Getting married is a big deal and you want it to be something that you look back on and think that it was everything you wanted it to be. In this blog I look at 5 reasons why you should hire a wedding celebrant.
I have always believed that your wedding service should be as unique as your love story and is an opportunity to celebrate who you are as a couple and all the things that make your relationship special. If you're not religious, then having a wedding celebrant conduct your service can be a lovely alternative as it means you can pretty much do what you want and make the service really reflect who you are.
Now, you could be thinking... well you would say that Katie, you are a wedding celebrant and you'd be right, I am one, but I also very much believe in what I do and what it can bring to a wedding celebration or vow renewal.
Let me cover the legal bit, before I give you five reasons why I think using a wedding celebrant is a good idea. In England, services conducted by a celebrant aren't legal, so the couples I work with will go to the registry office a few days beforehand and do the paperwork bit, which makes the marriage legal. You still need to give at least a months notice and no more than 12 months to do this. Once the paperwork is signed then you can have whatever service you want. You can find a full legal explanation about what you need to do here.
Here's my 5 reasons why I think hiring a wedding celebrant is a good idea.
1. You can have it where and when you want.
A registrar can only marry you in approved wedding that has been solemnised. By using a celebrant, you can choose any venue, any room, you can have it in your garden, on the beach, or even abseiling if you want... there are endless possibilities. I'm up for most things, but if you decide to get married jumping out of a plane, or with your pet snake as best man then I might recommend a colleague to conduct your service.
You also aren't restricted on what time you get married either, I have always worked weird and wonderful hours, so whether you want to get married at sunrise or sunset, then I will be there.
2. You can have the ceremony that you want, the way you want it.
One of my favourite parts of my job is getting to know the couple. I find out all about their love story, how they met, where they got engaged, what they enjoy doing together, I love to find out everything!
This really helps me work with you to help craft a ceremony that is perfect for you as a couple.
With a celebrant, you can include whatever you want, you can write your own vows, you can include a mini ceremony such as handfasting, drinking from the Quaich, you can light a unity candle, we can do a sand ceremony, your family can offer words of wisdom.... if you want your pet dog to walk you down the aisle, that's OK too!
Together we will create the ceremony that you want.
3. You can include everything that you want.
Some couples, whilst not religious might want to include a short reading, prayer or hymn and that's absolutely fine.
It might be you want to include something that recognises your heritage or has significant meaning to you.
With a celebrant you can include all of the elements that are important to you as a couple and your family.
It might be you've always fancied walking down the aisle dressed as Princess Leia and Hans Solo, or you want a gothic themed wedding or to dress as your favourite Disney characters.... the possibilities for what you can do are really endless.
4. Your ceremony can be relaxed.
A lot of the couples I work with don't really like the idea of formality or of being centre of attention, they really just want to celebrate being married with their family and friends and then cut to the bit where they party.
Getting married can be stressful, most couples who choose to use a celebrant, will visit a registry office either the day before their ceremony or on the day itself, to do the legal bit, by doing this, they know at the ceremony itself, they are already legally married and they can relax and enjoy their day.
5. You'll have my unlimited time on the day.
In the run up to your ceremony, I will be in contact with you throughout, making sure that everything is going OK and you're happy with the service I'm putting together. We will meet up approximately 3 times beforehand.
On the day itself, I will be there in plenty of time, I'll never have more than one wedding a day and so you'll never feel rushed or like it's a race against the clock.
I will be there for as long as you need me.
Hopefully, that has given you an insight into why hiring a celebrant is a good idea, and if you'd to talk to me about your wedding or vow renewal, then please feel free to get in touch to check my availability, I have some dates free for this year and my diary is open for 2025 and beyond. Once a date is confirmed then I'll meet with you to find out more about you as a couple, how you want the ceremony to walk and start to talk you through some initial ideas.
I'll be with you every step of the way and together we will create something amazing, a true celebration of your love.
Feel free to contact me via this website or e-mail katiethecelebrant@gmail.com I'm looking forward to hearing from you.
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