Question 1

What is your advice on planning an autumn wedding?

Accepted Answer

Autumn is such a magical time to get married, the colours from changing leaves create the most beautiful backdrop for photographs for one! Incorporating those autumnal vibes into your ceremony could include dressing your ceremony space with themed florals, but why not include a handfasting braid to match? A handfasting is an ancient Celtic tradition, which sees the couple's hands bound to symbolise how their lives are now bound by the promises they have made to each other. Celebrants each have their own way of performing handfastings. For me, I love to bind the couple in braids that, when released, form an infinity knot – symbolic and a beautiful keepsake! I hand-weave all the braids so incorporating autumnal colours would be no problem. Another idea to include your guests would be to place an artificial leaf and pen on each chair, during the ceremony they'll write how they feel in that moment with you before throwing them like confetti as you walk back down the aisle at the end. The leaves are then collected up for you to create a keepsake from whether that be a family tree type canvas or to simply keep them in a special box – unique, colourful and fun! Plus, your aisle confetti photos would be amazing!

Question 2

What is your advice on planning an outdoor wedding?

Accepted Answer

The first thing is to find yourself a celebrant who can create a super special ceremony to match your personalities and wedding setting. Many are very accustomed to working outdoors so will likely have some great tips and ideas to make your celebration perfect! A good idea to avoid stress on your big day is to have a plan B! The weather can be unpredictable, so think about where you could hold your ceremony if it rains, or maybe have big umbrellas on hand for your guests if you feel like braving it – we've all seen that mushy movie scene where the loved-up couple smooch in the rain, right? Most couples who choose outdoor weddings do so because they love being surrounded by nature, so when planning your ceremony consider using sustainable items such as rose petals in place of confetti and decorating with natural products like pampas grass. Super-cute favours include wildflower seeds so your guests can plant them at home and be reminded of your special day as their flowers grow – the bees will thank you too!

Question 3

Tell us how to plan a wedding sustainably.

Accepted Answer

A couple of years ago, I was fortunate enough to attend a wedding where the bride and groom had put every effort into making their big day as sustainable as possible. All of the food was locally-sourced and the chefs prepared and cooked the whole menu onsite, so the fuel cost of transporting any produce was kept to a minimum, while the carbon footprint was reduced. The same principle was applied to the hire of any equipment, such as table cloths and chair covers. The plates and cutlery were all reusable, and no plastic was used at all. The centrepieces featured plant arrangements that the guests could take home and plant in their own gardens. The candles were made from soy wax, and again, loved ones were encouraged to take them home and reuse the jars. The favours were handmade soaps, created using natural ingredients and wrapped in reusable muslin bags. The reception was held in a local village hall, which was completely transformed into the most beautiful venue using fabrics and hundreds of fairylights, however I know that these elements have since been passed on and used at another four weddings and one birthday party! All of the guests were booked into local hotels and ferried to and from the venue in minibuses to reduce the number of vehicles required. So, everything was sourced within a radius of a few miles of the venue and all elements were either reusable or recycled keeping waste to an absolute minimum. This can all be achieved with reasonable ease, all that's required is a slightly different way of thinking.

Question 4

This issue we asked the experts how to inject your wedding days with the spirit of spring.

Accepted Answer

A springtime wedding can be the most fun! There are so many colour palettes to choose from to mix and match; both pastels and bright colours work amazingly well with the gorgeous light spring brings. People assume that summer is the perfect time for an outdoor wedding; but the truth is, with the summer sun, wedding attire for both brides and grooms in the heat, and the many seasonal insects, it can create some issues. In comparison, with all the beautiful blossom trees in bloom, the sun shining and a cool breeze – its springtime that makes the perfect outdoor wedding ceremony season! But yes, with our British weather and spring showers, you may also need a plan B to bring the outside in. Floral arches and aisle displays bursting with seasonal flowers can not only create the springtime wow factor you're looking for, but save you some serious pennies by using the season's natural abundance. These types of displays are perfect to repurpose for your wedding breakfast and they transition into the evening, saving you even more on your décor budget too!

Question 5

What are your top trend predictions for 2023?

Accepted Answer

I find that couples really want the emphasis of their ceremony to be totally specific to them, as well as a day that everyone will remember as theirs, not one that's the same as any other wedding guests may have attended. Indeed, there seems to be an increased interest in celebrant-led ceremonies outdoors, at locations that have special meaning for them as a couple. For example, I've recently taken bookings to conduct ceremonies in couples' own homes. There's also been a big interest in having animals involved, the family dog being a big hit as bridesmaid or ring bearer! A major benefit of having celebrant-led "I dos" is that in addition to writing a bespoke ceremony, we can accommodate couples' individual requirements and requests, resulting in a unique, special and memorable experience.

Question 6

How can we make sure our ceremony is a unique reflection of our personalities?

Accepted Answer

I don't just learn about your love story, I learn your entire life stories! Every experience, good and bad, not only put you on the path to meeting, but also to being the perfect match for one another. The end result is so worth it. In fact, the greatest compliment I've ever received is when a couple's congregation all assumed I was one of their lifelong friends. Twelve weeks before the wedding is when I send out your Couple's Workbook. It's a great date-night opportunity, allowing you to reminisce about all those relationship and milestone moments. It was designed with a relationship psychologist to be purposefully emotionally triggering but in the most wonderful way. Eight weeks before the big day, we design the ceremony running order and four weeks ahead we write vows. It's also at this point I'll send out some self-care treats and arrange a wellness session if you're feeling the pressure of planning. Your ceremony will set the tone for the rest of the day. A wedding will likely be the one and only time in your lives that you'll have everyone you care about in the same place at the same time. It's so important to evoke emotion, excitement and a happy mindset to ensure everyone has the time of their lives; and that starts at the heart of your day, your highly-personal ceremony.

FAQs and expert advice about celebrant