Weddings, Commitments and
Vow Renewals
Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens.
A good marriage must be created. In marriage the little things are the big things.
It is never being too old to hold hands.
It is remembering to say “I love you” at least once a day.
It is never going to sleep angry.
It is at no time taking the other for granted; the courtship should not end with the honeymoon, it should continue through the years.
WILFRED ARLAN PETERSON
You want your big day to be unique and special to you. I will design a ceremony, be it a wedding, renewal of vows, anniversary or commitment ceremony, which is true to who you are and what you want to say to the world about your relationship.
Weddings
A wedding service performed by a registrar is limited by time and venue. Personalised vows will be vetted and may not even be allowed, and you are prohibited from using any content that is religious or mentions God. Spiritual content is often limited.
As an independent celebrant, I will meet with you to discuss all that you want for your ceremony on the day and my services include home visit/s, telephone contact with you, a draft ceremony for checking, order of ceremony agreed, friendly support, liaison with your venue, walk through prior to ceremony, professional delivery of your ceremony in the venue of your choice, and your own keepsake written copy of your ceremony.
You can choose where and when you hold your ceremony. Your venue does not have to be licensed for wedding ceremonies and it could be at home or in any place that has special meaning to you (although legal formalities must be completed through the registration service for a wedding to be legally binding).
Commitment Ceremonies
The purpose of a commitment ceremony is to make a public declaration of life-long commitment, love, and dedication. You may not want the legal formality of a civil partnership or wedding, but want to mark your relationship, express your loving union, share your feelings with friends and family, or simply have a quiet commitment ceremony for a few close witnesses to your relationship.
Vow Renewals
A renewal of vows ceremony is for any married couple wishing to celebrate or renew their vows in a unique and personal ceremony. You may have had a registry office service and now want your ceremony of choice or you may have been married abroad and now you want a ceremony in this country. You may have been through a tricky time in your relationship or in your health and just want to have a ceremony that recognises how you have pulled through and are reconnecting and looking forward again.
You can write (I can assist) and deliver your own vows, to make them unique to you so you express exactly what you want to say. If you have children, they can also be included in the vows.
I can assist you to choose exactly the right music and readings to enhance your ceremony. These can be spiritual/religious, have elements of spirituality or be completely secular; the choice is always yours.
Your ceremony is only limited by your imagination and it can be as unconventional as you want. I can deliver some special elements of ritual for you. Some popular elements that you may wish to include are listed here:
Unity Sand ceremony
Wine box / Love Letter
Breaking the glass ceremony
Wine ceremony
Broom jumping
Rose ceremony
Dove release
Bubble blowing
Hand wrapping /Hand fasting
Unity Candle
First kiss last kiss
Ring warming
I will weave all these elements into a unique and personalised ceremony that allows you to express how you feel to one another.