Alex + Jacob

Every year, I secretly wish for a couple to choose May 1st; Beltane as their elopement date. It’s the turning of the wheel into spring’s full bloom, a day ripe with ancient celebration, firelight, and new beginnings. This year, my wish quietly came true.

Alex and Jacob arrived in the soft hush of morning, their baby nestled close, the three of them already embodying a little world of their own. Alex chose to ready herself in the Couple’s Cabin. The sky was heavy with clouds, casting a moody, romantic glow over the grove, exactly the atmosphere she had hoped for.

As she slipped into her gown with her mother nearby, her grandmother arrived holding the most breathtaking bouquet—handcrafted the day before with stems gathered from her own garden and lavender borrowed from a neighbor’s blooming yard. A simple, fragrant “something borrowed” that felt like a blessing.

There was a quiet magic to the moment: four generations of women gathered in one room—baby, mother, daughter, and grandmother—braiding time together with laughter and tenderness. The air smelled of rain and lavender, and everything felt unhurried, just as it should be.

When the conservatory doors opened, Alex stepped onto the path lined with green and shadow, moving slowly toward Jacob. Their vows were spoken in whispers that held the weight of truth, and when they kissed, it was as if the clouds stood still to listen.

Maybe it’s the Beltane sentimentality in me, but watching the three of them, Alex, Jacob, and their baby, walk hand-in-hand down the aisle felt like a living altar to new life, love, and continuity. It was more than a ceremony; it was a quiet honoring of the season and all it brings.

Afterwards, there were sweet slices of cake, family hugs, and enough time left to wander the grounds for photos. Just as we set off, Beetle, our kitten and unofficial guest greeter, decided to join us, trailing along as if she too had been waiting for a May Day love story.