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Angel (Karla)⚡️ #QueerOfficiant

@queerofficiant

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Queer Officiant & Love Storyteller w/ @onceuponavow
“We are all one & if we don’t know it, we will learn it the hard way.” BR
💌 [email protected]
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"Don't believe everything you hear: Real eyes Realize Real lies." - Tupac Shakur ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ It's July 31st. 2020. John Robert Lewis, a legend of & for the people died exactly 2 Fridays ago. He left this realm a BELOVED human being & transitions as an EVOLVED soul. He did a lot of learning & growing in this lifetime & left an indelible mark in our history - a ripple effect of love. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ John Lewis chose full engagement of citizenship, connecting with the citizenry & the core of our humanity! Did you listen in on the eulogies? It's worth a listen. With all the death we've had to witness this year both personally & collectively, we can all benefit from honoring life - the life of one of our very own #lovewarriors. {link in bio} ---⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Like everyone else, I've been going through it, ya'll. While I take deep breaths & continue to expand my spiritual practice, with everything going on in the world & right under our noses, my healing requires confronting shadows I've been avoiding. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Coming to terms with & processing the nuances of my intersectional identity, including the #Peruvian & #American parts of me has been a tumultuous journey. I think a lot about the ties I have to the cultures I claim & those that claim me. I think about the points of conflict & what understandings I've gained thus far. I'm grateful for developing the critical thinking skills we all need to liberate ourselves from falsehoods so that we may live unencumbered by fear! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ But my mind is moving a million miles a minute contemplating what I'm observing & living each day. I take breaks from social media because it sort of primes us to be reactive & I don't want to be reactive; so, I take a step back but I don't stop. I can't. I'm adult. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ The work to peel back the layers we've been forced to wear & carry is ongoing & requires much self-reflection followed by action. To be most effective, we must shed some skin. I've been thinking about my own journey with politics & how it intersects with my personal experience with men & masculinity. I have some digging to do & some letting go too! Glimpses of the #sacredmasculine keep me hopeful!
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I had the tremendous privilege of meeting these two brilliant moon children, Kim & Sydney! I got to learn about their love journey - how they came together & what they discovered about themselves as they explored each other. ⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I got to hear them describe how they flowed with & navigated the not-always-tranquil waters surrounding them to co-create their very own Cancer-Crab-friendly world - a comfy, happy, safe space - a beautiful & loving home! ♋🦀🏡 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ And they're nurses! They save lives & take care of others. At work, they share their gifts of humor & kindness as well knowledge of science & people with their communities. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ In times like these that test our emotional & spiritual stamina, I take comfort in knowing that there are people like @kimberly0grace & @sydney.bechtold in the world today. I get giddy thinking about how they've built a little bubble of love with each other - where they retreat to & go to recharge. They are healers - brilliant manifestors of love who've joined forces in this lifetime to help heal our world. They are proof that when you're open to it, the love you never expected you'd experience suddenly presents itself. If you choose to let it in, let it grow in your heart & spread all over, that's when BOOM - love blooms! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ For all the scary stuff out in the world that is spreading from coronavirus to white nationalism to autocracy, I feel fortunate to know that love can be just as infectious - more so even, if we let it. I'm not being facetious. I really believe that we need to inoculate ourselves from the diseases of fear & hate with daily doses of love. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Don't get it twisted, my friends! I'm not saying hide your head in the sand or don't face reality. But if you're like me, staying informed is not the issue. Staying hopeful & productive & kind - that's often the hard part. Rather than tune out, opt out or fall prey to fear, anger, or sorrow, I heed the advice of these two medical professionals & follow their lead! Love may not be 'the cure' to all ailments, but love def helps us heal. Thank you Kim & Sydney for sharing your light & love! . . . . . 📸 @tarabethphotography 🙏🏼 exquisite pics!
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Today, we commemorate Martin Luther King, Jr., our beloved civil rights leader & national hero who stood for peace, equality, & unity. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ It’s a time when many will participate in community efforts that spread his message & values of racial justice & human kinship. At the very least, it’s a day of reflection about where & who we are as a nation. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ This pic reflects how I feel about the state of affairs in our nation today especially as this historic week begins. I’m excited about the possibility that we will accept facts & reason in this impeachment trial & rally around the basic idea that blatant criminality & corruption don’t belong in the White House. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I’m ready to leap off the edge of my discontent, but I also feel like Mary, pouting & wondering why we should bother trying to do anything at all given the results we’ve been getting. After all, becoming socio-politically involved requires energy that often leaves you feeling depleted & cynical. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ It’s hard to believe that there will be a fair impeachment trial & that DT will be ousted when TODAY a pro-gun rally will take place in VA to stand against gun control legislation; on the day we honor a Nobel Peace Prize recipient who was assassinated! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Feeling hopeful nowadays is challenging so how do we make it possible? Maybe we start by using days like today to reflect on who we want to become as a people. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ So let’s contemplate how we can each contribute to dismantling the current socio-political divide & press forward toward a more unified collective. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ There is no time to sit and pout, all we can do is take a leap of faith knowing that we’re uncovering all this dirt today so we can clean house & build a better tomorrow. _ Photo by @jamiecarle Workshop @radicalwedretreat Design & Florals @together.events Stationary & Signage: @inkpushco Catering: @heartofcelebration Linens: @thebayith Rentals: @vintagemingle Bakery: @justadashcakes Videography @weddingsbyelizabethmealey Sponsor: @catalystwedco
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Let's hold each other tight, dance, and care for one another! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Rest up during this long weekend because next week is gonna be a doozy with the Senate impeachment trial and all! That is, if it will actually be a trial given that these incredibly biased republican majority Senators have made it clear that they don't care about holding this president accountable for his criminal, dictatorial actions. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Andddd because we know we're not alone in understanding that next week is going to grate on our nerves, this is a reminder to try to focus on some self-care, whatever that means for you. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ For us, it's hot showers, face masks, sweet tea, pajama dance parties, couch cuddling, brunchin', snackin', walking our pups, and wrapping ourselves with the peeps who love on us best: our partners and furloves! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ What does self-care look like for you?! PLEASEEEEE share so we can try 'em and keep ourselves from becoming this: ! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ _ Photo by @mds_photo Video by @hoooten Venue @turtleswampbrewing Officiant @queerofficiant of @onceuponavow Ceremony Backdrop @emtothethird Florals @sweetpeafarmri HMU @beautybyneysa / @bridalbeautybyneysa Cake @dylanjuscher Soon-to-be Married Amores y Models @brownxdiaspora & @wiggitydiggity
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That forever kind of love 🖤
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We fawn over moments like these. The ones right before you "sneak a kiss" as Jon of @jclemonphoto would say! 😍 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Anname and Daniel's pre-kiss smile says it all! They eloped not long before this styled shoot and had all those can't-keep-my-hands-off-you newlywed vibes that we swoon over! 💛 They expressed over and over again how lucky they felt to have found each other, how grateful they were to kickstart this married chapter together, and how fun it was to have this unique no-stress wedding-ish experience with this cool AF wedding team. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Styled shoots aren't always fun but with in-love couples like these two and kind, talented, kickass wedding pros like the ones who pulled off this gorgeousness - it's a friggin' blast! ⚡️ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Giant props 🙌🏽 to the geniuses who worked their bums off to make this magic happen! We got lots of love for ya! 😘 Check out the feature on @heyweddinglady today. Link in bio. ___ Photography: @jclemonphoto⁣ Venue: @jdvhotels⁣ Event Planning and Design: @fittingfetes⁣ Floral Design: @mcqueensny⁣ Cake and Desserts: @leopard_and_pear⁣ Wedding Dress: @carolhannahbridal⁣ Groom’s Attire: @knotstandard⁣ Headpiece and Jewelry: @roseystudio⁣ Hair Styling and Makeup: @sbbeautynyc⁣ Wardrobe Styling: @setreadygobags⁣ Event Rental and Linens: @partyrentalltd⁣ Officiant: @onceuponavow⁣ @queerofficiant⁣ Stationery: @pineapplestreetdesigns
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"I love you because you are my best friend, my home, my soulmate. You are my greatest blessing—the partner I prayed for—the one I thank Him for every day. If not for you, I wouldn't know this version of me—the one motivated to do more and be better for us. You bring out the best in me, baby taba, because I want to be the best for you.” —Mela⁠ .⁠ “I'll be your queen if you feel like being my king. Your chill buddy and best friend. I will be your safest place; your sense of comfort. And most of all, I want you to know that even if we run out of tall buildings and new places to see, I will love you just the same. It doesn't matter where we are. With you, my heart is finally home.” —Claris⁠ .⁠ For more of Claris and Mela's beautiful and loving elopement, visit our link in bio.⁠ .⁠ [Two marriers, one in a wine suit and the other in a white dress, wrap their arms around each other and touch foreheads.]⁠ .⁠ Photographer: @judson_rappaport⁠ Officiant: @onceuponavow⁠ Couple: @bbbeiling @melabshooo⁠ Location: @top_of_the_rock_nyc⁠ Shoes: @gucci⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ #equallywed #engayged #lgbtweddingphotographer #loveislove #bridalinspo #filmphotographer #filmisnotdead #shootitwithfilm #thefindlab #njweddingphotographer #nycwedding #shootitwithfilm #filmisnotdead #queerwedding #lesbianwedding #gaywedding #gaygirlgang #dancingwithher #dancingwiththem #elopement #nycelopement
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Feliz año nuevo, amores!! 🎉 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Leaping into the new decade wholeheartedly grateful for the experiences we’ve shared, the challenges we’ve overcome, the boundaries we’ve set, the self-limiting beliefs we’ve rewritten, the people we’ve met, the places we’ve visited, the love we celebrated, the relationships we’ve strengthened... ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ You get the point! 🤗 We’re hella grateful for this past decade and looking forward to what this one will bring. Sure, it’s a bit scary out there these days but we’ve got each other, right?! So let’s spread love and take care of each other, amores! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 💛 Oh and make sure to check out this badass elopement feature of one of our bomb-dot-com couples on @equallywed! __ Photographer: @judson_rappaport Officiant: @queerofficiant of @onceuponavow Location: Top of the Rock @rockefellercenter Elopement Experience: @onceuponavow
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Take a trip down Candy Cane Lane with me.
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These two are celebrating one year of marriage next week! They sent me the most adorable card in the mail today, I’m so lucky to know such amazing humans. Check out their #christmaselopement on the blog!
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So, you just got engaged and you want a big, splashy wedding - but you want it your way. Call us for a consultation and to discuss how we can work together to make your wedding beauty reflect your style. Photographer @jclemonphoto Planner @fittingfetes Venue @jdvhotels @50bowery Makeup @sbbeautynyc Sharon Hair @sbbeautynyc Caroline Flowers @mcqueensny Gown|hair accessory @carolhannahbridal Suit @zara Fine jewelry @roseystudio Stationery/calligraphy @pineapplestreetdesigns Dessert @leopard_and_pear Officiant @onceuponavow @queerofficiant Rentals @partyrentalltd Set stylist @setreadygobags Models @_ellevine_ @perchitti Dog @scoutinthecity . . . . . . . #weddingday #2brides2be #catalystwedco #weddingmakeup #weddinghair #beauty #nycwedding #rooftopwedding #nycelopement #nyc #makeupartistnyc #nycweddingmakeup #jclemonphotography #fittingfetes #2021wedding #dreamwedding #weddingplanning #elope #elopement #elopementphotographer #weddingseason #50boweryhotel #carolhannahbridal #roseywest #zara #fittingfetes #marriageequality #sbbeautynycweddings @sbbeautynyc
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This pic from the BOMB @dianascarrunz makes me wanna hang above our giant mantelpiece in our one-day dream casa. Right? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ It's been a whole week since we left the @radicalwedretreat hosted in this gorgeous airbnb @casacartel surrounded by brilliantly creative feminists. And it was AWESOME! Mercury was in retrograde during SCORPIO season so ya know, ALL. THE. FEELS. 😭 Gracias to the lovely souls who didn't judge me when I cried my eyes out OR when I fell on my face!😂 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ This retreat was & IS a much-needed gift created by two inspiring SUPER HUMANS: Justine from @together.events & Jamie from @jamiecarle who actively hold sacred space to discuss issues of social justice & equity in the wedding world. They worked their sexy asses off to make this year somehow even more RADICAL than last year AND👏🏽IT👏🏽WAS👏🏽 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Mary-Beth from @heartofcelebration filled our minds, hearts, and bellies with the bitter history, sweet appreciation, & decadent dishes from three Latin American countries: Brazil, Guatemala, & Mexico. She shared their painful past & resilience before each meal, inspiring us to be culturally conscious & forever grateful for the survivorship of our Latinx roots.🙏🏽 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ My seestah @queerofficiant led heart-opening, mind-blowing discussions around diversity, equity, and inclusion. There were tears, realizations, interesting conversations that I wish EVERYONE could experience because it felt SO IMPORTANT! Particularly nowadays. She spoke about these hard topics from a personal place challenging us to face our biases with grace, vulnerability, & compassion for ourselves and each other. Because, at the end of the day, the hard work starts from within! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Can't wait for next year, radical amores! 🎉 _ Workshop: @radicalwedretreat Planning & Design: @together.events Photographer: @dianascarrunz Florals: @bagelsflorals Rentals: @austinchairandtablerental Signage: @lettersanddust Sponsor: @catalystwedco
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