Two Ceremonies, One Love: A Celebrant’s Personal Journey to the Perfect Wedding

Julie Hunter knows firsthand that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to weddings. At age 50, this celebrant celebrated her own love story with two distinct ceremonies that perfectly captured different aspects of her journey – a barefoot beach wedding in her Australian homeland and an intimate garden celebration in England that honoured family connections.

A Barefoot Beach Beginning

Australia was the place I was born, and I never wished to be married inside, so as we had already booked a trip to Australia my husband casually asked me one night “Which beach would you like to get married on?”

The beach is my spiritual home I just love the sound and smell of the ocean and being barefoot.  Byron Bay is the most Eastern point of Australia and is such a special place, so I knew straight away that Tallows was the beach for us. 

The fact that my two oldest friends could be there was just perfect.  So that took care of the legal bit.”. On Tallows Beach, accompanied by her two oldest friends and armed with tulips from Woolworths wrapped in twine, Julie said her vows in a simple white cheesecloth dress.

Her second wedding… as she says, “why have one anniversary, when you can have two?” was a family affair at home.

A Garden Gathering

The second celebration, held in her mother’s garden in Surrey, brought together family and friends in a setting rich with meaning. “My dad died in 2007, and he would have been tickled pink to have seen me finally get married,” Julie shares. “Having our wedding in his garden ensured he was there to see the miracle happen.” With hay bales for seating, fish and chips for supper, and her son walking her down the aisle while her stepsons served as ring bearers, the ceremony wove together their blended family with heartfelt simplicity.

The Celebrant’s Perspective

Now a professional celebrant based in Woking, Julie brings her personal understanding of meaningful ceremonies to every couple she works with. “What makes you unique? That’s the question I like to ask,” she explains. “My skill is in finding out what makes each couple special and then tailoring their ceremony around that uniqueness.”

“We all have a story,” Julie reflects. “Whether quirky, boho, simple, or extravagant, working together we can create a beautiful and meaningful ceremony that captures your journey. Life should be about having enough in common to make conversation easy and enough differences to make it interesting.”

Creating Your Perfect Ceremony

As an independent celebrant, Julie offers couples the freedom to blend religious, cultural, or spiritual elements in ways that reflect their authentic selves. “Almost all cultures use ceremonies to mark the important stages of our lives,” she notes. “My passion is giving people the freedom to come together and mark these moments in ways that are special and unique to them.”

Whether you dream of a beach at sunrise, a garden filled with memories, or somewhere entirely different, a celebrant can help create a ceremony that tells your unique love story.

Find Your Perfect Celebrant

Because your love story deserves to be told your way.