Posts Tagged ‘Celebrant Advice’
How to elope to Australia!
Top advice for eloping to Australia Elopements are intensely romantic and beautifully personal. If getting married is on your mind, this is absolutely the most fun way to do it – elope! Bypass all the potential hassle of having to decide whose ideas you include in your wedding and who you invite – or don’t invite!! You can do it all your own way AND it can blend in nicely with your honeymoon. Here is one Celebrant’s advice for how to elope to Australia. “If you are not free to be who you are, you are not free!” Clarissa Pinkola Estes Your marriage is only about you and your partner, so why shouldn’t your wedding be the same? You are…
Read MoreHandling the stress at your Wedding Ceremony
Weddings are both special and exciting days, but they can come with their fair share of stress! Nerves and wedding day jitters are common, so here are some tips to help you enjoy your day without the worries. Get a good night’s sleep The day of your wedding can often be a long one, with preparing and getting ready in the morning, the ceremony itself and the following celebrations that will probably last long into the evening. Getting a proper sleep the night before is a good idea so that you feel refreshed and are able to fully enjoy your day. Don’t forget to eat Nerves or being busy with preparations on the day could mean you end up not…
Read MoreRenewing your vows, made easy!
Whatever your reasons for having a vow renewal ceremony, here at The Celebrant Directory we have pulled together the best possible advice to make renewing your vows as easy as saying, “I do”… again! What is a renewal of vows ceremony? We answer the most asked questions in this easy to follow Vow Renewal Ceremony Guide What is a Renewal of Vows ceremony? Is a Renewal of Vows ceremony legally binding? What will the Renewal of Vows ceremony include? Where can we have our Renewal of Vows ceremony? Do we exchange rings and vows again during the ceremony? Can we involve our children in the service? Will we meet our Celebrant before the service? Reasons to renew your vows So…
Read MoreYour checklist of questions for the perfect wedding ceremony
How do I start a checklist for my wedding? You want to get married, you want a celebrant led wedding ceremony but there is so much else you want to know! How do you even start writing a checklist of to-do items? And in order to get all of the answers, what questions should you be asking yourself in the first place?! Don’t panic, sit down and relax and read this quick guide to asking the right questions to create your ideal wedding ceremony. Who will I marry? OK a fairly fundamental question, but let’s start off on a positive note and assume you have found the perfect partner! Check. Do we want a marriage or a wedding? Actually, the…
Read MoreThe 5 Best Naming Ceremony Blogs
A naming ceremony is an alternative to a christening, baptism or other religious ceremonies to welcome your baby into the world. Have you recently welcomed a new baby into the world? Have you got an older child who feels they missed out on a ceremony or would even like to change their name? Have you adopted a child or do you have stepchildren and want a ceremony to welcome them into your family? The Celebrant Directory has compiled the top five naming ceremony blogs, written by some of the most experienced Celebrants around to give you all the advice you will ever need! The Celebrant Directory Guide to Naming Ceremonies Where else would we start but in The Celebrant Directory’s…
Read More4 Fashion Tips for the Mother of the Bride
As the mother of the bride, you’re naturally excited about your daughter’s big day and keen to look your best. After all, after the bride and groom, all eyes are going to be on the mother of the bride and what she’s wearing. If you’re unsure on which style to adapt for your daughter’s special day, here are several fashion tips for all discerning and fashion-conscious mothers of the bride. 1. Be Open Minded A lot of ladies may have a pre-conceived idea of what they may want, but just like the Bride with her wedding dress, it’s a good idea to try on lots of styles and colours as many mother of the bride dresses and outfits do not…
Read MoreHow to use rituals at your wedding
Using Ritual at your Wedding Hundreds of thousands of years of human experience give you a wonderful treasure trove of resources to express your love. One of the best things about a celebrant led wedding is the ability to mix and match all sorts of traditions, both ancient and modern, to express exactly what you want to say about your union. Millennia of human evolution has given us an incredibly rich toolbox full of different kinds of rituals that all capture something special about the experience of two lives coming together and connect with your own unique story. Where do wedding rituals originate? A fact of the human experience is that we are ritual beings; we create all sorts of…
Read MoreWedding traditions and where they come from
The story behind the traditions… When you’re planning for your wedding, you probably find yourself automatically planning for things such as wedding rings, a white dress, bridesmaids or groomsmen. But do you know the story behind those traditions, and what the meaning of them is? Here’s a look at some of the most popular wedding traditions and where they came from. Wearing a White Dress Wedding dress shops are full of beautiful white dresses which are often seen as symbolising purity. Did you know that the trend of wearing white actually only dates back to the 1800s when Queen Victoria chose to wear a white dress when she married Prince Albert? In fact, brides would usually simply wear their best…
Read MoreHow to Choose an Engagement Ring
If you are joining the millions of men or women faced with the pressure of finding the right ring to pop the big question, you may be unsure where to start. Fortunately, to take away some of the guesswork, there are certain ‘rules’ that you can follow to help you find the ideal engagement ring for your hopefully soon-to-be fiancé. 1. Find out your partner’s ring size The first thing you should do before you even consider the design of an engagement ring is to find out the ring size of your partner. A ring that’s too big or, worse still, too small, won’t do you any favours when you come to slip it onto your new fiancé’s finger. One…
Read MoreCelebrants give the low-down on renewing your vows
Renewal of Vows Ceremonies are a great way for couples to celebrate their ongoing love, and show their devotion to each other once again. We asked a few of our Celebrants what is so wonderful about Renewal of Vows Ceremonies and they have given us some real-life experiences of being a part of them. Tanya Jones loves conducting Renewal of Vows Ceremonies and here she tells us a bit about why. In your experience why have the couples you worked with decided to have a Renewal of Vows Ceremony? Some of the couples I’ve worked with have decided to have a Renewal of Vows to mark reaching 30 years of marriage; because their daughter and her family were visiting from…
Read MoreCelebrant Feature: Who walks the bride down the aisle?
“Of all the walks we have taken together, today is my favourite.” That is one of many lovely sentiments that a bride can offer her escort when they have been given the honour of walking a bride up the aisle on her wedding day. The beauty of getting married in this era of ‘anything goes’, means that brides, grooms, and couples can choose exactly how they wish to honour that moment when all eyes are on them walking up the aisle. With wedding ceremonies being influenced less by tradition these days, and with much more of a blank canvas than they were years ago, there are so many other options for a bride or a couple to walk up the…
Read MoreShould I invite children to my wedding?
It’s hard to disagree that children can be a delight at weddings; they look adorable, they make the best natural photos and bring a lot of joy to the occasion. But no one wants that special moment spoiled by a toddler tantrum, and this leads to a lot of couples leaving them off the invite list. Only you will know the potential impact on your relationships with parents that have to make childcare arrangements or cannot attend if their children aren’t invited (on the other hand some might be delighted for a night off!). Before you think this one over, think about why it is you might prefer they didn’t attend, and how having a celebrant-led wedding with a carefully…
Read More15 things your wedding Celebrant wishes you knew.
Your wedding should be one of the most special days of your life; however, it can be accompanied by a mammoth ‘to do’ list! Luckily, with a wedding Celebrant at your side, you can reduce that list tenfold. But, how can you make the most out of your partnership with your Celebrant? Read on to discover the 15 things your wedding Celebrant wishes you knew (and how to make your entire experience as magical and stress-free as possible). 1. Your wedding ceremony needs to reflect your unique (and beautiful!) story. Remember; the joy of working with a wedding Celebrant is that you have the freedom to craft your ceremony however you wish. That means you can create a celebration that…
Read MoreWhy choose a Celebrant?
So, here we are just coming towards the end of the winter months… warmer days ahead and lots of planning to be getting on with for your wedding, whether it’s this year or a bit further ahead. There is much to consider and organise as you approach your big day, but have you given any thought to the most significant words you will ever say to one another? Many couples get caught up in all the other aspects, such as flowers, the dress!, make up, photos, cars, cake and so on that they don’t give enough time to consider their options when it comes to the ceremony itself. Do you really want to be saying words that you’re told to say?…
Read MoreWedding Celebrant Checklist – 8 Must-Haves You Need With You For A Ceremony
A Wedding Celebrant Checklist and toolkit is like a friend who’s always got your back, but sometimes knowing what to pack isn’t always easy. Obviously doing your research about your venue beforehand is always advised, however, sometimes you don’t always know what you’ll need before it’s too late. I know I definitely learned the hard way! Here’s my Wedding Celebrant Checklist of 8 absolute must-haves you need with you for a ceremony. This post contains affiliate links Multi Microphone System An absolute must in your Wedding Celebrant Checklist is a multi-microphone system, including a lapel and headset microphone. Having a microphone will ensure that all of the guests can hear you clearly and you can move around with…
Read MoreHow to Renew your Wedding Vows
Life is made up of special moments. From the first time you saw each other to your lives being joined in matrimony, you have shared adventures and experiences only you can speak of. You’ve travelled to new places together, perhaps had a family, or simply been married just a short time but changes in your life have meant you’d like to say ‘I do’ once more. A vow renewal is the perfect occasion for this. A time to reflect, celebrate and look forward to your future together as partners for life or husband and wife. So what is a Renewal of Vows Ceremony? A Renewal of Vows ceremony reaffirms your love for each other, it may restate the vows you…
Read MoreWho should lead your wedding ceremony?
Friend or Celebrant? Why your mate may not be the perfect replacement. When it comes to your Wedding Day, it can be vital to manage the finances and make savings where you can. A recent spate of articles, suggests that one way of doing this is to have a friend or family member officiate your ceremony. But there are some important things to be considered before assuming they can do the same job as a professional Celebrant. Is the person officiating at the heart of your big day the best way to save a bit of money? One experienced Celebrant tells us why your mate might not be the best person for the job. The pressures of public speaking…
Read MoreTop Celebrants Reveal their Best and Worst in Wedding Ceremony Music
Wedding music reveals a lot about the couple getting married – and has been an eye-opener for some of our Celebrants! I spent some time last year quizzing some top Wedding Celebrants, and members of The Celebrant Directory, in the UK on their best and worst experiences with wedding ceremony music and asking them to reveal their thoughts and advice for those choosing those tunes. What song springs to mind as the most memorable when it comes to ceremony music and why? JASON & CATHY: We think the most memorable have been of a romantic nature. Two spring to mind but to pick one … my first my last my everything by Barry White has to be a fav. It was…
Read MoreHelp! Who should speak at our wedding?
5 top tips for who should speak at your ceremony You are in the early stages of your wedding preparation. You have found the venue, the Celebrant you feel is right for you, the magical-eyed photographer. You are still thinking about a thousand aspects. And then a question pops into your mind, which makes you feel a bit anxious: “Who should speak at our ceremony?” Many of the people who have chosen me to weave and officiate their ceremony (wedding, symbolic union, baby naming, kind uncoupling, etc.) ask me this question quite early on our path together. Please take a deep breath. Exhale. Let’s solve this together… 1. No “should”… ideally This ceremony is first and foremost yours. It is…
Read MoreHow to choose your ideal wedding venue
Want to create a unique wedding day, but worried about the cost? No wonder! According to Brides Magazine, the average wedding in this county is currently costing a staggering £30,000, and a big chunk of this can be for hiring the wedding venue. So here are a few examples of how you can reduce that element of the cost, and others too, by having a Humanist wedding. Humanist Celebrants will create a special, personalised wedding ceremony for you, ANYWHERE. And this can mean that you cut £3000-£5000 off the cost of the ceremony instantly, because then you don’t have to use a registered venue. Grand hotel or stately home wedding venues are great but can feel that the couple are…
Read More5 Top (Easy) Tips for a Tech Savvy Wedding
How to easily have a modern tech savvy wedding with 5 top tips Whether you’re going with a festival style wedding with tipis and hay bales, or a fairytale woodland setting, or vintage Great Gatsby, or full on Game of Thrones themed wedding, these 5 ever-so-easy top tips will work well to modernise your day for a tech savvy wedding. I wouldn’t consider myself to be a tech savvy person by any stretch of the imagination. I was one of the last of my friends to own a mobile phone (and I still harbour suspicions that my Smartphone is a bit smarter than I am!) but nowadays I get excited at new hashtags that show me inspiring wedding images on…
Read MoreDo I have to change my name when I get married?
Traditional Debunked! Do I have to change my name when I get married? Traditions and laws around the world, in relation to the giving and taking of a forename and a surname, are so varied and indeed complicated that it is fair to say there is no one cap fits all and …oh boy, is it a contentious subject! The simple answer is no. You don’t have to change your name, but traditionally women in the UK do. What’s the tradition behind it? Why do women take their husband’s family name? Historically, this all began in the 16th century, a woman was compelled to take her husbands surname after marriage by law. She gave up all rights of ownership and…
Read MoreHow do Celebrants write Wedding ceremonies?
Couples always tell me they want their guests to feel joyful, captivated, to feel the love, experience the passion in their relationship, and generally have a heartfelt experience from their wedding. Ceremonies that are personal to a couple’s story are written to capture the couple in a way where the whole idea of wedding ceremonies seems to have been invented solely with them in mind. Every Celebrant has a different approach and style of writing. Crafting a bespoke ceremony is largely influenced by the Celebrants personality, capacity for creative and eloquent story telling, and an ability to write from the heart. That is precisely what sets Celebrant-Led Ceremonies apart from what we have known as the traditional flow and content…
Read MoreHow to have a perfect wedding kiss
5 things you need to know about your ceremony kiss – you will be surprised! I have witnessed hundreds of couples first kisses! They have varied hugely from a full-on snog to a turned cheek! Equally embarrassing for all! A couples first kiss is said to be the most important and meaningful one they will share. There will be much anticipation and excitement leading up to your first kiss as newlyweds, so this advice may be all you need. Give some thought to your kiss. The following tips will ensure all goes well and that your eager crowd of family and guests are not disappointed, nor indeed are you! How to kiss or how not to kiss – that is…
Read MoreCelebrants give the low-down on renewing your vows – Part 3
Renewal of Vows ceremonies are a fantastic way to show ongoing love, or even overcoming obstacles with your love intact. Celebrants love conducting Renewal of Vows ceremonies as it really shows that love is everlasting. Sarah Baker, Norfolk Bluebells Celebrant, shares her experiences of Renewal of Vows ceremonies and why she thinks you should have one. In your experience why have the couples you worked with decided to have a Renewal of Vows Ceremony? The couples I’ve worked with to date are either celebrating a milestone wedding anniversary or are having the ‘wedding day’ that they couldn’t afford the first time around. Tell us about what happens during the ceremony. The structure is not dissimilar to a wedding ceremony but…
Read MoreCelebrant Stories: Will Showing Tears Be Seen As Unprofessional?
I Worry About My Emotions When Officiating Funerals – Won’t Showing Tears Be Seen As Unprofessional? In this article, Ellen shares her thoughts and perspectives about a very sensitive topic, in a thoughtfully written piece about how Celebrants manage emotions during a funeral service all while supporting those who are bereaved. Please note all images and names have been replaced as Ellen talks about her true experiences. Over to you, Ellen. ___________________ It was every parent’s greatest fear. The grief that filled the air on this particular day at the Crematorium felt a great and powerful weight on everyone’s hearts. Baby Arthur spent nine very active months in his mother’s womb fiercely reminding her of his presence. She often claimed…
Read MoreThe secrets to a successful elopement
Celebrants are accustomed to responding to the warmth, energy and loving emotion of close family and invited guests surrounding their wedding couple. So how do you create the right atmosphere at a marriage blessing with just two people present? One Celebrant offers an insight into a real-life, modern elopement and shares the secrets as to what makes this most intimate of ceremonies successful. (Photographic journal by very kind permission of Pedro Bellido Photography) What is an elopement? Historically an elopement was when two people ran away to get married. Couples often eloped because of family disapproved of their union and for this reason would have a secret ceremony some distance from their home so as not to be found out. These…
Read MoreHow To Organise Your Naming Ceremony
A Naming Ceremony or Baby Naming as it is sometimes referred to is the perfect opportunity to bring your friends and family together, show off your new little one and make promises for their future together, without the traditional and full religious ceremony. Naming Ceremonies are also a fantastic way to welcome adopted children into the family, or to celebrate when two families are blending into one. So how do you begin? What are the key steps to organising and arranging a Naming Ceremony? We are here to help with those questions! Who will lead the Naming Ceremony? Firstly, you need to find a Celebrant to officiate your special occasion. Your Naming Ceremony Celebrant will help you decide on the…
Read MoreChoosing a Wedding Celebrant
Choosing the perfect Wedding Celebrant is an important task. Just picture this scenario, you’re walking down the aisle, waiting for your partner to spot you. They turn and see you and you take their breath away. After weeks, months or even years of planning, you are finally taking your vows in front of your loved ones on probably the most important day in your lives. The person standing together with you in front of all your guests, welcoming them and officiating your ceremony is one of the most significant people at your wedding. They are the one asking you to commit your lives together and you now have the opportunity to find the perfect Celebrant for you as a couple…
Read MoreWedding Traditions: The low down on Ring Bearers
Here at The Celebrant Directory we are constantly on the look-out for different ways we can change up tradition, adding that extra sparkle when it comes to your wedding day. However, there is one particular tradition that tugs on our heart strings with overwhelming cuteness which is Ring Bearers! What part does a Ring Bearer play in your Wedding? Typically, the Ring Bearer will be a boy who is around the ages of 4-8 years old. They could be related to you or a godson or even a close friend who has children who are a part of your lives. The Ring Bearer is tasked with the responsibility of carrying the wedding rings down the aisle behind the bride. This…
Read MoreSecrets of involving guests at a wedding ceremony
Audience participation at your wedding ceremony They’ve come all this way and dressed their best – your fabulous friends and family all coming together at your wedding ceremony is one of the most special things about your big day. So special in fact that couples are increasingly looking for ways to include their guests, not just key members of the bridal party but their whole audience. A trend towards a less-formal, relaxed wedding vibe has contributed to this, as has the popularity of celebrant-led weddings; meaning couples are more aware that they can be creative in their ceremony, where fixed civil formats don’t enable them to. I also think couples are more aware of how much guests have contributed,…
Read MoreNo registrar available! What are my options?
With registrars in some countries coping with a backlog of legal marriage registrations, what are your options? Do you have to reschedule the entire wedding? One experienced UK celebrant tackles the questions head on. Photo Ben Davies Photography What are my options if a Registrar isn’t available for my rescheduled wedding? If you are a couple in England or Wales who have had to reschedule your dream wedding due to the Coronavirus, then my heart goes out to you, on the positive side, you are still getting married and you now have a little longer to plan and save for it! To reduce stress levels, it is important that you take control of the situation and liaise with your venue and…
Read More5 Reasons to renew your vows
Renewing your vows is a beautiful way to show how much love you and your partner have for one another. Each relationship is unique in their own magical and wonderful ways and therefore when you make that decision to express your love to each other again, those renewals will hold different meanings to each couple. Here are just 5 reasons why couples choose to renew their vows… 1. Landmark Anniversary The marking of an anniversary! You’ve made it to 5 years? 10? 20? Making a marriage work comes with compromises, love, madness, individual challenges and a whole lot more. You’ve stayed together for all that time and wish to celebrate with your friends and family the journey you’ve gone through…
Read MoreHow to renew your vows on a budget
So, you are renewing your weddings vows – that’s great! A fantastic way to re-cement your love or mark a significant marriage milestone, Renewal of Vows Ceremonies are becoming more and more popular with couples all over the world. As this is your second declaration of love, you might not want to spend quite as much as you did when you first got married. Or perhaps you are just not in a position to make such a fuss this time around. Either way, you can still have a magical day with the one you love, celebrating this amazing time with your friends and family. Here’s how… The Ceremony Since vow renewals are not restricted at all with location, you are…
Read MoreHow to plan your wedding on a budget.
The average UK wedding costs a hefty £30,000; for anyone hoping to plan their wedding on a budget, that number may well throw you into a tizzy. Luckily, while a wedding can cost a fortune, it really doesn’t have to! So, how can you plan your wedding on a budget? All it takes is a little bit of savvy-thinking for you to have your dream wedding on a budget. From DIY invitations and decorations to savings on the hefty items, a budget wedding is totally possible. We spoke to one of our brilliant Celebrants, Helen Williams, all about her top tips for planning a wedding on a budget. Read on to hear her tried and tested ideas! Tip #1 –…
Read MoreCelebrants give the low-down on renewing your vows – Part 2
Celebrants love to help you celebrate love! Renewal of Vows ceremonies are a great way to show your ongoing love or to renew your vows after a difficult time or a major change. Our Celebrants have been sharing their experiences with Renewal of Vow ceremonies and tell us why they think couple should consider having one. Next up, Ruby B Ceremonies lets us in on some insider information for Renewal of Vows ceremonies. In your experience why have the couples you worked with decided to have a Renewal of Vows Ceremony? Couples each have their own reason for having a Renewal of Vows Ceremony – these have included having the day of their dreams because they couldn’t do that when they got…
Read MoreWhat is a styled wedding shoot?
There are some breathtaking images of all different types of weddings published in bridal magazines both online and in print but not all of them are from real weddings. Here’s how a “styled wedding shoot” can inspire wedding couples and benefit all the professional wedding suppliers involved. What is a styled wedding shoot? Flicking through bridal and lifestyle magazines whether a glossy paper version or on the internet, you will see fabulous photography promoting beautiful wedding suits and dresses, with glamorous couples standing in idyllic locations. Sometimes the models in the photos are real couples, sometimes they are professional models but chances are that this is not their actual wedding day. What you are seeing has been specifically set up…
Read More