Laura + Doug=Married at A New Leaf. Pit stop at The Bean!

A friend and amazing travel photographer Laura McGlone was married last week in a Buddhist ceremony to Doug, her travel partner, friend, and love.

Laura was a stunning bride with a smile stretched across her face the entire time.

The two met while traveling through Southeast Asia.  Their immediate connection was strengthened through Skype conversations and meet-ups in either Canada, where Doug lives, Chicago, or other countries like most recently Mexico over Christmas.

Their ceremony was held at A New Leaf.  I couldn’t imagine a place more perfect for them to exchange vows.  In the courtyard full of flowers, trees, and potted plants, a Buddhist monk lead guest in 15 minutes of meditation.  The energy in the room was directed toward Laura and Doug, wishing them “peace, happiness, and love”.

It was a beautiful ceremony.  I was especially moved by their handwritten vows. The intimate glimpse into their relationship was very special.

Laura’s mother read one of my favorite poems by Kahlil Gibran from The Prophet:

Love one another, but make not a bond of love
Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.

Fill each other’s cup, but drink not from one cup.
Give one another of your bread, but eat not from the same loaf.

Sing and dance together and be joyous,
but let each one of you be alone,
Even as the strings of a lute are alone
though they quiver with the same music.

Give your hearts, but not into each other’s keeping;
For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts.

And stand together yet not too near together;
For the pillars of the temple stand apart,
And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other’s shadow.