions from something free you already have to making one yourself, or purchasing one from various intentional handmade crafters.
May include several rituals such as the Oathing Stone, Handfasting, Quaich, Ring Blessing, etc.
Fee Covers:
The Oathing Stone and Quaich I use are directly from Scotland where I bought them in person. These carry with them the energy of Scotland!
Service starts at $333 (plus mileage and accommodations). After the initial Zoom call you will receive a quote.
Does not include your hand-fasting cord/ribbon/fabric. I can offer a variety of suggestions from something free you already have to making one yourself, or purchasing one from various intentional handmade crafters.
See additional policies below.
Fee Covers:
The Oathing Stone and Quaich I use are directly from Scotland where I bought them in person. These items carry with them the energy of Scotland!
Service starts at $555 (plus mileage and accommodations). After the initial Zoom call you will receive a quote.
Does not include your hand-fasting cord/ribbon/fabric. I can offer a variety of suggestions from something free you already have to making one yourself, or purchasing one from various intentional handmade crafters.
See additional policies below.
This may be intimate with just the two of you and your two witnesses, or a large celebration with family and friends circling around you. These ceremonies take more intentional, intuitive, and creative time to plan. To learn more about the Caim, visit my blog post that explains the history, purpose, and what it is.
Depending upon your personal beliefs, the Caim Ceremony may involve calling in the directions, ancestors, and elements. Ceremonial alters may be established for each ritual (ie., one for the Oathing Stone) and personal alters may be incorporated. This can be a legal ceremony or a non-legal ceremony. (This could be a vow-renewal ceremony to the next level, as you can incorporate your journey together through rituals to honor important moments/years together and family/friends can be involved in various ways.)
Fee Covers:
Additional Extras:
The Oathing Stone and Quaich I use are directly from Scotland where I bought them in person. These items carry with them the energy of Scotland!
To see an example of a timetable in planning a Caim Ceremony click here.
Service starts at $777 (plus mileage and accommodations). After the initial Zoom call you will receive a quote.
Does not include your hand-fasting cord/ribbon/fabric. I can offer a variety of suggestions from something free you already have to making one yourself, or purchasing one from various intentional handmade crafters.
See additional policies below.
You may already have a special and meaningful outdoor location in mind. If you are unsure of the perfect spot, I can also tune into you as a couple and your intentions during our meetings and offer suggestions. From the sacred energies of various outdoor locations to their symbolism, privacy, and accessibility, we can work together to select the right location for you as a couple. In Celtic spirituality, “thin places” exist all around Scotland. We also have “thin places” here in North Carolina, where the boundaries between the physical world and the spiritual world are believed to be thin or permeable. These places have a sense of awe, mystery, and wonder. The right location can profoundly elevate your ceremony and enhance the spiritual depth.
After our initial 30 minute Zoom Introductory meeting and discussing briefly your ideas, location, and date, I will send you a quote to review and I’ll put a hold on your date for 48 hours (assuming the date you request is available, if it is not I will tell you in our meeting or before the meeting by email).
Once you’ve received the quote you will have 48 hours to reply and pay the non-refundable deposit of $100. This guarantees your date and time. If I don’t hear from you within those 48 hours your date will be released from the temporary hold.
The balance is due 16 weeks before the date. In the initial quote, I’ll also include an outline of the suggested time schedule of meetings depending upon the date your ceremony will be held, script revisions, and final revision approval date.
One of my values is transparency and being upfront with costs in our world today. I've included the starting price with each type of ceremony for you so you know what's within your budget. Other factors may increase or decrease the cost, so after our initial virtual meeting, I'll send you a more detailed quote.
I will not use AI to write your ceremony. I do not have a standard script I use for each couple as your love, experiences, and what makes you uniquely you as individuals and as a couple is different. It will be bespoke to you based upon our conversations, interview questions, and if I talk with family and friends. I will work with what you give me, as well as what I pick up from our conversations.
Additional mileage charges will apply outside of Onslow, Pender, Carteret, and Craven North Carolina Counties. A flat $50 plus the current NC state government rate is what is used to calculate mileage fees, which as of 03/11/24 is 65.5₵ a mile. Because I have deep roots in Watauga, Ashe, and Avery Counties, the mileage rate charged will be half of the state rate, so as of 03/11/24 it would be 32.75₵ a mile plus the flat $50. This will be outlined in your quote.
Accommodation charges may apply if outside of Onslow, Pender, Carteret, and Craven Counties in NC depending upon distance, length of drive, and time of day the ceremony occurs. With my roots in the High Country of North Carolina, depending upon the time of the ceremony and exact location, the accommodation fee may be waved. This will be outlined in your quote.
Other charges may apply if your ceremony is taking place outside of North Carolina. Currently I'm the only Interfaith Minister or Celebrant living in the United States that has trained with Lindy Irving in Scotland with Aye Do Ceremonies to offer Caim Ceremonies. If you are feeling aligned with this type of ceremony, I’m up for your wedding if I can legally perform the ceremony in another state! Airfare and transportation rental charges will apply along with accommodations.
If you would like a Caim Ceremony reach out! I would need to check the states requirements for legal marriages but these types of ceremonies are my passion and working with people who feel the same takes everything to another dimension!
Also consider coming to the beautiful North Carolina mountains for your destination wedding! The Appalachian Mountains were once connected to the Highlands of Scotland and the Western Coast and it really does look the same especially if we pick the right spot. Having lived in the mountains, I know some great locations here in North Carolina for that Highland feeling and appearance.
The Caim Ceremony is a grand event and if it is more than 6 months out, this gives you an idea of the flow…
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