Brenda Woods, Celebrant

A couple marrying at an outside venue, in front of a lake, with their two youngest daughters waving fairy wands over their rings to provide the magic of love as their elder daughter held the rings on a hand embroidered cushion.

Joyful, inclusive, quirky, professional, imaginative

Lockdown ceremonies I wrote and delivered at short notice including using a sword to maintain social distancing when the rings were exchanged!

Let your imagination run riot - it is your day after all!

Hand made bags of dried rose petal confetti provided to the guests by a bride who had made it from all the roses the groom had given her from the moment that the couple became engaged.

Talk to a couple and agree the date and venue and get a sense of the type of ceremony that they are looking for. Discuss symbolic activities that might be incorporated.

Give the couple a checklist to complete.

Telephone discussion with couple about the checklist - may include more examples, examples of music/musicians, poetry, use of animals, etc

Draft ceremony and deliver to couple

More discussion until finalised

Officiate at ceremony

Provide bound copy of ceremony

Ring warming for a couple where the husband had lost his wedding ring and the wife had bought a new one, measuring her husbands finger with a piece of string as he was asleep

Plan, keep in touch with the couple, get there early, have a box with 'emergency' materials in!

Focus on what you want and make lists/records of what you are doing

When the couple look into each others eyes as they make vows - what a privilege to be part of that moment.