~ Kim and Rich
After 15 years of planning, coordinating and officiating at dozens,
if not hundreds of weddings, experiencing…
…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.
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.
Daria
Planner • Officiant • Educator • Ordained Priestess-Minister
~Mark Nepo, the Book of Awakening
Mom and Dad move to Atlanta from New Jersey, for my dad’s career at Coca-Cola
Daria Blair Wilks is born in Atlanta, Georgia, a first generation Southerner
Northside Hospital, baby!
Yes, a “rare” native Atlantan
We live overseas in Tokyo and Bangkok; travel the world
My sister and I, ready for the
Loy Krathong festival in Bangkok
Our family returns to the States; settles in Norcross, Georgia
Jim and I meet in high school;
hate each other immediately
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”
My corporate career in publishing as a proofreader, editor and project manager
The daily grind at the Apartment Guide
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!
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
Circle of Love Weddings is born
I’m so grateful to be living my dream!
I open and operate a small venue, Camellia Blossom Cottage
The little green house in
downtown Norcross
was adorable!
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
Sylvie crosses the Rainbow Bridge; our hearts break
We miss you every day, our Angel Princess
We sell the house and many of our possessions
We embark on traveling adventures
throughout the U.S. and Europe
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
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
I choose the miracle, and I am grateful for the ever-renewing gifts of life and love.
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.
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