As a professional wedding celebrant, I work with couples who want to have the ‘Wedding of their Dreams’ in a place of their choosing which may not be licenced for weddings, and with words that express their love and commitment to each other in a totally unique, personalised and meaningful way.
In the UK, the legal part of your ceremony where you sign and obtain your Marriage Licence, has to be performed in front of an authorized person, a registrar or a priest. It is only the Declaratory Words or the Contracting Words that have to be said in a Registry Office or licenced venue but your actual wedding ceremony can be performed by a Wedding Celebrant such as myself where you exchange wedding rings and say your own personal vows in front of your friends and family in the special venue of your choosing. A wedding ceremony led by a celebrant offers you the opportunity to have your wedding, your way. It can be held outdoors, in a woodland setting or a beautiful garden, you might like to involve your children and include prayers and a religious content, plus a symbolic ritual such as a unity candle ceremony or a handfasting.
Every couple is unique and I will work with you to determine your specific needs. After an initial meeting I will put together a draft of your ceremony which we can work on together until it is perfect for you. ensure that all runs smoothly, giving you the reassurance and confidence that you need so that you can relax and enjoy the occasion, knowing that someone professional is there to manage the formal proceedings for you exactly as you wanted.
I can help with readings and poetry, give sample vows and any symbolic elements you may wish to include in your ceremony. I always choreograph your ceremony and advise having a short rehearsal prior to the actual day so that everyone is confident about where to stand and when to speak. On the actual day, you can leave the smooth running of the ceremony to me so that you can really enjoy your very special day.
Jumping the Broom
As the bride and groom ‘jump the broom’, they physically and spiritually cross the threshold into the land of matrimony. It marks the beginning of making a home together. It symbolizes the sweeping away of the old and the welcoming of the new; the sweeping away all negative energy, making way for all things that are good to come into your lives. It is also a call of support for the marriage from the entire community of family and friends. The BRIDE and BRIDE will now begin their new life together with a clean sweep!
Handfasting
...as your hands are bound together now, so your lives and spirits are joined in a union of love and trust.
Unity Candle Ceremony
...may the brightness of the unity candle that you have lit together shine throughout your lives, giving you courage and reassurance in the darkness. May the candle's warmth give you shelter from the cold. May its energy fill your spirits with strength and joy.
Renewal of Vows
After many years of being together, what better way to reaffirm your love and commitment to each other than to renew your vows in front of your children, your friends and your family. I will work with you to create a ceremony which will celebrate all that you have meant to each other and all that has kept your marriage strong. You may wish to repeat the vows you exchanged when you first married or write your own as well as exchange the same wedding rings again or offer each other another ring to mark the occasion.
Testimonials – Weddings
'When I first met Sue I was very impressed by her professionalism and will recommend her to any of my friends who have need of a celebrant.'
Louise L.
'Thank you for making our wedding ceremony so wonderful! You helped us to choose exactly what we wanted to express, and the words of the ceremony meant so much more for being true to our individual personalities and our relationship. So many of our guests commented on how beautiful the ceremony was, and on what a fantastic job you did. As the bride and groom, we felt so comfortable in your presence. We cannot thank you enough for being so professional, and for just being such a lovely person.'
Dear Sue, just wanted to thank you again for the more than lovely wedding ceremony you officiated for us last year. It wasn't just that you're so professional and have all these wonderful ceremony ideas; it's your warmth, kindness, gentleness and understanding of the human character that made it at once moving and deeply meaningful. We will never be able to thank you enough, Sue. With all our love, Mayke & Paul (and Meg & Jerry!)
