Another Interfaith Destination Wedding, this time a perfectly blended, earthy, universalist-style destination wedding ceremony in Puerto Rico, has come and gone, and this one went WAY too fast! I know I say this all of the time, but I am just so fortunate in that every one of my wedding couples is amazing – but truly, Eden and Eduardo were such an amazing Interfaith couple in so many ways. It was such a great experience getting to know them, and to be such a special part of their most special day.
Eden and Ed live in Washington, DC, and they were referred to me by Rabbi Lev at www.interfaithfamily.com. As soon as Eden contacted me, we both knew right away we were going to be the most perfect match, and we definitely had that assumption right on all counts! Eden has one of those personalities that just comes right through the phone and you imagine that girl in junior high school who was just bursting with enthusiasm sitting next to you with a GREAT BIG SMILE on her face, and energy that would last for days.
Well – that’s EXACTLY what you got with Eden! As I was writing notes about the feelings I had about her and Eduardo as we had our conversations on the phone, I kept thinking “earthy, warm, syrup-y, and sweet”. Again – I totally had it right!
Getting to the destination wedding venue wasn’t quite as easy as forming the initial connection, but it was a fun and conversation-sparking adventure nonetheless. They were married at The Villa Montana, in a small town, in the north-western part of Puerto Rico, called Isabela. It was about a 2 hour car ride from the San Juan airport. Well, I was supposed to depart Fort Lauderdale at 6 am (ick), but I just happened to check on my flight the night before, and found out that flight no longer existed. I was sooooo upset, because they were having the rehearsal dinner that evening and wanted me there. The flight I was booked on now left at 11 am, arriving in SJU at 3 pm. That should have put me there for the rehearsal dinner around 5:30. Right.
As I made my way off the plane, I went to the pickup area, expecting to be met by a driver, but nobody was waiting for me. (what a lonely feeling!!) I called the hotel, and she began checking, and came back and told me the driver was there – but his van had just been TOWED AWAY, and he was trying to get it back. After about an hour or more, he finally arrived to pick me up – and we were on our way – in Friday night rush hour traffic. UGH.
At 6:30, I finally arrived at the beautiful little Villa Montana in Isabela. Paradise.
This place had the small, intimate feel of a guest house, but was loaded with amenities and beauty. I was immediately greeted by many of her family members as I was rushed to the rehearsal dinner on the beach, and there was Eden, and I just fell in love with her – as I knew I would.
That night, I got to know many of her guests, and met her family, as well as Eduardo’s. Ed’s family is from Puerto Rico, and were the most wonderful, gracious, and appreciative family I have met in a long time. I just knew the Jewish Interfaith wedding ceremony would be amazing.
The next morning, I was able to spend quite a bit of time with Eden and Ed’s family and friends over breakfast on the beach. We spoke for hours about Eden and Eduardo, their personalities, experiences, and their lives. They told me incredible stories that really helped paint a perfect picture of my newest favorite Interfaith couple, and I was able to create a perfectly blended, earthy, universalist-style destination wedding ceremony that was a perfect match for their personalities. We even re-wrote the words to The 7 Blessings, taking the religious language down a notch, and focusing on the meaning and appreciation of life. It was quite beautiful.
Watching Eden and Ed before me, as I performed their Jewish Interfaith marriage, was the perfect culmination of the experience. Standing before me was not only a couple in love, but two best friends, laughing, touching, giggling, beaming, and kvelling together. Knowing their closest friends and family were behind them, being witnesses to this magical moment, you could see the joy in their faces, and their hearts, as they spoke their vows to each other.
Certainly, the destination wedding dinner party on the beach was also quite fun, and I had the most wonderful time with their friends and family. To everyone I met at the wedding ceremony – thank you for making me feel SO comfortable, and welcomed, and thank you for helping me create another beautiful destination wedding. Bob & Carol – thanks for the ride the next day to the airport, you are a wonderful couple! Paula & Ira – thank you SO much for your hospitality – and Eden & Ed – Mazel Tov and Buena Suerte. You are a beautiful couple that I will remember forever. See you in DC in May!
B’Shalom,
Want to create your own “dream come true wedding”? Contact Cantor Debbi today to see how you can co-create the event of your dreams.
PS: And don’t forget to stop by our sample ceremonies page to see what your ceremony might look like!