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Love Locks and the key to love...

Many people think that the tradition of attaching love locks to bridges (and throwing the keys into the water) started this century, in Paris. But actually, this ritual began over a hundred years ago, in 1915, in Serbia.

During the First World War, in the Serbian town of Vrnjačka Banja, Nada, a school teacher met and fell in love with a Serbian officer named Relja. When they were courting, the couple used to meet, in the town, on Most Ljubavi (in English, The Bridge of Love).

Shortly after their engagement, Relja was sent to Corfu, to fight in the war. While he was abroad, he fell in love, and married, a Greek woman. When Nada found out what her fiancé had done she was, understandably, devastated. It is said, that Nada never recovered and the young school teacher died of a broken heart.

News of the tragedy spread and the young women of Vrnjačka Banja started writing their names, together with the names of their loved ones, on padlocks. They fastened the padlocks to the railings of the bridge where Nada and Relja used to meet. They would make a wish and throw the keys into the river, in the hope that their own love story would have a happier ending than Nada's.

Not surprisingly, keys are often associated with marriage, or wedlock, and they are increasingly being incorporated into modern weddings.

Keys, with tags, can be used in many ways, including: 'Save the Dates' and Wish Trees.

Wish Trees are a lovely alternative to a traditional Guest Book. Friends and family write words of advice, or good wishes, for the newly weds on the key tags and attach them to the tree...

And finally, a beautiful reading called 'The Key to Love'

The key to love is understanding...

The ability to comprehend not only the spoken word,

but those unspoken gestures

The little things that say so much by themselves.


The key to love is forgiveness...

To accept each others faults and pardon mistakes

Without forgetting,

but remembering what you learn from them.


The key to love is sharing...

Facing your good fortunes as well as the bad, together

Both conquering problems, forever searching for ways

To intensify your happiness.


The key to love is giving...

Without thought of return

But with the hope of just a simple smile

and by giving in but never giving up.


The key to love is respect...

Realising that you are two separate people, with different ideas.

That you don't belong to each other -

That you belong with each other, and share a mutual bond.


The key to love is inside us all...

It takes time and patience to unlock all the ingredients

That will take you to its threshold

It is the continual learning process that demands a lot of work.

Yet the rewards are more than worth the effort

And that is the key to love.

(Author Unknown)



Lorraine Hull, Liverpool Celebrant

Hi, I am Lorraine Hull, an award-winning Celebrant, based in Liverpool.

I am most usually asked to conduct ceremonies in North-West England and North Wales but I am happy to travel anywhere within the U.K. or abroad.

At the risk of shouting (and sounding extremely cheesy) "I LOVE MY JOB!".

I really love getting to know the couples and families that ask me to be part of their special celebration, whether that is for a Wedding/Civil Partnership, Renewal/Reaffirmation of VowsNaming/Welcoming, or Celebration of Life/Funeral 

I love hearing, writing and telling love and life stories (and also finding out about hopes and dreams - which are the stories of the future!)

I love to create and conduct unique, meaningful ceremonies that are perfect for each couple, individual, and/or family.

I love helping to create and celebrate happy and poignant moments, which form memories that will last a lifetime (that also includes the memories that I get to keep too - what's not to love?


I believe that ALL people (and animals) should all be treated kindly, fairly and with respect.

I think for myself and act for others. I advocate anti-racism, the appreciation and celebration of diversity, dignity, justice, equity and equality for ALL through everything that I say and do: Love is Love, Family is Family, Life is Life.

You may like to know that I was trained to the highest level as a Celebrant and have continued my professional development. I hold Public Liability and Professional Indemnity insurance. I adhere to a strict code of conduct and I am committed to identifying, developing and sharing best practice with my Celebrant colleagues, so that we can all be the best Celebrants that we can possibly be.

To contact me please email: lorraine@liverpoolcelebrant.co.uk or call: 0744 932 3988


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