One way of making your ceremony personal, to you, is to include enhancements that reflect you, your relationship and your personalities. You may also want to include, or acknowledge, other important people during your ceremony. Here are just four ways of doing that. Ask your Celebrant for other examples.
1. Ask them to share a reading or tell your love story (so far)
When you have a Celebrant led wedding, as with every other aspect of your ceremony, you have no restrictions on what can be said. You can have funny, serious, religious, romantic, or quirky readings. They can be classical and well known or completely original.
If you wish, your Celebrant will provide you with a compilation of readings and they will also have access to many more resources that they will be happy to share.
You can either write your own love story, or tell it to your Celebrant and they will write it for you. As with the readings, this can be in any style. Your day, your way.
If you choose a Liverpool Celebrant to conduct your ceremony, they will print everything out, for the readers, and will even provide a reading stand, microphone and portable PA system, if required.
2. Light a candle to remember those people unable to be with you on your special day.
Because this will quite probably be a highly emotional moment, for you and your guests, most Celebrants would recommend that you do this near the beginning of your ceremony.
Here are some words that you may wish your Celebrant to use (photo by The Struths):
Today is a happy occasion but we are mindful of those not able to be here, in person.
(Your names) wanted to pause to think about the very important people, in their lives, who have passed away: (your loved ones names).
We will also spend a moment thinking of the people who were unable to make the journey here today: (their names). Although they cannot be here in person I’m sure that they will be thinking of (your names), on this their wedding day.
I am now going to light this candle in celebration of (people unable to travel) and in remembrance of (people who have died). This candle will remain lit throughout the ceremony and it will represent their love and light shining upon you.
We will take a few moments to think of these very special people and then we will continue with our happy ceremony, as I am sure they would have wanted.
3. Include them in a blending of the sands
This bottle contains sand in four different colours. You can include as many colours as you can find. Probably seven, or eight, may be a reasonable maximum so that you can still distinguish the separate colours.
Each colour can represent a special person or part of the family, or group of friends. For example, if you had a child, or children, they could choose a colour and be included in the blending. There is a separate post on this here
Or, you may wish to represent your two families and perhaps your friends, with a colour, or maybe choose a colour for each generation. You could nominate a person from each of these groups, of significant people, to join you in a blending of the sands.
Your Celebrant would create words to include this symbolic enhancement, would guide you, and the people that you had asked to pour the sand, and would explain what was happening to your guests. Of course, you get to keep the filled bottle.
4. Ask them to bring a ribbon or cord, or choose one that you have provided
Your Celebrant will invite guests to hold their ribbon, or cord, during your ceremony and pass their good wishes into it.
After you have made your vows, guests will be invited to drape their ribbon over your clasped hands.
Your Celebrant will then take hold of the ribbons and cords and tie a knot in them.
This binds not only your vows, but also unites your families and friends and entwines their love and good wishes for you, and your future. Your Celebrant will work, with you, to create wording that is meaningful and personal to you.
This element works particularly well with outdoor weddings but can be incorporated into any setting. The ribbons and cords can be draped on real, or artificial, tree branches prior to the ceremony. This is not only highly decorative, it helps to create an air of anticipation.
If you are going to ask lots of people to be involved you may want music to be played at this point.
These are just a few of the ways that you can include your guests. There are many other ways to personalise your wedding and your Celebrant will be able to suggest and explain enhancements and how they might fit into your ceremony. More importantly, they will listen to what you want and together, with you, they will create something that is perfect and unique for you and your special day.
Your wedding ceremony is most important part of the day. It is why everyone is there and it is what you, and your guests, will remember.
If you choose a Liverpool Celebrant wedding, your Celebrant will not only create and conduct a wonderful ceremony, they will also create happy and lasting memories of your special day...
Personalised Sand Blending sets, and other made-to-order items,
are available in Liverpool Celebrant Shop
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 Vows, Naming/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