When your wedding ceremony reflects your deepest values you will be inspired by a deeper understanding of your love and your commitment.

“True love has the power to heal and transform the situation around us and bring a deep meaning to our lives  ”Zen Master, Thich Nhat Hanh.

Having your service or blessing at Matara reflects who you are and what you care about, your beliefs and values. We offer alternate wedding celebrations that reflect a more organic life style in an earth friendly place.

We have explored rituals throughout the world that fit the values and issues of our time. We also continue to explore ways of engaging all your guests through our labyrinth, wishing tree, tree dedications and other rituals. (click alternative ceremonies for more ideas) You can invite your guest’s to bring food, flowers, or contribute favourite music, poems, quotations, and share memories and dreams. Readings can be made throughout the day of your wedding, with music to change the pace and flow from one event to the other.

“We are looking for a day that is relaxed and calming and have been having trouble finding a venue that fits with our values”

When you marry you are making a commitment to live, share and grow together. You can support each other’s journey without trying to change your partner’s path or impose our own; you can become soul friends providing mutual support for each other’s life journey.

One of our favourite stories is Anam Cara. In the Celtic tradition there is a beautiful understanding of love and friendship. One of the fascinating ideas here is the idea of soul love, Anam is the Gaelic word for soul and Cara is the word for friend. So Anam Cara in the Celtic world was the soul friend.

With the Anam Cara, you could share your innermost self, your mind and your heart. This friendship was an act of recognition and belonging. When you had an Anam Cara, your friendship cut across all convention, morality and category. You were joined in an ancient and eternal way with the “friends of your soul”.