Question 1

What is your advice on overcoming the most common planning concerns?

Accepted Answer

When planning and researching for your big day you may well come across the term 'celebrant,' and wonder what exactly do they do? And how do they differ from a registrar? Celebrants work with couples and families to create and officiate milestone life events, such as weddings, and may also offer baby namings, renewal of vows, funerals and celebrations of life. A celebrant will spend time getting to know you as individuals and as a couple, listening to your vision for your ceremony, whether it be traditional, creative or a blend of cultures for example. A celebrant can offer advice on writing your vows, where to include any readings or music, and incorporating symbolic rituals such as hand-fasting or sand blending, as well as on how to legally register your marriage. Celebrant-led weddings can be more bespoke than their civil counterparts, which must follow specific wording and cannot contain any reference to religion. However, with a celebrant at the helm, you can acknowledge and celebrate more than one religion or heritage. They also offer more flexibility in terms of location and timings. The process of writing and editing the script for the ceremony will normally take place over a number of months. Your celebrant will usually offer to have a run-through of the ceremony, giving you confidence before you stand before your loved ones and make your vows.

Question 2

What is your advice on planning an intimate wedding?

Accepted Answer

Having an intimate wedding is a choice couples make for various reasons, and it's not just down to budget. Some may lack the time needed to plan a large-scale event, or smaller gatherings may simply be more their vibe. Whatever your reason, an intimate wedding certainly gives you the opportunity to feel connected and celebrate with your loved ones. So, here's what you'll need to consider: •Guest list. Who were the very first people you told about your engagement? Remember, this day is for you. •Venue. Smaller venues such as restaurants or a favourite pub are great, since they already come with plenty of seating and facilities. Or consider a museum or gallery space for something more creative. A local village hall could also offer a great blank canvas to put your own stamp on. Personalise the space with family photos or décor that reflects your taste and interests. •Ceremony. A celebrant-led wedding can create a truly bespoke ceremony with your unique love story at the heart of it in front of the people who matter most. They can also take place in unlicensed venues, giving you even more choice of location. •Food and drink. With a smaller headcount, you many want to splurge on the catering. A carefully chosen luxury menu makes for a memorable meal. Consider your seating arrangements with a smaller group. A banquet table or horseshoe setup keeps everybody together, rather than sat at several separate tables.

Question 3

What is your advice on creating a winter wonderland wedding?

Accepted Answer

We love a winter wedding! Snuggly venues, log fires, greenery, Christmas trees with baubles, fairylights and candles everywhere, mulled wine on arrival to warm everyone up... Warmth is a must, so think velvet, feathers and pashminas, plus a spare pair of outdoor shoes for photos – there's nothing worse than a soggy Jimmy Choo! Flowergirls and pageboys can have the look of magical little elves, while bridesmaids can rock the winter theme in burgundy or scarlet. As for the ceremony itself, pop a cracker on every seat to start things off with a bang and, of course, that means a paper hat on every head for full-on festive fun. A Christmas carol or Christmas number one can provide you with a sing-a-long to really lift the spirits – Winter Wonderland is one of our favourites. Stick your vows inside a giant husband or wife Christmas card – so kitsch it's cool – and, of course, for the kiss, it's got to be under the mistletoe! Finally, on exit forget confetti, it's party poppers all the way – you're definitely going out with a bang!

Question 4

How do you inject your wedding day with the spirit of spring?

Accepted Answer

Spring is the perfect time of year for celebrating nature. It's a time of renewal, a time of new growth. Young, fresh greens and spring flowers enhance those outdoor ceremony settings. For thousands of years, the seasons, especially spring, have been integral in ritual ceremonies reflecting our respect for nature. A perfect addition to your day might be a symbolic tree or shrub planting. Depending on the location of your ceremony, this could be done afterwards in your garden or elsewhere (with necessary permissions). During the ceremony, the sapling could be in a pot while you and others spoon soil onto it with a ceremonial trowel. As you're doing this, significant words reflecting the symbolism of this action are spoken by your celebrant. Different trees have their own meaning. Apple is associated with knowledge, faith and fertility; birch represents truth and new beginnings; and elm is thought to strengthen relationships. Remember, once you've done the legal bit in the registry office, you're free to choose from so many spectacular natural settings to stage your celebrant-led wedding or civil partnership celebration ceremony.

Question 5

What are you top 2023 trend predictions?

Accepted Answer

"With the restrictions of the last few years hopefully consigned to the past, couples will be wanting to celebrate their most special of days with all of their family and friends. "I expect to see an increase in celebrant-led ceremonies as couples are becoming more aware of this option. By teaming with an independent celebrant, you can work together to create a unique and personalised ceremony meaning your wedding celebration puts you at the heart of the day. "There will also be more of a shift towards ecoweddings as couples become much more aware of the impact of their day on the environment. This will lead to an increased demand for sustainable and biodegradable products, as well as clothing and accessories hire. "Outdoor weddings will also remain popular as couples look to put a unique stamp on their day and keep it true to themselves. I'm going to be the celebrant for a renewal of vows this March and as part of the ceremony Kay and Mark have asked me to sing Elvis Presley's She Wears My Ring, a significant song played at their wedding 30 years ago. After all, there should be no such thing as a standard wedding ceremony. My word for 2023 is: unique."

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