Why Celebrant Ceremonies Are Unforgettable…

It pains me to say it, but many people still have no idea what a celebrant is and how they differ from a registrar. I am obviously biased and feel everyone should know. But don’t panic. If you are getting married shortly and are considering a celebrant, then let’s look at how making this choice could be a game changer…

Celebrant-led weddings have grown in popularity over the past few years, and this is due to changing trends, mainly the one to create a more personal wedding and step outside of the expected. Our special day is becoming more focused on what we want instead of what is expected of us. Times are changing, and new traditions are being born. It is an exciting switch that has undoubtedly been a long time coming.

When you think of getting married, what options spring to mind? I doubt there are many. It seems so restricting, but that just isn’t true…sorry to start a debate, but I want to scream about it from the rooftops. You don’t have to have a religious ceremony in a church, nope. And you don’t have to choose a civil ceremony in a registry office, nope. Nor do you have to choose a venue with a license, or even have a Registrar at your venue .. Another more exciting option is becoming more popular because of its possibilities; have you considered a celebrant?

The who, what, where and why…

The first thing I say when I meet my couples is that they can do anything they want on their day and anywhere- within reason, of course! Outdoors, in a castle, on a beach, maybe even on a boat; if we can get there and have permission ( not a license) to have a ceremony there, let’s do it! It is exciting for me because no two weddings are the same. I also love sharing details of past weddings I have led and inspiring people with options they have never considered.

But what is a celebrant? Good question. A celebrant is a person who creates and delivers bespoke, individual, personalised ceremonies, in whatever way you want, to mark a special milestone.

This could be a wedding, funeral, or baby naming, or any celebration of love and life. The ceremonies are not automatically religious and do not tick any specific boxes. There are no rules, expectations and certainly no formalities…unless you want them. The day is yours to do as you wish, and that is the beauty of it. If I could sum up a celebrant-led wedding in one sentence, it would be ‘a wedding with complete creative freedom, tailored to what YOU want’. I love that.

Helping you make the big decision…

A Registry office ceremony works for many people, but several things must be considered before deciding. A registrar has a list of rules and regulations that must be followed; some boxes must be ticked, and there will be limitations to vows, music and decorations etc. Most importantly, there will usually be a strict time limit…an in/out process that will get you out the door as quickly as you have arrived. You may be one of many people they are marrying that day. And if you have a delay ..  there is a risk your ceremony cannot take place.

A celebrant will not have that same time restraint. The day is yours to plan in your own way, at your own pace, making it informal, relaxed, and much less stressful. You may choose to marry at sunset, sunrise or midnight! Am I selling it to you? Of course, I am!

As a celebrant myself, one of my favourite parts of the process (yuck…I hate that word) is getting to know my couples. It is so much fun and often very emotional for us all. When I write a ceremony, it is with you and only you in mind. It may seem daunting initially, but I can reassure you it isn’t. The planning should be just as fun as the actual day, and I hope that is something I can bring. I pride myself on it. My priority is to guide you to make authentic and meaningful choices. I will help you to find ways to include and involve all your favourite people. And ultimately craft a ceremony which does your love justice – a line I shamelessly stole from hitched.co.uk, but I love it!

Let’s do this…

In a nutshell, if you want to celebrate  in a truly individual way, then a celebrant is the way to go. A wedding is just that after all- a celebration of your love with all your special people. Marriage is just the legality- 32 words and a mark on paper .

And if you want a day that brings love, fun and a mix of all the emotions, you’ve now found the way. Remember,  registrar is allocated to you, but a celebrant (hello, here I am) is chosen by you. We talk, we get to know each other, and if you think we are a good match, we go for it. My role is to create an individual day, a beautiful ceremony that you and your guests will remember for life.

I would love to meet you, so why not come and say hi. Let’s see if we are a dream fit…

6 Ways to Personalise the Heck Out of Your Big Day

Long gone are the days when everyone had their wedding mapped out for them, when no planning was required because the decisions had already been made before anyone had even popped the question. And gosh, aren’t we relieved.

That is not to say I don’t like tradition. And that doesn’t mean I’m against the idea of supporters stepping in to arrange this, that and the other. But what I do like is choice.

A wedding should be about two people making their own choices – opinions and input may or may not be wanted (a controversial topic, I’m sure) – but ultimately the final decision should belong to the couple.

If you are reading this now and are mid-plans for your wedding, what do YOU want; what would be YOUR dream day? If the end result ticks those boxes, you have hit the wedding jackpot.

The past decade has seen a real increase in quirky weddings, and nowadays, it is all about personalisation. People are using their day as an opportunity to celebrate their lives together and this is where your perfect Celebrant steps up!

For some, this might mean adding a theme; for others, it is often about including other family members, children, or even pets in the ceremony. In a world where people share life experiences before getting hitched, this trend is becoming more popular.

A wedding is no longer just about two people exchanging vow’s and/or rings; it is now an opportunity to celebrate the relationship found and the life two people have already built together. And of course a Celebrant ceremony has all the feels of personalisation to the max!

So here are six differant wedding personalisations that I wanted to share with you guys to get the cogs turning:

Song lyrics and movie quotes…

Every couple has ‘their song’ or ‘their movie’ that resonates. Every time they hear or see it, they catch each other’s eye and smile because it reminds them of a time that was important to them. It might have been their first date, the day their child was born, or maybe even something naughty that is probably best not shared. To include it within the day seems right. Even if no other person in that room knows the significance, it doesn’t matter. I have known couples to weave film quotes into their vows, which is a really intimate touch. It’s sometimes funny, sometimes sentimental, but it always brings an element of surprise.  Whether you explain the sentiment to your guests or leave them scratching their heads, it doesn’t matter because sometimes the little secrets are the special ones.

Theme it up…

I mentioned including a song or movie line in your vows…why not take that one step further and use that as inspiration for the theme for your whole day. Wedding themes are HUGE! And the exciting part is that there is so much you can do with them; they give you a blank canvas. You could have tables named after songs by your favourite artist, a first dance taken from an iconic movie. The possibilities are endless; nothing screams personalisation more than a themed wedding.

Let the games begin…

Long gone are the days when weddings were automatically formal events. If that’s what you want, then fab, go for it. But it’s not a done deal. A popular trend continuing into 2023 is to make a ceremony fun! More and more people include games into their day, either a few rounds of quizzical questioning between the couple (although it’s best to be picky with the questions, eeek) or something on a larger scale to include the guests. Either way, the crucial element is everyone having a good time. But how quirky can you go? The options have endless. It’s also a surefire way for you to have some giggles in the build-up or in the in-between moments. Keeping a few secrets from the guests can be a lot of fun…trust me, I know!

Include everyone…

Some couples want the day to be about just them. And that’s fine. We all had lives before our children and pets came along, and sometimes it’s nice to have something in our lives that isn’t about them. I get that, and I am here waving the ‘it’s not all about them’ flag. But some also like including others in the celebrations, maybe even giving them a role. It doesn’t have to be a huge role but just enough to make them feel part of it. If you want your wedding day to be a family affair, that’s exactly what you should have. Remember that you make the rules! I have so many ideas to inspire my couples that it can become one of the most exciting parts of the planning process. Planning shouldn’t be stressful; it should be fun and a memory to hold on to.

Craft some homemade touches…

We are a generation of Etsy lovers; We are all about reusing, recycling and borrowing! Couples now bring homemade delights to their day…ring boxes painted by their children and cake stands made during the hen party. Knowing that friends and family have helped create things for the day is pretty special, especially if they can be used again or kept in a prime spot to be looked at and treasured for many years to come. So get those creative juices flowing; this is the time to bring personal touches to your day.

Photo booth and disposable cameras…

Need I say any more here? The second someone mentions a photo booth, we know it will be a fun day. In one of my other blogs, I mentioned that raw photos are now more popular than ever, and I still stand by that. Professional photos will always be necessary, but we want contrast nowadays. We want blurry pictures of Uncle Ted with a curly wig tripping over a chair. We want an off-centre snap of anyone wearing a feather boa. This stuff is gold and has a place in every newlywed’s wedding album.

I could go on forever. In fact, picking just six wedding personalisations was almost impossible. If these ideas have got you thinking about what you want your day to symbolise, then come and have a chat.

We can laugh and cry and brainstorm together. I am here to listen and support…oh and to help make your special day everything you could possibly dream of, trust me when I say I am a celebrant who is as passionate about your ceremony as you are!