I take me to be my self-loving wedded wife
Beneath a driftwood altar, by gently lapping waves, a group of brides are preparing to make the ultimate commitment: to themselves.
At a ‘‘love ceremony’’ next Sunday, massage therapist Stephanie Crampton is inviting women to commit an ‘‘act of self-love’’.
In some ways, the ceremony in Nelson will be a traditional one, with a marriage celebrant and vows. However, it will differ in one significant way.
‘‘It’s challenging the traditional sense of a wedding, because there’s no groom,’’ Crampton said.
‘‘The bride will stand in front of a mirror and look into her own eyes and say her vows to herself.’’
Crampton will be the first bride to step up to the altar – a prospect that was both nerve-racking and empowering, she said.
The ceremony was an act of selfacceptance, and could be healing, Crampton said.
Brides are encouraged to go as natural as possible: barefoot, and with minimal makeup.
‘‘It’s about embracing your true self, accepting both the good and the bad parts,’’ Crampton said.
After the ceremony, the brides will take a dip at Ta¯hunanui Beach in their dresses – or in togs, if they prefer – ‘‘rebirthing ourselves as the women we choose to be’’.
Crampton got the idea from one of her massage clients.
‘‘I thought, ‘Wow, she’s got so much love to give’. But she was lost – she didn’t know what made her happy.
‘‘I invited her to turn that love on herself.’’
Then she had a vision of a ceremony at Ta¯hunanui, with rows of ‘‘sister brides’’.
Women didn’t have to be single to take part, she said.
‘‘Any woman can do the ceremony. It’s not about saying, ‘I’m not available for a love relationship to anyone else’ – it’s about an act of selflove.’’
And for some, it might open the doors to a different kind of love.
‘‘You might commit to loving yourself and manifest the man of your dreams,’’ Crampton said.
‘‘If you’re not loving on yourself, it’s hard to receive love.’’