Photography by Anna Costa
Donna Romani (Donna Romani Events) contacted me asking me if I did same gender ceremonies and before she got my answer, Scott had already contacted me and set up a time for he, Nicky and myself to talk over the phone. I knew the instant I heard Scott’s voice I wanted to work with them. If I passed muster on the phone call, I’d be so blessed.
All manner of energy summoned up when we got on the line together. These two amazing men exuded sunlight when they spoke. Within seconds, we were deep into who they were for each other, what visions they had for their ceremony, the symbolism that was crucial to them and the feelings they wanted to express and convey. We could feel the electricity between us as we joined our minds and hearts with the significance of their upcoming marriage.
Sold. We were sold. We set it up to meet on the phone for our consultations with them being in the Bay Area, myself here, and found we lacked nothing in the way of “seeing” each other.
Their wedding was a spectacular event. Held at the Mural Room at the Santa Barbara Courthouse, it had the beauty of historical times, the richness of an opulent yet functioning courtroom in true Moorish style, and the light of the sky coming in through the vast windows.
They had a dynamic gospel choir that processed up the aisle singing “I Believe in You and Me”. Behind them entered Scott and Nicky, radiant, joyous, full of expectation.
After welcoming them and their beloved guests, it was time to honor them. Just so you can appreciate them even just a little, I give you this excerpt from their wedding:
“Scott and Nicky, you two are truly, the most magnificent men. On your own, walking your singular paths, you developed yourselves into fine gentlemen, facing extreme challenges and rising out of the ashes triumphant and alive. You each have never given up; even in the face of overwhelming odds, you believed in yourselves.
You chose happiness and peace over fear and anger.
You chose commitments over resignation,
Magic and miracles over circumstances,
Life over death and when you met, you found someone else to believe in you as no other.
Your relationship is transcendent. Not because you are becoming that, but because it is where you have come from. You two cause each other to remember your original grace, your holy, true state. And you bring each other home to your most splendid, true Selves.”
They had their reception at Stella Mare’s in the Greenhouse room. Spectacular, loving, spirited and sacred time.
On their first anniversary, they held a private dinner in Santa Barbara in a home by the sea they rented for the occasion, where they fed all of us vendors who were privileged to serve them and a select few of their friends, a scrumptious home cooked meal, just to savor everything from their wedding all over again. Donna Romani, Coordinator, Nico Cervantes, florist, Anna Costa, photography, and me, minister, basked in the warmth of their love once again.
