"We felt like Daria was as invested in our wedding as we were... and we truly can’t thank her enough for giving us the best night of our lives."

~ Kim and Rich

Photo by Picture This! Photography

A Lovely Love Story

After 15 years of planning, coordinating and officiating at dozens,
if not hundreds of weddings, experiencing…

  • sunny days (so many weather miracles!) and rainy days
  • delicious cake and cake disasters
  • joyous grand departures and vintage car breakdowns
  • heartfelt speeches and drunken rants
  • wardrobe crises and blisters
  • stunningly gorgeous golden hour light and
    stunningly radiant couples
  • sweet first dances and nervous dads
  • countless wedding therapy sessions and above all,
  • countless moments of love and joy…

…it remains my honor to companion all of my brides, grooms, moms and dads, wedding parties and vendor partners in creating once-in-a-lifetime days that will always be remembered and cherished, that become part of family lore, and that continue to create joy through the beautiful memories they evoke.

There have been so many stories, so many wonderful moments, so many times I just sit back in wonder, amazed and grateful that this is my life and my career; that I get to do work that is not just work, but that is my calling.

Even when it’s not all cupcakes and roses, I honestly believe (to quote one of my favorite movies ever),
if you look hard enough, Love Actually is all around.

And love has the endless capacity to surprise and delight,
often when you least expect it.

Circle of Love Weddings exists... 

Because I have been called to serve others and make a difference 

Because I love weddings – always have, always will 

Because this is supposed to be fun 

Because I love solving problems and getting down to the heart of things 

Because I want it to be done well 

Because I love sharing my knowledge of weddings, and of human nature 

Because I want you to understand why things are the way they are
in the wedding industry 

Because I can’t help it, I have to organize things 

Because hearing vows exchanged never gets old 

Because I get to witness miracles and true love 

And above all, because we are all connected. That’s what this work has taught me, and what Circle of Love really means. We are irrevocably connected: Couples, parents, vendors, all of us. Our families are each other’s. My husband knows all of you by name. My mom has worked her weather guru magic for you. My mother-in-law has prayed for you. My nieces have grown up looking at your wedding pictures in my online gallery. You are loved, honored and cherished.

And you’re all in my heart and always will be. 

Thank you for allowing me the joy of work that makes my heart sing; work that as it serves the world, pours back into my life and nourishes me and my loved ones. 

Thank you for the faith that’s renewed in me each and every time I witness a couple pledging their lives and love to each other, come what may. 

Thank you for your companionship on the path; past, present and future.

Namaste, and Blessed Be

Daria

The Wedding Wise Woman

Planner • Officiant • Educator • Ordained Priestess-Minister

Walker, there is no path, you make the path as you walk.
For aren’t we forever taking first steps, again and again?

~Mark Nepo, the Book of Awakening

The Long and Winding Road

1971

Mom and Dad move to Atlanta from New Jersey, for my dad’s career at Coca-Cola

I love this photo of them!

Age 0

Daria Blair Wilks is born in Atlanta, Georgia, a first generation Southerner

Northside Hospital, baby!
Yes, a “rare” native Atlantan

Ages 8-13

We live overseas in Tokyo and Bangkok; travel the world

My sister and I, ready for the
Loy Krathong festival in Bangkok

Age 14

Our family returns to the States; settles in Norcross, Georgia

Jim and I meet in high school;
hate each other immediately

Age 21

I graduate from Oglethorpe University with a degree in
English literature

I decide to be a wedding planner
when I’m “old, you know, like 30”

1995-2005

My corporate career in publishing as a proofreader, editor and project manager

The daily grind at the Apartment Guide

2001

Jim and I get married! (We got past our high school angst.)

Our wedding cake, made with love
by my friend Ron, was so delicious!

2002

We buy our house in Norcross, Georgia. and adopt our four-legged daughter, Sylvie

Sylvie was my first pup; I grew up with cats!
I must confess, I was a bit terrified at first,
although soon I fell straight in love with her

2006

Circle of Love Weddings is born

I’m so grateful to be living my dream!

2009-2010

I open and operate a small venue, Camellia Blossom Cottage

The little green house in
downtown Norcross
was adorable!

2013

Circle of Love Weddings plans and coordinates a record high of 37 events in one year

My favorite event that year: my dear friend
Alecia’s Dr. Seuss-themed baby shower

2016

Sylvie crosses the Rainbow Bridge; our hearts break

We miss you every day, our Angel Princess

2017

We sell the house and many of our possessions

We embark on traveling adventures
throughout the U.S. and Europe

2017-2019

I attend interfaith seminary in New York City (while planning and officiating weddings up and down the East Coast)

A beautiful day in Brooklyn, NY

2020 and beyond

I continue my love affair
with weddings, serving as wedding planner and wedding officiant to couples throughout the U.S. and Europe, and sharing knowledge and lending a hand to clients worldwide as The Wedding Wise Woman

To be continued...

There are two ways of living one’s life.
One is as though nothing is a miracle.
The other is as if everything is a miracle.
~ Albert Einstein

I choose the miracle, and I am grateful for the ever-renewing gifts of life and love.

I dedicate this site to my husband Jim,
for Circle of Love Weddings is
as much his story as it is mine.

For his countless hours of listening
Countless tears dried
Countless brilliant ideas (and metaphors!)
Countless prayers for perfect wedding days
and countless Superman moments when he saved the day,
He pours his love into it by loving me.
And I am who I am through the gift of our love,
which renews me every day.