Wedding Celebrations
If you are getting married in a place of worship or Register Office, you may wish to follow your legal ceremony with a wedding celebration.
Wedding celebrations are popular because they have no formal requirements and so couples are free to create a truly personalized celebration.
If you choose me as your celebrant, I will help you plan a joyful celebration of your marriage. We can explore what you would like to include in your celebration, such as an exchange of vows, symbolic gestures, and readings. I will encourage you to be as imaginative and personal as you wish. With your chosen elements in mind, I will then prepare a detailed script of the celebration for you to review.
I can recommend all kinds of readings, from poetry to prayers.
On the day (or night) itself, I will lead your celebration with care and professionalism, ensuring that it’s a truly personal experience for you and those invited to share in it.
Here are some of the special features in celebrant-led celebrations:
Some couples choose to conduct their celebration much like a church wedding, with traditional attire, bridesmaids, best men or women, and a grand entrance. Other couples choose a more informal or eclectic approach – it’s up to you!
Many couples choose a personally meaningful location for their celebration such as a home, garden, hotel or village hall. Celebrant-led celebrations can be held at any venue.
Celebrations often include an exchange of vows or promises through which a couple make their commitment to one another. If you choose to write your own personal vows or promises to include in the celebration, I will offer inspiration and guidance. Or, if you prefer, I will gladly write your vows for you in full, based on your sentiments and wishes.
Celebrations can include symbolic acts such as exchanging rings, sharing a loving cup or handfasting, planting a tree or lighting a candle. You may even want to follow ancient tradition and ‘jump the broom’! I can offer ideas and help you choose the symbolic actions that will be most in tune with you and your celebration.
Many couples ask close friends or relatives to give readings, blessings or prayers or choose a meaningful poem to be read aloud during the ceremony. If you wish, I can help you choose them.
Music is an important feature of celebrations, and we can choose the music to be played as you enter and leave the celebration, as well as any music to be played during the ceremony itself.
Many couples sign – and invite their guests to sign - a Certificate of Celebration to mark the conclusion of the ceremony. I provide this Certificate as part of my service.
It is my job to ensure that all music, readings and other contributions are carried off without a hitch!
Before the day, I visit the venue and will get the ‘lay of the land’. I can advise on the room layout and will liaise with the venue staff to check that the room is set up properly on the big day. I will work with those providing the music or giving readings to make sure that all goes smoothly, and everyone knows their cues!
These are just some ideas. It’s your day and your choice. I will work with you to make it unique, meaningful and memorable.