The specific date is to be announced. Cesare and Elliott are certain though that the wedding will be either May or June 2025. Elliott and Cesare will keep all guests updated on developments as they unfold. They wish to take their time with planning so anticipate updates will be slow and spaced out.
Cesare and Elliott plan to have a gift registry as we get closer to the wedding date in spring 2025. We plan ultimately to start something similar to a "go fund me" account online that will be used for the Belue-Somma's honeymoon. They state they value experiences more then material things. Please stay tuned to announcements to see what they come up with for those interested in giving them something for the wedding.
Yes! We want a spring time floral ensemble and the natural beauty of the Appalachian mountains to be the theme for the wedding. We also intend to honor the ancient Celtic festival holiday of Beltane as apart of the ceremony. Beltane is a sacred holiday observed in May that honors fertility and love. It has survived since antiquity in modern observances such as May Day and May Poles.
The Grooms hope for the wedding to be outside in fair late spring/early summer weather. However there will be alternative indoor venues. As of now the Grooms are saying the dress code will be summer formal attire and encourage guests to dress in bright spring colors.
Elliott is Pagan and Cesare likes to say he is open minded to many faiths and forms of spirituality. Both have agreed the ceremony and traditions will be based on Modern Pagan Handfasting Traditions, and all those who respect that and are tolerant of interfaith values are welcome. It is expected that all guests honor and respect the multicultural values of all present and the choice of the Grooms to honor the chosen matrimonial tradition.
A Handfasting is a marriage ceremony based in Pre-Christian cultures of western Europe where those seeking a marriage are joined in matrimony by chords wrapped around their joined arms in ceremony by an officiant. The chords symbolize the union, vows, and love of the people marrying being "bound together." Many believe this form of marriage ceremony is where the popular clique saying of "tying the knot" comes from.