Beloved Ones...beauty is life when life unveils her holy face. But you are life and you are the veil. Beauty is eternity gazing at itself in a mirror.
But you are eternity and you are the mirror.
Photo by Sarah Morrill Photography
A Lovely Love Story
Once upon a time, there was a young woman who had just gotten engaged. She was eager to step onto the path of her new life. In the time spent planning her wedding, she fell in love with the process, and vowed that one day, she would help others to plan their own weddings…
Once upon a time, there was a (slightly older) young woman who had just left her corporate career in the publishing industry. She was eager to step onto the path of her new life. As she tried to decide what to do next, she remembered her long-ago vow, to be a wedding planner…
17 years later, that young woman has had the honor of planning, coordinating and officiating at dozens, if not hundreds of weddings.
There have been so many stories, so many wonderful moments, so many times I just sat back in wonder, amazed and grateful that this has been my life and my career; that I have had the joy of doing work that is not just work, but that is my calling. I honor with gratitude all my brides, grooms, moms, dads and vendor partners… you’re all in my heart, and always will be.
Even when it wasn’t all cupcakes and roses, I still 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.
Once Upon a Time...
There was an (ever so slightly older) woman who felt a deep call in her heart, a calling to move. To expand. To bloom into a new kind of flower.
This call could not be ignored, and the woman was eager to step onto the path of her new life. And so, she listened, she said yes, and to her surprise and delight, she moved, expanded, and bloomed in so many ways…
Over the past several years, as I’ve been on an incredible journey of priestess training, pilgrimage and life transitions, it became very clear that while weddings will always hold a special place in my heart, there’s more to my story now. And therefore more offerings, from my heart to the world.
More “making it sacred.”
More spiritual support.
More devotion.
What was once a close focus on weddings is expanding to encompass the full spectrum of life’s transitions, rituals, ceremonies and cycles.
Welcome to the new Circle of Love… celebrating the circle of life.
Let’s celebrate, ritualize, make it sacred, dance and sing, cry and laugh together.
I offer you my hand and my heart to accompany and support you, during times of joy and times of sorrow. It’s my honor to be your companion on this marvelous journey we call life.
Ready?
xo,
Priestess Daria
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
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
My 21-year-old self’s dream came true!
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
2020-2021
We spend the pandemic in Atlanta; I officiate at many tiny weddings and midwife my mother through her end-of-life transition.
I am officially an officiant!
2022-2023
A sabbatical year of travels in Europe, at the end of which we settle in Ireland, my magical Motherland
Overlooking the Bay of Naples
To be continued...
There are two ways of living one’s life.
One is as though nothing is a miracle.
The other is as though 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.