1. What is “Marry Yourself Worldwide”? What inspired the idea of “Marry Yourself Worldwide”?
“Marry Yourself Worldwide” is a movement that encourages self-love and personal commitment before entering a relationship with someone else. It is not an opposition to marriage but rather an invitation to honor and nurture our own journey first.
The idea was born from my experience as a wedding photographer, witnessing countless couples make profound vows to one another—promising eternal, faithful, and enduring love. This moment always fascinated me, but it also made me reflect deeply on the nature of such promises.
Having been a single mother since the age of 19 and having gone through a failed marriage, I began questioning whether I could ever make such a promise again. Through this introspection, I realized that many of my past relationships had not worked because I had never fully learned to love myself unconditionally first.
“Marry Yourself Worldwide” was created as a response to this realization—a movement that invites people to make vows to themselves, to honor their own love, growth, and worth before making a lifelong commitment to another person.
2. Personal Significance: Why is the idea of marrying oneself important to you personally? How does it reflect your beliefs or experiences?
The idea of Marry Yourself Worldwide is deeply personal to me because it stems from my own journey of love, loss, and self-discovery. As a wedding photographer, I have spent a decade witnessing couples vow eternal love to each other, and while their promises are beautiful, they also made me question something profound: How can we truly commit to someone else if we have not first committed to ourselves?
My own experiences shaped this realization. Becoming a single mother at 19 and navigating the aftermath of a failed marriage forced me to confront the patterns in my relationships. I came to understand that many of them had not worked, not because love was absent, but because I had not yet learned to love myself fully and unconditionally. I had given so much of myself to others without first anchoring in my own worth, my own needs, and my own happiness.
For me, marrying oneself is not just a symbolic act—it is a profound commitment to self-respect, self-acceptance, and self-love. It is about learning to embrace who we are, honoring our own journey, and understanding that our happiness cannot depend solely on another person. This philosophy reflects my belief that true love—whether in relationships, work, or life—begins within. Only when we love ourselves completely can we love others in a way that is free, healthy, and whole.
This movement is my way of inviting others to make that commitment—to themselves first—before making it to someone else. Because the most important relationship we will ever have is the one we cultivate with ourselves.
3. Ceremonial Details: What does a typical self-marriage ceremony involve in your project?
A Marry Yourself Worldwide ceremony is a symbolic commitment to self-love and personal growth. Each ceremony is unique, but common elements include:
- Personal Vows – A promise to honor, respect, and love oneself unconditionally.
- Symbolic Ritual – Wearing a ring or another meaningful gesture.
- Witnesses or Solitude – It can be private or shared with close friends or family.
- Sacred Space – Held in a personally significant location around the world.
- Celebration – A moment of joy, reflection, or gratitude to mark the commitment.
This ceremony is not about rejecting relationships but embracing self-love as the foundation for all connections.
4. Global Reach: How do you plan to spread the concept of self-marriage globally?
Marry Yourself Worldwide is a movement that transcends borders, encouraging self-love as a universal foundation for healthier relationships. To expand globally, I plan to:
- Workshops & Events – Hosting in-person and virtual ceremonies.
- Storytelling & Media – Sharing real stories through social media, podcasts, and collaborations with global platforms.
- Cultural Adaptation – Respecting and integrating traditions from different cultures to make self-marriage meaningful worldwide.
- Partnerships – Collaborating with wedding industry professionals to introduce the concept.
I’m particularly excited to explore self-marriage in cultures with deep traditions around love and commitment, such as Japan, India, Mexico, and Europe, where redefining relationships with oneself can have a profound impact.
5. Personal Journey: Can you tell us more about the girl in Paris who decided to marry herself?
One of the most inspiring stories from Marry Yourself Worldwide is about a woman in Paris who chose to marry herself as a declaration of self-worth and renewal. After years of seeking validation in relationships, she realized that true love had to start from within. Standing on a quiet Parisian bridge, she recited vows to herself—promising to honor her dreams, trust her journey, and embrace her imperfections with kindness.
6. Future Vision: Where do you see the “Marry Yourself Worldwide” initiative in the next five years?
In the next five years, Marry Yourself Worldwide will grow into a global movement, inspiring people to embrace self-love as the foundation for all relationships. My vision includes:
- Global Ceremonies – Hosting self-marriage events in iconic locations worldwide, blending culture and providing opportunities for witnessing as a photographer.
- Collaborations – Partnering with artists and influencers to create meaningful content.
- A Book – Showcasing real stories of self-marriage to challenge societal norms and redefine commitment.
This movement is about more than a ceremony—it’s about creating a shift in how we view love, relationships, and personal fulfillment.
7. Career Transition: From Criminal Attorney to Wedding Photographer
My transition from criminal law to wedding photography was driven by a deep need for creativity, human connection, and storytelling in a way that celebrated love rather than conflict. After a decade as a defense attorney, I realized that while I was passionate about advocacy, I longed for a different kind of impact—one that captured moments of joy, vulnerability, and authenticity rather than struggle and loss.
The skills I honed in law have profoundly shaped my approach to photography. My ability to read emotions, remain composed under pressure, and pay attention to intricate details allows me to anticipate and capture fleeting yet powerful moments. Just as in the courtroom, where every case tells a unique story, every wedding holds an intimate narrative waiting to be documented.
Ultimately, both careers revolve around people, trust, and the power of storytelling—whether through words or images. Shifting to photography allowed me to redefine my purpose, channeling my past experiences into a profession that aligns with my passion for capturing the raw, beautiful complexity of love and human connection.
8. Marry Yourself Worldwide: Inspiration & Vision
The idea for Marry Yourself Worldwide came while photographing weddings. As I listened to couples make lifelong vows, I asked myself: How can we truly commit to someone else if we haven’t first committed to ourselves?
This question hit home. As a single mother and someone who had experienced a failed marriage, I realized my past relationships hadn’t worked because I hadn’t yet learned to love myself unconditionally. That realization led me to create Marry Yourself Worldwide—a movement that encourages people to make vows to themselves before committing to another.
9. What I Hope to Change
I want to shift the wedding industry’s focus from external commitment to self-love as the foundation of any relationship. Through self-marriage ceremonies, storytelling, and global events, I aim to:
- Redefine Commitment – Encourage self-love as the first step toward healthy relationships.
- Normalize Self-Marriage – Introduce personal vows as a meaningful practice.
- Inspire a Global Movement – Help people embrace wholeness and rewrite their love stories.
At its core, Marry Yourself Worldwide is an invitation to recognize that the most important love story is the one we have with ourselves.
10. Podcast Themes: Topics & Personal Integration
My upcoming podcast, co-hosted with my son, will explore self-love, commitment, and transformation through Marry Yourself Worldwide. It will feature interviews with experts, personal stories, and real-life experiences to inspire listeners on their journey to self-acceptance.
Key Topics:
- Self-Marriage & Redefining Commitment – Why it matters and how it transforms relationships.
- Love Beyond Tradition – Breaking societal norms and embracing unconventional paths.
- Personal Stories & Guest Interviews – Conversations with individuals who have married themselves.
- Lessons from the Wedding Industry – Insights from a decade of photographing love.
- Healing & Self-Worth – Overcoming heartbreak and embracing self-love practices.
Through raw storytelling and meaningful discussions, my son and I will share our own journeys, offering an honest and intimate perspective on love, resilience, and personal growth.
11. VITA: The Necklace
At last, I want to add that I decided to take the idea a step further and create a physical representation: the Vita necklace. This piece, now available for purchase, is a vulva—not as a gender symbol but as a representation of the tunnel that signifies birth and our connection to our essence. Worn close to the heart, it serves as a reminder of who we are and where we come from. It is an invitation to look inward and cultivate unconditional self-love before sharing it with anyone else.
The Vita necklace was designed by my childhood friend, Bárbara Garibay, a talented designer whose creativity has always inspired me. Her vision and delicate craftsmanship reflect the beauty we have both shared in our friendship.
Our intention is for Vita to be a constant reminder that, as we walk this path of self-discovery and self-love, we are in a position to genuinely love and share ourselves with the world.
