20 of the most romantic vow renewal spots around the world

Vow renewals are becoming increasingly popular. They can be small and intimate or grand and luxurious. You can invite as many people as you would like, or you can celebrate just the two of you. Whether you’re celebrating one year or fifty, these celebrations are about your love for each other. You will say the vows you said on your wedding day (or more personal ones if you choose) and confirm your commitment to each other. While these celebrations are usually less nerve wracking then a typical wedding, they are still exciting and take a lot of planning. Here we have some inspiration for you if you are having trouble deciding on a venue location. 1. Original Ceremony Site Your…

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How to get legally married in Ireland

So what is the difference between a marriage and a wedding in Ireland? it can be confusing if you are trying to arrange your wedding in the gorgeous country of Ireland. One of our members gives us her advice for organising a legal wedding ceremony in the beautiful Emerald Isle. How To Get Legally Married in Ireland Marriage ceremonies in Ireland have changed hugely in recent years. With many couples now recognising that they can separate contracting their legal marriage from having the wedding ceremony of their dreams wherever they want, celebrant-led weddings are in great demand. Ireland has a variety of independent wedding celebrants, each with a different personal style, but all offering highly bespoke ceremonies delivered with love…

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Looking at the pros and cons of a wedding ceremony abroad

You are engaged! Yay! Now you are thinking ahead to your Big Day and weighing up the different options.  Church wedding? Register office wedding and ceremony? Or register office and a bespoke Celebrant-led ceremony? Choosing a Celebrant-led wedding gives you the option to include religious elements, blend multi-faith traditions, embrace customs from different cultures and incorporate symbolic rituals. But the choices don’t stop there! Having officially contracted your register office marriage will you then opt for a Celebrant-led “outdoor wedding” in your own country or a “destination wedding” abroad? Outdoor wedding in your own country There is a joke that the difference between an English summer and an English winter is warm rain or cold rain. An outdoor wedding at…

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6 ways to have a destination wedding on a budget

With many couples deciding to contract their marriage in their home country then escape to the sunshine for a destination wedding, here our our top tips for a destination wedding on a budget. Photo Ana Marielina 1. Destination weddings don’t have to be long haul You do not have to travel to far flung destinations to get the best weather. Research the weather at short haul destinations within three hours of your home airport. You may be pleasantly surprised! The sun shines on average for 320 days of the year in southern Spain for example. Flying outside of the prime summer months means you can travel a shorter distance, at a lesser cost. If your chosen destination wedding is an island…

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How 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 –…

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How 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…

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Unique Wedding venue ideas to suit you!

Weddings are one of the most special and memorable days of your life, so there is no need to stick to the standard venues – let your imagination run wild! Find yourself a venue that really means something to you as a couple, and a Celebrant can hold your perfect ceremony wherever you dream of! Here are our top 10 ideas to give you some inspiration: Farm Farms have some fantastic building which can decorated in your own way, and have plenty of space to have areas for the different parts of your ceremony including the reception. Some farms already cater for events and will have some options for you, or you can go really rustic and ask a working…

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Handling 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…

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How to get legally married by a Celebrant in Australia

Getting legally married by a Celebrant in Australia is easy! Every celebrant says they absolutely love their job, but it’s true! It’s the most amazing feeling and privilege to facilitate the creation, development and realisation of someone’s dream wedding.    One Celebrant tells us how easy it is to get legally married  in Australia – the best of all worlds! Dream Australian destination weddings – sun, sand, romance and magic What is your idea of a dream wedding? Is it a beautiful beach, with white sand stretching across the horizon, beautiful clean, blue ocean (don’t mind the sharks…) and lots of warm sunshine? Imagine if you could have all of this, plus, your photographer, your videographer, a hair and makeup…

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Why have a Destination Wedding?

Planning your wedding is no mean feat.  It takes patience, stamina and for some quite a budget!  Every bride and groom who choses to have their ceremony on their home turf are sad that the day seems to be over in the blink of an eye and just wish they could do it all over again.  This seems to be one of the best possible reasons to choose a destination wedding. Combine the excitement of your special day with a fabulous trip for you and your loved ones! Why consider a destination wedding? By having your ceremony abroad, somewhere you love, you take your guests with you and you all get to share special times and amazing memories which will…

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Why include crowns in your Greek destination wedding?

Greece is an amazing destination for your wedding.  You are practically guaranteed sunshine, gorgeous scenery and it’s easy to get to from almost anywhere in the world.  All of Greek life is jam-packed with tradition and ritual, and none more so than a Greek wedding ceremony.  Take stamping on your husband’s foot to establish dominance in the marriage for example.  No, really, it’s a thing! But my hands down favourite has to be the wedding crowns. It’s nice to embrace some of the traditions of the country where you are holding your destination wedding, and if you have chosen Greece there are many ways in which the crowns can be incorporated into your ceremony. They are also visually beautiful and…

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Wedding Celebrants in Australia: Types and How to Choose One

Are you planning to get hitched down under but not sure what a wedding celebrant in Australia is or does? Well, fret not lovebirds, celebrants are the real MVPs who conduct your wedding ceremony and make it all official. But did you know that there are different types of celebrants in Australia?  In this blog post, we will take a closer peek at the different types of wedding officiants so you can understand all the details and pick the one that’s a perfect match for your Aussie “I dos”.  Types of Celebrants in Australia Unlike in the UK, a wedding celebrant in Australia can legally marry you,wahoo!  However, there are several types of wedding celebrant in Australia, each with their…

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Getting married in Greece, do’s and dont’s

Here’s how not to get married in Greece! “It was all over in the ‘blink of an eye’ “. One experienced celebrant shares her tops tips on how not to get married in Greece with advice on how to make the most of your celebrant-led destination wedding in the Greek sunshine.   Photo credit: Savvas Argirou at Atrium Prestige Resort and Spa Hotel The destination wedding business is changing, in the modern world we live in, marriage equality is a must. Celebrant led ceremonies are trending in Europe, however until now, in most European countries a celebrant cannot conduct a legal marriage and this includes Greece. A symbolic wedding ceremony in Greece. Now you see it now you don’t! I created…

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Olives, ouzo and pomegranates! Celebrant led weddings, Greece!

Chosen Greece for your destination wedding? Are you looking through your destination wedding options on line? Are you looking at an array of beautiful sandy beaches, stunning blue waters, ancient columns standing majestically for thousands of years, wonderful photos of pretty archways, small white chapels, floral arrangements, eclectic menus and endless entertainment options? If so, you have chosen Greece! Anybody choosing Greece as the venue for their destination wedding will not be disappointed. More often than not, the country is chosen for its great weather and fabulous sea views, not to mention the fact that a destination wedding can be a whole lot cheaper than a wedding at home! Not only will you be tying the knot but also you…

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Real Wedding Ceremony. Seville. Emma and Glenn

Real wedding ceremony in Seville, Spain Read Emma and Glenn’s beautiful real life ceremony story at the Hacienda San Rafael in Seville as told by their celebrant, the lovely Nikki Kulin Meet the wedding couple Emma and Glenn, of Irish and Australian descent and based in Sydney, contacted me to conduct their Wedding Ceremony at the beautiful Hacienda San Rafael in Seville, a year in advance.  I’m often asked if it is more difficult working with couples who you cannot meet in person.  I can say categorically that, thanks to the wonders of technology and my tried and trusted methods, all my couples feel that they get to know me and I them in the run up to the ceremony…

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Scotland! The secret destination wedding location

Thinking Destination Wedding? Think Scotland! Lonely Planet lists Scotland in the top 10 places in the World for people to visit making it an ideal destination wedding location with a difference.   Scotland is a land of history and romance and, as soon as you step foot in the country you can tell it is one very special place.  As a wedding celebrant, here is why I think Scotland should be high on your list when planning your Destination Wedding, Elopement or Renewal of Vows.   You can get married anywhere in Scotland! The first thing to know is you can get married ANYWHERE in Scotland.  Venues do not need special licences; all you need is the relevant permission from the…

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