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A – Aisles​

At a celebrant-led wedding, the world is your oyster. You can do the traditional walk down the aisle, but you could be creative! Why not…

🐚 Enter from different access points- surprise your guests!

🐚 Enter solo, as a couple or with friends or family. 

🐚 Enter with a cool dance move or walk.

🐚 Ditch the aisle altogether- be at the front, the centre of circular set-up- there are no rules!

🐚 Ride a horse if that’s what you want…. 

🐚 Decorate the aisle- candles, bunting, flowers, photos- no trip hazards please!

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B – Bespoke

We will co-create your ceremony from scratch- no AI, no copying and pasting! You can..

🐚 Choose your own poetry, readings and music, or ask me for suggestions

🐚Write your vows, stories, tributes or eulogies with as much support from me as you need

🐚Play around with the traditional ceremony structures- there are no rules with a celebrant-led ceremony

🐚 Use popular rituals- or make up your own

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 C– Connection

To quote Brené Brown: “Connection is the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued.” I am committed to:

🐚 Building trust and rapport with you from the very first phone call.

🐚 Making time to listen actively to your story, your needs and your ideas with professional curiosity, through a discovery meeting.

🐚 Supporting you with positive communication and empathy throughout the whole planning process, whatever the ceremony.

🐚 Being there for you on the day to reassure you and help you feel confident and organised.

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D – Decor

You can design your ceremony space, and I can help weave your theme throughout the ceremony. Think about...

🐚 Using meaningful colours for decorations, ribbons, flowers and flags.

🐚 Use natural objects- shells, foliage, pebbles, petals can work at any type of ceremony.

🐚 Display flags to show nationality, allegiances and values.

🐚 Match decor elements with readings or music.

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E – Emotions

The planning of any ceremony can be highly emotive. I expect them, welcome them and am trained to support you every step of the way.

🐚 Don't be afraid to lean into your feelings- they are valid and important.

🐚 Let your emotions be part of the ceremony- acknowledge them and express them through beautiful tributes, eulogies, readings and music.

🐚 Ask me for details of organisations who can help.

🐚 Draw on the light and shade of your feelings- life is complex and multiple emotions can exist at the same time.

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F – Flexibility

Even within the time slot of a ceremony, there is room for us to control the pace and structure.

🐚Look at traditional structures- and mix them up!

🐚Consider times of day- an evening wedding can be so atmospheric, an early morning funeral can cast a different light on the day.

🐚 Look carefully at your ceremony space- play around with seating plans, decor and walkways.

🐚 Say what you want- you don't have to see a committal, you can scrap formal elements and you can certainly add your own.

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G – Guests

Get your family, chosen family and loved ones involved in all aspects of the ceremony. This adds soul and texture. You could...

🐚 Ask them to read poetry, extracts, personal tributes or eulogies.

🐚 Involve them in rituals.

🐚 Utilise their talents- singing, decorating, writing, art.

🐚 Children love to be involved so don't forget them!

🐚 Honour them, thank them, mention their role in your life or the life of your loved one.

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H – Handfasting 

Handfasting is an ancient symbolic wedding ritual where ribbons or cords are tied around your hands to physically bind your lives- they make weddings so meaningful, and give you a memento of your day.

🐚 Choose different coloured cords or ribbons that represent different attributes- pink is love, unity, honour, truth, romance and happiness, for example.

🐚 Have the cords or ribbons plaited or loose- it's up to you!

🐚 Accompany the ritual with personal, meaningful words

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I – Independence 

At a celebrant-led ceremony you are totally free from religious or government restrictions so you can be creative, individual and diverse in your chosen elements.

🐚 Mix faith, cultural and spiritual content to represent who you are.

🐚 Prayers and hymns are not compulsory, even at funerals- if they don't resonate, don't have them.

🐚 The standard wedding vows a registrar uses can go out the window- go for something deeply personal, with story elements, humour and personality.

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J – Journey

The core focus of a wedding script is the unique journey of how you met and fell in love.

🐚 Tell me your story from that first meeting to the present day.

🐚  Think about the challenges, the highs, the unexpected bits- it is all important and tells your story.

🐚 Consider how the journey has changed you and made you who you are.

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K – Keepsakes

Keepsakes are reminders- they keep us connected with experiences, and ceremonies are no different!

🐚 I will provide you with a presentation script to keep forever.

🐚 Rituals create moments: hand fasting cords, sand jars, message books, memory boxes, special gifts and trinkets.

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L – Legalities

At this time, celebrants cannot do the 'legal' bit of a wedding or civil ceremony, so you will need to visit the registrar for the official paperwork.

🐚 It costs £35 per person to register and £65 for the wedding or civil ceremony itself.

🐚 You need to book in advance.

🐚 Don't forget to take two witnesses.

🐚 Once this part is done, you can get to the fun bit- your celebrant-led wedding!

🐚 Watch this space- there is a government consultation for changing the law so celebrants can do the legalities too!

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M – Music

The right music makes a ceremony. It will be remembered and forever associated with the day and the people concerned. Remember to...

🐚 Mix moods and styles of music- your songs will stand out!

🐚 Consider live music for extra impact.

🐚 Make sure songs don't go on too long.

🐚 Consider the themes in your ceremony and echo them and go with your emotions!

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N – Non-traditional

I can help you bring in 'the new' with your ceremony. There is no rulebook, and you don't have to do things just because that is what you have seen or feel you must do.

🐚 Involve your pets! They can make great ring bearers at a wedding...

🐚 Go wild with colours and clothing- funerals don't have to be 'black',  and weddings don't have to be formal dress- fancy dress is an option!

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O – Outdoors

The beauty of a celebrant-led ceremony is that you have so much choice of venue. 

🐚 Consider beaches, hilltops, gardens or lakes.

🐚 It may sound obvious, but plan for all weathers.

🐚 Make use of nature- create manadalas with objects collected by your guests or create displays and bouquets with local, seasonal flowers.

🐚 Plant a tree or shrub as part of the ceremony- children love this and it gives you a lasting, growing reminder of life and love.

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P – Pronouncement

This is THE moment you become married partners! Why not:

🐚 Let me help you make this moment really sing.

🐚 Create original words to mark this important milestone.

🐚 Follow with a kiss (of course!), a toast of your favourite drink, or a piece of music.

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Q – Questionnaire

I will always ask if it is okay to either send you a questionnaire in advance or bring one to our discovery meeting.

🐚 We will aim to make a chronology of a life or a relationship.

🐚 The questions are a guide, but there will be plenty of time to be spontaneous.

🐚 Don't worry if you need time to do some research- that's why discovery meetings are done in advance, so you don't have to worry about forgetting something!

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R - Ring Warming

This is a really beautiful enhancement to a commitment ceremony of any type. It connects everyone.

🐚 You can pass the ring on a cushion, or thread ribbon through it.

🐚 Ask guests to infuse the ring with love, blessings and good wishes.

🐚  Irish, Celtic and Nordic in its roots, a ring warming helps everyone feel involved.

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S – Sand or Spice Ceremony

Pouring different coloured sands or varieties of spices into a single vessel to symbolise lives blending into one is a wonderfully visual ritual. You can:

🐚 Involve who you like- if two families are joining through marriage, let the children join in.

🐚 Consider the colours and flavours that are meaningful to you.

🐚 Ask me or a guest to read the significance of the colours and the ceremony of itself, or play some special music.

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T – Toasts

Sharing a drink at a ceremony is celebratory and inclusive. You could:

🐚 Choose a culturally significant drink- San Gria for Spanish heritage for example.

🐚 Make the drink during the ceremony with your favourites.

🐚 Ask a loved one to lead the toast, explaining the choice of drinks.

🐚 If it's your style- do shots! Make sure there is something non-alcoholic for the kids, of course!

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U – Uniqueness

At a celebrant-led ceremony you can tailor every element, from the opening welcome to the final exit, to reflect who you truly are.

🐚 Speak your truth about your values, nationality and culture.

🐚 Be proud of your identity and show it through choices of decor, readings, music and rituals.

🐚 Honour a loved one passed- everyone's life is important, everyone's life imperfect- we can tell their story with honesty and respect.

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V – Vows

Vows or promises show the real commitment towards your partner or child. To make them heartfelt and beautiful you could: 

🐚 Write them yourself, or ask me to help.

🐚 Use traditional vows if that is what you want.

🐚 Make them as long or short as you want.

🐚 Use the ‘power of 3’- three key statements of commitment has impact.

🐚 Practice! Vows evoke deep emotion, even tears- be prepared!

 

W – Writing Ceremonies

You don’t have to worry here- I will, with your input, write the whole ceremony!

🐚 I create a delivery and presentation script- the first has all my cues and notes, the second is for you to keep.

🐚 You will get to check and edit the delivery script so it is perfect for you.

🐚 I use a basic structure- entry, readings, eulogy, tribute or story, reflections or vows, rituals, committal, closing words and exit, but we can be creative and play around with the this.

🐚 I love to write- I won’t be reading a chronology- I will be telling a story of life and love.

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X - X-Factor

I will say it again- my role as a celebrant is to create the most standout, inclusive and individual ceremonies.

🐚 Ceremonies are ‘one-offs’- I don’t copy and paste or ‘borrow’ the work of others.

🐚 I pride myself on finding the best enhancements- the perfect poem, reading or song.

🐚 I never limit myself, and nor should you!

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Y – Youth

I have thirty years’ experience teaching and leading schools- I love working with children. Naming and adoption ceremonies can be secular, immensely creative, and immersive.

🐚 Involve young people as much as possible- they bring the unexpected and you don’t want them getting bored.

🐚 Use children’s literature- picture books, poems.

🐚 Get them writing- I promise they will be honest and original.

🐚 Tap into their interests- I am waiting for my first ‘dinosaur themed’ ceremony.

 

Z – Zero Regret

You want to leave your ceremony feeling it was everything you wanted. I will:

🐚 Check in with you throughout the planning process- it must be perfect for you.

🐚 Encourage you to make changes- if something doesn’t feel right, you can say!

🐚 Give you the opportunity to practise anything you need to.

🐚 Listen- I really will ensure that everything you want is included, the way you want it!

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