Fire is one of the most important symbols to mankind and it is considered one of the four elements that are essential to life.
But have you ever thought of using this powerful element in a unity ceremony?
The Meaning of Fire
Fire is one of the four elements, essential to life as we know it. Over time and throughout history, it has been given many different meanings and has been invoked by many cultures, to symbolize powerful beliefs such as passion, rebirth or eternity.
The fire ceremony for example, is a powerful Shamanic practice performed during the change of seasons, aimed to release unhappy feelings, creating space for something new. In a Hindu wedding, fire represents the separate lives of the couple and symbolizes their union as one, accomplished through a meaningful ceremony ritual.
Whatever the reason, a fire unity ritual can easily be incorporated into a ceremony, to symbolize a new beginning (that of the married life for example): a defining moment where you acknowledge and release the old, to embrace a new exciting adventure that is marriage.
Love is often compared with fire or seen as a flame: the heat of passion burns fervently, but its radiance changes constantly. And even though you can feel its warmth, just as a flame, love must always be protected from being extinguished.
Campfire Elopement
And that brings us to this campfire elopement ceremony, for which there couldn’t have been a more significant leitmotif than fire.
When I first met these two beautiful ladies, the idea of a fire-based ritual for their unity ceremony was the first thing that hit my mind. After some research, we realized this was something quite out-ot-the-ordinary and different from the typical Elopement in Tuscany, so we had no precedent from which we could take inspiration. But I was absolutely inspired by this amazing love-story and their desire for a meaningful moment to remember and soon the ideas began to flow.
A beautiful couple, so young and in love, united by a common passion for fire arts, which somehow brought them together. We wanted to incorporate fire as the prevailing element, to symbolyze their passion, the powerful feelings that bind them and the strong bond they vowed to always protect from being extinguished.
Finding The Right Location
First things first. Finding the right location for such a particular request, didn’t seem to be an easy task at first. But my friend Stefano came to the rescue and hosted us for the day.
His magical place is tucked between the rolling hills of the Chianti area, surrounded by stunning vineyards overlooking the medieval hamlet of Certaldo. An unconventional agricamping, immersed in the raw, beautiful Tuscan scenery with an exclusive setting and a natural amphiteatre that was just perfect for the occasion.
Located in the heart of Tuscany, within a stone’s throw away from the medieval hilltop town of Certaldo, Agricampeggio Poggio Ai Pini owes its charm to a unique combination of olive grooves, cypresses and pine trees; providing a peaceful atmosphere and a quiet setting for those who love camping under the stars.
The Perfect Team
The day started with hair and make-up in an equiped pitch, beautifully and naturally illuminated by the warm sunbeams of a late summer afternoon. Alice, the make-up artist did a wonderful job, highlighting the natural beauty of our brides, without overdoing it.
Then Sebastian, the photographer, took over with the first look and a quick pre-ceremony intimate session at sunset, among the vineyards overlooking the medieval hamlet.
The mood of the day was plain simple and natural, with due respect to the surrounding environment. Recovered and reusable materials were the basic concept for the overall setting, and Giovanna, the florist did a stunning job mix matching raw elements partially derived from pruning, seasonal berries and wildflowers for the floral arangements with just a few minimalist decorations to complete the décor.
The Ceremony & Fire Ritual
Drawing inspiration from the light candle unity ritual, we arranged for our brides to arrive at the ceremony focus, each with a single burning flame, symbolizing their previous separate pathways, separate families and separate sets of friends; in other words, their lives before that moment.
Together, they lit the main fire, representing the merging of these two lights into one single, stronger light, just as two people come together to support one another in a happy relationship through reciprocal love, honour and respect.
Their entrance was sweetly accompanied by guitar chords and the amazing voice of Elisa, our talented multifaceted musician, who delighted us all throughout the ceremony.
Two beautiful free spirited and wild at heart, raw nature enthusiasts, S & C shared their promises of love and exchanged a symbol of their vows barefeet, in the beautiful light of a campfire, while holding each other’s shaking hands.
After the ceremony they had some fun by the fire, juggling and playing around, entertaining all of us and also involving the few campers who were currently staying there…
… before having a toast, sharing the cake and cuddling close together in the hammock, under the stars.
Meet The Team:
Photographer: IG @sebastian.d.b.photographer – FB https://www.facebook.com/Sebastian.David.Bonacchi.Photographer
Celebrant: @tuscan_wedding_officiant – FB https://www.facebook.com/tuscanweddingofficiant/
MUA: @by_alice_makeup
Florist: @romagnoli_giovanna – FB https://www.facebook.com/romagnolipiantefiorieventi/
Music: @vocedanimaweddingmusic – FB https://www.facebook.com/vocedanimaeventi/
Cake: @mielepasticceria – FB https://www.facebook.com/Pasticceria-Miele-663317050431817/
Location – FB https://www.facebook.com/Poggio-AI-PINI-1730122720562618