Celebrant Weddings: Your Ceremony Stories
The fabulous thing about celebrant weddings is that they come with no restrictions! That means you are free to hold your wedding ceremony any time and any place you like. Not only that, you can even include any content you choose and tailor the ceremony completely to you!
We caught up with six fabulous celebrants and asked them to share their best and most unique wedding stories. Perhaps they will inspire you to start creating your own dream ceremony with the celebrant of your choice.
So glad I said yes!
In April 2018 I received an email from Beth and Chris, who were planning their woodland wedding near Dulverton in Devon on 23rd June – which also happened to be the day of my daughter’s 21st and my silver wedding anniversary! Of course my friends and family immediately said “don’t do it!”, but I wanted to help, and decided it was still possible to get back in time for my own celebrations that evening.
We arranged a video call and we hit it off immediately. Beth and Chris told me the amazing story of how they met, how Chris proposed and more. Beth also mentioned that she was incredibly nervous about speaking in front of their guests, and that she was dealing with arthritis but was determined to walk up their very long aisle into the woodland setting with her father and her beloved dog Otto. So we put plans in place to ease the nerves and make things as comfortable as possible for her.
On the day the weather was glorious, and Chris had set up the woodland ceremony area to perfection. Beth managed the walk down the aisle and the ceremony was just perfect, with their friends and families sitting on bales under the shade in the woods.
It was a magical ceremony with a lovely couple – I’m so glad I said yes!
Community to the rescue!
Last year I was fortunate to be involved in the most wonderful wedding that was a true example of community spirit. The couple had recently had their dreams dashed by the demise of Thomas Cook. But thankfully, a beautiful barn venue local to me generously offered their venue free of charge, and many other local suppliers followed suit with offers – a florist, photographer, caterer, bar supplier, and of course myself for the ceremony.
I created a heartfelt ceremony to celebrate their marriage, plus created a symbolic moment to recognise their two families uniting as one. Promises, hugs and kisses were exchanged. The entire day was the most uplifting and heart-warming example of community spirit.
When creating ceremonies I just love the idea that it’s not all about being fancy and spending a lot of money – it’s about people coming together to help others to give them the special wedding day they deserve.
Alison Carter, Springwood Ceremonies
Barefoot in the orchard
Despite being sun-drenched like high-summer, Liz and Haydn’s wedding took place just days before the autumn equinox, with 200 friends and family gathered in the orchard.
Everyone seemed to arrive with their arms full, bringing a contribution, often something delicious for the wedding feast. The trees of the orchard were themselves laden with apples and perry pairs.
The bride walked through the orchard meadow barefoot and, in response, the groom pulled off his own shoes and socks to stand on the grass barefooted beside her. We shared tales of the wild places they’d visited together, and their love of nature brought rich imagery and symbolism to their ceremony.
The wedding was rooted in the local landscape, their love for each other and a palpable sense of community and continuity. Altogether it was a ceremony that simply brimmed over with love.
Jennie Hermolle, Humanist celebrant
Sand blending in the countryside
The beautiful outdoor setting of Twyning Park, Tewkesbury was the perfect venue for J & K’s wedding. This couple met at school 10 years ago and felt the time was right to commit to each other in a wedding ceremony. They wanted to tell their love story in a personal, relaxed ceremony, which would include their two little girls.
What better way to do this than with a sand blending ceremony, bringing together their children and grandparents and symbolising the love and unity of four generations?!
For me, this ceremony certainly ticked all the boxes with sincerity, love, laughter and even a few happy tears.
Not so bleak mid-winter!
“A mid-winter 25th anniversary SURPRISE vow renewal ceremony from the wife to the husband?! Sign me up!”
It was a magical, night-time ceremony in a candlelit woodland glade. A bemused Mr I. was led into the dark woods in late December to find 35 of his nearest and dearest, hushed and grinning. So many happy tears! So many belly laughs! There were flower crowns made by god-daughters, poems written and music played by sons, and dearest friends bundled up in coats and hats, safe and warm in a ring of candlelight and love.
A one-of-a-kind evening, never to be forgotten.
Justine Chase Grey, Humanist celebrant
A steam-led wedding in Wales
When I got to Nantyronen Station, I couldn’t help but notice that the black plastic covering the hay bales was still slick with water. The string quartet hung back, keeping their instruments dry. The ‘moon arch’ in the ceremony space glowed triumphant in its confident beauty against the green of the valley beyond.
Slowly, the mists lifted and the planners removed the plastic, revealing the hessian hay-bale coverings. A whistle sounded in the distance; “they’re on their way!”. With a hiss and a chug, the wedding party and groom were hauled into the station behind The Vale of Rheidol Railway’s shining engine. The fields echoed with the joy of the occasion as the choir sang their hearts out.
Thankfully the weather remained dry as we held their beautiful ceremony. And as Claire and Nick took their first kiss, the train’s whistle blew and it was “all aboard!” to travel up the line to the wedding reception, held in a marquee within a walled garden.
Hay, flowers, orchestra, train, celebrant and certainly the Welsh weather all ‘played a blinder’ to make this one of the best weddings I – and according to many guests, they – had ever witnessed!
Helen Williams, Treasured Ceremonies
Love the idea of an outdoor celebrant-led ceremony? Browse our directories of celebrants, outdoor wedding venues and marquee and tipi suppliers to begin planning your perfect day.
