Reflecting brightly coloured rainbow wedding celebrations in your ceremony

With summer just around the corner many couples are looking to style their special day with a little (or a lot!) of bright colour. Instagram is full of floristry and bridal party couture inspiration, but there are lots of easy ways to inject a rainbow of colour into the most special part of your day; the ceremony! This makes sure you kick your big day off with a clear shout that this is a bright, joyous, colourful occasion! Here’s a few ways you can ensure you walk down the aisle to a burst of brights… Shining happy people! Of course your bridal party will be a rainbow of colour, but the majority of brides don’t want to give up the…

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16 Unique & Alternative Wedding Readings

Want a reading with a difference for your wedding ceremony? Whilst some love traditional poems, they don’t suit every couple. And what are we all about here at The Celebrant Directory, you got it – personalising that big day! So where do you start when searching for that fabulous reading that’s going to grab everyone’s attention? Here are a great selection of brilliant wedding readings and some top tips to get your search off to the right start! Think Personality First You’ve been together for a while, you know each other well, so what makes you both tick? Are you going traditional for your big day, or seeking something more alternative? Once you’ve found your wedding niche, you can start…

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Home is where the heart is; planning a garden wedding

Weddings at home are increasingly popular, and it’s no surprise as they fit with two key wedding trends; focussing the budget on what matters most to you rather than what’s expected, and achieving a relaxed, more personal feel to a wedding. The awareness and popularity of personalised, celebrant-led weddings has certainly also helped, with more couples completely open-minded (and keen to be creative!) with their wedding location, free from the restrictions of civil ceremonies. So if you, your family, or a particularly amazing friend has room for you and your guests then here’s my advice to ensure your ceremony space is both practical and looks amazing for the big day: 1. Look at what nature has given you Most home…

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So you think you’d like a Star Wars wedding?

Themed weddings are so on trend right now. Everyone wants some fun and laughter in their lives. When you use a celebrant at your wedding, we guarantee a totally unique ceremony that family and friends will always remember. But there is unique and then there is…….Star Wars!  When fabulous couple Rachel and Paul wanted a Star Wars themed wedding, their lovely celebrant jumped at the chance. Read their real ceremony story below.   May the force be with you We celebrants love themed weddings and one of the weirdest but best weddings I ever did was with Rachel and Paul, who told me they wanted a Star Wars themed wedding service.  When I first met the couple, Paula’s parents were also…

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How to plan a vegan wedding ceremony

Eco and ethical weddings: a vegan viewpoint Planning a wedding, as we all know, is not without its challenges. From finding the perfect venue to locating the most exquisite dress, the checklist grows every longer and the need for a wedding planner ever stronger! So you might think that planning a vegan wedding is even more demanding, requiring a much higher degree of research and organisation. Fortunately the reality is that it’s never been easier. A vegan wedding is so much more than the food Thanks to consumer-demand, the wedding industry is experiencing a huge growth in online resources for those brides and grooms wanting to reduce their carbon footprint and make better environmental choices for their most important day.…

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A Dutch wedding ceremony: 10 steps to the perfect order of events

Good news. You’re getting married in the Netherlands. Congratulations! You will love the Dutch wedding ceremony. But first, before you plunge into the planning, let’s think about the order of events. In case you don’t know, there is a format you must follow. A wedding ceremony in Holland is a little different to an English one. How? The celebrant will pronounce that you are man and wife before the first kiss. Whereas, at an English wedding, that announcement is made at the end of the ceremony. Another thing, exchanging of the rings happens immediately after you say, “yes, I do”.  Once you know the rules and regulations of a Dutch wedding, you’re set to go. I’ll walk you through the whole process… The authorities have a policy that…

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Live music to jazz up your wedding ceremony

Getting the party started at the ceremony Live music at a wedding can come in many forms. One thing for sure is it always makes an impact and, depending on your choice, may well and truly get the party started. One celebrant gives us their personal top tips for using live music to jazz up your wedding ceremony. Photo: Key Reflections www.keyreflections.co.uk The traditional string quartet at your ceremony can still be lovely, there is certainly a place for it in the right venue at the right wedding. Let’s face it though, there is so much more out there. When planning your wedding ceremony the initial thought may be to think recorded songs for walking down the aisle at the start and…

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How to Find your Wedding Ceremony Style

Finding your unique wedding ceremony style can be daunting and a little overwhelming. Your Pinterest board may showcase an array of pins in a Boho style with tassels and tanned leather galore! But once you really delve into your own personal style and become more honest with yourself, you may discover that actually it’s more romantic or rustic. Maybe you’ve always pictured a summer wedding but after discovering the beauty of a springtime wedding, that’s more your thing? This blog is going to give you 7 amazing tips on how to find your unique wedding ceremony style. When you do start planning your wedding, suppliers will ask you over and over again: “What do you like?” “What Style are you…

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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 have the wedding you want

You’ve just got engaged and now you are very excited to be planning your dream wedding. The choices are overwhelming, in all directions. Everyone you know wants a say in shaping that dream. How do you keep everyone (including yourself) happy? 1. Focus on the most important elements of your wedding Once you have answered the question of what matters most, everything else will start to fall into place. Every couple will have a different response, there is no right or wrong answer. Go with what feels perfect for you. Have you own general idea of what you want the wedding to be. Make sure there’s lots of flexibility within the framework, for good ideas to find their place and for…

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How to style a romantic wedding with historical elements

Choosing your style for your wedding is one of the first things you will discover when planning your special day. This may change or evolve throughout your planning journey, especially if you spend most evenings on Pinterest or Instagram! Romantic style weddings are the most popular trend year on year, so when the fantastic Jenny of Juno Weddings shared with us this gorgeous concept, we were so excited to hear about her vision which she describes as: “a romantic Victorian inspired shoot to inspire those who are looking to incorporate historical elements into their wedding day but in a modern and elegant style.” Accompanied by The Celebrant Directory member, Nikki Wood Perfect Words Ceremonies who conducted the most dreamy wedding…

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How do I include my children in the wedding ceremony?

When a couple has children, either from their relationship or from previous relationships, your Celebrant will likely ask how they envision including the children in the ceremony. Sometimes they consider a traditional wedding party role, though more often than not, they have limited ideas for how to involve their children. How do I include my children in the ceremony? With a Celebrant-led ceremony, the options for you to involve your children in the celebration are endless. From gifts to roles, vows to time capsules, this is your chance to include your child in a meaningful way. If the ceremony is celebrating the blending of a family through marriage, it’s not only a nice idea to include the children, it’s essential…

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Who should influence your wedding ceremony?

When it comes to planning the perfect wedding ceremony, there can be a lot to think about. Where should you hold it? What kind of dress will you wear? Who will you invite? And so on and so on. It can be tricky to narrow down all the details, and even harder if it feels like everyone and his mother are trying to have an input on what you decide. So, who SHOULD have an influence on your wedding ceremony? The simple answer of course is yourself and your partner. Your wedding day is about celebrating you as a couple, and your commitment to each other. Your wedding ceremony should be a reflection of your own values and personalities. And…

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Wedding Reading Ideas: Sonnet 17 by Pablo Neruda

Wedding Reading Ideas

If you’re looking for some unique wedding reading ideas for your big day, our new series of beautiful readings is going to help you personalise your ceremony to the two of you. Today’s wedding reading has been chosen by Dawn of Dawn Rees Ceremonies who is a humanist celebrant from Norfolk. Her ceremony style is inventive, quirky and definitely not run-of-the-mill. She works with couples to find a unique ceremony style that’s perfect for them. Her choice, Sonnet 17 by Pablo Neruda is part of his ‘One Hundred Love Sonnets’ collection which describes the love he feels and how it surpasses any previous definition of what love could be… perfect for your wedding day. We take a look at this beautiful…

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Getting married second time around. I do, take two!

Debbie Skyrme shares her thoughts with The Celebrant Directory on saying I do, take two! Well here’s the thing, I marry people in love and I celebrate whatever your love is. I am a writer and a Celebrant and I love my craft. I was recently asked if I had a favourite wedding and my reply was “the second time a-rounders”. As a Celebrant I totally love writing wedding ceremonies for couples who have been married before – whether widowed or divorced, couples getting married for the second time around are extra special to me. So that got me thinking, why on earth do people get married again? And why do I love celebrating their weddings?! Why do people remarry?…

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Wedding Reading Ideas: Just To Be Beside You Is Enough By Gabriel Fitzmaurice

wedding reading ideas

One of the great ways to personalise your ceremony is by the readings that you choose. If you’re looking for some unique wedding reading ideas for your big day, then our ideas and inspiration are here to help. Today’s wedding reading has been chosen by Alison of Bespoke Words a creative Celebrant from Cork who performs personalised weddings with a welcomed fresh perspective. She is a poet with an MA in Creative Writing so you are guaranteed she will write you an amazing ceremony!   Her relaxed ceremony style is personalised to you. Alison says; “The day is all about YOU! I am there to lead your bespoke ceremony and put you and your guests at ease. Love is at…

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5 Wedding Sand Ceremony Kits For Your Special Day

5 Wedding Sand Ceremony Kits For Your Special Day

Adding a modern twist to a traditional day is a great way to make your wedding ceremony more personal. Adding a sand or unity ceremony is a visual and symbolic way to do this. So, if you’ve already decided on using this as part of your day, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve put together our recommendations on wedding sand ceremony kits to make your special day even more meaningful.   (This post contains affiliate links) Lilian Rose Hourglass Lilian Rose Hourglass Wedding Sand Ceremony Kit This stunning traditional shape with a contemporary edge can be used in your wedding sand ceremony and can be displayed beautifully afterward. It includes three tubes of coloured sand in aqua, white and…

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5 top tips for guests at a gay wedding ceremony

Guest etiquette at a same-sex wedding ceremony You and I, would both agree on the joyous nature of our LGBT community and if you are someone, who is about to attend their first gay wedding, you are in for a treat! Here are 5 guidelines that will help you become a better guest at a same-sex wedding. Photo credit: Agata Jensen 1. Same-sex couples aren’t looking for approval from you: “I am so glad you guys are having a same-sex wedding.” This might seem harmless to many but can be offensive to same-sex couples. They are having a wedding, a traditional wedding, that a lot of people in love generally do. It’s special or not special because of the couple involved…

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Real Ceremony: Alice and Amy

Real Wedding Couple: Amy and Alice Date: 5th September 2015 Venue: Fernhill Farm Celebrant: Jennifer Constant Photographer: Unknown The Proposal Amy and Alice’s first date was enjoyed exploring Bristol’s famous Harbourside Festival. They very quickly fell head over heels for each other, and at a Christmas party they both attended a short time later, it became apparent to all that they had fallen in love. Alice was dressed up as Jack the skeleton for the party, Amy as Mike Makowski and they spent the whole night hysterically laughing.  The Meeting Amy and Alice were a fantastic couple to work with. They are both full of energy, love and have a huge zest for life. They were full of ideas and…

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3 ways to turn a wedding celebration into a ceremony

How to make a wedding more than a very expensive party According to recent news reports the average wedding in the UK now costs £27,000 and can take up to 18 months to plan, with couples searching for ways to make their big day memorable and personal to them. Equally, news of celebrity weddings focus on the venue, the outfits and who is (or isn’t) on the guest list, with little mention of the ceremony itself and, yet, without the actual ceremony a wedding is nothing more than a, very expensive, party. With all the time and money invested in a wedding, it’s a real shame that so many couples are having to settle for an off-the shelf wedding ceremony.…

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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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What is a Wine Ceremony and is it right for you?

You’ve planned your ceremony, and you’ve decided to have a unity ritual. Adding a wine ceremony is a great way to symbolise the unity of your two lives together. Wine is known for celebrating and romance. So why not add it to the biggest celebration of your life? Here we’ll talk about the symbolism of the ceremony and how you can add it to your wedding day. The Symbolism of a Wine Ceremony Wine has been a symbolic part of rituals and celebrations around the world for thousands of years. In the Greek tradition of “The Common Cup”, sharing wine from a single cup represents sharing life’s joys and burdens. In Norse tradition, it was known as Drinking from the…

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How to reschedule your wedding with ease

Organising your wedding is one thing, but having to change the date of your wedding is one event no couple is prepared for. We are here to help you plan how to reschedule your wedding. The main thing is, don’t cancel your special day, just postpone it! Here are some positive steps you can take to reduce the stress of rescheduling your ceremony when faced with saving a new wedding date. Choose a new date sooner rather than later What can you do if you have to postpone your wedding? In early 2020 there may be a lot of wedding couples looking to reschedule their wedding or vow renewal ceremony date, so the sooner you choose an alternative, and rebook…

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What is a Micro Wedding and is it right for you?

So, what are micro weddings and why are they so popular? Micro weddings are weddings on a smaller scale – yes pretty much exactly what they say on the tin! They give the couple a chance to take the pressure off from a huge, 200 guest set wedding and scale back to what’s most important to them. Planning a wedding can be slightly overwhelming so micro weddings can offer a beautifully intimate alternative and offer greater flexibility. Once the pressure is off from trying to organise a big wedding, it can be liberating! You have the freedom to make decisions and spend time on the finer details that really reflect you and your partner. Here are just a few reasons…

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Planning your Wedding Ceremony

You’re engaged! Congratulations! It’s a really exciting time in your life. There are so many wonderful things to organise when planning your big day, including the most important part, the ceremony! Our group of expert Celebrants have come together to create a list of your do’s and don’ts when it comes to planning your wedding ceremony. Book the venue As Celebrants, we can officiate wedding ceremonies in any location, you are free to let your imagination run wild! Ceremonies can be performed on the beach, at a festival, in a stately home or even in a tipi. The options are endless which is fantastic as it opens up so much choice!  When you’ve chosen your wedding venue, just let them…

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Top Budget Ideas for a Wedding

A big factor and often the first hurdle when planning a wedding is the budget. Before couples can start getting into the exciting details of planning, money can dominate what is realistically achievable and often, people have to reconsider their original plans. There are so many key things to be factored into the cost of a wedding and it’s so easy to get lost in amazing ideas and put cost on the back burner. Every couple wants a day to remember and who wants it to be governed by cost?!  The Celebrant Directory member Gerri Webb, Making Memories by Gerri, shares her thoughts on planning a wedding on a budget! What do you need to consider when crunching the numbers?…

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Personalising your wedding ceremony

All too often when we plan our ‘big day’ it’s very easy to get sidetracked with the smaller details; the catering, the style and theme, personalised favours and evening entertainment…. the list goes on!  But are these the most important elements about a wedding? We dont believe so but can totally relate to what you’re going through, its a stressful time! For as long as anyone can remember, we have celebrated our big moments in life with ceremony and ritual. Ah yes! CEREMONY and RITUAL….the most important and defining element of your big day! The precise moment when all of your loved ones witness you express your love and commitment to the person you standing in front of you. A…

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Breaking the rules: Who will walk down the aisle first?

It’s time to make your processional, progressional! Who walks down the aisle first and why? One of the logistical questions I ask all my couples as a Celebrant is: ‘Do you want a traditional entrance with the groom waiting at the front with me and then the bride entering last, or try something different?’. And I really, really want them to say: ‘No! We want to try something different!’. But more often than not, in fact always, they want the brides big entrance.  ‘It’s her day’, the husband-to-be invariably says.  Well actually guys, the day belongs to BOTH of you!  I mean that’s very gallant and all that, but c’mon – its 2018.  We want equality in everything (rightly so)…

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Walking down the aisle: Tradition v Modern Day

The opportunities for getting married in the 21st century have never been so abundant and choice so diverse.  The world has shrunk; traditional ‘local ‘ customs have now become global, and we, certainly here in the UK, are allowed to marry the partner of our choice, regardless of race, creed, sexuality or religion. Hopefully, it won’t be too long before people the world over have the same freedoms as we enjoy. Its seems that the world is certainly heading in this direction which makes total sense. Life is about love and more importantly, loving whomever you choose, without judgment and discrimination. In today’s wedding world, there is no right or wrong way of getting married, having a wedding ceremony or…

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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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Your 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…

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Real Celebrant Wedding – Emily and Sam

Couple: Emily and Sam Date: June 2018 Venue: Whaddon Village Hall Celebrant: Emily Rawlinson The meeting I originally met Emily at a wedding fair and we instantly gelled.  We met again with her fiancé Sam in Ware.  Emily and Sam brought along photos and we drew up plans for the day.  We chatted until the shop was practically closing around us; discussing lots of great ideas, and I learnt all about Emily and Sam’s love story.  We agreed many things including that their handfasting would be an ‘unbreakable vow’ and their lovely dog, Chester, would be ring bearer. The proposal It is still usually the groom who proposes.  I love hearing these stories and Sam’s did not disappoint!  He proposed…

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Sand Ceremonies – What’s it all about?

Sand Ceremonies: What are they, why do we do them and how you can create a special sand ceremony yourself! Sand ceremonies are becoming increasingly popular as couples are finding great ways to add a modern twist on a traditional ceremony. So what is a Sand Ceremony and why are we so excited by them?! The beauty of a sand ceremony is the visual symbolisation of joining two people together in marriage by the blending of two coloured sands.  It can be a quirky twist on the traditional unity candle ritual (and perfect for outdoor weddings, saving you from re-lighting the candle 10 times on a windy day!). Sand ceremonies can also be a beautiful way to show the joining…

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5 Wedding rules that were made to be broken

Weddings come with a lot of traditions, but who says you have to stick by them? Whether you’re having a white wedding in a local church, or jetting off to the Bahamas for a sunset beach ceremony, it’s YOUR big day, and you only get to live it once. If you’re feeling uncertain about what your day should include, here are five things you really shouldn’t be worrying about, as these rules were made to be broken. 1. The bride’s parents should pay for the wedding This tradition started hundreds of years ago in Ancient Greece, when women were considered chattel and the bride’s family had to give money to the groom’s family in the form of a dowry –…

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9 Beautiful Ways to Honour Loved Ones in a Wedding Ceremony

Weddings are Emotional! A wedding is guaranteed to be one of the most emotionally-charged days that you will experience in your whole life.  And this can be even truer when there’s someone very special who is missing from your big day. Our grandparents and parents are our first role models as we grow up: they shape who we are and who we become.  Their support through the defining moments of our lives is fundamental.  So when we lose a close relative – and especially if this happens near to the wedding date itself – it’s important to honour and acknowledge their love, guidance and support. If you’re struggling to feel as excited as you should about your wedding, because there’s…

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Celebrant secrets to a relaxed wedding ceremony

One celebrant shares a few professional tricks to make sure that your guests feel like they are a huge part of your day… from the ones you’ve known for 20 years to the ones who’ve been in your life for 20 months and even the new  ‘plus ones’ that you haven’t met yet!. After all, there’s always one person at a wedding that’s never met the wedding couple, so read on for celebrant secrets to a relaxed wedding ceremony. The Welcome… May all who come as guests leave as friends Setting the right tone starts with making those people who don’t know anybody feel like they know everybody! A super shiny smiling celebrant will BE THERE for your guests as…

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5 Wedding Ceremony Music For Signing The Register

From start to finish at your wedding ceremony, your music should be considered and reflect the two of you as a couple. Whether it’s being played live or in the background, your wedding ceremony music should be ambient and fit with the vibe of your wedding day.   Today, Janni Knox, a bespoke celebrant from Northern Ireland shares her favourite wedding ceremony songs for signing the register. Here Comes the Sun ~ The Beatles Janni says; “Isn’t this one of those songs that nearly everyone sings along to? Whilst this is also a popular exit song, it works really well as the background music whilst the marriage register is being signed, and also an indication that the formalities have been…

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Ceremony Music Ideas For Your Eclectic Wedding Day

Ceremony Music Ideas

When it comes to your wedding music you want something that suits both the two of you as a couple, your venue and your vibe of the day. Your ceremony music should be light and ambient and set the mood. It’s otherwise known as background music, but you still want it to be a considered part of your wedding day.   Today, Dawn Rees an experienced and quirky Humanist celebrant shares her favourite ceremony music ideas.   Dawn says; “My favourite songs are always my couples’ choice, not mine, but generally couples who fit my style find me because I fit theirs! My website leads them to me and only the brave follow the trail!” Ceremony Music Ideas Dance me…

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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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The Art of Handfasting: A complete guide to handfasting ceremonies

Handfasting Ceremony

In the tapestry of wedding traditions, few threads shimmer with such ancient magic as handfasting. This captivating ritual, with its roots in Celtic and pagan customs, transcends mere ceremony. It’s a vibrant tapestry woven from history, symbolism, and profound love, finding renewed relevance in modern wedding celebrations. Whether you dream of a classic ceremony or a whimsical elopement, handfasting offers a way to bind your love story with an enduring thread, forever etched in the memory of yourselves and your guests. Let’s delve into the art of handfasting, exploring its history, significance, and how you can weave it into your own modern fairytale. What is Handfasting? Handfasting is a beautiful, symbolic marriage ceremony or ritual and is believed to span…

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Achieving a truly personalised wedding ceremony

Unique, bespoke, unusual weddings are terms we hear a lot – but when you think about it, do you want different for the sake of it, or is what we’re really talking about personalisation; making one of the biggest days of your life as personal and meaningful to you as a couple, reflecting and telling your own love story rather than following an established way of doing things. It’s one of the main reasons couples choose a celebrant-led wedding; a civil or church wedding offers very limited opportunity to bespoke any element other than choosing your readings or music, and of course a celebrant-led wedding means you can hold it when and where you want! The first step for you…

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How to invite God to your Civil Wedding

If you’re not getting married in a church, synagogue, mosque or temple, UK law is adamant that you can’t invite God to your wedding. A registrar-led marriage ceremony can’t be ‘religious in nature.’ The law lists everything you can’t have in your civil wedding: no hymns, no chants, no religious rituals, no readings from religious texts, no worship of any kind. That’s fine… Except for when it’s not fine. We don’t all fit neatly into the box of either devoutly religious or resolutely atheist. If you imagine a spectrum, with the Pope sending out benedictions from one end and Richard Dawkins rolling his eyes at the other, where are you? How many of us actually mooch about in the grey…

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It’s Dark Outside – Have your Wedding Under The Moonlight.

By Celebrant Louise Goode Could there be anything more romantic than saying your vows under the light of the moon and the stars? Everything twinkly and glowing. As a celebrant, there is nothing I love more Deep colour palettes or dreamy pastels all make for amazing images that will leave you and your guests with the most beautiful of memories.  But there are also some very good practical reasons you might choose to have your wedding at night. To start with it allows plenty of time for guests to travel without an ungodly early start. It also allows you plenty of time to get ready without intense pressure. An evening only event also has the potential to be considerably less…

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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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Should 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…

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