A Sun & Moon Celebration of Love
Tia & Mae's Handfasting
☀️ In this life and the next 🌙
As many of you will know, this past weekend Mae and I had our handfasting — and honestly, it was everything I could have hoped for and more. It wasn’t long or elaborate. It wasn’t what some people might expect a wedding to look like. But it was us. And that’s what made it so perfect.
A Ceremony That Felt Like Home
Before the ceremony even began, I had a moment that will stay with me forever. As we lined up to walk down the aisle, my father took my arm and asked, in a shaky voice, if I was ready. I could see he was already welling up with emotion. I smiled and replied, “I am… but are you?” He said, “No, but I can do this with you.”
In that moment, I felt the weight of how much this meant — not just to me, but to him. He held my arm so tightly that I think I might have been the one walking him down the aisle. I whispered to him, “All you have to do is get to the top, then you can sit and hide behind your shades.” He nodded, kissed me on the cheek, and together we took those steps.
My relationship with my dad hasn’t always been easy — it’s been complicated, hard at times. But I love him more than anything in this world. He’s an amazing man who raised me and my siblings, each of us with our own complex needs, all on his own. He’s been my mum, my dad, my friend, and my constant support in life. Things haven’t always been simple, but there is no one else I’d rather have by my side. That moment reminded me how deeply important he is to me, and how much of him has shaped who I am today.
We kept our ceremony itself short and simple: just our vows to one another, our ribbon tying, and that was it. No fluff, no stress, no pressure to perform for anyone.
✨ Just us, speaking words from the heart ✨
Our vows made people cry (I even caught my dad tearing up ), and for me, that said everything. It wasn’t about rehearsed lines or traditions we didn’t connect with — it was raw, real, and true. In that moment, with Mae’s hand in mine, I felt more seen and more connected than ever before.
Celebrating in Our Own Way
Afterward, we did what we love most: ate, laughed, and spent time with our people. We had a slideshow playing in the background with old photos, and it sparked so many stories and memories.
One of the moments that really stuck with me was when my friend of 20+ years, Abi, gave a speech. It was heartfelt, funny, and so full of love that it made a few of us cry all over again (me included). It felt like everyone there was part of our story — not just watching it, but woven into it.
The Sun & the Moon 🌙☀️
Mae and I are often called the Moon and the Sun, and that theme ran through everything. Not just in little details, but in how the whole day felt.
The Sun brings warmth, light, energy. The Moon brings calm, reflection, guidance in the dark. Together, they balance each other, each shining in their own time but always connected. That’s us. That’s our love. And having that symbolism throughout our wedding made it feel even more like ours.
Chosen Family Matters 💛
One of the most important choices we made was who to share this day with. And we didn’t feel guilty for keeping it small. We didn’t invite people out of obligation, or because we “had to.” Instead, we chose the people who are truly present in our lives — the friends who have been there, my father, and our beautiful bridal party, the Coven, who stood by us through it all.
Mae chose to have her sibling but not the rest of her family there, and that was her decision — one I fully supported. And you know what? It was more than okay. It was right for her, and right for us.
I want to say this clearly for anyone planning their own wedding or handfasting: you don’t owe anyone an invitation to your special day. Don’t ever compromise your comfort for the sake of keeping others happy, especially not on a day that’s meant to be all about you and the person you love.
The people you choose to stand by you should be the ones who lift you up, support you, and make you feel safe.
Family isn’t just who you’re related to — it’s the people who show up for you, who love you for who you are.
That’s who we celebrated with, and it made the day even more meaningful.
I also have to talk about our photographer, Money (they/them), from the Rebel Love Club crew. They were with us for only two hours, but in that short time they captured so many amazing, heart-warming moments — especially the little candid ones between friends that you can’t stage or plan.
What stood out the most was how effortless they made everything feel. Money had this incredible way of blending into the day — after the first 20 minutes, I stopped noticing where they were, which is huge for me. I’ve never been someone who feels comfortable in front of a camera, and being in the spotlight makes my anxiety spike. But Money listened to those worries, made me feel at ease, and somehow turned the camera into something I didn’t fear.
By the end, it just felt natural. They weren’t “taking pictures” — they were preserving memories. Looking back, I realize how important they were in helping us relive this day forever, and I couldn’t be more grateful.
What Has This Day Taught Me?
If there’s one thing I want to share from this experience, it’s this: your wedding, your handfasting, your celebration of love should be whatever you want it to be.
It doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. It doesn’t need to follow every tradition or expectation. It doesn’t matter what people think a wedding “should” be. What matters is that it feels like you.
Our day wasn’t about impressing anyone. It was about being ourselves — the Moon and the Sun — and promising to keep choosing each other every day. And that’s what made it amazing.
So if you’re planning your own ceremony, my advice is simple: stay true to yourself, your love, and what makes you happy. Because at the end of the day, it’s your story. And you deserve to celebrate it your way.
A Final Thank You 💐
As I look back on our handfasting, I feel overwhelmed with gratitude.
To my dad — thank you for walking beside me, even when the emotions were hard to hold back. That moment meant the world to me, and it reminded me of the unshakable bond we share.
To the Coven — our beautiful bridal party — thank you for standing with us and surrounding us with love. You made the day feel even more complete, and knowing you were by our sides gave us strength and joy we’ll never forget.
To my friend of 20+ years, Abi — your speech touched every heart in the room. You reminded us of the strength of friendship and the way it can weave through every chapter of life.
To Abi B – thank you for being an amazing friend, a big part of my support system, and making our nails look stunning. Nails by Abs
To Jolanta — thank you for being there for me for so many years, supporting me at some of my lowest points, and making long shifts feel manageable. And thank you for our delicious cake. Devilish Cakes
And to Money, our incredible photographer, thank you for giving us the gift of reliving this day forever. You captured the love, the laughter, the tears, and the quiet little moments that might have otherwise slipped away.
Most of all, thank you to everyone who stood with us — not because they had to, but because they chose to. That is what love looks like, and that is what made our handfasting truly unforgettable.
Until next time,
